When not linked to heat loss,insulation of buildings concerns the propagation of noise and the reverberation of spaces, which are areas of specialization of ITS. Sound insulation is a fundamental aspect of the quality of a construction: taking it into account conditions obtaining an adequate level of comfort for its habitability.
sound insulation is a fundamental aspect of the quality of a construction: taking it into account conditions obtaining an adequate level of comfort for its habitability |
Insulation of buildings: noise propagation limitation
The limitation, in a given space, of the propagation of external noise (notably: road, air or rail traffic) is required in many contexts, e.g. when it comes to offices or associated spaces (individual, collective or open spaces, meeting or training rooms, recreation areas and restaurants) as they affect the acoustic environment of such workspaces for which the standard NS 31080, of which application is not mandatory, is often the reference document.
It is also required for many premises of educational institutions (among other kindergartens and elementary schools, high schools, universities), for sports halls associated with them and for health facilities, object of 2 separate ministerial decrees dated April 25, 2003.
The level of insulation of the facades is then decisive, its evaluation being the object of the standard NF EN ISO 140-5 Acoustics - Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part 5: Field measurements of airborne sound insulation of facade elements and facades
For such premises, indoor airborne noise insulation is also a common technical requirement, involving the weighted standardized level difference itself calculated from a quantity determined on the basis of ISO 140-4: Acoustics - Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part 4: Field measurements of airborne sound insulation between rooms when not based on ISO 16283-1 Acoustics -- Field measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part 1: Airborne sound insulation.
Insulation of buildings: reverberation control
For these same premises and for others (such as workshops), the limitation of the reverberation is a major challenge, since in some cases impacting the conditions of speech and listening, in other cases the conditions of work, and since therefore always influencing the acoustic comfort of the occupants (if not on their hearing health when the amplification of sound levels due to acoustic wave reflections on the walls of a confined space leads the limits which must not be exceeded in any case to be reached - a daily noise exposure level above 87 dB (A) and/or a peak sound pressure level above 140 dB (C) -.
Depending on the context, the technical requirement for limiting reverberation of premises is commonly stated:
- either as a reverberation time limit, which can then be evaluated in accordance with standard NF S 31-057 - Acoustics - Verification of the acoustic quality of buildings when it is not with standard NF EN ISO 3382- 2 - Acoustics - Measurement of acoustic parameters of rooms - Part 2: Reverberation time of ordinary rooms
- or as a decrease in the sound level by doubling the distance to the source (spatial sound decay rate), which can be evaluated (in France) in accordance with the provisions of the annex to the Order of 30 August 1990 adopted for the application of the article R. 235-11 of the code of work and relating to the acoustic correction of the working premises when it is not in conformity with the standard NF EN ISO 14257 Acoustics - Measurement and parametric description of spatial sound distribution curves in workrooms for evaluation of their acoustical performance
ITS's offer of services for the insulation of buildings, concerning noise propagation limitation and reverberation control
ITS' offer of services for the insulation of buildings is diversified, with regard to the limitation of noise propagation and reverberation:
- on-site measurements (sound levels, reverberation time, spatial sound decay) and diagnosis by a human resource qualified in physical measurements (specialized in instrumental techniques)
- studies with search for solutions for which simulations of acoustic performance are carried out by an acoustician with a degree in building physics
- commercialization of construction products and systems:
- for floors, walls, ceilings, roofs and also partitions: doorsets, glazed frames, panels and coverings when one lokks for sound transmission limitation or for properties in terms of sound absorption
- screens, noise barriers (also for industrial buildings)
- silencers of all kinds (for fluids with or without pressure, for operation at ambient temperature e.g. for Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning - HVAC - facilities or at very high temperatures (for what has to do with combustion processes)
ITS have an expert knowledge of reference documents for building insulation and can propose appropriate solutions for the acoustic comfort of the occupants of each space e.g. in the case of industrial premises or of tertiary buildings.
Even if the issues relating to excessive reverberation are less frequent, dwellings are also buildings for which there is reason to be concerned about insulation, e.g. with respect to airborne noise (inside and outside) and with respect to equipment noise: they are also part of ITS's field of activity.
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