Rockfon ÷ Part of the ROCKWOOL Group 1

Rockfon, a part of the ROCKWOOL Group

Rockfon | Part of the ROCKWOOL Group 2

At ROCKWOOL, we are committed to enriching the lives of everyone.

Whether it is energy consumption or water scarcity, we are developing products to tackle the world’s biggest sustainability and development problems. Our products span everything from building insulation to horticultural systems.

Our heritage is rooted in stone wool. We are the world leader in this field, with more than 11,000 passionate experts spread across 39 countries.

80ROCKWOOL Group’s years of experience in the stone wool manufacturing industry

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BNP Media is a registered provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-AIA members are available on request.

This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

This presentation is protected by U.S. and international

copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display, and use of the presentation without

written permission is prohibited.

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Learning ObjectivesAfter completing this course, you should be able to:

1. Describe how noise can negatively impact physiological and psychological health, learning, and productivity.

2. Define key terms related to acoustic performance, including noise reduction coefficient (NRC), sound transmission class (STC), and ceiling attenuation class (CAC).

3. Discuss how to use the Optimizing Absorption matrix to select the right absorption performance (NRC) for a project.

4. Define good, better, best sound transmission class (STC) blocking categories, and know how to use the Optimizing Blocking matrix to select the optimal STC for a project.

5. Explain how lightweight plenum barriers can be used to control sounds when walls do not extend full height, and determine the required background sound level based on the wall-blocking capacity.

§ Why Acoustics Matter

§ Optimizing Acoustics § Step 1: Optimizing Ceiling Absorption§ Step 2: Optimizing Wall Sound Insulation

§ Step 3: Optimizing Background Sound Level§ Questions

Summary

60 minutes

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Why Acoustics Matter

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Why Acoustics Matter

Impact of noise on physiology, comfort, and health

“Noise seriously harms human health by causing short- and long-term health problems. Noise interferes with people’s daily activities at school, at work, at home, and during leisure time. It can disturb sleep, cause cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects, hinder work and school performance, and provoke annoyance responses and changes in social behavior.”

8Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

Why Acoustics MatterPhysiological impacts of noise

§ Increased heart rate§ Elevated blood pressure§ Increased respiration rate§ Increased muscle tension§ Fatigue, nausea, heart attacks

Mental and behavioral impacts of noise

§ Increased aggressiveness§ Impatience and nervousness§ Decreased helping behaviors§ Lowered attention span§ Decreased problem solving§ Comprehension problems 9

Why Acoustics Matter

§ 90 percent of business operation costs are staff

§ Staff spends 62 percent of its time trying to do quiet work

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Building Occupant Scores over Past 10 Years

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Ease of interactionAmount of lightComfort of furnishingsBuilding cleanlinessBuilding overallBuilding maintenanceAmount of spaceVisual comfortWorkspace cleanlinessWorkspaceColors and texturesFurniture adjustabilityVisual privacyAir qualityNoise levelTemperatureSound privacy

Satisfaction Level

Center for the Built Environment University of California, Berkeley§ 52,980 occupant surveys

§ 351 buildings

§ 10 year survey period

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Trends in the Acoustics Standards & GuidelinesSchoolsANSI/ASA S12.60 & CHPS

OfficesWELL & GSA PBS-P100

HealthcareFGI Guidelines & EBD

Sustainable BuildingsWELL, LEED, & GBI Green Globes

Brand StandardsCorporate, Hospitality, etc.

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§ More building types now have acoustic criteria- Offices, schools, health care, sustainable buildings…

§ Higher absorption (NRC) requirements- Noise reduction coefficient (NRC)- A measure of how much noise is absorbed by a ceiling- Higher NRC/less noise propagation and disturbances

§ Shorter reverberation (RT60) requirements- Reverberation time (RT60)- Length of time required for reflected sound to decrease 60 dB- Shorter RT60 through higher NRC results in better speech intelligibility

Trends in the Acoustics Standards & Guidelines

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Higher blocking (STC)- Sound transmission class (STC)- A measure of how much noise transmits through walls- Higher STC/more privacy

What is CAC?- Ceiling attenuation class (CAC)- A measure of how much noise transmits through ceilings- Associated with a subpar acoustic design approach- Not used in most standards, guidelines, and rating systems

Trends in the Acoustics Standards & Guidelines

CAC

STC

CAC

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Optimizing Acoustics

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Optimized AcousticsA no-compromise, effective, acoustic design approach that results in compliance with the standards and achieving an optimal acoustic experience for people at the best price.

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Optimized Acoustics: Easy as 1, 2, 3

Step 1 Select yourceiling absorption.

Step 2 Select your wall sound insulation.

Step 3 Select your back-ground sound level.

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Step 1: Optimizing Ceiling Absorption

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Noise reduction coefficient (NRC)§ The average of the sound-absorption

coefficients in the mid frequencies (250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hertz octave bands); higher is better

§ Varies between 0.0 and 1.0 in 0.05 increments§ Higher NRC ratings mean speech is more

intelligible and noise is absorbed faster as it travels across an open space or down a corridor

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Optimizing Absorption

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When Does a Ceiling Become Absorptive?

NRC 0.60 NRC 0.75

NRC 0.85 NRC 0.90 NRC 0.95

Reference

Decib

els (

A-W

eigh

ted,

dBA

)

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Low Medium High

Potential for Noise Inside the Room

BETTERNRC 0.80

BESTNRC 0.90

BESTNRC 0.90

GOODNRC 0.70

BETTERNRC 0.80

BESTNRC 0.90

GOODNRC 0.70

GOODNRC 0.70

BETTERNRC 0.80

High

Medium

LowSens

itivit

y to

Noise

Avoid NRC < 0.70

Optimizing Absorption (NRC): Good, Better, Best

High NRC 0.90 ceiling panels

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Listen to the Difference

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Step 2: Optimizing Wall Sound Insulation

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Sound transmission class (STC)§ Most common blocking criterion in standards

and guidelines§ Applies to noise-blocking of wall construction

between rooms§ Assumes walls are full height and penetrations

are sealed

STC

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Criteria in the Standards, Guidelines, & Rating Systems

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Optimizing Wall Sound Insulation

BETTERSTC 45

BESTSTC 50

BESTSTC 50

GOODSTC 40

BETTERSTC 45

BETTERSTC 50

GOODSTC 40

GOODSTC 40

BETTERSTC 45

Low Medium High

Potential for Noise in Adjacent Room(s)

High

Medium

LowSens

itivi

ty to

Noi

se

Avoid STC < 4025

• STC 40, 45, 50

• Ceiling flanking paths problematic

• Noncompliance with standards

• STC 40, 45, 50

• Ceiling flanking paths okay

• More standards are including

• STC 45, 50+

• Ceiling flanking paths okay

• Compliance with standards

Sound Insulation Design Approach Options

Full-height wall Plenum barrier Open plenum

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Open Plenum Problems: Penetrations

Panel System DegradationCAC 43 CAC 34 -9 pointsCAC 37 CAC 27 -10 points

This is what we test. This is what we build.

Panel lab test System with ‘leaks'

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Open Plenum Problems: Penetrations

CAC 37 ceiling panels

CAC 27 with penetrations

STC 45

CAC 37CAC 27

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1 layer, STC 40–45

Open Plenum Solutions: Stone Wool Plenum Barriers

2 layers, STC 45–50+

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Open Plenum Solutions: Stone Wool Plenum Barriers

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Plenum Barriers Stop The Noise Leaks

CAC 27 without plenum barrier

STC 50 with plenum barrier

STC 45

CAC 27STC 49

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Listen to the Difference

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Reviewing the Options

1. Ceiling alone 2. Ceiling with 'leaks plugged'

3. Ceiling and plenum barrier

• Blocking level (CAC) 20–34• Insufficient• Noncompliant with standards• Easy to install• Access to plenum

• Blocking level (CAC) 25–40• Marginal at best• Complies with very few standards• Hard to install• Hard to access plenum

• Blocking level (CAC): 40–50+• Optimal• Complies with most standards• Easy to install• Access to plenum

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Step 3: Optimizing Background Sound Level

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Not too loud. Not too quiet.§ High background sound levels from building

systems and the exterior can be stressful.§ Low background sound levels can result in every

little noise being disruptive.§ The goal is to design the appropriate

background sound at the optimal level.

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Speech Privacy Potential (SPP)

Speech privacy

potential (SPP)

Blocking by wall or ceiling (STC or CAC)

Background sound (dBA)= +

2. Ceiling path (CAC)

1. Wall Path (STC) 3. Background sound (dBA)

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SPP 75: minimally acceptable speech privacy; cannot understand conversationSPP 80: high speech privacy; cannot tell anyone is talking

Select Your Background Sound Level

1. HVAC system2. Sound masking3. Water feature

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Design Your Project: Easy as 1, 2, 3

Example: Private Office

Step 1: Select your ceiling absorption.

Step 2: Select your wall insulation.

Step 3: Select your background sound level.

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Low Medium HighPotential for Noise Inside the Room

BETTERNRC 0.80

BESTNRC 0.90

BESTNRC 0.90

GOODNRC 0.70

BETTERNRC 0.80

BESTNRC 0.90

GOODNRC 0.70

GOODNRC 0.70

BETTERNRC 0.80

High

Medium

LowSensitiv

ity to N

ois

e

Step 1: Select Your Ceiling Absorption

Ceiling panelsNRC 0.70

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BETTERSTC 45

BESTSTC 50+

BESTSTC 50+

GOODSTC 40

BETTERSTC 45

BESTSTC 50+

GOODSTC 40

GOODSTC 40

BETTERSTC 45

Low Medium HighPotential for Noise in Adjacent Room(s)

High

Medium

LowSensitiv

ity to N

ois

e

Step 2: Select Your Wall Sound Insulation

Plenum barrier + ceiling panel

(STC 45)

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Step 3: Select Your Background Sound Level

HVAC System+ Constant air volume+ Air diffusers rated NC 30–35

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Optimized Acoustics Results

1. Optimal ceiling panel• Stone wool• NRC 0.70+

2. Optimal wall• STC 45 up to ceiling• Plenum barrier above ceiling

3. Optimal background sound level• 30–35 dB via HVAC• SPP 75–80

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3Summary of Optimizing Acoustics

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§ Acoustics impacts our bodies, minds, behavior, and overall well-being.

§ Acoustics impacts an organization's productivity and financial performance.

§ Surveys show dissatisfaction with past acoustic design approaches.

§ Standards and guidelines are responding by becoming more stringent and defining better design approaches.

Summary of Optimizing Acoustics: Why Acoustics Matter43

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§ Ceilings are great at sound absorption. Utilize it. Do not sacrifice it.

§ Walls are much better at blocking sound than modular, acoustic ceilings.

§ Lightweight plenum barriers can be the optimal solution.

§ Do not try to block sound with a modular ceiling full of holes.

§ Ensure background sound levels are not too loud and not too quiet.

Summary of Optimizing Acoustics44

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Acoustic Solutions

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Acoustic Stone Wool Ceilings46

Stone wool ceiling panels, NRC 0.60–1.05

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Suspension Systems47

15/16 inch, 9/16 inch, cleanroom, bolt slot, drywall, specialty systems

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Acoustic Metal Ceilings48

Linear, panels, planks, perimeter trim, curved, open cell

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Questions?

Rockfon | Part of the ROCKWOOL Group

Please contact:Rockfon

Phone: 800-323-7164Email: cs@rockfon.com Website: rockfon.com

Rockfon | Part of the ROCKWOOL Group

Thank youOther AIA-CES programs by Rockfon:1. Acoustic and Aesthetic Suspended Ceiling Solutions using Stone Wool

2. Designing with Metal Ceilings

3. Making Healthier Buildings Healthier

4. Ceiling Systems for High Performing Healthcare Facilities

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Rockfon | 4849 S. Austin Ave. | Chicago, IL 60638 USA | Tel. +1-800-323-7164 | cs@rockfon.com | rockfon.com

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