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Not business as usual
You won’t meet the requirements for this credit with conventional building design. You’re likely to need additional insulation, increased wall mass, adjust wall assemblies and layout, and make changes to the mechanical system design.
Making it cost-effective
The credit does not have to be difficult, though, and it can be cost-effective in any project as long as you consider acoustics in the early stages of design. Waiting to consider acoustics until the design is set can lead to additional costs and needless frustration as mechanical systems and the building envelope will likely need some redesign.
Having the entire design team focused on acoustics—including stakeholders such school board members, the principal, and teachers—helps to ensure a consistent...
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23 Comments
STC Rating - ANSI S12.60-2010 exceptions
This is a followup and additional question to my June 7, 2011 post.
On 8/1/2011 a LEED Interpretation was posted for IEQc9: Enhanced Acoustical Performance (ID Number: 10095). It basically says that the use of the 2010 version of ANSI S12.60 is acceptable for LEED for Schools 2007 and 2009.
In ANSI S12.60-2010 Table 4 there is a footnote (b) that says “A 20cm (8”) concrete masonry unit wall having a surface weight density of at least 180 kg/m2 painted and sealed on both sides, acoustically sealed at the entire perimeter and extending from the floor slab to the structural deck above, is an acceptable alternate assembly that conforms to the intent of 5.4.2.1.” This could impact us greatly, because we had to issue an addenda to add Perlite or foam-in-insulation to our 8” CMU walls between classrooms to mee the STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 50 rating between core learning spacesCore learning spaces are spaces for educational activities where the primary functions are teaching and learning and where good speech communication is critical to a student's academic achievement. These spaces include, but are not limited to, classrooms, enclosed or open plan), instructional pods or activity areas, group instruction rooms, conference rooms, libraries, offices, speech clinics, offices used for educational purposes and music rooms for instruction, practice and performance.. It seems that according to this footnote, this would not be required, which would could have a big dollar cost savings. I believe we are meeting all the requirements of the footnote, but I am not sure about the “surface weight density of at least 180kg/m2” part. I’ve researched and asked masonry and paint technical reps, but no one seems to understand what this means.
Has anyone heard of this or had any experience with it? I want to ensure we are meeting all the requirements of the exception before we tell the client we no longer need Perlite/foam-in-insulation.
The mass of the block you are using will determine the amount of sound isolation that the block will provide. Light blocks will perform worse than normal weight concrete, if that makes sense.
The surface weight density is a way to specify the mass of the block without knowing one of the dimensions. 180 kg/m2 is approximately 36.8 lb/ft2.
With the block you are using, take it's weight (lb) and divide by the face area of the block (ft2). If it is 36.8 or higher, you're in luck. If not, you'll have to use the insulation, or increase the thickness of the block to obtain a higher overall mass (if that's an option).
Thank you, Daniel! That is a very clear explanation and just the clarification we needed to figure this out! Much appreciated!
Window STC vs. OITC
If our windows have an STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) of 35 but an OITC of 25 would they qualify? I don't think so, but I don't know how to interpret or relate the OITC to STC.
Yes, they qualify. The requirement is for STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 35 or better. There are no OITC requirements.
IIC in IEQc9
Just want to double check . . . As far as I can see, there are no IIC requirements in IEQc9. Can someone confirm please? Thanks.
You are correct.
S12.2-2010
I went to the asastore.aip.org site and they did not have the 2002 version available. Can I use the 2009/2010 version? Will it be more stringent??
You can use the new 2010 revision.
The only changes in the revision that would be relevant to the LEED credits is the ANSI standard is now using Outdoor Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) for the exterior walls and roof assemblies instead of STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) ratings. This is more technically correct but complicates things.
The 2002 ANSI standard required an STC 50 wall assembly between core learning spacesCore learning spaces are spaces for educational activities where the primary functions are teaching and learning and where good speech communication is critical to a student's academic achievement. These spaces include, but are not limited to, classrooms, enclosed or open plan), instructional pods or activity areas, group instruction rooms, conference rooms, libraries, offices, speech clinics, offices used for educational purposes and music rooms for instruction, practice and performance. and the outdoors. I would use this until the LEED language says "use ANSI S12.60-2010".
Does anyone know how I can get a copy of the 2002 version, though?
I searched online and found this site
http://www.techstreet.com/standards/ansi_asa/s12_60_2002?product_id=1031761
There may be other places that have the old version too.
STC Rating - Classroom to In-Classroom Toilet for Kindergarten
Currently our walls from Kindergarten classrooms to in-classroom toilets are scheduled for an STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) rating of 50, but will probably meet 52 with our specified foamed-in-place insulation in 8" CMU. The doors to the in-classroom toilet rooms will be gasketed. The standard says classroom to toilet rooms must be 53, but I'm not sure how else to accomplish this without changing the design and wall construction. I understand the noise if were a gang toilet, but these are single user toilets for kindergarten students, so I wouldn't think the sound transimission would be that large of an issue. Any thoughts?
I forgot to mention, this project is under LEED for Schools 2007. I posted it here, because there was no place to post about STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) ratings under the previous versions. I found the exact exception to my question in ANSI/ASA S12.60-2010. However, since this project is under LEED for Schools 2007, ANSI/ASAS12.60-2002 is referenced in the Reference Guide. Can we apply newer versions of the standard to old rating systems? This may be a question for another forum.
There are two ways you might go about this.
The first is with the rating of the assembly. I would almost expect your assembly to rate an STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 53 as you are describing it as long as the block is 35lbs/block or higher. With the cores filled with loose mineral insulation, I would rate the assembly approximately STC 52. With it being foamed in place you will most likely get more fill in the cores which means a higher density assembly and higher rating...probably closer to STC 53. If the blocks are 45lbs/block or higher, you definitely have an STC 53 assembly, so that might be a quick way to solve the problem by specifying slightly heavier block in that area.
The other way would be to reference the updated ANSI standard. I don't know if that is exactly "allowed" (check other forums if you can) but it would definitely hold more weight than just trying to make the "STC 52 should be enough because..." argument on your own without backup. A LEED reviewer would most likely hold fast to an "STC 53 means STC 53" point of view if there were no official basis for an exception, like the updated ANSI standard.
Hope this helps.
It is possible to get an STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) rated door assembly (door, frame, hardware and gasketing) rated to a 53 or the door assembly can be rated as part of the entire partition. One thing to look at with high STC door solutions, is that you may want to provide an automatic operator in a K12 environment, as the sound gasketing and weight of the door makes it a challenge for children to operate.
2009 Criteria for a 2007 Project - STC rating
I'm working on a LEED-S 2007 project that is pursuing this credit but I have a question about the requirements. The 2007 rating system requirement says "Also design classrooms and other core learning spacesCore learning spaces are spaces for educational activities where the primary functions are teaching and learning and where good speech communication is critical to a student's academic achievement. These spaces include, but are not limited to, classrooms, enclosed or open plan), instructional pods or activity areas, group instruction rooms, conference rooms, libraries, offices, speech clinics, offices used for educational purposes and music rooms for instruction, practice and performance. to meet the STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) requirements, excepting windows, which must meet an STC rating of at least 35" in addition to the building shellThe exterior walls, roof, and lowest floor of a building, which serve to separate and protect the interior from the elements (precipitation, sunlight, wind, temperature variations). and classroom partitions.
I checked the 2007 rating system errata but didn't see the change there. Does anyone know if the errata for this exists? If not, are we able to use the 2009 requirements instead of the 2007 requirements without upgrading the project to v3?
Thanks for your help!
You are correct, in 2007 the STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) requirements were in the Prerequisite. In 2009 they were moved to the Enhanced Credit 9.
I do not know if you would be able to use the 2009 requirements in the 2007 rating system. I have personally been involved in projects that had changed from 2007 to 2009 specifically because of this issue (open plan classrooms were desired), so my initial reaction would be to say it's not an option. Asking USGBC directly would be your best bet.
Window STC scope
Does the STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) of 35 requirement for windows include the mullion system if curtainwall is the glazing system? Most STC values that I've seen are for glass assemblies and ignore the mullion, spacer, etc.
Hi Eileen:
It's not specific, but I would assume that the requirement is for the entire widow assembly including the mullions. Some manufacturer's have tested entire assemblies, but you're right, the majority of data is just for the glazing.
An STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 35 rating shouldn't be too hard to achieve, however, with aluminum or steel mullions. If it is a large area, packing the framing with mineral wool would help improve the STC rating.
Window STC
The requirement for a window STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) of 35 - does this apply to exterior AND interior windows?
The STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 35 requirement applies to exterior windows. Interior windows would need to be accounted for in a composite STC rating for the interior wall and window assemblies combined.
would STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 35 apply to exterior doors?
Would interior doors be accounted for in the composite STC rating of the assembly? (most doors have a stand-alone STC rating).
ANSI S12.60 isn't very clear on this. In 4.5.3.1, the standard says that a composite rating including the doors should be made. Later in 4.5.5 the standard says that classroom entry doors should have a minimum STCSound transmission class (STC) is a single-number rating for the acoustic attenuation of airborne sound passing through a partition or other building element, such as a wall, roof, or door, as measured in an acoustical testing laboratory according to accepted industry practice. A higher STC rating provides more sound attenuation through a partition. (ANSI S12.602002) 30 rating and music room doors should have a minimum STC 40 rating.
I would say that if a classroom has a single, standard-sized door opening, that the standalone ratings outlined in 4.5.5 would be sufficient. If the classroom has multiple door openings or if the doors are oversized, that it would make sense to make a composite rating. For doors located between classrooms, a composite rating would be appropriate.
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