ISO140-6
The “laboratory measurement” of sound transmission loss in partitions is the main focus of ISO 140-6, a standard that outlines a procedure for assessing the airborne sound insulation of building components. When assessing how well various building materials block the transmission of airborne sound, this standard is crucial.
Use of ISO140-6:
Architects, engineers, and acousticians use the Acoustic Performance Assessment to ascertain how well building components like floors and walls insulate against sound.
Product Development and Certification: To make sure their products fulfill particular acoustic performance requirements, manufacturers test and certify them using this standard.
Regulatory Compliance: In order to comply with building codes and regulations pertaining to sound insulation, ISO 140-6 compliance is frequently required.
Method of ISO140-6:
Preparing the Sample:
The test sample, such as a wall or partition, needs to be built with precise measurements and installed in a way that mimics how it would be used in a real building.
Environment for Testing:
In a controlled laboratory environment, tests are usually carried out in two distinct rooms: a source room, where sound is produced, and a receiving room, where sound is measured.
To ensure that only sounds that have passed through the test sample are measured, the rooms should be designed to reduce outside noise.
Method of Measurement:
Sound Generation: In the source room, a controlled noise signal—typically pink noise—is produced by a sound source, like a loudspeaker.
Data collection: To measure sound levels simultaneously, microphones are positioned thoughtfully in the source and receiving rooms.
Sound Level Comparison: By recording the sound pressure levels in both rooms, it is possible to compare the sound levels before and after the test element is passed.
Analyzing Data:
The difference in sound levels between the source and receiving rooms—usually measured in decibels (dB)—is used to compute the sound transmission loss (TL).
A thorough picture of the sound insulation performance is provided by the frequent analysis of results across a range of frequencies.
In a variety of settings, including residential, commercial, and institutional buildings, ISO 140-6 is crucial for guaranteeing that building components offer sufficient sound insulation, which enhances acoustic comfort and privacy.