Sound insulation between dwellings – Descriptors applied in building regulations in Europe

Abstract Regulatory sound insulation requirements for dwellings have existed since the 1950s in some countries and descriptors for evaluation of sound insulation have existed for nearly as long. However, the descriptors have changed considerably over time, from simple arithmetic averaging of frequency bands in the beginning, to a variety of more complex descriptors developed in different countries and later included in EN ISO 717:1996. As a result, this EN ISO standard provides a large variety of descriptors rather than presenting a more limited number of harmonized descriptors. In 2008 a comparative study was carried out of legal sound insulation requirements in 24 countries in Europe. The comparison of requirements for sound insulation between dwellings revealed significant differences in descriptors as well as levels. This paper focuses on descriptors and summarizes the history of descriptors, the problems of the present situation and the benefits of consensus concerning descriptors for airborne and impact sound insulation between dwellings. The descriptors suitable for evaluation should be well-defined under practical situations in buildings and be measurable. Measurement results should be reproducible and of course correlate well with subjective evaluation. More noise sources – including neighbours’ activities – and an increased demand for high quality and comfort, together with a trend towards light-weight constructions, are contradictory and challenging. This calls for exchange of data and experience, implying a need for harmonized descriptors. A suggestion to harmonize airborne and impact sound insulation descriptors in building regulations is given. This paper is one of two related papers about sound insulation of dwellings, dealing with requirements and descriptors in building regulations in Europe. This paper will focus on descriptors for requirements, the other paper [1] focuses on the strictness of requirements.