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PRODUCTS:
FLOOR UNDERLAYMENT
Guidelines
for WECU - WE Cork Underlayment
Guidelines
|| Installation || WECU
Characeristics || WECU 3 Part Spec.
|| Sound
Ratings || Warranty
(Flooring/Ceiling Sound Isolation)
The purpose of this information is to provide Homeowner's Associations
information relating to the acoustical performance of floor/ceiling
assemblies. This should facilitate the HOA in establishing guidelines
to meet the needs of their building. This information is for guideline
purposes only. Each building is unique. The building should contract
with appropriate legal counsel and design professionals prior to incorporation
of binding requirements within CC&Rs.
Acoustical
Terms
In multi-family dwellings, acoustical consultants use the following
terminology to define the performance of a floor/ceiling assembly.
- STC: Sound
Transmission Class. This is a laboratory measurement of the ability
of a specific construction assembly (such as a partition, window,
door, etc.) to reduce airborne sounds including voice, television
and alarm clocks.
- NIC: Noise
Isolation Class. This is an over-all measure of the sound isolation
between units in a multi-family dwelling. This quantity is a field
measurement of the ability of a partition, floor/ceiling assembly,
etc., to mitigate airborne sounds including voice, television and
alarm clocks.
- IIC: Impact
Insulation Class. This is a laboratory measurement of the ability
of a floor/ceiling assembly to reduce impact sounds such as footfalls.
- FIIC: Field
Impact Insulation Class. This a field measurement done in situ
after a floor installation is completed.
The higher the value
of any of the quantities above, the greater the airborne or impact isolation
provided by the assembly.
Requirements
Building Code requirements that include Sound Insulation Standards normally
require that:
- Airborne Sound
Insulation is not less than STC 50 if laboratory tested, or
not less than NIC 45 if field tested.
- Impact Insulation
is not less than IIC 50 if laboratory tested, or not less than
FIIC 45 if field tested.
Buildings are not soundproof.
Sounds from adjacent units or other building activity are almost always
audible even when the building code requirements are met.
Building Construction
Building construction floor/ceiling assemblies vary and can affect the
types of sound heard from unit to unit.
- CONCRETE:
No Suspended Ceiling. A concrete slab is the only vertical separation
between dwellings. Impact sound transmission is normally the major
concern. Impact noise from heels or movement of chairs on floor
often audible below. Suspended Ceiling. Concrete slab with
a gypsum board ceiling hung below at some distance. Impact noise
transmission is normally the major concern.
- WOOD:
Typical construction includes joists, plywood, lightweight concrete,
sound insulation, drywall and resilient channels. Higher potential
for complaints because of lightweight nature of floor/ceiling assembly.
Thudding from footfall almost always present. Impact noise transmission
is normally the major concern.
Floor Surfaces
In floor/ceiling assemblies, typical finish flooring is carpet or hard
surface. The IC/FIIC code requirements are almost always met with carpet.
If a carpet is going to be replaced with hard surface, there will be significantly
greater impact noice transmission to the unit below.
Role of Sound Rated Flooring Utilizing Resilient Underlayments
In any of the buildings described, a sound rated flooring system, when
properly installed, will significantly improve the IIC/FIIC when compared
with a non-rated hard surface floor system. The sound rated flooring products
do not have a significant effect on the STC/NIC of the floor/ceiling
assembly.
What Can An HOA Do?
The CC&Rs of the building allow the HOA to maintain a level of airborne
and impact sound isolation appropriate for the building design. We address
the flooring issue below.
- Establish a FIIC
requirement for hard surface flooring. Guidelines are provided in
the table below. Many factors should be considered in establishing
your building requirement and the values provided below are given
for guidance only.
| Type of Building |
Wood Construction |
Concrete Construction |
| Government Housing |
45 |
45 |
| Entry |
48 |
50 |
| Standard |
52 |
54 |
| High |
57 |
60 |
| Luxury |
-- |
62 |
The requirement that is set will, most likely, require the use of a resilient
underlayment within a sound rated assembly. Given the basic building construction,
the achievable FIIC may be limited. The HOA should employ a qualified
acoustical consultant to ensure a proper, achievable requirement is established.
- Utilize an attorney
to draft a format for the addition to the CC&Rs.
- Require that
all changes to flooring be reviewed by the HOA and meet the performance
requirements. Require submission of a lab report from a nationally
recognized independent acoustical testing laboratory having a similar
construction to the building. Require a drawing showing where the
hard surface flooring will be installed.
- If a complaint
occurs after installation, a FIIC test should be performed by an accredited
acoustical laboratory approved by the HOA. The complaint should post
a bond for said testing. If the test meets the building requirement,
costs shall be chargeable to complainant. If the test fails, cost
shall be borne by the owner of the hard surface flooring material.
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