Track: Residential Buildings: Standards Guidelines and Codes
Sponsor: 2.6 Sound and Vibration
Chair: Erik Miller-Klein, P.E., Member, A3 Acoustics, LLP, Seattle, WA
This session provides a summary of the current residential building codes and standards, explores areas where occupant complaints are not addressed by existing codes and highlights a new International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard on the classification of residential buildings based on acoustic performance.

1. Status of Acoustical Standards and Codes in the USA for Residential Buildings
Cathleen Novak, Associate Member, Veneklasen Associates, Santa Monica, CA
Acoustical standards and codes for residential construction are adopted by municipalities that cover the basic level of performance. Though these standards are not always sensibly applied or do they ensure acoustical comfort for the space. Some standards and codes only require referencing design guides and the actual installation and application does not meet the performance intent. This presentation discusses the current state of acoustical standards and codes and the current limitations of these documents.

2. Where Current Standards and Codes Fall Short: Tones and Unsteady Noise from MEP Systems
Roman Wowk, Associate Member, Papadimos Group, San Francisco, CA
Industry standards and building codes that address noise from mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems typically limit noise levels but do not adequately address tones or unsteady conditions such as fluctuating or impulsive noise. Such conditions may be difficult to quantify but are a recurring theme when it comes to noise complaints in occupied buildings. This presentation uses recent project examples where discrete tones or unsteady noise from MEP systems resulted in complaints but still complied with current standards and building codes and provides a basic guide to help the practicing engineer recognize and avoid these problems.

3. ISO 19488: Acoustic Classification for Residential Buildings
Jason Swan, Member, Sandy Brown Associates, LLP, London, United Kingdom
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has a new standard, 19488, that will create an acoustics label for dwellings, similar to Energy Efficiency Ratings. This will give a residential building a grade of A to F based on its performance in achieving five key acoustic design parameters, including interior noise and exterior noise intrusion. This will help home buyers make decisions about what to buy and will impact the mechanical system design. This seminar summarizes the standard and provides basic recommendations for ensuring internal and external noise levels can be achieved.

Presented: June 28, 2017, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
Run Time: 90 min.

This is a zip file that consists of PowerPoint slides synchronized with the audio-recording of the speaker (recorded presentation), PDF files of the slides, and audio only (mp3) for each presentation.