ASTM E1573-22

Standard Test Method for Measurement and Reporting of Masking Sound Levels Using A-Weighted and One-Third-Octave-Band Sound Pressure Levels

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Acoustical performance is dependent on many factors (see Guide E1374 for a discussion on general office acoustical considerations). One of these factors is the masking sound. The masking spectrum shape and level must conform within specified tolerances throughout the treated area. The measurement and recording of these parameters are addressed in this test method.  
5.2 The results from this test method are used to determine if the masking sound meets a particular specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method specifies the procedure used to measure the masking sound in terms of A-weighted and one-third-octave-band sound pressure levels.  
1.2 The results of this test method can be used to determine if and where the masking sound meets (or does not meet) a particular specification.  
1.3 This test method does not evaluate the overall acoustical environment. It is intended only to measure and report the masking sound levels.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2022
• ICS: 91.120.20 - Acoustics in building. Sound insulation
• Technical Committee: E33 - Building and Environmental Acoustics
• Drafting Committee: E33.02 - Speech Privacy

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1573 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Measurement and Reporting of Masking Sound Levels
Using A-Weighted and One-Third-Octave-Band Sound
1
Pressure Levels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1573; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is one of a set of standards relating to the acoustical performance of components
orsystemsinopenandclosedofficesettings.Theotherstandardsinthissetdealwiththemeasurement
of the sound attenuation between work stations provided by partial height space dividers, vertical
surfaces, acoustical ceiling systems; and speech privacy in open and closed spaces.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method specifies the procedure used to mea-
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
sure the masking sound in terms ofA-weighted and one-third-
Acoustics
octave-band sound pressure levels.
E1374 Guide for Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM
1.2 The results of this test method can be used to determine
Standards
if and where the masking sound meets (or does not meet) a
3
2.2 IEC Standards:
particular specification.
IEC 61260:1 Electroacoustics - Octave-band and fractional-
1.3 This test method does not evaluate the overall acoustical
octave-band filters - Part 1: Specifications
environment. It is intended only to measure and report the
IEC 61672:1 Electroacoustics - Sound Level meters - Part 1:
masking sound levels.
Specifications
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
NOTE 1—The IEC standards are often adopted by national standards
organizations as national standards sometimes with additional unique
standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
national standards numbers assigned.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Terms used in this standard are defined either in Termi-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
nology C634 or within this standard. The definitions of terms
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
explicitly given within this standard take precedence over
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
definitions given in Terminology C634. The definitions within
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Terminology C634 and this standard take precedence over any
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
other definitions of defined terms found in any other
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
documents, including other documents referenced in this stan-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
dard.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onBuilding contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
E33.02 on Speech Privacy. the ASTM website.
3
CurrenteditionapprovedJune1,2022.PublishedJuly2022.Originallyapproved Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3, rue de
in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as E1573 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/ Varembé, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://
E1573-22. www.iec.ch.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1573 − 22
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: 7.4 If the intent is to measure the sound generated only by
3.2.1 masking sound, n—sound that reduces the intelligibil- the HVAC system and other building sources, the HVAC
ity of speech and the distraction of activity noise. system and other sound sources shall be operated at their
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Masking sound is produced and con- normal daytime conditions.
trolled most effectively by an electronic sound masking sys-
7.5 Sound masking features such as adaptive level adjust-
tem.
ment or programmable timer shall be deactivated and set to the
3.2.2 sound masking system, n—electronic equipment and
specified ba
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1573 − 18 E1573 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Measurement and Reporting of Masking Sound Levels
Using A-Weighted and One-Third-Octave-Band Sound
1
Pressure Levels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1573; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is one of a set of standards relating to the acoustical performance of components
or systems in open and closed office settings. The other standards in this set deal with the measurement
of the sound attenuation between work stations provided by partial height space dividers, vertical
surfaces, acoustical ceiling systems; and speech privacy in open and closed spaces.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method specifies the procedure used to measure the masking sound in terms of A-weighted and one-third-octave-band
sound pressure levels.
1.2 The results of this test method can be used to determine if and where the masking sound meets (or does not meet) a particular
specification.
1.3 This test method does not evaluate the overall acoustical environment. It is intended only to measure and report the masking
sound levels.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.02
on Speech Privacy.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018June 1, 2022. Published February 2018July 2022. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20092018 as
E1573 – 09.E1573 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/E1573-18.10.1520/E1573-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1573 − 22
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E1374 Guide for Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards
3
2.2 IEC Standards:
IEC 61260:1 Electroacoustics - Octave-band and fractional-octave-band filters - Part 1: Specifications
IEC 61672:1 Electroacoustics - Sound Level meters - Part 1: Specifications
NOTE 1—The IEC standards are often adopted by national standards organizations as national standards sometimes with additional unique national
standards numbers assigned.
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 The acoustical terminology used in this test method is consistent with the definitions in Terminology C634.
3.1 Terms used in this standard are defined either in Terminology C634 or within this standard. The definitions of terms explicitly
given within this standard take precedence over definitions given in Terminology C634. The definitions within Terminology C634
and this standard take precedence over any other definitions of defined terms found in any other documents, including other
documents referenced in this standard.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 masking sound—sound, n—sound that reduces the intelligibility of speech and the distraction of activity noise.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
Masking sound is produced and controlled most effectively by an electronic sound masking system.
3.2.2 sound masking system—system, n—electronic equipment and loudspeakers used to generate, distribute, and control masking
sound throughout a treated area.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The conformity of t
...