ASTM E336-23
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The main part of this standard uses procedures originally developed for laboratory measurements of the sound transmission loss of partitions. These procedures assume that the rooms in which the measurements are performed have a sound field that reasonably approximates a diffuse field. Sound pressure levels in such rooms are reasonably uniform throughout the room and average levels vary inversely with the logarithm of the room sound absorption. Not all rooms will satisfy these conditions. Experience and controlled studies (1)6 have shown that the test method is applicable to smaller spaces normally used for work or living, such as rooms in multi-family dwellings, hotel guest rooms, meeting rooms, and offices with volumes less than 150 m3. The measures appropriate for such spaces are NR, NNR, and ATL. The corresponding single number ratings are NIC, NNIC and ASTC. The ATL and ASTC are measurable between larger spaces that meet a limitation on absorption in the spaces to provide uniform sound distribution.
5.2 Annex A1 was developed for use in spaces that are very large (volume of 150 m3 or greater). Sound pressure levels during testing vary markedly across large rooms so that the degree of isolation varies strongly with distance from the common (separating) partition. This procedure evaluates the isolation observed near the partition. The appropriate measure is NR, and the appropriate single number rating is NIC.
5.3 Several metrics are available for specific uses. Some evaluate the overall sound isolation between spaces including the effect of absorption in the receiving space and some evaluate the performance or apparent performance of the partition being evaluated. The results obtained are applicable only to the specific location tested.
5.3.1 Noise Reduction (NR) and Noise Isolation Class (NIC)—Describe the sound isolation found between two spaces. Noise reduction data are based on the space- and time averaged sound pressure levels meeting the require...
SCOPE
1.1 The sound isolation between two spaces in a building is influenced most strongly by a combination of the direct transmission through the nominally separating building element (as normally measured in a laboratory) and any transmission along a number of indirect paths, referred to as flanking paths. Fig. 1 illustrates the direct paths (D) and some possible structural flanking paths (F). Additional non-structural flanking paths include transmission through common air ducts between rooms, or doors to the corridor from adjacent rooms. Sound isolation is also influenced by the size of the separating partition between spaces and absorption in the receiving space, and in the case of small spaces by modal behavior of the space and close proximity to surfaces.
FIG. 1 Direct (D) and Some Indirect or Flanking Paths (F and Dotted) in a Building
1.2 The main part of this test method defines procedures and metrics to assess the sound isolation between two rooms or portions thereof in a building separated by a common partition or the apparent sound insulation of the separating partition, including both direct and flanking transmission paths in all cases. Appropriate measures and their single number ratings are the noise reduction (NR) and noise isolation class (NIC) which indicate the isolation with the receiving room furnished as it is during the test, the normalized noise reduction (NNR) and normalized noise isolation class (NNIC) which indicate the isolation expected if the receiving room was a normally furnished living or office space that is at least 25 m3 (especially useful when the test must be done with the receiving room unfurnished), and the apparent transmission loss (ATL) and apparent sound transmission class (ASTC) which indicate the apparent sound insulating properties of a separating partition including both the direct transmission and flanking transmission through the support structure. The measurement of ATL ...
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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: E336 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between
1
Rooms in Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E336; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is part of a set of standards for evaluating the sound-insulating properties of
building elements. It is designed to measure the sound isolation between two rooms or to estimate
lower limits for sound transmission through a partition element installed as an interior part of a
building. Others in the set cover the airborne sound transmission loss of an isolated partition element
in a controlled laboratory environment (Test Method E90), the laboratory measurement of impact
sound transmission through floors (Test Method E492), the measurement of impact sound transmis-
sion in buildings (Test Method E1007), the measurement of sound transmission through building
facades and facade elements (Guide E966), the measurement of sound transmission through a
common plenum between two rooms (Test Method E1414/E1414M), and measurement of the
normalized insertion loss of doors (Test Method E2964).
1. Scope which indicate the isolation with the receiving room furnished
as it is during the test, the normalized noise reduction (NNR)
1.1 The sound isolation between two spaces in a building is
and normalized noise isolation class (NNIC) which indicate the
influenced most strongly by a combination of the direct
isolation expected if the receiving room was a normally
transmission through the nominally separating building ele-
3
furnished living or office space that is at least 25 m (especially
ment (as normally measured in a laboratory) and any transmis-
useful when the test must be done with the receiving room
sion along a number of indirect paths, referred to as flanking
unfurnished), and the apparent transmission loss (ATL) and
paths. Fig. 1 illustrates the direct paths (D) and some possible
apparent sound transmission class (ASTC) which indicate the
structural flanking paths (F). Additional non-structural flanking
apparent sound insulating properties of a separating partition
paths include transmission through common air ducts between
including both the direct transmission and flanking transmis-
rooms, or doors to the corridor from adjacent rooms. Sound
sion through the support structure. The measurement of ATL is
isolation is also influenced by the size of the separating
3
limited to spaces of at least 25 m where modal effects create
partition between spaces and absorption in the receiving space,
fewer problems. With the exception of the ATL and ASTC
and in the case of small spaces by modal behavior of the space
under specified conditions, these procedures in the main part of
and close proximity to surfaces.
the test method are only applicable when both room volumes
1.2 The main part of this test method defines procedures and
3
are less than 150 m .
metrics to assess the sound isolation between two rooms or
NOTE 1—The word “partition” in this test method includes all types of
portions thereof in a building separated by a common partition
walls, floors, or any other boundaries separating two spaces including
or the apparent sound insulation of the separating partition,
those that are permanent, operable, or movable.
including both direct and flanking transmission paths in all
1.3 The NR and NIC between two locations are always
cases. Appropriate measures and their single number ratings
measureable and reportable though conditions present will
are the noise reduction (NR) and noise isolation class (NIC)
influence how measurements are performed. With one excep-
tion (see 13.5.1), it is required that the NIC always be reported.
1 Restrictions such as minimum room volume or dimensions or
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building
and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
maximum room absorption are imposed for all other measures
E33.03 on Sound Transmission.
and ratings in this standard. Thus, conditions sometimes exist
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published February 2023. Originally
that will not allow NNR (NNIC) or ATL (ASTC) to be
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as E336 – 20. DOI:
10.1520/E0336-23. reported. Where a partition between room
...
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: E336 − 20 E336 − 23
Standard Test Method for
Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between
1
Rooms in Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E336; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is part of a set of standards for evaluating the sound-insulating properties of
building elements. It is designed to measure the sound isolation between two rooms or to estimate
lower limits for sound transmission through a partition element installed as an interior part of a
building. Others in the set cover the airborne sound transmission loss of an isolated partition element
in a controlled laboratory environment (Test Method E90), the laboratory measurement of impact
sound transmission through floors (Test Method E492), the measurement of impact sound transmis-
sion in buildings (Test Method E1007), the measurement of sound transmission through building
facades and facade elements (Guide E966), the measurement of sound transmission through a
common plenum between two rooms (Test Method E1414/E1414M), and measurement of the
normalized insertion loss of doors (Test Method E2964).
1. Scope
1.1 The sound isolation between two spaces in a building is influenced most strongly by a combination of the direct transmission
through the nominally separating building element (as normally measured in a laboratory) and any transmission along a number
of indirect paths, referred to as flanking paths. Fig. 1 illustrates the direct paths (D) and some possible structural flanking paths
(F). Additional non-structural flanking paths include transmission through common air ducts between rooms, or doors to the
corridor from adjacent rooms. Sound isolation is also influenced by the size of the separating partition between spaces and
absorption in the receiving space, and in the case of small spaces by modal behavior of the space and close proximity to surfaces.
1.2 The main part of this test method defines procedures and metrics to assess the sound isolation between two rooms or portions
thereof in a building separated by a common partition or the apparent sound insulation of the separating partition, including both
direct and flanking transmission paths in all cases. Appropriate measures and their single number ratings are the noise reduction
(NR) and noise isolation class (NIC) which indicate the isolation with the receiving room furnished as it is during the test, the
normalized noise reduction (NNR) and normalized noise isolation class (NNIC) which indicate the isolation expected if the
3
receiving room was a normally furnished living or office space that is at least 25 m (especially useful when the test must be done
with the receiving room unfurnished), and the apparent transmission loss (ATL) and apparent sound transmission class (ASTC)
which indicate the apparent sound insulating properties of a separating partition including both the direct transmission and flanking
3
transmission through the support structure. The measurement of ATL is limited to spaces of at least 25 m where modal effects
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.03
on Sound Transmission.
Current edition approved April 1, 2020Jan. 1, 2023. Published April 2020February 2023. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20192020 as
E336 – 19a.E336 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/E0336-20.10.1520/E0336-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E336 − 23
FIG. 1 Direct (D) and Some Indirect or Flanking Paths (F and Dotted) in a Building
create fewer problems. With the exception of the ATL and ASTC under specified conditions, these procedures in the main part of
3
the test method are only applicable when both room volumes are less than 150 m .
NOTE 1—The word “partition” in this test method includes all types of walls, floors, or any other boundaries separating two spaces including those that
are permanent, operable, or movable.
1.3 The NR and NIC between two locations are always mea
...
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