ASTM E557-12(2020)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Architectural Design and Installation Practices for Sound Isolation between Spaces Separated by Operable Partitions
Standard Guide for Architectural Design and Installation Practices for Sound Isolation between Spaces Separated by Operable Partitions
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 Rooms formed by operable partitions often need to be isolated acoustically. Sound-isolating properties of operable partitions are specified by architects in terms of sound transmission class (STC) and so advertised by the manufacturer on the basis of laboratory tests in accordance with Test Method E90 and Classification E413.
3.2 Because normal building design and construction practices are not the same as those used in acoustical laboratories, actual field performance of partitions, including operable partitions, will probably be less than that of test specimens. Sound transmission between areas to be isolated will occur through all of the connecting building components in addition to the operable partition, that is, floor and ceiling slabs, ceiling plenums, common walls, etc. All possible paths between the areas being isolated should have a sound insulation performance at least equal to the operable partition. Unless good acoustical practice is followed in both building design and installation, there may be a significant discrepancy between the sound isolation expected and that achieved.
3.3 Because of the complex nature of the sound flanking paths adjacent to operable partitions, it is highly recommended that all related construction details be reviewed by a person qualified in acoustical design and construction.
3.4 This guide does not specify requirements. However, persons desiring to write installation and construction specifications may find the contents useful in developing requirements for the building design site preparation, and installation practices necessary to minimize leakage and flanking sound around the operable partition.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides design details that should be considered in the design of buildings that include operable partitions. Operable partitions are those that can be quickly put in place or removed and stored to provide flexibility in the size of spaces typically used for meetings or social functions.
1.1.1 The guide primarily discusses details in the building design required to limit leakage of sound around an operable partition.
1.1.2 The guide also discusses some factors that affect the performance of the partitions themselves.
1.1.3 This guide is neither a specification for operable partitions nor a document intended to be imposed as a requirement on manufacturers of operable partitions.
1.2 Excluded from this guide are those partitions that are classified by the building products industry as demountable. Demountable partitions are those that are designed and installed with the intent of later being taken down and re-erected by a crew over a period of time, with the components being reusable.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 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.
1.5 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
Relations
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: E557 − 12 (Reapproved 2020)
Standard Guide for
Architectural Design and Installation Practices for Sound
Isolation between Spaces Separated by Operable Partitions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E557; 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.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This guide provides design details that should be con-
sidered in the design of buildings that include operable
2. Referenced Documents
partitions. Operable partitions are those that can be quickly put
2.1 ASTM Standards:
in place or removed and stored to provide flexibility in the size
E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne
of spaces typically used for meetings or social functions.
Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and
1.1.1 The guide primarily discusses details in the building
Elements
design required to limit leakage of sound around an operable
E336 Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound
partition.
Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
1.1.2 The guide also discusses some factors that affect the
E413 Classification for Rating Sound Insulation
performance of the partitions themselves.
E1155 Test Method for Determining F Floor Flatness and
1.1.3 This guide is neither a specification for operable F
F Floor Levelness Numbers
partitions nor a document intended to be imposed as a L
E1155M TestMethodforDetermining F FloorFlatnessand
requirement on manufacturers of operable partitions. F
F Floor Levelness Numbers (Metric)
L
1.2 Excluded from this guide are those partitions that are
classified by the building products industry as demountable.
3. Significance and Use
Demountable partitions are those that are designed and in-
3.1 Rooms formed by operable partitions often need to be
stalled with the intent of later being taken down and re-erected
isolated acoustically. Sound-isolating properties of operable
by a crew over a period of time, with the components being
partitions are specified by architects in terms of sound trans-
reusable.
mission class (STC) and so advertised by the manufacturer on
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
the basis of laboratory tests in accordance with Test Method
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E90 and Classification E413.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.2 Because normal building design and construction prac-
and are not considered standard.
tices are not the same as those used in acoustical laboratories,
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
actual field performance of partitions, including operable
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
partitions, will probably be less than that of test specimens.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Sound transmission between areas to be isolated will occur
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
through all of the connecting building components in addition
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
to the operable partition, that is, floor and ceiling slabs, ceiling
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
plenums, common walls, etc. All possible paths between the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
areas being isolated should have a sound insulation perfor-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
mance at least equal to the operable partition. Unless good
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
acoustical practice is followed in both building design and
installation, there may be a significant discrepancy between the
sound isolation expected and that achieved.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and
EnvironmentalAcousticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE33.04on
Application of Acoustical Materials and Systems. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2020. Published April 2020. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E557 – 12. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E0557-12R20. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E557 − 12 (2020)
3.3 Because of the complex nature of the sound flanking ceiling on the other.Abarrier should be erected directly above
paths adjacent to operable partitions, it is highly recommended the operable partitions. This barrier, in conjunction with the
that all related construction details be reviewed by a person ceiling, should have a sound transmission loss equal to or
qualified in acoustical design and construction. greater than that of the partition.The barrier is best designed as
part of the building and not added as an afterthought (see Fig.
3.4 This guide does not specify requirements. However,
1). Often a seemingly solid ceiling has hollows behind it, such
persons desiring to write installation and construction specifi-
as spaces between the joists, or spaces in corrugated decks, that
cations may find the contents useful in developing require-
provideaflankingpatharoundanoperablepartitionbelow.The
ments for the building design site preparation, and installation
hollow spaces should be blocked directly above the operable
practices necessary to minimize leakage and flanking sound
partition. The sound transmission loss provided by the block-
around the operable partition.
ing barrier should be equal to or greater than that provided by
4. Properties of Operable Partitions
the operable partition.
5.2.2 When a plenum is part of the air conditioning system,
4.1 There are several types of operable partitions: hinged
direct connections between the plenums on each side of the
panel groups, individual panel and continuously hinged parti-
operable partition should be avoided wherever possible. When
tion systems. Some are supported by overhead track with or
this is not possible a sound-attenuating duct or silencer should
withoutafloorguideortrack.Somearefloorsupportedwithan
be installed through the barrier wall straddling the operable
overhead track to guide them. They may be manual or
partition below. The duct or silencer, and the ceiling, should be
power-operated. One type consists of movable panels secured
designed so the noise reduction through that path is approxi-
in place by vertical expansion to seal against the floor and
mately 10 dB greater than the expected noise reduction
ceiling.
4.2 Several factors should be considered in specifications:
4.2.1 Seals or gaskets are of many kinds; some consist of
resilient material that maintains continuous flexible contact
with floor or ceiling, and some include a mechanical, hydraulic
or pneumatic mechanism that maintains clearance when in
motion and a positive seal when finally closed. The seals at the
top of the partitions should make continuous contact with
smooth surfaces on both sides of the operable partitions. The
sound path through an insufficient seal, up and over the track,
and out on the other side through the insufficient seal consti-
tutes a serious sound leak.
4.2.2 When a partition consists of several panels, leaks may
occur at the vertical joints when the seals at the joint are not
tight.
4.2.3 Pass-through doors in partitions will generally reduce
the overall sound isolation of the wall. For this reason,
pass-through doors should be equipped with full perimeter
gasketing, including seals at head.
4.2.4 Trackassembliesinstalledoutsidethepartitionstorage
pocket area to form cross-through paths (90° to each other )
primarily for the transport of partitions from one location to the
other should be avoided unless a satisfactory method is
provided to reduce the flanking path created through the track
section from one side of the partition to the other.
5. Properties of the Building
5.1 Sound Flanking Paths and Interface Surfaces—
Although the operable partition may be an adequate barrier
itself, sound may pass from one side to the other by going over,
around, or under the partition. The passage of sound by paths
other than directly through the partition itself is called flanking
transmission. The building should provide proper flat surfaces
to interface with the seals. These flanking paths and surfaces
for seals in various areas should be addressed in the design of
the building as discussed in the following.
5.2 Area Above Track:
5.2.1 If there is a plenum above the partition, sound may
pass up through the ceiling on one side and down through the FIG. 1 Recommended Ceiling Barrier Installation
E557 − 12 (2020)
between the spaces (see Fig. 2). Lagging of the silencer or and (b)). Wood or other light floor structures should have a
ductwork, or constructing these of heavier gage sheet metal, break in them under the partition to limit flanking through the
may be required on both sides of the barrier wall to achieve the floor surface.
necessary composite sound transmission loss requirements. 5.3.2 If the floor is carpeted, it will be difficult to obtain a
Seals should be provided in the header wall at penetrations
good seal at the bottom of the operable partition. It is
such as for the ducts and pipes. preferable to replace the car
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.