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
1
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
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.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and
EnvironmentalAcousticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE33.04on
2
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 p
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