ASTM E2179-21

Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission Through Concrete Floors

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The impact sound rating for a floor assembly is determined both by the basic floor assembly and the floor covering on the upper surface. The same floor covering in combination with different basic floor assemblies will not always give the same impact insulation class (IIC) ratings. This test method is designed to provide data that characterize the floor covering alone when installed over concrete slab floors.  
5.2 The ΔIIC rating calculated in 13.4 is used to compare the effectiveness of different floor coverings on concrete floors.  
5.3 The impact insulation class (IIC) calculated for the reference concrete floor with a covering provides an indication of the impact sound insulation that the covering will provide with typical, monolithic concrete floors.  
5.4 When the normalized impact sound pressure levels below a bare concrete slab are known, the difference spectrum calculated in 13.1 may be used to estimate the impact sound pressure levels and hence the IIC that would result if the covering were installed on the slab.  
5.5 Warning: Difference spectra measured using this method shall not be used to estimate impact sound pressure levels for floors comprising only one or two lightweight floor layers such as oriented strand board or plywood. Such estimated impact sound pressure levels would be very inaccurate.
Note 1: The difference spectrum calculated in 13.1 gives unreliable estimates of the reduction in impact sound pressure levels due to the floor covering when it is placed on a joist floor incorporating a concrete topping (about 50 mm thick) poured directly on the plywood subfloor or steel deck. The estimated impact sound pressure levels are too low.3  
5.6 This test method closely follows that described in ISO 10140-1 (Annex H) except that the single number rating used is the impact insulation class (IIC) described in Classification E989. The description of the standard concrete floor also differs.
Note 2: The requirement in Classification E989...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a method for the laboratory measurement of the effectiveness of floor coverings in reducing impact noise from a standard tapping machine through concrete floors. The test results are not necessarily directly related to the subjective evaluations of the floor coverings.  
1.2 This test method applies to all floor coverings, whether single or multi-layered, as installed on a standard concrete floor. Multi-layered coverings may be factory-assembled or assembled at the test laboratory.  
1.3 The test method applies only to laboratory measurements. It does not apply to the measurement of the effectiveness of a floor covering in a field situation.  
1.4 Laboratory Accreditation—A procedure for accrediting a laboratory for performing this test method is given in Method E492.  
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: 30-Apr-2021
• ICS: 91.120.20 - Acoustics in building. Sound insulation
• Technical Committee: E33 - Building and Environmental Acoustics
• Drafting Committee: E33.10 - Structural Acoustics and Vibration

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: E2179 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor
Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission
1
Through Concrete Floors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2179; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Thistestmethodispartofasetforevaluatingthesound-insulatingpropertiesofbuildingelements.
It is designed to measure the reduction in transmission of impact sound due to a floor covering in a
laboratory. Others in the set include the measurement of sound isolation in buildings (Test Method
E336), the laboratory methods of measuring airborne sound transmission loss of building partitions
such as walls, floor-ceiling assemblies, doors, and other space-dividing elements (Test Method E90);
the laboratory measurement of impact sound transmission through floors (Test Method E492), the
measurement of impact sound transmission in buildings (Test Method E1007), the measurement of
soundtransmissionthroughbuildingfacadesandfacadeelements(GuideE966),andthemeasurement
of sound transmission through a common plenum between two rooms (Test Method E1414).
1. Scope 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method describes a method for the laboratory
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
measurementoftheeffectivenessoffloorcoveringsinreducing
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
impact noise from a standard tapping machine through con-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
crete floors.The test results are not necessarily directly related
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
to the subjective evaluations of the floor coverings.
1.2 This test method applies to all floor coverings, whether
2. Referenced Documents
single or multi-layered, as installed on a standard concrete
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
floor. Multi-layered coverings may be factory-assembled or
C634Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
assembled at the test laboratory.
Acoustics
1.3 The test method applies only to laboratory measure-
E90Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne
ments. It does not apply to the measurement of the effective-
Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and
ness of a floor covering in a field situation.
Elements
E336Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound
1.4 Laboratory Accreditation—A procedure for accrediting
Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
alaboratoryforperformingthistestmethodisgiveninMethod
E492Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Impact
E492.
Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Using the Tapping Machine
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E966Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Attenuation of Building Facades and Facade Elements
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
E989Classification for Determination of Single-Number
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Metrics for Impact Noise
E1007Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onBuilding
and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
E33.10 on Structural Acoustics and Vibration. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2021. Published June 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E2179 – 03 (2016). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/E2179-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2179 − 21
Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor- 5. Significance and Use
Ceiling Assemblies and Associated Support Structures
5.1 The impact sound rating for a floor assembly is deter-
E1414Test Method for Airborne Sound Attenuation Be-
mined both by the basic floor assembly and the floor covering
tween Rooms Sharing a Common Ceiling Plenum
on the upper surface. The same floor covering in co
...

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: E2179 − 03 (Reapproved 2016) E2179 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor
Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission
1
Through Concrete Floors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2179; 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 part of a set for evaluating the sound-insulating properties of building elements.
It is designed to measure the reduction in transmission of impact sound due to a floor covering in a
laboratory. Others in the set include the measurement of sound isolation in buildings (Test Method
E336), the laboratory methods of measuring airborne sound transmisssiontransmission loss of building
partitions such as walls, floor-ceiling assemblies, doors, and other space-dividing elements (Test
Method E90); the laboratory measurement of impact sound transmission through floors (Test Method
E492), the measurement of impact sound transmission in buildings (Test Method E1007), the
measurement of sound transmission through building facades and facade elements (Guide E966), and
the measurement of sound transmission through a common plenum between two rooms (Test Method
E1414).
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a method for the laboratory measurement of the effectiveness of floor coverings in reducing impact
noise from a standard tapping machine through concrete floors. The test results are not necessarily directly related to the subjective
evaluations of the floor coverings.
1.2 This test method applies to all floor coverings, whether single or multi-layered, as installed on a standard concrete floor.
Multi-layered coverings may be factory-assembled or assembled at the test laboratory.
1.3 The test method applies only to laboratory measurements. It does not apply to the measurement of the effectiveness of a floor
covering in a field situation.
1.4 Laboratory Accreditation—A procedure for accrediting a laboratory for performing this test method is given in Method E492.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.10
on Structural Acoustics and Vibration.
Current edition approved April 1, 2016May 1, 2021. Published April 2016June 2021. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20092016 as E2179
– 03 (2009).(2016). DOI: 10.1520/E2179-03R16.10.1520/E2179-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2179 − 21
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements
E336 Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
E492 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies Using the
Tapping Machine
E966 Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound Attenuation of Building Facades and Facade Elements
E989 Classification for Determination of Single-Number Metrics for Impact Noise
E1007 Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies
and Associated Support Structures
E1414 Test Method for Airborne Sound Attenuation Between Rooms Sharing a Common Ceiling Plenum
2.2 ANSI Standards:
S1.6 Standard Preferred Frequencies, Frequency Levels, and Band Numbers for Acoustical Measurements
S1.10 Pressure Calibration of Labora
...