ASTM E2179-03(2009)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission Through Concrete Floors
Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission Through Concrete Floors
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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.
The ΔIIC rating calculated in 13.4 is used to compare the effectiveness of different floor coverings on concrete floors.
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.
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.
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 strandboard 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.
This test method closely follows that described in ISO 140-8 except that the single number rating used is the impact insulation class (IIC) described in Classification E 989. The description of the standard concrete floor also differs.
Note 2—The requirement in Classification E 989 that no deviation above the reference c...
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 E 492.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: E2179 − 03(Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor
Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission
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 transmisssion 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 measure-
ment of sound transmission through a common plenum between two rooms (Method E1414).
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method describes a method for the laboratory 2.1 ASTM Standards:
measurementoftheeffectivenessoffloorcoveringsinreducing C634Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
impact noise from a standard tapping machine through con- Acoustics
crete floors.The test results are not necessarily directly related E90Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne
to the subjective evaluations of the floor coverings. Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and
Elements
1.2 This test method applies to all floor coverings, whether
E336Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound
single or multi-layered, as installed on a standard concrete
Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
floor. Multi-layered coverings may be factory-assembled or
E492Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Impact
assembled at the test laboratory.
Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies
1.3 The test method applies only to laboratory measure-
Using the Tapping Machine
ments. It does not apply to the measurement of the effective-
E966Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound
ness of a floor covering in a field situation.
Attenuation of Building Facades and Facade Elements
1.4 Laboratory Accreditation—A procedure for accrediting E989Classification for Determination of Impact Insulation
Class (IIC)
alaboratoryforperformingthistestmethodisgiveninMethod
E492. E1007Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping
Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Ceiling Assemblies and Associated Support Structures
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E1414Test Method for Airborne Sound Attenuation Be-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tween Rooms Sharing a Common Ceiling Plenum
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
2.2 ANSI Standards:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
S1.6StandardPreferredFrequencies,FrequencyLevels,and
Band Numbers for Acoustical Measurements
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onBuilding
and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
E33.03 on Sound Transmission. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published August 2009. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ε2
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E2179 – 03 . DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E2179-03R09. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2179 − 03 (2009)
S1.10Pressure Calibration of Laboratory Standard Pressure with different basic floor assemblies will not always give the
Microphones same impact insulation class (IIC) ratings. This test method is
S1.11Specification for Octave-band and Fractional-Octave- designed to provide data that characterize the floor covering
Band Analog and Digital Filters alone when installed over concrete slab floors.
2.3 ISO Standards:
5.2 The ∆IIC rating calculated in 13.4 is used to compare
ISO 717-2Rating of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of
theeffectivenessofdifferentfloorcoveringsonconcretefloors.
Building Elements—Part 2: Impact Sound Insulation
5.3 The impact insulation class (IIC) calculated for the
ISO 140-6Acoustics—Measurement of Sound Insulation in
reference concrete floor with a covering provides an indication
Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 6: Laboratory
of the impact sound insulation that the covering will provide
Measurements of Impact Sound Insulation of Floors
with typical, monolithic concrete floors.
ISO 140-8 AcousticsMeasurement of Sound Insulation in
Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 8: Laboratory 5.4 When the normalized impact sound pressure levels
Measurements of the Reduction of Transmitted Impact
below a bare concrete slab are known, the difference spectrum
Noise by Floor Coverings on a Heavyweight Floor calculated in 13.1 may be used to estimate the impact sound
pressure levels and hence the IIC that would result if the
3. Terminology
covering were installed on the slab.
3.1 Definitions of the acoustical terms used in this test
5.5 Warning: Difference spectra measured using this
method are given in Terminology C634.
method shall not be used to estimate impact sound pressure
levels for floors comprising only one or two lightweight floor
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
layers such as oriented strandboard or plywood. Such esti-
3.2.1 floor covering—any resilient material, combination of
mated impact sound pressure levels would be very inaccurate.
resilientmaterialsorcombinationofresilientmaterialandrigid
materials used to provide a finished walking surface on a floor.
NOTE 1—The difference spectrum calculated in 13.1 gives unreliable
This includes all materials between the upper walking surface
estimates of the reduction in impact sound pressure levels due to the floor
and the base concrete slab. coveringwhenitisplacedonajoistfloorincorporatingaconcretetopping
(about 50 mm thick) poured directly on the plywood subfloor or steel
3.2.2 reference concrete floor—ahypotheticalconcretefloor
deck. The estimated impact sound pressure levels are too low.
used to calculate changes in impact insulation class (∆IIC).
5.6 This test method closely follows that described in ISO
3.2.3 standard concrete floor—the actual concrete floor
140-8 except that the single number rating used is the impact
satisfying the provisions of this method used in the measure-
insulation class (IIC) described in Classification E989. The
ments.
description of the standard concrete floor also differs.
4. Summary of Test Method
NOTE 2—The requirement in Classification E989 that no deviation
above the reference contour may exceed 8 dB means that there is no
4.1 Two vertically adjacent rooms are used: the upper one
simplerelationshipbetweenISO140-8testratingsandthosegeneratedby
being designated the source room and the lower one the
this method.
receiving room. A standard concrete floor is installed in an
6. Test Rooms
openingbetweenthem.Theroomsandthefloorinstallationare
designed so the only significant sound radiation into the
6.1 The test rooms shall satisfy the requirements given in
receiving room is from the standard concrete floor.
Method E492.
4.2 Astandardtappingmachineisinstalledandactivatedon
7. Standard Concrete Floor
the standard concrete floor and the normalized impact sound
pressure levels are measured in the room below. The floor
7.1 The standard concrete floor on which the test coverings
covering to be evaluated is then installed on the standard
are to be installed shall consist of a reinforced concrete slab or
concretefloorandthenormalizedimpactsoundpressurelevels
slab sections with a thickness of 150 6 50 mm. The slab or
measured again.
slabs shall be homogeneous and of uniform thickness.
4.3 The differences in normalized impact sound pressure
NOTE 3—A thickness of 150 mm is preferred for new facilities.
level are subtracted from the levels defined for a reference
7.2 The surface of the test floor shall be smooth and
concrete floor and an IIC rating is calculated for the resultant
sufficiently hard to endure the impacts of the tapping machine.
array. This is the IIC that the covering would produce in
Any screed applied to the surface of the test floor shall adhere
combination with the reference concrete floor. The second
solidly at all points so the screed does not chip, crack or
rating, ∆IIC, is obtained by subtracting 28 from the first (28 is
become pulverized.
the IIC for the reference concrete floor). This gives the
7.3 Inspect the surface of the slab frequently to assess
improvement in IIC that the covering would produce on the
surface damage. Repairs shall be made when the surface is no
reference concrete floor.
longer smooth.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The impact sound rating for a floor assembly is deter-
“Impact Sound Measurements on Floors Covered with Small Patches of
mined both by the basic floor assembly and the floor covering
Resilient Materials or FloatingAssemblies,”A.C.C. Warnock. Internal Report IRC
on the upper surface. The same floor covering in combination IR-802. National Research Council Canada. January 2000.
E2179 − 03 (2009)
NOTE 4—Altering the position of the tapping machine slightly for each
10. Tapping Machine Requirements
test will reduce wear on the standard slab and prolong the life of the
10.1 The standard tapping machine used shall meet the
surface.
requirements in Method E492.
8. Test Specimens
11. Frequency Range and Bandwidth for Analsis
8.1 Classification of Test Specimens:
11.1 Bandwidth—For each test band, the overall frequency
8.1.1 Category I (Small Specimens)—This category in-
response of the electrical system, including the filter or filters
cludesflexiblecoverings(plastics,rubber,cork,matting,carpet
in the source or microphone systems, shall satisfy the specifi-
or combinations thereof), which are installed loosely or by
cations given in ANSI Specification S1.11 for a one-third
adhesion to the floor surface.
octave band filter set, Order 3 or higher, Type 1.
8.1.1.1 Usethreesamples,preferablyfromdifferentproduc-
tionrunsbutfromthesamesource.Eachsampleshallmeasure 11.2 Standard Test Frequencies—Measurements shall be
made in all one-third-octave bands with mid-band frequencies
at least 1 × 0.5 m.
8.1.2 Category II—This category includes rigid, homoge- specified in ANSI S1.6 from 50 to 5000 Hz.
neoussurfacematerialsorcomplexfloorcoveringsofwhichat
12. Procedure
least one constituent is rigid. When the area of the standard
12.1 Measurement of Normalized Impact Sound Pressure
concrete floor is less than 10 m , the specimen shall cover the
Level—The average normalized impact sound pressure level in
whole surface of the standard concrete floor. When the area of
the receiving room shall be measured as detailed in Method
the standard concrete floor is greater than 10 m , the specimen
E492,oncewiththetappingmachinestrikingthebarestandard
area need not exceed 10 m provided that the smallest
concrete floor and once on the floor covering installed on the
dimension of the specimen is not less than 3 m.
standard concrete floor. The paper described in 8.2.2 shall not
8.1.3 Materials of Uncertain Classification—In the case of
bepresentwhenmeasurementsaremadeonthebarefloor.The
uncertainty as to the appropriate category for a material, the
average normalized impact sound pressure levels are denoted
testing laboratory shall decide whether small or large speci-
L and L respectively.
mens will be tested. In any case the specimen shall be 0 c
12.1.1 Category I Specimens—The normalized impact
described in detail in the test report.
sound pressure levels for the bare standard concrete floor shall
8.2 Preparation and Installation of Test Specimens:
be obtained by operating the tapping machine in the middle of
8.2.1 Adhesive Mounting—Install coverings to be mounted
each area to be occupied by the three small specimens. The
withadhesivewithgreatcare,normallywithadhesivecovering
three sets of levels obtained shall be averaged and the
the entire surface of the test specimen. If the adhesive is
normalized result used as L in the calculations.
applied in isolated patches, describe the exact procedure in the
12.1.1.1 The three samples shall be placed side by side on
report. Follow strictly the manufacturer’s instructions for use
the standard concrete floor. The supporting feet of the tapping
of the adhesive, especially with regard to the amount and the
machine shall rest on the sample being tested. The tapping
bonding-time. Report the type of adhesive and the bonding-
machine shall be operated on top of each sample in turn in the
time.
position it occupied on the bare floor and the results averaged
8.2.2 To avoid damage to the standard concrete slab and
as specified below. The levels for the three samples shall be
ease removal of specimens, it is acceptable to first apply a
averaged and the result used as L in the calculations.
c
removable thin layer such as double-faced tape or thin paper
12.1.2 Category II Specimens—For the bare standard con-
using soluble paste. Adhesives for coverings may then be
crete floor and the floor with covering, the standard tapping
applied to the removable layer. Users shall establish by
machine shall be operated in the four positions defined in
experiment that such protective coverings have negligible
MethodE492andthenormalizedimpactsoundpressurelevels
effect on the measurements. The data collected during such
measured for each position. If the temperature and relative
experiments shall be kept on file and made available on
humidity in the receiving room do not differ by more than 1°C
request.
and 2 % respectively during measurements with and without
8.3 Room Temperature and Humidity—Measure and report
the specimen, then measurements of the decay rates in the
the temperature and the humidity of the air in each room. The
receiving room are not mandatory.
temperatureshallbeintherange18to25°Cintheupperroom.
12.1.3 If the temperature and relative humidity in the
receiving room do not differ by more than 1°C and 2
...
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.
´2
Designation:E2179–03 Designation:E2179–03 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor
Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission
Through Concrete Floors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2179; 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.
´ NOTE—Sections 4.2 and 4.3 were editorially revised and section 12.1.3 was editorially added in September 2003.
´ NOTE—Section 12 was editorially corrected in August 2004.
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
E 336), the laboratory methods of measuring airborne sound transmisssion loss of building partitions
such as walls, floor-ceiling assemblies, doors, and other space-dividing elements (Test Method E 90);
the laboratory measurement of impact sound transmission through floors ( Test Method E 492), the
measurement of impact sound transmission in buildings ( Test Method E 1007), the measurement of
sound transmission through building facades and facade elements ( Guide E 966), and the
measurement of sound transmission through a common plenum between two rooms (Method E 1414).
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 Thetestmethodappliesonlytolaboratorymeasurements.Itdoesnotapplytothemeasurementoftheeffectivenessofafloor
covering in a field situation.
1.4 Laboratory Accreditation—A procedure for accrediting a laboratory for performing this test method is given in Method
E 492.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements
E 336 Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Insulation In Buildings Test Method for Measurement of Airborne
Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
E 492 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Impact Sound Transmission throughThrough Floor-Ceiling Assemblies
Using the Tapping Machine
E 966 Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound Insulation of Building Facades and Facade Elements
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 10, 2003. Published June 2003. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as E 2179–01.
´2
Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published August 2009. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E 2179 – 03 .
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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.
E2179–03 (2009)
E 989 Classification for Determination of Impact Insulation Class (IIC)
E 1007 Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling
Assemblies and Associated Support Structures
E 1414 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 Laboratory Standard Pressure Microphones
S1.11 Specification for Octave-band and Fractional-Octave-Band Analog and Digital Filters
2.3 ISO Standards:
ISO 717-2 Rating of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 2: Impact Sound Insulation
ISO 140-6 Acoustics—Measurement of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 6: Laboratory
Measurements of Impact Sound Insulation of Floors
ISO 140-8 Acoustics Measurement of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 8: Laboratory
Measurements of the Reduction of Transmitted Impact Noise by Floor Coverings on a Heavyweight Floor
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of the acoustical terms used in this test method are given in Terminology C 634.
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 floor covering—any resilient material, combination of resilient materials or combination of resilient material and rigid
materials used to provide a finished walking surface on a floor. This includes all materials between the upper walking surface and
the base concrete slab.
3.2.2 reference concrete floor—a hypothetical concrete floor used to calculate changes in impact insulation class (DIIC).
3.2.3 standard concrete floor—the actual concrete floor satisfying the provisions of this method used in the measurements.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Two vertically adjacent rooms are used: the upper one being designated the source room and the lower one the receiving
room.Astandard concrete floor is installed in an opening between them. The rooms and the floor installation are designed so the
only significant sound radiation into the receiving room is from the standard concrete floor.
4.2 A standard tapping machine is installed and activated on the standard concrete floor and the normalized impact sound
pressure levels are measured in the room below. The floor covering to be evaluated is then installed on the standard concrete floor
and the normalized impact sound pressure levels measured again.
4.3 The differences in normalized impact sound pressure level are subtracted from the levels defined for a reference concrete
floor and an IIC rating is calculated for the resultant array. This is the IIC that the covering would produce in combination with
the reference concrete floor. The second rating, DIIC, is obtained by subtracting 28 from the first (28 is the IIC for the reference
concrete floor). This gives the improvement in IIC that the covering would produce on the reference concrete floor.
5. 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 DIIC 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 Whenthenormalizedimpactsoundpressurelevelsbelowabareconcreteslabareknown,thedifferencespectrumcalculated
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 strandboard 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.
“Impact Sound Measurements on Floors Covered with Small Patches of Resilient Materials or Floating Assemblies,” A.C.C. Warnock. Internal Report IRC IR-802.
National Research Council Canada. January 2000.
E2179–03 (2009)
5.6 This test method closely follows that described in ISO 140-8 except that the single number rating used is the impact
insulation class (IIC) described in Classification E 989. The description of the standard concrete floor also differs.
NOTE 2—The requirement in Classification E 989 that no deviation above the reference contour may exceed 8 dB means that there is no simple
relationship between ISO 140-8 test ratings and those generated by this method.
6. Test Rooms
6.1 The test rooms shall satisfy the requirements given in Method E 492.
7. Standard Concrete Floor
7.1 The standard concrete floor on which the test coverings are to be installed shall consist of a reinforced concrete slab or slab
sections with a thickness of 150 6 50 mm. The slab or slabs shall be homogeneous and of uniform thickness.
NOTE 3—A thickness of 150 mm is preferred for new facilities.
7.2 The surface of the test floor shall be smooth and sufficiently hard to endure the impacts of the tapping machine.Any screed
applied to the surface of the test floor shall adhere solidly at all points so the screed does not chip, crack or become pulverized.
7.3 Inspect the surface of the slab frequently to assess surface damage. Repairs shall be made when the surface is no longer
smooth.
NOTE 4—Altering the position of the tapping machine slightly for each test will reduce wear on the standard slab and prolong the life of the surface.
8. Test Specimens
8.1 Classification of Test Specimens:
8.1.1 Category I (Small Specimens)—This category includes flexible coverings (plastics, rubber, cork, matting, carpet or
combinations thereof), which are installed loosely or by adhesion to the floor surface.
8.1.1.1 Use three samples, preferably from different production runs but from the same source. Each sample shall measure at
least 1 3 0.5 m.
8.1.2 Category II—This category includes rigid, homogeneous surface materials or complex floor coverings of which at least
one constituent is rigid.When the area of the standard concrete floor is less than 10 m , the specimen shall cover the whole surface
ofthestandardconcretefloor.Whentheareaofthestandardconcretefloorisgreaterthan10m ,thespecimenareaneednotexceed
10 m provided that the smallest dimension of the specimen is not less than 3 m.
8.1.3 Materials of Uncertain Classification—In the case of uncertainty as to the appropriate category for a material, the testing
laboratory shall decide whether small or large specimens will be tested. In any case the specimen shall be described in detail in
the test report.
8.2 Preparation and Installation of Test Specimens:
8.2.1 Adhesive Mounting—Install coverings to be mounted with adhesive with great care, normally with adhesive covering the
entire surface of the test specimen. If the adhesive is applied in isolated patches, describe the exact procedure in the report. Follow
strictly the manufacturer’s instructions for use of the adhesive, especially with regard to the amount and the bonding-time. Report
the type of adhesive and the bonding-time.
8.2.2 To avoid damage to the standard concrete slab and ease removal of specimens, it is acceptable to first apply a removable
thin layer such as double-faced tape or thin paper using soluble paste. Adhesives for coverings may then be applied to the
removable layer. Users shall establish by experiment that such protective coverings have negligible effect on the measurements.
The data collected during such experiments shall be kept on file and made available on request.
8.3 Room Temperature and Humidity—Measure and report the temperature and the humidity of the air in each room. The
temperature shall be in the range 18 to 25°C in the upper room.
8.4 Aging of Specimens—Test specimens that incorporate materials for which there is a curing process (for example adhesives,
plasters, concrete, mortar, damping compound) shall age for a sufficient interval before testing. Manufacturers may supply
information about curing times for their products. Aging periods for certain common materials are given in Test Methods E 492
and E 90.
9. Microphone Requirements
9.1 Microphones shall meet the requirements in Method E 492.
10. Tapping Machine Requirements
10.1 The standard tapping machine used shall meet the requirements in Method E 492.
11. Frequency Range and Bandwidth for Analsis
11.1 Bandwidth—For each test band, the overall frequency response of the electrical system, including the filter or filters in the
source or microphone systems, shall satisfy the specifications given inANSI Specification S1.11 for a one-third octave band filter
set, Order 3 or higher, Type 1.
E2179–03 (2009)
11.2 Standard Test Frequencies—Measurements shall be made in all one-third-octave bands with mid-band frequencies
specified in ANSI S1.6 from 50 to 5000 Hz.
12. Procedure
12.1 Measurement of Normalized Impact Sound Pressure Level—The average normalized impact sound pressure level in the
receiving room shall be measured as detailed in Method E 492, once with the tapping machine striking the bare standard concrete
floor and once on the floor covering installed on the standard concrete floor.The paper described in 8.2.2 shall not be present when
measurementsaremadeonthebarefloor.Theaveragenormalizedimpactsoundpressurelevelsaredenoted L and L respectively.
0 c
12.1.1 Category I Specimens—The normalize
...
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:E2179–01 Designation:E2179–03 (Reapproved 2009)
Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Measurement of the Effectiveness of Floor
Coverings in Reducing Impact Sound Transmission
Through Concrete Floors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 2179; 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
E 336), the laboratory methods of measuring airborne sound transmisssion loss of building partitions
such as walls, floor-ceiling assemblies, doors, and other space-dividing elements (Test Method E 90);
the laboratory measurement of impact sound transmission through floors ( Test Method E 492), the
measurement of impact sound transmission in buildings ( Test Method E 1007), the measurement of
sound transmission through building facades and facade elements ( Guide E 966), and the
measurement of sound transmission through a common plenum between two rooms (Method E 1414).
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 Thetestmethodappliesonlytolaboratorymeasurements.Itdoesnotapplytothemeasurementoftheeffectivenessofafloor
covering in a field situation.
1.4 Laboratory Accreditation—A procedure for accrediting a laboratory for performing this test method is given in Method
E 492.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements
E 336 Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Insulation In Buildings Test Method for Measurement of Airborne
Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
E 492 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Impact Sound Transmission throughThrough Floor-Ceiling Assemblies
Using the Tapping Machine
E 966 Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound Insulation of Building Facades and Facade Elements
E 989 Classification for Determination of Impact Insulation Class (IIC)
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E33 on EnvironmentalAcoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.02 on Open Plan
Spaces.
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 2001. Published February 2002.on Building and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.03 on
Sound Transmission.
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Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published August 2009. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E 2179 – 03 .
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 04.06volume 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.
E2179–03 (2009)
E 1007 Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling
Assemblies and Associated Support Structures
E 1414 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 Laboratory Standard Pressure Microphones
S1.11 Specification for Octave-band and Fractional-Octave-Band Analog and Digital Filters
2.3 ISO Standards:
ISO 717-2 Rating of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 2: Impact Sound Insulation
ISO 140-6 Acoustics—Measurement of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 6: Laboratory
Measurements of Impact Sound Insulation of Floors
ISO 140-8 Acoustics Measurement of Sound Insulation in Buildings and of Building Elements—Part 8: Laboratory
Measurements of the Reduction of Transmitted Impact Noise by Floor Coverings on a Heavyweight Floor
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of the acoustical terms used in this test method are given in Terminology C 634.
3.2 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 floor covering—any resilient material, combination of resilient materials or combination of resilient material and rigid
materials used to provide a finished walking surface on a floor. This includes all materials between the upper walking surface and
the base concrete slab.
3.2.2 reference concrete floor—a hypothetical concrete floor used to calculate changes in impact insulation class (DIIC).
3.2.3 standard concrete floor—the actual concrete floor satisfying the provisions of this method used in the measurements.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Two vertically adjacent rooms are used: the upper one being designated the source room and the lower one the receiving
room.Astandard concrete floor is installed in an opening between them. The rooms and the floor installation are designed so the
only significant sound radiation into the receiving room is from the standard concrete floor.
4.2A standard tapping machine is placed and activated on the standard concrete floor and the impact sound pressure levels are
measured in the room below.The floor covering to be evaluated is then placed on the standard concrete floor and the impact sound
pressure levels measured again.
4.3The differences in impact sound pressure level are used to calculate two single number ratings. The first is an IIC rating
calculated for the covering installed on the reference concrete floor. The second rating, DIIC, represents the calculated reduction
in IIC when the covering is placed on the reference concrete floor, that is the improvement in IIC due to the covering.
4.2 A standard tapping machine is installed and activated on the standard concrete floor and the normalized impact sound
pressure levels are measured in the room below. The floor covering to be evaluated is then installed on the standard concrete floor
and the normalized impact sound pressure levels measured again.
4.3 The differences in normalized impact sound pressure level are subtracted from the levels defined for a reference concrete
floor and an IIC rating is calculated for the resultant array. This is the IIC that the covering would produce in combination with
the reference concrete floor. The second rating, DIIC, is obtained by subtracting 28 from the first (28 is the IIC for the reference
concrete floor). This gives the improvement in IIC that the covering would produce on the reference concrete floor.
5. 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 DIIC 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 Whenthenormalizedimpactsoundpressurelevelsbelowabareconcreteslabareknown,thedifferencespectrumcalculated
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 strandboard 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.
E2179–03 (2009)
The estimated impact sound pressure levels are too low.
5.6 This test method closely follows that described in ISO 140-8 except that the single number rating used is the impact
insulation class (IIC) described in Classification E 989. The description of the standard concrete floor also differs.
NOTE 2—The requirement in Classification E 989 that no deviation above the reference contour may exceed 8 dB means that there is no simple
relationship between ISO 140-8 test ratings and those generated by this method.
6. Test Rooms
6.1 The test rooms shall satisfy the requirements given in Method E 492.
7. Standard Concrete Floor
7.1 The standard concrete floor on which the test coverings are to be installed shall consist of a reinforced concrete slab or slab
sections with a thickness of 150 6 50 mm. The slab or slabs shall be homogeneous and of uniform thickness.
NOTE 3—A thickness of 150 mm is preferred for new facilities.
7.2 The surface of the test floor shall be smooth and sufficiently hard to endure the impacts of the tapping machine.Any screed
applied to the surface of the test floor shall adhere solidly at all points so the screed does not chip, crack or become pulverized.
7.3 Inspect the surface of the slab frequently to assess surface damage. Repairs shall be made when the surface is no longer
smooth.
NOTE 4—Altering the position of the tapping machine slightly for each test will reduce wear on the standard slab and prolong the life of the surface.
8. Test Specimens
8.1 Classification of Test Specimens:
8.1.1 Category I (Small Specimens)—This category includes flexible coverings (plastics, rubber, cork, matting, carpet or
combinations thereof), which are installed loosely or by adhesion to the floor surface.
8.1.1.1 Use three samples, preferably from different production runs but from the same source. Each sample shall measure at
least 1 3 0.5 m.
8.1.2 Category II—This category includes rigid, homogeneous surface materials or complex floor coverings of which at least
one constituent is rigid.When the area of the standard concrete floor is less than 10 m , the specimen shall cover the whole surface
ofthestandardconcretefloor.Whentheareaofthestandardconcretefloorisgreaterthan10m ,thespecimenareaneednotexceed
10 m provided that the smallest dimension of the specimen is not less than 3 m.
8.1.3 Materials of Uncertain Classification—In the case of uncertainty as to the appropriate category for a material, the testing
laboratory shall decide whether small or large specimens will be tested. In any case the specimen shall be described in detail in
the test report.
8.2 Preparation and Installation of Test Specimens:
8.2.1 Adhesive Mounting—Install coverings to be mounted with adhesive with great care, normally with adhesive covering the
entire surface of the test specimen. If the adhesive is applied in isolated patches, describe the exact procedure in the report. Follow
strictly the manufacturer’s instructions for use of the adhesive, especially with regard to the amount and the bonding-time. Report
the type of adhesive and the bonding-time.
8.2.2 To avoid damage to the standard concrete slab and ease removal of specimens, it is acceptable to first apply a removable
thin layer such as double-faced tape or thin paper using soluble paste. Adhesives for coverings may then be applied to the
removable layer. Users shall establish by experiment that such protective coverings have negligible effect on the measurements.
The data collected during such experiments shall be kept on file and made available on request.
8.3 Room Temperature and Humidity—Measure and report the temperature and the humidity of the air in each room. The
temperature shall be in the range 18 to 25°C in the upper room.
8.4 Aging of Specimens—Test specimens that incorporate materials for which there is a curing process (for example adhesives,
plasters, concrete, mortar, damping compound) shall age for a sufficient interval before testing. Manufacturers may supply
information about curing times for their products. Aging periods for certain common materials are given in Test Methods E 492
and E 90.
9. Microphone Requirements
9.1 Microphones shall meet the requirements in Method E 492.
10. Tapping Machine Requirements
10.1 The standard tapping machine used shall meet the requirements in Method E 492.
“Impact Sound Measurements on Floors Covered with Small Patches of Resilient Materials or Floating Assemblies,” A.C.C. Warnock. Internal Report IRC IR-802.
National Research Council Canada. January 2000.
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11. Frequency Range and Bandwidth for Analsis
11.1 Bandwidth—For each test band, the overall frequency response of the electrical system, including the filter or filters in the
source or microphone systems, shall satisfy the specifications given inANSI Specification S1.11 for a one-third octave band filter
set, Order 3 or higher, Type 1.
11.2 Standard Test Frequencies—Measurements shall be made in all one-third-octave bands with mid-band frequencies
specified in ANSI S1.6 from 50 to 5000 Hz.
12. Procedure
12.1 Measurement
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