1. Scope

1.1 This test method utilizes a laboratory space so arranged that it simulates a pair of horizontally adjacent small offices or rooms separated by a partition and sharing a common plenum space. The partition either extends to the underside of a common plenum space or penetrates through it. In the prescribed configuration, special design features of the facility ensure that the only significant sound transmission path is by way of the ceiling and the plenum space

1.2 Within the limitations outlined in the significance statement, the primary quantity measured by this test method is the ceiling attenuation of a suspended ceiling installed in a laboratory environment. By accounting for receiving room sound absorption, the normalized ceiling attenuation may be determined.

1.3 The test method may also be used to evaluate the attenuation of composite ceiling systems comprised of the ceiling material and other components such as luminaires and ventilating systems.

1.4 The field performance of a ceiling system may differ significantly from the results obtained by this test method (see Section 5, Significance and Use, and Test Method E336 ).

1.5 The procedures may also be used to study the additional sound insulation that may be achieved by other attenuation measures. This would include materials used either as plenum barriers or as backing for all or part of the ceiling.

1.6 The facility may also be used to study the performance of an integrated system comprising plenum, ceiling, and partition, tested as a single assembly.

1.7 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.8 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 (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

C423 Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Absorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method

C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics

C636 Practice for Installation of Metal Ceiling Suspension Systems for Acoustical Tile and Lay-In Panels

E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements

E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods

E336 Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings

E413 Classification for Rating Sound Insulation

E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method

Keywords

airborne sound attenuation; common ceiling plenum; suspended ceiling; Ceiling suspension systems; Chamber construction (for airborne sound attenuation test); Impact sound transmission (building elements); Acoustical tests; Plenums; Rooms; Sound transmission--building materials/applications; Sound transmission--office environments;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 91.120.20 (Acoustics in buildings. Sound insulation)

DOI: 10.1520/E1414_E1414M-11

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