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Sound Control in Multi-Family

Floor/Ceiling Assemblies
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Sound Control in Multi-Family Floor/Ceiling

Assemblies
Presented by: ACG Materials.
1550 Double Drive.
Norman, OK 73069.
Description:
Provides an overview of the noise issues associated with floor/ceiling assemblies of

multi-family dwellings, as well as the factors that affect acoustical performance. Also
presented is a review of the acoustical solutions that are available with a focus on sound
mats with poured underlayment (SMPU) systems.
To ensure the accuracy of this program material, this course is valid only when listed on
AEC Dailys Online Learning Center. Please click here to verify the status of this course.
If the course is not displayed on the above page, it is no longer offered.
The American Institute of Architects Course No. AEC769 This program qualifies for 1.0 LU/HSW Hour.
AEC Daily Corporation is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/CES). Credit(s)
earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and nonAIA members are available upon request. This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not
include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method
or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services
will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.
This course is approved by other organizations. Please click here for details.
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AEC Daily Corporation has met the standards and requirements of

the Registered Continuing Education Program. Credit earned on
completion of this program will be reported to RCEP at RCEP.net.
A certificate of completion will be issued to each participant. As
such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed
to be an approval or endorsement by the RCEP.
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Purpose and Learning Objectives

Purpose: Provides an overview of the noise issues associated with floor/ceiling
assemblies of multi-family dwellings, as well as the factors that affect acoustical
performance. Also presented is a review of the acoustical solutions that are available with a
focus on sound mats with poured underlayment (SMPU) systems.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this program, participants will be able to:
define the noise issues that affect floor/ceiling assemblies in multi-level dwellings, as
well as the testing and rating standards associated with sound attenuation.
discuss the methods used to minimize the transmission of airborne and impact sound in
floor/ceiling assemblies .
state the benefits of using durable ultra-low compression (ULC) sound mats with poured
underlayment as an acoustic strategy, and.
define the factors that affect acoustical performance in a floor/ceiling assembly
designed with a ULC sound mat/poured underlayment system.
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Table of Contents
An Introduction to Architectural Acoustics
Sound Basics
11
Sound Attenuation Solutions
23
Factors That Affect Acoustical Performance
43
Summary
49
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An Introduction to Architectural Acoustics
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Introduction
Acoustics affect critical aspects of a
buildings function, yet acoustical design can
be one of the most complex aspects of
architecture.
Technical challenges can vary widely from
space to space, as can the design solutions
and material options that are used to meet
them. Consequently, no single acoustical
solution can be universally applied to all
designs.
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The Dynamics of Sound

Noise can be classified as any type of unwanted
sound.
Noise from within multi-family dwellings (from
footsteps, TV, stereos, appliances, etc.) can keep
homes from providing the restful respites they
ought to. Plus, studies have proven that noise is
a major cause of stress and ailments.
Source
Receiver
When determining how noise can be controlled

within a building, the dynamics of sound must be
considered.
Sound travels not only in a straight path from its
source, but it also rebounds off partitions, travels
around barriers, and passes through small
openings, all of which can permit noise to reach
far beyond its point of origin.
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Sound Control
Controlling sound transmission through
floors is a crucial part of sound control in
multi-family structures.
Understanding how to select a combination
of building materials and system designs
that will provide the most suitable sound
control is vital to creating a successful
acoustical design.
To that end, this course begins with a review
of sound basics.
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Sound Basics
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Sound Basics: Introduction

In this section of the course, the following
topics will be reviewed:
Sound Transmission Class.

Impact Insulation Class.
Sound Flanking Paths.
Substrate Effects on Ratings.
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Sound Transmission Class (STC)

There are two types of noise that need to be addressed in acoustical design: airborne and
impact.
Airborne noise radiates from a source (e.g., talking, television, radios, stereos, etc.). It
travels through the air and it is generally not a problem, particularly in newer construction
where building elements typically diminish airborne sounds to acceptable levels.
Testing of airborne sound is labelled as Sound Transmission Class or STC, which provides
a rating for the sound attenuation properties of materials used in general construction
(walls, ceilings, and floors). The higher the STC value, the better the acoustical
performance.
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ASTM E413
STC is calculated in accordance with ASTM E413, Classification for Rating Sound
Insulation.
The single-number ratings can be utilized to evaluate the potential sound insulation of
partitions or floors tested in laboratory conditions. Note that the rating for a partition built
and tested in a building may be lower than that attained for a partition tested in a
laboratory, due to flanking transmission or construction errors.
Test methods in this classification include:
Test Method E90: The single-number rating is called sound transmission class (STC)
Test Method E336: Single-number ratings are field sound transmission class (FSTC),
noise isolation class (NIC), and normalized noise isolation class (NNIC)
Test Method E596: The single-number rating is called noise isolation class (NIC)
Test Method E1414: The single-number rating is called ceiling attenuation class (CAC)
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Impact Insulation Class (IIC)

Next for discussion is impact noise. Impact noise is structure-borne, meaning the sound
travels through solid materials, generally in direct contact with the sound source, or
resulting from an impact on a material.
Noise issues are common in hotels, apartments, condominiums, and other multi-family
residences, and impact noise is typically the most significant and problematic. Footsteps
and other impacts on the floor above can result in severe annoyances for the occupants
below; therefore, it is important that floor/ceiling assemblies are designed to minimize
impact transmission.
The test for impact noise is Impact Insulation Class (IIC) which provides a rating that
denotes the ability of a floor/ceiling assembly to isolate noise from footsteps and other
impact sources. Higher values indicate better reduction.
Note that the rating scale is logarithmic, so minor changes in IIC can translate to significant
differences in the level of impact noise.
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ASTM E989 / ASTM E492

The IIC rating of floor/ceiling assemblies is determined by ASTM Standard E989, Standard
Classification for Determination of Impact Insulation Class.
Test data is obtained in accordance with ASTM E492, Standard Test Method for
Laboratory Measurement of Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor/Ceiling Assemblies
Using the Tapping Machine. The tapping machine is used to impact the floor of a source
room to measure the amount of sound that travels through the ceiling to the room located
directly below. The testing includes readings at over 20 frequencies.
A variety of factors contribute to impact noise, such as thickness and type of substrates,
ceiling assemblies, and flooring surfaces, etc. As a result, a complete description of the
floor/ceiling assembly is needed to determine potential IIC results for each installation.
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ASTM E989 / ASTM E492

Here is an example of IIC test results.
The red line is the control and the blue line represents the actual
results.
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STC and IIC Requirements

The IIC rating of a floor/ceiling assembly should be equal to or better than its STC rating to
attain equal performance in controlling both airborne and structure-borne sound.
The Uniform Building Code (UBC) and International Code Council (ICC) list a minimum of
50 for both STC and IIC for floor/ceiling assemblies between dwelling units. However,
projects that meet the minimum standard generally result in increased noise complaints.
Therefore, in many circumstances, it is recommended to specify higher than the minimum
standard between units as there is a corresponding reduction in complaints with higher
STC/IIC.
Some condominium associations may require higher standards for IIC noise in their
bylaws; therefore, it is essential to know the requirements of a project prior to designing
and specifying a floor/ceiling assembly.
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Lab Testing vs. Field Testing

Tests for IIC and STC are performed in acoustical laboratories in which room sizes and
construction are controlled, or they can also be done in the field.
Field tests are identified by the letter F preceding the test designation (e.g., FIIC or
FSTC).
The building codes state that field measurements shall not be less than 45 FSTC or 45
FIIC.
Although field tests provide data, they cannot offer the controlled environment of a lab due
to the many field variations, such as room volume, joist depth, truss span, and the location
of fixtures and vents.
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Sound Flanking Paths

To help reduce the transmission of airborne sound, careful consideration should be given
to minimize sound flanking paths, as flanking paths can seriously compromise an otherwise
effective sound barrier.
Flanking paths, also referred to as leaking paths, are pathways or routes that sound can
travel through from one space to another, other than via the main assembly separating the
two spaces.
Examples of flanking paths include: joints between walls and ceilings, unsealed windows,
and electrical service fittings. As well, floor systems, whether constructed with joists, ,or
concrete slabs, can develop cracks, providing a flanking path for sound to travel between
levels of a building.
It is important to know that any gap in an acoustical structure that permits air leakage will
also leak sound.
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Substrate Effects on Ratings

Another consideration of acoustical design is the substrate effects on STC and IIC ratings.
Although footstep or impact noise is common in structures of concrete construction and
wood frame construction, differences exist in the nature and extent of the problem between
the two construction methods. In both cases, if the floor finish is hard (e.g., tile, marble,
hardwood, etc.), footstep and impact noise will clearly be transmitted to the spaces below.
Hard surface flooring tends to be a popular flooring option for luxury condos and high-rise
apartments, even though hard surfaces create more noise than softer surfaces.
With a structural concrete floor, if a quality carpet and underlay is installed over the floor,
footstep impacts are generally attenuated adequately.
In contrast, the floor system in wood frame construction is more stiff than that found in
concrete construction. As a result, any impact tends to cause the floor to deflect and emits
a low frequency thump, even when quality carpet and underlay is used.
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Substrate Effects on Ratings

The harder the surface, the more noise that is generated; conversely, the softer the
surface, the less noise generated. This explains why a carpet performs significantly better
than a harder surface, such as vinyl tile, ceramic tile, marble, or hardwood.
In terms of loudness, footsteps would be anywhere from four to eight times louder with a
hardwood floor than with a carpeted floor for similar constructions.
Even with hard surface floors rafted on resilient supports, the impact noise transmitted
through to the spaces below will be markedly higher (~ four times as loud) than that of a
standard floor with carpet and underpad.
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Sound Attenuation Solutions
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Sound Attenuation Solutions: Introduction

Available in the market is a variety of sound control products designed to minimize the
transmission of airborne and impact noise beyond their source. When evaluating products,
look for the published test results for IIC and STC (including the details of the construction
that was tested) and keep in mind that the IIC is affected by all components in the
assembly.
In this section of the course, a review of the following sound attenuation solutions is
presented.
Carpet .
Insulation .
Resilient Channels (RC) .
Resilient Sound Isolation Clips .
Gypsum Concrete Poured Underlayment .
Sound Mats .
Ultra-Low Compression Sound Mats with Poured Underlayment Systems.
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Carpet
Carpet has become less popular over the years, and the shift now has moved to hard
flooring surfaces, such as ceramic tile and luxury vinyl tile (LVT). Although adding carpet
to a floor will always increase the IIC rating, it will not necessarily reduce low-frequency
noise transmission.
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Insulation
Sound insulation (fiberglass,
cellulose, or mineral wool) can be
installed in the cavity between the
floor above and the ceiling below
to reduce sound transmission
between floors in a multi-level
building.
In addition to insulating between
the floor and ceiling below, it is
highly cost-effective to use resilient
channels (described on next slide)
and two layers of gypsum board to
the underside of the ceiling joists.
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Resilient Channels (RC)

Resilient channelsregularly used to
improve the sound ratings for wallsare
especially effective in floor/ceiling
assemblies.
Made of thin metal, resilient channels
provide a strong connection due to their
ability to flex; thus, resilient channels absorb
sound vibration rather than transmit it.
Note that there are several types of resilient
channels available, varying in gauge of steel
and hole patterns, which have a direct
impact on the resilient properties and sound
isolation performance of the product.
Therefore, it is recommended to consult the
manufacturers acoustical test report when
making a selection.
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Special care and attention should be paid to the
correct installation and spacing of the resilient
channel.
Metal resilient channel is attached to the
underside of the floor joists prior to the
installation of the gypsum board ceiling. The
gypsum board is attached to the resilient channel
in a way that assures that the screws do not
extend into the joists to which the resilient
channel is applied.
When properly installed, resilient channels can
add three to five STC points to a wall or ceiling.
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A common error is to screw through the resilient
channel into the framing, which negates the
discontinuity that the channel is meant to achieve.
Improper installation will negate any advantage
gained from using resilient channels; therefore, it is
important to follow the manufacturers installation
instructions.
It is recommended to specify and ensure the
channel is installed in the same method in which it
was installed in the acoustical test lab.
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Resilient Sound Isolation Clips

Resilient sound isolation clips are composed of a
rubber and steel assembly designed to isolate
the furring channel from the structure, thus
stopping the transfer of structure-borne noise.
Used in a variety of floor/ceiling assemblies,
resilient sound isolation clips are commonly
utilized as a replacement for resilient channel, as
they require no special fasteners and are more
effective.
For example, with a wood-framed floor
construction, decoupling with a resilient channel
delivers close to 50% increase in IIC over a
directly-connected ceiling assembly. In contrast,
using resilient sound isolation clips can almost
triple the IIC over a directly-connected ceiling
assembly.
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Gypsum Concrete Poured Underlayments

Gypsum concrete poured underlayments can be
used for multi-family wood frame and concrete
construction to provide excellent sound
attenuation between floor and units.
As a sound system, gypsum underlayment
systems enhance the sound attenuation
characteristics in a building by:
stiffening the floor, thereby eliminating
squeaky floors and nail pops.
sealing the room perimeter cracks and
reducing potential sound leaks, and.
reducing sound transmission by its mass,
despite its lightweight characteristics.
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Poured underlayments are batch-mixed on the
job site with sand and water, providing a
monolithic, smooth, lightweight floor.
At a depth of , a typical underlayment weighs
7.2 lbs per square foot, with a density of
approximately 115 lbs per cubic foot.
Concrete poured underlayments are generally
applied at " thickness over a concrete
substrate, " thickness over a wood substrate,
and can be applied up to 3" in a single
application.
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Benefits of gypsum concrete underlayments:
Can be used for new and renovation

construction.
Can be installed before drywall to simplify

project schedules.
Approved for one- and two-hour UL fire

ratings.
Provide a smooth, dense surface for a large

variety of floor coverings, including carpet,
ceramic tile, wood laminate, hardwood, and
vinyl.
Available in a range of compressive strengths

(1,400 to 3,500 psi), depending on mix
design, sand gradation, and water content.
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When using a gypsum poured
underlayment, the structural floor should be
designed to withstand designed loads with a
minimum deflection criteria of L/360.
It is important to remember that a poured
underlayment system is only one
component of an effective floor/ceiling
sound rated assembly. Care must be taken
in the installation of all construction
components to assure the ultimate in design
performance.
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Sounds Mats
Sound mats work by insulating the underlying sub floor from airborne noise and floor
surface impacts. They effectively stop structure-borne sound transmission at the source
and offer a cost-effective noise reduction solution for new or renovation construction.
There are many misunderstandings surrounding sound mats which we will now address.
Sound mats have a sound rating that can be used to meet code requirements.
This is misleading because the sound mat is only part of the total assembly that
achieves sound control to a specific STC rating. The STC ratings attached to sound
mats are also attached to specific assemblies which should be easily found in the UL
database. The floor/ceiling assembly, the thickness of the gypsum-based topping, and
application style of the sound mat all play a role in working together to achieve sound
control.
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Sounds Mats
I can compare sound ratings of products by looking at their STC or IIC ratings.
Comparing sound ratings is the first step, but there are other variables to be considered.
Most importantly, which assembly did the manufacturer use when determining the noise
ratings and does it coincide with the proposed assembly to be used?
A product that advertises an IIC rating of 65 will work well in a project.
Not necessarily; its important to understand where these ratings come from and to
recognize trustworthy testing sources. On a good day with optimal results, a sound mat
might get a sound rating higher than normal, but does it perform that way repeatedly?
What if the test was with a different assembly, flooring, or 3" of gypsum topping? Unless
you have all of the same parameters of the test studies, you cant expect the same
results. Trust independent testing facilities using UL designs that youre familiar with and
actually use in real world projects.
Sound ratings are the most important attribute of a sound mat.
Sound ratings are generally the first thing looked at, but there are other attributes to be
considered as well. For example, durability, eco-friendliness, and ease of installation
should be taken into account also.
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Sound Mats: Compressive vs. Ultra-Low

Compression
Now that the misunderstandings concerning sound
mats have been reviewed, lets move on to discuss
compressive sound mats versus ultra-low
compression sound mats.
Multi-family flooring has moved away from tile and
almost exclusively to LVT. However, traditional
sound mat technologies use an entangled mesh
design that is targeted toward tile installations. The
entangled mesh is springy and therefore moves
and compresses, which can cause cracking in the
gypsum underlayment and contribute to a failing
floor. Additionally, the cracks in the gypsum provide
a pathway for noise to travel through.
With flooring removed, you can see how

the gypsum underlayment has deteriorated
and cracked over a compressive mat.
Although these compressive mats are still widely

used, new technology has introduced durable or
ultra-low compression (ULC) mats to combat the
problems associated with compressive-type mats.
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Ultra-Low Compression Sound Mats

ULC sound mats contain new technology
that isolates vibration on a rigid platform.
They were developed in response to the
trends in multi-family construction where
vinyl floor coverings allow applied loads to
be passed directly through to the
underlayment instead of being distributed
over a larger area.
ULC sound mats provide low deflection
characteristics without sacrificing noise
control.
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Types of Ultra-Low Compression Sound Mats

There are several types of ULC sound mats
available to solve a wide variety of
acoustical problems by improving IIC and
STC ratings of floor/ceiling assemblies.
For example, a low-profile design (3/16"
nominal, 4.8mm thickness) can improve IIC
ratings 614 dB in wood frame construction
and 20 dB in concrete construction.
Green ULC sound mats are offered in the
market, manufactured with more than 85%
post-consumer waste. One such green
sound mat is 1/8" (3.2mm) thick and can
improve IIC ratings 1114 dB in wood frame
construction and 20 dB in concrete
construction.
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Ultra-Low Compression Sound Mats: Applications

ULC sound mats are ideal as part of an overall noise
reduction strategy in the following applications:
Multi-family.
Apartments.
Dormitories.
Condominiums.
Residential and Single Family.
Hotels.
Light Commercial.
Renovation of old wood or concrete structures.
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ULC Sound Mat and Poured Underlayment

(SMPU) Systems
ULC sound mats, when used in conjunction with pourable gypsum underlayments, seal
cracks and other sound pathways. Then, the system solidifies to form a solid barrier that
is isolated from the structure below by the sound mat. An SMPU system can provide STC
ratings as high as 66 and improve IIC by as much as 13 points.
POURED
UNDERLAYMENT
ULCSOUNDMAT
POUREDUNDERLAYMENT
POURED
UNDERLAYMENT
ULCSOUNDMAT
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ULC Sound Mat and Poured Underlayment

(SMPU) Systems
Presented here is a chart
comparing the results with
and without ULC sound
mats using specific
construction designs and
floor coverings.
Poured
Underlayment
ULCSound
Mats
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Factors That Affect Acoustical Performance

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Factors That Affect Acoustical Performance:

Introduction
As previously mentioned, the floor/ceiling assembly is a SYSTEM. Although the installation
of a sound mat will always contribute to the improvement of the sound rating, achieving
good results requires the rest of the assembly to be correct and that all the factors that
affect acoustical performance are taken into consideration.
These factors include:
Structural stiffness and mass of the material.
Isolation of vibration.
Building movement.
Improper penetrations.
Compressive strength of the system.
In this section of the course, a review of these factors is presented.
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Structural Stiffness and Mass of the Material

Adding mass and stiffness to a floor/ceiling
assembly will improve STC values.
This detail identifies the components that
add mass and stiffness to a floor/ceiling
assembly constructed with a sound control
mat and poured underlayment.
It is important to note that the thickness of
the gypsum underlayment is critical to avoid
failure. Anything less than " is suspect to
problems as it is not thick enough to resist
cracking when subjected to heavy loads.
This is especially true when using a mat that
is prone to compression/deflection.
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Isolation of Vibration / Building Movement

Isolation of Vibration.
Isolation of vibration can be achieved
through resilient layers in the
assembly or physical isolation of
layers by mechanical separation.
Building Movement.
Another potential point of failure is the
movement of the building. All buildings
move, but with the correct assembly,
the movement can be minimized. A
sound mat and its gypsum
underlayment should be installed in a
floating floor fashion to allow for
movement without compromising the
integrity of the assembly.
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Improper Penetrations
Improper penetrations allow sound to travel
through into unwanted spaces.
Examples of improper penetrations include:
screws through the RC into the joist, air
penetrations through the ceiling, and nails or
screws through the gypsum and sound mat.
Since flanking paths are the enemy of effective
sound isolation, carefully detail the edge of the
floor, the edge of the ceiling, and all
penetrations of the assembly so that resilient
surfaces do not make mechanical contact.
Furthermore, detail the perimeter of the ceiling
so that it doesnt make mechanical contact
with the wall, and seal the ceiling perimeter
with non-hardening caulk.
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Compressive Strength of the System

A sound mat poured underlayment (SMPU) system is a free-floating slab that must rely on
its own flexural strength.
Three Factors to Consider:
compression characteristics of sound mat (sounds mats with a high level of
compression are springy, and the entangled mesh can break just by squeezing it with
your fingertips).
flexural strength of the cement (correlates with compressive).
thickness of the slab (strength correlates to thickness cubed).
Please remember the exam password ISOLATION. You will be required to enter it in order to proceed with the
online examination.
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Summary
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Important Points
Understanding how to select a combination of building materials and system designs

that will provide the most suitable sound control is vital to creating a successful
acoustical design for multi-level dwellings.
There are two types of noise that need to be addressed in acoustical design: airborne
and impact.
Testing of airborne sound is labelled as Sound Transmission Class or STC and testing
of impact is Impact Insulation Class (IIC). The Uniform Building Code (UBC) and
International Code Council (ICC) list a minimum of 50 for both STC and IIC.
Considerations of acoustical design include flanking paths and substrate effects on

ratings. The harder the surface, the more noise that is generated; conversely, the softer
the surface, the less noise generated.
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Important Points
Sound attenuation in multi-level buildings can be improved in several ways, primarily by

adding mass to the floor/ceiling assembly and by ensuring that there are no noise
leaks through penetrations in the assembly.
Sound attenuation solutions include: carpet, insulation, resilient channels, gypsum

concrete poured underlayment, sound mats, and sound mat/poured underlayment
(SMPU) systems.
Compressive sound mats are still widely used, but new technology has introduced
durable or ultra-low compression (ULC) mats that combat the problems associated with
compressive type mats.
Factors that affect acoustical performance include: stiffness and mass, isolation of
vibration, building movement, improper penetrations, and compressive strength of the
system.
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References & Resources
Acoustical Surfaces, Inc. Noise Control in Multi-Family Residential Buildings.

AcousticalSurfaces.com, 2014.
http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/soundproofing_tips/html/multi_familybuild.htm (Date
accessed Jun 3, 2014) .
ASTM International. ASTM E413 Classification for Rating Sound Insulation.
ASTM.org, 2015. http://www.astm.org/Standards/E413.htm (Date accessed Jun 3,
2014).
Bailey Metal Products Limited. Quiet Spaces and How to Build Them. BMPGroup.com, n.d. http://www.bmp-group.com/docs/homeowners/quiet-spaces-and-howto-build-them.pdf?sfvrsn=2 (Date accessed Jun 3, 2014).
BKL Consultants. Footstep and Impact Noise in Multi-Family Dwellings. BKL.ca, 25
September 2012. http://www.bkl.ca/building-acoustics/footstep-impact-noise-in-multifamily-dwellings (Date accessed Jun 3, 2014).
Noble Company, Sound Rated Floors: Issues for Consideration.
United States Gypsum Company, Acoustical Assemblies Brochure SA200
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Sound Control in Multi-Family

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Sound Control in Multi-Family Floor/Ceiling

Provides an overview of the noise issues associated with floor/ceiling assemblies of

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The Dynamics of Sound

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Sound Basics: Introduction

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ASTM E989 / ASTM E492