Print this page An Introduction to Noise Control in Buildings
J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI
Course Outline
I. INTRODUCTION
II. NOISE CRITERIA
A. General
B. Noise Criterion (NC) Curves
C. Room Criterion (RC) Curves
D. Speech Interference Levels
III. SOUND DISTRIBUTION INDOORS
A. Effect of distance and absorption
B. Sound absorption coefficients
C. Estimation of Room Constant
IV. SOUND ISOLATION BETWEEN ROOMS
A. Sound Transmission Loss (TL)
B. Noise Reduction (NR)
C. Sound Transmission Class (STC)
VI. TRANSMISSION LOSS CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMON BUILDING MATERIALS
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Learn how noise associated with buildings is defined in terms of Noise Criteria and Room Criteria;
- Learn about designing to mitigate speech interference in the acoustic environment;
- Learn how sound pressure level (SPL) varies with distance and absorption;
- Learn basic principles underlying estimation and use of Room Constants;
- Learn how the principles of sound Transmission Loss (TL), Noise Reduction (NR) and Sound Transmission Class (STC) of building materials are applied to real projects;
- Learn about STC values for many common building materials.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for engineers and architects who want an introduction to noise control in buildings that they can apply immediately on straightforward projects, and that will give them the background they need before advancing to more acoustically sophisticated projects such as concert halls and recording studios.
Benefit for Attendee
This course will give engineers and others an understanding of basic principles and terminology needed to integrate acoustical considerations into their building design projects.
Course Introduction
This is an introduction to noise control in buildings. It is a basic treatment that will introduce designers to some important principles and terminology. In simple applications on real projects the information provided will give designers a good start in addressing acoustic control issues. For more acoustically complex projects designers will use more detailed principles.
About Course Author
Paul Guyer is a registered mechanical engineer, civil engineer, fire protection engineer and architect with over 35 years experience in the design of buildings and related infrastructure. For an additional 9 years he was a senior-level advisor to the California Legislature on infrastructure and capital outlay issues. He has designed and supervised the design of hundreds of construction projects requiring the preparation of detailed working drawings and specifications for federal, state and local public agencies and private companies. He is a graduate of Stanford University and has held numerous national, state and local positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers.
Course Content
The course content is contained in the following PDF file:
An Introduction to Noise Control in Buildings
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Course Summary
This course provides an introduction to noise control engineering for buildings. It provides engineers and architects with an introduction to acoustical engineering principles, the tools to use in straightforward building design projects, and an introduction to principles that can be used on more acoustically challenging building design projects.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
