A field study of the relationship between sound insulation and noise annoyance, activity disturbance and wellbeing in multi-unit residences

Abstract

Impact and airborne noise are often an issue for occupants in multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). Despite minimum sound insulation requirements in building codes, occupants still complain about the impact and airborne noise which suggests that there is a lack of understanding of the relationship between sound insulation and occupants’ perceptions of their acoustic environment. To enhance existing knowledge on the relationship between sound insulation and occupants’ perception of noise, a field investigation was carried out in five Canadian MURBs with heavy-weight floor construction and concrete shear and steel stud walls. Airborne and impact sound insulation were measured, and surveys were conducted to assess subjective annoyance levels and effects on occupants’ various daily activities. The study found a significant correlation between airborne sound insulation and annoyance. However, there was no significant relationship between impact sound insulation and annoyance. The results showed no significant difference in impact noise annoyance between occupants in a building with high impact insulation (AIIC 62) compared to occupants in buildings with low impact insulation levels (AIIC 31–32). However, a significant correlation was found between impact sound insulation and reported effects of noise on work performance at home suggesting that disturbance of work or other activities might be a better indicator of occupants’ perception and acoustic comfort compared to annoyance ratings. In addition, the analysis revealed that occupants in suites located at the most exposed façade facing a major roadway report lower annoyance levels. The results indicate that the masking effects of outdoor or other noise sources should be considered when investigating occupants’ perception of impact and airborne noise.