Contribution of floor treatment characteristics to background noise levels in health care facilities, Part 2

Abstract

Additional acoustical tests were conducted as Part 2 of a previous study [JASA 136(4), 2219–(2014)] on ten types of commercial grade flooring to assess their potential contribution to surface-generated noise within healthcare facilities. These floor samples utilized an ECORE ForestFX sheet vinyl wear layer and tested with rubber-backing thicknesses ranging from 2 mm–10 mm, plus a composite backing composed of two 2 mm layers. Two types of ECORE International adhesives, EGripIII and Evolve, were tested as part of the adhesive used during manufacturing as well as with local mounting of all floors on concrete substrates. Sound power tests were conducted in compliance with ISO-3741-2010 for two source types, an impact tapping machine and a rolling hospital cart. The sample that achieved the lowest radiated sound power levels for both the rolling cart and tap tests was Forest FX sheet vinyl with 10 mm rubber backing and Evolve adhesive. Two trends were observed. First, measured sound power levels reduced as backing thickness rose. Second, the Evolve adhesive demonstrated lower sound power levels for all tap/rolling tests when compared with those utilizing the EGripIII adhesive. The suitability of using thicker floor backings in healthcare facilities are discussed. [Work supported by Paul S. Veneklasen Research Foundation.]