Horizontal impact sound transmission measurements

Abstract

Impact sound transmission is typically considered for the floor/ceiling assembly that separates vertically stacked spaces. This is the context that ASTM E492 laboratory testing and ASTM E1007 field testing are performed. However, impact sounds often have the potential for causing significant flanking transmission through structural connections of the floor system to surrounding spaces. A common concern for possible impact sound transmission can occur with hard flooring finishes that are not isolated from the floor structure to adjacent spaces. For this condition, while it is possible to achieve adequate impact isolation vertically by using isolated ceiling assemblies, the lack of isolation for the flooring may allow significant horizontal impact sound transmission, which is not affected by the ceiling assembly. This study presents findings and comparisons from measurements of impact sound transmission testing between horizontally adjacent spaces on a concrete floor slab and a wood-framed floor assembly with different flooring underlayment conditions.