New draft DEGA guideline103-1 for sound protection classes

Abstract

The DEGA recommendation 103 (DEGA-Empfehlung–Schallschutz im Wohnungsbau und Schallschutzausweis) has been introduced in the year 2009 and includes a classification scheme for dwellings. Seven classes are defined. The classification is based on different criteria for air borne noise, impact noise and other quantities. In 2018, a revised version has been published. Both version relied on classical quantities such as air born sound insulation R’w and impact sound insulation L’n,w. A new version has recently published as a draft DEGA guideline 103-1 (Entwurf zur DEGA-Richtlinie 103-1 “Schallschutz im Wohnungsbau, Teil 1”). In this new draft, the idea of seven classes hae been taken over. The classification not only is based on traditional values such as R’w and L’n,w but also offers the use of the weighed sound level differences DnT,w and weighed standardizes impact sound pressure level L’nT,w. It is suggested to use the later quantities. This dual track approach allows a better design and will lead to a higher acceptance among acousticians and other users. The new draft is presented and will be discussed in relation to other approaches for sound protection in dwellings.