Noise isolation problems in the renovation of old urban factory buildings for residential use

Abstract

Special noise isolation problems arise when renovating old urban industrial buildings into apartments, condominiums, and hotels under the historic preservation rules. The living environment created should experience — as result of outdoor noise — not more than a maximum of 55 dBA in sleeping and living rooms. In addition, common walls and floor/ceilings should have sound isolation values of STC50 (apartments) to STC55 (condominiums) if at all possible. The ceilings of many rooms and loft spaces are often the exposed slatted wood or bottom of the floor above. This must be preserved in appearance, disallowing ceiling surface noise sound isolation treatment. Floor/ceilings should have impact sound isolation values of IIC50 (apartments) to IIC55 (condominiums) if at all possible. Window sound isolation is primarily selected for measured maximum noise levels caused by local truck traffic and emergency vehicle warning sirens on the basis of octave band noise and transmission loss values. The thicker window required must be compatible with existing metal or wood window frames. Test results and design concepts for some improved and preserved existing old commercial masonry urban structures will be presented.