Update on the change in sound insulation requirements in Canada

Abstract

In the 2015 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (2015 NBCC, published in January 2016), sound insulation requirements between dwelling units are given in terms of Apparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC). This is a significant change from the requirements in previous editions of the NBCC which were given in terms of Sound Transmission Class (STC). While the STC rating only accounts for sound transmission through the separating assembly, the ASTC rating also takes into account structural flanking transmission via adjoining building elements. An overview of the change in requirements and of NRC activities to support the code change was given at the ASA meeting in Jacksonville (November 2015). This presentation will provide an update on the implementation of the code change since it came into effect in federal regulations in early 2016. Tools and guidelines provided by the NRC such as Research Report RR-331, “Guide to Calculating Airborne Sound Transmission in Buildings” and the revised version of soundPATHS, NRC’s web application to calculate ASTC ratings, will be presented.