Quieter buildings through increased insulation

THE Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) is planning to implement new acoustical provisions into the Building Code of Australia in May next year, which will require new multidwelling buildings to be made quieter.

The scope of proposed changes to building acoustics include a 5-10dB increase in the level of airborne sound insulation for walls/floors/ceilings separating dwellings; introducing impact sound insulation requirements for floors separating dwellings; the introduction of field testing as an option for verifying compliance of walls/floors; and sound insulation requirements for services to be extended to cover water supply pipes, duct work and stormwater pipes.

The acoustical provisions for a common wall or floor/ceiling currently has an airborne sound insulation rating of 45dB, with a wall between a noisy room and a quiet room needing to achieve an airborne sound insulation rating of 50dB and satisfy an impact sound insulation requirement.

CSIRO’s Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology Division, which is currently testing the acoustic properties of a number of flooring and wall products, believes that manufacturers who are currently producing building products such as wall panelling, flooring and doors may need to satisfy the new acoustical requirements.

For more information, contact Matthew Patterson at the Office of the ABCB on 02 6213 7201, email Matthew.Patterson@abcb.gov.au.

-- Construction Contractor

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