Acoustic Test Methods
Acoustic Test Methods and Related Standards
The acoustic performance of a door assembly is determined by subjecting a representative door assembly to a laboratory AS1191 or ISO 10140.2 acoustic test. This involves installing a test door into a dividing wall that separates two reverberant rooms that are known as the Source room and the Receiving room. Sound waves of specific frequencies are generated in the Source room and measurements recorded via a microphone in the Receiving room. The sound level values taken during the test are calculated in accordance with the requirements of AS/NZS ISO 717.1 to provide a final weighted sound reduction index which is designated as Rw.
AS1276-1:1999 – Acoustics – Rating of sound insulation in buildings & building elements. Part 1 – Airborne Sound Insulation (superseded by AS/NZS/ISO 717.1).
AS/NZS ISO 717-1:2004 – Acoustics – Rating of sound insulation in buildings & of building elements. Part 1 – Airborne Sound Insulation.
ISO10140.2 :2010 – Acoustics – Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements –Part 2: Measurement of airborne sound insulation.
AS1191 AS 1191-2002 Acoustics – Laboratory measurement of airborne sound transmission insulation of building elements.
Acoustic Sealing Efficiency
To evaluate the efficiency of acoustic sealing systems, Lorient conducts a series of three tests which include:
1. An initial test with the door in a un-sealed condition (known as un-caulked), provides the minimum level of performance the door can achieve,
2. The same door is fitted with seals and re-tested to evaluate the improved performance
3. The same door is then sealed with a heavy putty and re-tested to measure how much sound is passing through the door leaf – this test reveals the maximum performance that the door can provide
By comparing these results it is possible to determine the sealing system efficiency and maximum door performance.
