RESIDENTIAL

ACOUSTICS
Residential Acoustics
Acoustics , the science of origin , transmission and
reception of sound is very vital when it comes to designing
any space .
Limiting / controlling sound transmission at every level of
planning leads to an efficient and harmonious environment
.
This is done in mainly three steps
At site planning level , Planning connectivity of inter
spaces and placement of various services and finally
controlling a rooms surface for their absorption and
reflective abilities
Sufficient control ensures space functionality and is often
required based on building use .
An example would be providing a suitable design for a
home which is to be constructed close to a high volume
roadway, or under the flight path of a major airport .
Defects of sound like reverberation and echo needs to
be tackled efficiently for space functionality and
speech intelligibility .
Other reasons why noise control should be exercised
and proper acoustical treatment done in residences
It interferes with speech. In the presence of noise
we may not able to follow, what the other person is
saying.
Noise leads to emotional and behavioural stress. A
person may feel disturbed in the presence of loud
noise .
Noise may permanently damage hearing. A sudden
loud noise can cause severe damage to the
eardrum.
Noise increases the chances of occurrence of
diseases such as headache, blood pressure, heart
failure, etc.
Noise leads to increased heart beat, constriction of
blood vessels and dilation of pupil.
Noise is a problem especially for patients .
Need for acoustics
The Undesirable Sound
whether coming from
outside the Residence or
from inside residence
needs a check .
Indoor noise issues come
either from :

In the residence sources

(from TV/radio ,sound from
kitchen, dragging of
furniture, from mechanical
equipments etc,).

Out of the residence

sources (from traffic
outside the house , from
loudspeakers etc. ).
 Building acoustics is the
science of controlling noise
in buildings,
including the minimization
of
noise transmission from
one space
to another and the control
of
Noise conditions vary from time-to-
noise levels and
time
characteristics
and noise which may not be
within a space.
objectionable during the day may
assume
annoying proportions in the silence of
the night when quiet conditions are
essential.
So there should be proper provisions
to
control and categorize the Sound at
different times of the and to properly
control its transmission so it can be
ensured a healthy noise free
environment
inside the house. Various source of noise in residence
 SOURCES OF NOISE

Noise can be defined as sound that is undesirable, but this can be

subjective and depends on the reactions of the individual. When a
noise is troublesome, it can reduce comfort and efficiency. If a
person is subjected to noise for long periods, it can result in
physical discomfort or mental distress. In the domestic situation, a
noisy neighbor can be one of the main problems experienced in
attached housing.
 INDOOR NOISE
Indoor noises can be created as follows :-

Kitchen equipment disturbances.

Footsteps.

Banging the doors and windows.

Moving or shifting the furniture.

Operating the cistern and water closet.

From television , radio and music system.

Cooling and ventilation machinery/ducting.

Children activities.

Alarms watch bell.

Improper / damaged working electrical

equipments like ceiling fan, motor, tube light etc.
INDOOR NOISE
 SOUND LEVELS OF COMMON
SOURCES
BELS SOURCES

Over 100 Chain saw, motorcycle, amplified music

80 to 90 Blender, table saw, garbage disposal,

alarm clock, vacuum cleaner, telephone ring

50 to 70 Electric typewriter, crying baby,

conversation, clothes dryer

20 to 40 Rustling leaves, refrigerator

OUTDOOR NOISE
The main source of outdoor noise in residential areas are:-

Traffic (Air, Rail, Road)

Playing Children and Related Activities

Hawkers and Vendors

Service Delivering Agents

Road Repairs

Loudspeakers

Moving Machineries in the Neighborhood

CAUSES OF NOISE :
Examples
Sound intrusion through fenestrations can be a source

of annoyance, which can be due to any of the sources

of outdoor noise.

Floor and ceiling assemblies can be the pathway for

two types of sound transmission, the first is the

airborne transmission of sound

&

the second is the passage of impact sounds

such as footfalls and dragging of furniture on the floor

NOISE LEVEL DATA
PROVING SOUND INSULATION IN HOM
First of all we have to decide
how the sound is travelling into
your home. It may be coming
directly through the separating
wall or floor or it may be
coming along another indirect
route(called a flanking path).
The most common such path is
the inner leaf of
an external cavity wall. Some
examples of flanking paths are
Shown in Figure 1. Direct and
indirect sound can together
contribute to a noise
problem.
Transmission paths for airborne sound through
rooms in a pair of flats separated by a timber floor.
Remedial Treatment:
Walls
The following steps for construction
are
suggested
build a studwork frame, attached to
the ceiling and floor but not fixed to
the original wall
hang mineral wool inside the cavity,
and tack between the studs or to a
batten on the wall
line the studwork with two layers of
plasterboard, (make sure the joints
between the sheets in the first and
second layer do not coincide)
seal the perimeter and all other Wall improvement layout of studwork and
sound paths with flexible sealant plasterboard
Remedial Treatment:
Ceilings
The principle used in the wall
treatment can be equally applied to
ceilings, the idea
being to build a new ceiling below the
existing one. The following steps for
construction are suggested, see
Figure 3:
attach wall plates to the walls to
give the
shortest room span and run new
ceiling
joists between them
fix mineral wool between the new
ceiling
Remedial Treatment:
Floors
If access to the ceiling is not
possible, another solution is to
construct a floating
platform floor in the room
above which isolates the
walking surface from the basic
floor structure below. This
should significantly reduce the
impact noise and may also
help to reduce the airborne
noise. It is essential to check
that the joists can carry the
increased floor loads
satisfactorily.
The following steps are
suggested,
remove original floor and
skirting
boards and insert glass fibre
 refit the floor boarding and lay 25mm of glass fibre or rock
wool (for this layer a
density between 60 and 80 kg/m3 is required) and cover
with 19mm plasterboard,
laid loose with a gap at the perimeter walls.
glue, (not nail), a top surface of tongue and grooved
chipboard of not less than
18mm thick, leaving perimeter gap of 10mm.
seal the perimeter and all other sound paths with flexible
sealant.
it is important that the floating layer is not bridged by
nailing into the boards
below or re-fitting skirting boards too tightly to the surface
(a flexible foam strip is
often inserted around the edge gap of the floor to prevent
this).
This method will raise the floor by about 65mm so
adjustments to doors, stairs and
other fittings may need to be taken into account.
REMEDIAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR DOORS

Stagger doors
across hallways
and use
gasketing.
Avoid sliding
doors in areas
where sound
control is
desired.
Use doors of
solid wood or
insulated cores
wherever
privacy is an
important
consideration;h
ollow core
doors will not
be as effective.
REMEDIAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR WINDOWS

Minimize the size

of windows facing
noisy areas.
Separate windows
to reduce cross-
talk.
Arrange casement
windows so sound
is not
reflected into
adjoining units.
Make sure
movable windows
close tightly and
are weather-
stripped.
Use thick glass,
insulating glass or
storm windows to
help reduce sound
REMEDIAL CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR WIRING AND
DUCTS
Wire each apartment as a unit; avoid
penetration of walls or floors between
apartments.
Caulk holes (made by wiring) that
penetrate
connecting structures; use elastic, non-
hardening
caulk or dry packing.
Connect vibrating equipment with
flexible wiring.
Equipment Noise
Locate heating and cooling equipment
far from bedrooms.
Inquire about equipment noise levels
before buying and insist on quiet units.
Isolate equipment in rooms with a
door to the outside or use a gasketed,
solid-core door when access is from
building interior
Mount equipment so as to keep
vibrations from entering surrounding
structures.

WALL BASES:
Install plates on sill
sealers; run wall finish to
floor
where possible and caulk
airtight on both sides.
CRACKS IN FLOOR:
Seal all cracks in the
subfloor airtight with
caulking.
DUCTS:
Use performed fiber
glass duct liners to quiet
duct fan noise and the REMEDIAL
sound of air rushing CONSTRUCTION
through the ducts METHODS FOR
FURNITURES

Soft padded furniture will add to

the acoustical performance in
your dwelling. Hard surfaced
furniture and furnishings will do
very little if anything to improve
 NBC RECOMMENDATIONS
Sound insulation and control are planned at 3 different stages :

1. At Site Planning Level.

2. At Internal Planning Level.

3. Sound Insulation In And Outside.

1. AT SITE PLANNING LEVEL:-

D
The most desirable method is to locate the residential buildings in a quiet
area away from the noisy sources like the industrial areas, rail tracks,
aerodromes, roads carrying heavy traffic, etc.
 (b). To minimize ground reflection, the dwellings should be
surrounded by the maximum amount of planting and
grassed area and the minimum amount of hard surfacing.
(c). Avoid paved courts between adjacent buildings.

AVOID HARD SURFACE AREAS

BETWEEN THE HOUSINGS
PROVIDING GREEN AREAS
CONTROLS THE NOISE
(d). To minimize internal noise
provide minimum internal road
network.

(e). Avoid play areas near the

residential area.
2. AT INTERNAL PLANNING LEVEL :-

(a).The non-critical areas such as corridors, kitchens, bathrooms,

elevators and service space may be located on the noisy side.

(b). Critical areas, such as bedrooms and living space, on the quiet
side.
(c ).Windows and doors should be kept away from noisy side of the
building.
(d).Layout plans :-
(i).Rooms adjoining party walls and above/below party floors should be of
similar use.
(ii).Bedrooms are not exposed to noise from adjoining living rooms, and
there is less risk of disturbance of sleep.
3.Sound Insulation In And Out Side:-

External Noise Deduction Techniques-

FLANKING PATHS TRANSMISISON OF AIRBORNE NOISE

Flanking Paths Noise Leaks

F1 L1 Poor seal at wall/ceiling connection
Open plenums - over walls and through suspended ceilings

F2 Common ductwork L2 Poor seal at wall/wall connection

F3 Adjacent exterior windows L3 Poor seal at wall/mullion connection

F4 Common floor heaters L4 Poor seal around outlet penetration

(also avoid back-to-back outlets)

F5 Open vents L5 Poor seal at wall penetration

F6 Louvered doors L6 Poor seal at floor penetration

 Materials
Absorbers convert airborne
acoustical energy into heat when
sound waves strike the surface of
a porous material and pass inside
control reverberant sound energy. SOUND CONTROL BAFFLE
They offer reverberant noise
control. Absorbers include high
quality wall and ceiling mounted
baffle , curtains and blanket
fabricated from faced and non
faced fiberglass. Various
thickness are available to provide
specific performance FIBERGLASS ABSORBER
characteristics.
SOUND QUILTED FACE
ABSORBING FIBERGLASS
PANELS ABSORBER
 1- NOISE REDUCTION
2- NOISE ABSORPTION
ACOUSTIC WALL CLADDING

printed sound absorption wall panel

slatwall panelsHome theatre acoustic panel Acoustic panel material

slatwall

Diffuser
Diffuser does not
absorbs the audio
waves but diffuses the
waves and spread it
Acoustic panel fabric cheap slatwall panels
DIY acoustic panel out into different
directions in your
home theatre room.
 Acoustic Ceiling

Ceiling Tile Perforated Acoustic Ceiling

DIY Acoustic Ceiling Tile

BARRIER TAPE FLOOR BARRIER Mineral Fiber Acoustic ceiling RUBBER GASKET

The high-grade interior decoration

material for suspended ceilings -
sound-absorbent tiles
This also helps block sound
transmission to other rooms.
 Acoustic floor

ACOUSTIC FLOOR MAT ACOUSTIC WOODEN FLOOR

Specification Sound rated floor

material shall be 38 (9.5mm) thick
closed cell polyethylene foam with an
anti-static agent
ite study : C.S.I.R Residential Colony

ARRANGEMENT OF HOUSES BACKYARD

OPEN AREA AND OPEN AREA EXTERIOR TREES

SECONDARY ENTRY
Site study : Residence

ENTRY

ROADSIDE DWELLING INTERIORS

VIEW OF
GULLY AT
LOWER
LEVEL

NOISY SURROUNDINGS
Site Study

Typical section through a residential space near railway

station
 There is some softscape
/green belt b/w the track and
the houses which helps stop
the loud noise at times but
its not enough .
Other than the already
persistent sound from the
track , there exists a market
in the street just outside the
house which drowns out the
noise from the track in its
own loudness

People living so near a track

have gotten used to it by now .
Their hearing capability must
have been affected to some
extent .
This room has an even mix of low-bass and high-bass panel traps, and an equal number
of fiberglass absorbers to handle the midrange and high frequencies. More bass traps are
in the rear of the room.