Acoustical Performance Testing

Acoustical Testing Fast Facts
  • Most advanced acoustical test lab in the fenestration industry for sound transmission loss, sound absorption, and sound power testing.
  • Unique test chamber design allows rapid testing for many specimens a day.
  • Field acoustic teams can be deployed from seven laboratory locations nationwide.
  • Features 231 cubic meter receiving room sitting on fiberglass isolation pads to decouple it from the source room and rest of building for optimum performance.
  • Participation by managers on all pertinent ASTM acoustic groups.

Value

Today, growing concern about the affect of sound on human performance is leading to increased regulation. Consequently, accurate acoustical performance measurement is critical for certification of building products, materials, and appliances, as well as for providing valid data for architects, facility owners, and consultants.

Architectural Testing employs recognized methods for testing:

  • Sound absorption – measures a material’s ability to control reflected sound and reduce noise levels, control reverberation, and improve listening environments. Sound absorption is measured either in a reverberation room (acoustic chamber) for large objects (wall panels, fenestration, highway concrete barriers, and airplane seats) or in an impedance tube for small samples (insulation, foam, or building materials).
  • Sound power – measured by a sound-level (dB-SPL) meter that is used to determine the sound-pressure  generated by a machine or appliance (such as HVAC equipment) at a given distance.
  • Sound transmission – the measured reduction in noise level after sound passes through a material. This measure is used to rate the effectiveness of a material to attenuate sound. These measures either alone or in combination are used to rate fenestration products, materials, or machinery or to compare or modify equipment or materials to meet sound specifications or requirements.

Back to Top


Innovations

Laboratory Test Equipment

An Architectural Testing acoustical laboratory is comprised of a control room, a sound source room (207 cubic meters), and a receiving reverberation chamber (231 cubic meters). To meet customer demand for turnaround times as fast as 14 days, Architectural Testing can employ up to seven test frames to facilitate testing for multiple specimens up to 14’ x 10’ x 12” each.

Levels are captured by a Hewlett Packard Dynamic Signal Analyzer and are processed by computer automatically. To ensure that proper components are in tested fenestration products, Architectural Testing will laser-test glass in windows to confirm that the proper glazing is being used.

Smaller samples are tested using an impedance tube method. A circular specimen of material is placed in a tube between a 150 Hz to 6,000 Hz sound generator on one end and a microphone on the other, with the difference in received sound indicating the material’s absorption.


Acoustical Field Test Equipment

For sound surveys on site, Architectural Testing laboratories in Texas, Minnesota, California, and Pennsylvania can deploy field-testing vans for determining sound transmission loss, impact sound transmission, and noise. A unique portable acoustical test pack performs complex test procedures in real time. The pack consists of a Norsonic Nor121 Environmental Noise Analyzer, which is interfaced with a laptop computer, plus associated equipment (microphones, calibrators, windscreens, and the like.). Vans are also equipped with loudspeakers, a tapping machine, a reference sound source, plus devices to measure environmental variables, such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed. All equipment is fully portable to simplify deployment at your site.

Back to Top

Insights and Possibilities

To ensure the highest degree of confidence, Architectural Testing acoustical laboratories are fully accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS), the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), plus other national and international bodies, including NFRC, ANSI, IGCC, ISO 17025, and SGCC.

Typical Testing Methods

  • Field Tests
  • ASTM E336
  • ASTM E996
  • ASTM E1007
  • Reverb time (RT60)
  • OSHA compliance
  • Site assessments


Laboratory Tests

  • ASTM E90 & ISO 140
  • ASTM E1425
  • ASTM E 1408
  • ASTM C423 & ISO 354
  • AAMA 1801
  • ANSI 12.31
  • ASTM E1050
  • ASTM E1222
  • ASTM E1050-98


Back to Top

Learn more about how the Architectural Testing Difference can help you or Contact Us today.

The Power in Performance Testing
Copyright 2008 Architectural Testing, Inc.