Test Solution for Building Acoustics

The measurement principle is simply to create a measured noise in the first room (the sending room) and compare that to a simultaneous measurement in the second room (the receiving room).

Such a relative airborne sound insulation measurement quantifies the ability of the walls, floor, ceiling, windows, doors, or even ventilators to absorb noise between the sending and receiving rooms.

In some cases the "sending room" is not a room at all, rather the source is generated outside the building and measured through the facade in the receiving room situated inside the building.

In order to measure the airborne sound insulation, the determination of the background sound level as a single broadband value or several values across the frequency spectrum may be required.

Airborne sound insulation measurement

For impact sound insulation measurement (structure-borne noise), a calibrated Tapping Machine is used to generate the noise by knocking on the floor. (a calibrated rubber ball can also be used).

A sound level meter in the room below records the noise level and calculates the desired results.

Depending on the standard, measurement of the reverberation time may also be required in determining the impact sound insulation.

Impact sound insulation measurement

You will need a Sound Level Meter that is capable of measuring building acoustics parameters in accordance with standards. You will also need a Dodecahedron Loudspeaker as a sound source for airborne sound insulation measurements, a Tapping Machine to produce the impact sounds, and a professional software package for controlling the process and reporting the results.

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1) Sound Level Meter

The XL2 Acoustic Analyzer is key to the building acoustics measurement kit. It is used to measure the levels, of the generated sound, in the sending and receiving rooms. The XL2 can be controlled remotely, enabling the Sound Insulation Reporter software to control the entire measurement process, by automatically acquiring, evaluating and reporting on the measurement data.

The robust housing makes your XL2 into a long-lasting partner. Together with the TA (Type Approved) option and a class 1 microphone, you receive a type-approved sound level meter for building acoustics.

• Remote control
• Shockproof
• Type-Approved

Download XL2 Acoustic Analyzer Product Data
 

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2) Dodecahedron Speaker

The ISO 3382-1 standard requires the use of a dodecahedron loudspeaker for the measurement of airborne sound insulation. The loudspeaker produces a pink noise, while the sound level measurements take place in the sending and adjacent receiving room.

The DS3 Dodecahedron Speaker, together with the PA3 Power Amplifier, meets all the requirements of the ISO 3382-1 standard. In addition, we offer impressive performance data; with a weight of only 7.5 kg and a typical sound power of 121 dB, the DS3 is convenient to carry around on site. By pressing a button on the supplied wireless remote control, the test signal can be comfortably switched on and off from outside the sending room.

• Compact and lightweight 
• Maximum sound power level 121 dB 
• Wireless remote control

Download Dodecahedron Speaker Set Product Data
 

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3) Tapping Machine

The TM3 Tapping Machine produces the impact sound needed to determine insulation from structure-borne noise. The hammers in this PTB-approved precision instrument hit the ground at an prescribed rate and with a constant, measured force. The remote-controlled TM3 is compliant with the standards that define building acoustics.

• Standards-compliant
• Wireless remote control

Download TM3 Tapping Machine Product Data
 

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4) Analyse Software

Last but not least, the measurement results obtained by the XL2 can be easily imported into the "Sound Insulation Reporter". This PC software then calculates the desired results for the airborne and impact sound insulation in accordance with the selected standards.

During measurement, the Sound Insulation Reporter provides direct remote control of two or more connected XL2 Acoustic Analyzers. This allows simultaneous measurement in the sending and receiving rooms, providing more accuracy and saving time.

Features: 

• Airborne, impact and facade sound insulation
• Parallel measurements in sending and receiving room
• Standardized Reporting

More about Sound Insulation Reporter
 

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You want to know more about our measurement instruments for building acoustics?

I am interested

 

The XL2 Acoustic Analyzer offers all the measurement functions relevant to building acoustics in one instrument. Thanks to the intuitive operation, you can quickly and easily switch between the different measuring functions.

XL2 Acoustic Analyzer for Building Acoustics Measurements

• rugged and ready for tough building environments.
   
• the XL2 automatically detects the sensitivity of the microphone for indisputable accuracy.
   
• all measurement results are stored on a removable SD card as TXT files, which can be further processed externally with a PC or MAC.
   
• besides the Building Acoustics measurements, the XL2 has many other expandable measurement functions. So, if you have other acoustic or audio measurement tasks, it's likely that the XL2 can help you.
   
• Together with the Type Approval Option, the XL2 is an approved Sound Level Meter.
   

Building Acoustics measurements are defined by international and national standards.

Here you can dig deeper into each of the actual measurements: