ᐅ Is the soundproofing on the ground floor of a condominium sufficient?
Created on: 20 Aug 2018 11:38
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IceweaselI
Iceweasel20 Aug 2018 11:38Hello everyone, we are currently considering purchasing a new condominium from a developer. Since the apartment is located on the ground floor next to the main entrance door, stairwell, and elevator, we are wondering whether the sound insulation will be adequate. Additionally, the bedrooms face a side street that seems quiet. The building specifications include the following information regarding sound insulation:
The building is designed and constructed in compliance with the requirements of DIN 4109 Sound Insulation in Building Construction, edition 1989.
Sound insulation between different, unrelated units, between apartments and the stairwell, as well as against external noise, follows the recommendations for enhanced sound insulation according to DIN 4109, Supplement 2, Table 2, and the specifications of DIN 4109 Tables 8 and 9 (external noise) during planning and execution. However, deviating from these requirements, no enclosed corridor within the apartments is provided.
The maximum sound reduction rating (Rw, R) for the apartment entrance doors in the installed condition is 37 dB.
Specific sound insulation within the apartment according to VDI 4100 and DIN 4109 Supplement 2 is explicitly not agreed upon. The sound pressure levels from technical building services (especially the elevator) in living rooms, bedrooms, workrooms, and open kitchens are considered according to VDI 4100, August 2007 edition, Table 2, Sound Insulation Level II (SIL II), i.e., <30 dB(A).
We look forward to your opinions.
The building is designed and constructed in compliance with the requirements of DIN 4109 Sound Insulation in Building Construction, edition 1989.
Sound insulation between different, unrelated units, between apartments and the stairwell, as well as against external noise, follows the recommendations for enhanced sound insulation according to DIN 4109, Supplement 2, Table 2, and the specifications of DIN 4109 Tables 8 and 9 (external noise) during planning and execution. However, deviating from these requirements, no enclosed corridor within the apartments is provided.
The maximum sound reduction rating (Rw, R) for the apartment entrance doors in the installed condition is 37 dB.
Specific sound insulation within the apartment according to VDI 4100 and DIN 4109 Supplement 2 is explicitly not agreed upon. The sound pressure levels from technical building services (especially the elevator) in living rooms, bedrooms, workrooms, and open kitchens are considered according to VDI 4100, August 2007 edition, Table 2, Sound Insulation Level II (SIL II), i.e., <30 dB(A).
We look forward to your opinions.
According to the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) case law, only the minimum sound insulation required by the recognized rules of technology is contractually agreed upon.
Search for: BGH increased sound insulation.
Despite the term "increased" sound insulation, the result is merely the usual minimum standard! This is because DIN 4109 alone only protects against completely unreasonable noise exposure.
Is the apartment in a building with a basement? With access to an underground parking garage?
In that case, I would be particularly concerned about the hard slamming of fire protection doors in the basement corridors... These often cause problems. And for underground parking garages in the basement, these doors must also remain closed later on...
Search for: BGH increased sound insulation.
Despite the term "increased" sound insulation, the result is merely the usual minimum standard! This is because DIN 4109 alone only protects against completely unreasonable noise exposure.
Is the apartment in a building with a basement? With access to an underground parking garage?
In that case, I would be particularly concerned about the hard slamming of fire protection doors in the basement corridors... These often cause problems. And for underground parking garages in the basement, these doors must also remain closed later on...
As Otus has correctly pointed out, DIN 4109 + Bbl. 2 represent the absolute minimum standards that are still legally permitted in building regulations nowadays.
I would be very skeptical about this when it comes to owner-occupied apartments. Consider the underground garage with fire-rated doors, as well as the main entrance door, mailboxes, elevator system (located within the stairwell or directly adjacent to a living space), stairwell, and possibly the gate to the underground garage ramp...
For a conscientious builder with reasonable floor plan and execution planning from the architect, requirements such as those in VDI 4100 can usually be achieved without additional costs. Only when the project aims to be fast and cheap, combined with unfavorable floor plans and poor detailed planning, does it become difficult, often resulting in meeting only the absolute minimum standard of DIN 4109.
I would be very skeptical about this when it comes to owner-occupied apartments. Consider the underground garage with fire-rated doors, as well as the main entrance door, mailboxes, elevator system (located within the stairwell or directly adjacent to a living space), stairwell, and possibly the gate to the underground garage ramp...
For a conscientious builder with reasonable floor plan and execution planning from the architect, requirements such as those in VDI 4100 can usually be achieved without additional costs. Only when the project aims to be fast and cheap, combined with unfavorable floor plans and poor detailed planning, does it become difficult, often resulting in meeting only the absolute minimum standard of DIN 4109.
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HilfeHilfe20 Aug 2018 18:34If you are already sensitive to noise and plan to live in the condominium yourself, forget it. There are too many "ifs." Do you like to sleep with a tilted window? Then you will also frequently hear car and people noises. How long has the condo been on the market? Is it the last apartment in the complex? Then you know what to expect.
HilfeHilfe schrieb:
How long has the property been on the market? Is it the last apartment in the complex? With today’s market situation? Forget it, whatever is built sells immediately; this is no longer a dealbreaker. Only meeting the minimum soundproofing requirements? Doesn’t matter, as long as it’s not for personal use.
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HilfeHilfe21 Aug 2018 06:11MayrCh schrieb:
With the current market situation? Forget it, whatever is built gets sold; that’s no longer a deal-breaker. Meeting only the minimum soundproofing requirements? Doesn’t matter, as long as it’s not for personal use.Standards like DIN and minimum requirements are one thing. Whether you can feel comfortable living with them is another.
I’m not buying a condominium for XXXk, fully aware that the noise will bother me.
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