ᐅ Soundproofing Concerns with Partition Walls and Mechanical Ventilation Systems
Created on: 3 Nov 2015 20:43
R
Ricard0
Hello everyone,
we are considering a plot of land where the associated developer plans to build a semi-detached house.
I have some concerns about the choice of walls, specifically whether the acoustic separation from my neighbor will be sufficient.
The exterior walls are planned to be made of approximately 15 cm (6 inches) thick sand-lime brick. The party wall between the two units will consist of two layers of 15 cm (6 inches) sand-lime brick with a 5 cm (2 inches) mineral fiber insulation board in between. According to the building specifications, this should provide sound insulation of 69 dB.
I find it difficult to imagine what this actually means. Although the relevant standard only requires 57 dB, it is from 1989.
What do you think about this party wall? Can I expect not to disturb my neighbor when watching movies, even if the volume is a bit higher? I understand this is hard to answer objectively due to many subjective factors. My main question is whether this meets current standards and what your experience with such walls is.
What effect would additional drywall (gypsum board) installed on the inside of the party wall have?
Additionally, a second point:
A central ventilation system with heat recovery will be installed.
Could this cause sound bridges? If yes, how can this be prevented?
My particular concern about sound insulation comes from my current living situation. In my old building, it seems there is only some hay and sand between the wooden beams in the floors. You can hear neighbors speaking at normal volume and during phone calls clearly. “Hearing” here really means understanding the words.
Best regards,
Ricard0
we are considering a plot of land where the associated developer plans to build a semi-detached house.
I have some concerns about the choice of walls, specifically whether the acoustic separation from my neighbor will be sufficient.
The exterior walls are planned to be made of approximately 15 cm (6 inches) thick sand-lime brick. The party wall between the two units will consist of two layers of 15 cm (6 inches) sand-lime brick with a 5 cm (2 inches) mineral fiber insulation board in between. According to the building specifications, this should provide sound insulation of 69 dB.
I find it difficult to imagine what this actually means. Although the relevant standard only requires 57 dB, it is from 1989.
What do you think about this party wall? Can I expect not to disturb my neighbor when watching movies, even if the volume is a bit higher? I understand this is hard to answer objectively due to many subjective factors. My main question is whether this meets current standards and what your experience with such walls is.
What effect would additional drywall (gypsum board) installed on the inside of the party wall have?
Additionally, a second point:
A central ventilation system with heat recovery will be installed.
Could this cause sound bridges? If yes, how can this be prevented?
My particular concern about sound insulation comes from my current living situation. In my old building, it seems there is only some hay and sand between the wooden beams in the floors. You can hear neighbors speaking at normal volume and during phone calls clearly. “Hearing” here really means understanding the words.
Best regards,
Ricard0
With 69 dB, the developer promises a value corresponding to sound insulation level (SIL) III, which means a high level of soundproofing (57 dB = SIL I (normal), 63 dB = SIL II (increased), 68 dB = SIL III (high) according to VDI 4100 or DIN EN 4109-10). Using a combination of 2 x 15 cm (6 inches) calcium silicate blocks, joint, and joint insulation, the theoretical calculation for calcium silicate block / density class RDK 2.0 achieves only 62 dB on the ground floor (without a basement) up to 68 dB from the second upper floor. However, it still guarantees an increased soundproofing level.
Find out which density class of calcium silicate blocks is specified (density class RDK 1.8 or 2.0), whether the house has a basement (foundations should then also be separated by a joint) or if it is built without a basement on a slab foundation (slab foundation should also include a separating joint). The joint should then be 70–80 mm (3–3¼ inches) wide with 40 mm (1½ inches) of mineral fiber insulation board according to DIN 4109, Supplement 1, 1989-11 or DIN 18165, Part 2, Application Type T. The adjacent walls or facing walls must also be separated in the same way with a joint. The developer should provide these details and specifications in the construction description.
Internal drywall or lining shells can only provide additional soundproofing as stated by manufacturers, but achieving this in practice is difficult. Retrofitting sound insulation is complex and hard to estimate.
It is also recommended to have all these details from the construction description checked by an independent expert planner or construction supervisor for approval of the construction work before or gradually during the building project, before they are installed or built in.
Find out which density class of calcium silicate blocks is specified (density class RDK 1.8 or 2.0), whether the house has a basement (foundations should then also be separated by a joint) or if it is built without a basement on a slab foundation (slab foundation should also include a separating joint). The joint should then be 70–80 mm (3–3¼ inches) wide with 40 mm (1½ inches) of mineral fiber insulation board according to DIN 4109, Supplement 1, 1989-11 or DIN 18165, Part 2, Application Type T. The adjacent walls or facing walls must also be separated in the same way with a joint. The developer should provide these details and specifications in the construction description.
Internal drywall or lining shells can only provide additional soundproofing as stated by manufacturers, but achieving this in practice is difficult. Retrofitting sound insulation is complex and hard to estimate.
It is also recommended to have all these details from the construction description checked by an independent expert planner or construction supervisor for approval of the construction work before or gradually during the building project, before they are installed or built in.
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