We spend 80 – 90% of our time indoors, making the quality of indoor environments crucial to our health and well-being. Building regulations specify minimum acoustic performance requirements for new dwellings, however these often fall short in ensuring an adequate living environment. Many residents still experience high levels of disruptive noise, especially in multi-dwelling buildings - for example hearing footfall from upstairs neighbours. Therefore, there is growing recognition of the need for a more detailed acoustic classification system that addresses these shortcomings and promotes higher standards of acoustic comfort. The IOA have published this new briefing note, making the case for the use of the ISO/TS 19488:2021 framework which defines six acoustic classes for dwellings, ranging from Class A (highest quality) to Class F (lowest quality). This system allows builders to set expectations for acoustic performance, and is a valuable resource for assessing the acoustic performance of existing housing, particularly before and after renovations.
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