BRITISH STANDARD BS EN ISO

717-1:1997
Incorporating
Amendment No. 1

Acoustics —
Rating of sound
insulation in buildings
and of building
elements —
Part 1: Airborne sound insulation

The European Standard EN ISO 717-1:1996, with the incorporation of

amendment A1:2006, has the status of a British Standard

ICS 91.120.20

12&23<,1*:,7+287%6,3(50,66,21(;&(37$63(50,77('%<&23<5,*+7/$:
BS EN ISO 717-1:1997

National foreword

This British Standard is the English language version of EN ISO 717-1:1996,

including amendment A1:2006. It is identical with ISO 717-1:1996. It
supersedes BS 5821-1:1984 which is withdrawn.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is indicated in
the text by tags !". Tags indicating changes to CEN text carry the number
of the amendment. For example, text altered by CEN amendment A1 is
indicated in the text by !".
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted by Technical Committee
EH/1, Acoustics, to Subcommittee EH/1/6, Building acoustics, which has the
responsibility to:
— aid enquirers to understand the text;
— present to the responsible international/European committee any
enquiries on the interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep UK
interests informed;
— monitor related international and European developments and
promulgate them in the UK.
A list of organizations represented on this subcommittee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
Cross-references
Attention is drawn to the fact that CEN and CENELEC standards normally
include an annex which lists normative references to international
publications with their corresponding or European publications. The
British Standards which implement international or European publications
referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Catalogue under the
section entitled “International Standards Correspondence Index”, or by
using the “Search” facility of the BSI Electronic Catalogue or of
British Standards Online.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

This British Standard, having Amendments issued since publication

been prepared under the
direction of the Health and
Environment Sector Board, was Amd. No. Date Comments
published under the authority
of the Standards Board and 16718 31 October 2006 See national foreword
comes into effect on
15 August 1997

© BSI 2006

ISBN 0 580 28069 1

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN ISO 717-1
December 1996
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM +A1
August 2006

ICS 91.120.20

Descriptors: See ISO document

English version

Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildings

and of building elements — Part 1: Airborne sound
insulation (ISO 717-1:1996)

Acoustique — Evaluation de l’isolement Akustik — Bewertung der Schalldämmung in

acoustique des immeubles et des éléments de Gebäuden und von Bauteilen —
construction — Teil 1: Luftschalldämmung
Partie 1: Isolement aux bruits aériens (ISO 717-1:1996)
(ISO 717-1:1996)

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 1996-11-30. CEN members

are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which
stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any
CEN member.
The European Standards exist in three official versions (English, French,
German). A version in any other language made by translation under the
responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the
Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
United Kingdom.

CEN
European Committee for Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation
Europäisches Komitee für Normung
Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 36, B-1050 Brussels

© 1996 Copyright reserved to CEN members

Ref. No. EN ISO 717-1:1996 E
EN ISO 717-1:1996

Foreword Foreword to amendment A1

The text of the International Standard This document (EN ISO 717-1:1996/A1:2006) has
ISO 717-1:1996 has been prepared by Technical been prepared by Technical Committee
Committee ISO/TC 43 “Acoustics” in collaboration CEN/TC 126 “Acoustic properties of building
with Technical Committee CEN/TC 126 “Acoustics elements and of buildings”, the secretariat of which
properties of building products and of buildings”, is held by AFNOR, in collaboration with Technical
the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR. Committee ISO/TC 43 “Acoustics”.
This European Standard shall be given the status of This European Standard shall be given the status of
a national standard, either by publication of an a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by
by June 1997, and conflicting national standards February 2007, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by June 1997. shall be withdrawn at the latest by February 2007.
ISO 717 consists of two parts under the general title According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal
Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildings Regulations, the national standards organizations
and of building elements of the following countries are bound to implement
this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus,
— Part 1: Airborne sound insulation;
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
— Part 2: Impact sound insulation. France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
Regulations, the national standards organizations Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
of the following countries are bound to implement Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and
the United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard
ISO 717-1:1996 was approved by CEN as a
European Standard without any modification.
NOTE Normative references to International Standards are
listed in Annex ZA (normative).

ii © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Contents Page
Table 1 — Single-number quantities of
Page airborne sound insulation properties of
Foreword vi building elements 2
Introduction 1 Table 2 — Single-number quantities of airborne
1 Scope 1 sound insulation in buildings 2
2 Normative references 1 Table 3 — Reference values for airborne sound 4
3 Definitions 1 Table 4 — Sound level spectra to calculate the
adaptation terms 7
4 Procedure for evaluating single-number
quantities 2 Table A.1 — Relevant spectrum adaptation
term for different types of noise source 10
5 Statement of results 8
Table B.1 — Sound level spectra to calculate
Annex A (informative) Use of spectrum
the adaptation terms for enlarged frequency
adaptation terms 9
range 11
Annex B (informative) Terms and spectra for
Table C.1 — Measurements in the specified
an enlarged frequency range 10
frequency range 100 Hz to 3 150 Hz 14
Annex C (informative) Examples of the
Table C.2 — Measurements in the enlarged
calculation of single-number quantities
frequency range 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz 15
and spectrum adaptation terms 13
Annex ZA (normative) Normative references
to international publications with their
relevant European publications 17
Bibliography 16
Figure 1 — Curve of reference values for
airborne sound, one-third-octave bands 3
Figure 2 — Curve of reference values for
airborne sound, octave bands 3
Figure 3 — Sound level spectra to calculate
the spectrum adaptation terms for
one-third-octave band measurements 5
Figure 4 — Sound level spectra to calculate
the spectrum adaptation terms for
octave-band measurements 6
Figure B.1 — Sound level spectra to calculate
the spectrum adaptation terms for
measurements using one-third-octave bands 12
Figure B.2 — Sound level spectra to calculate
the spectrum adaptation terms for
measurements using octave bands 13

© BSI 2006 iii

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EN ISO 717-1:1996

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide
federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of
preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee.
International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with
ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical
standardization.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated
to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires
approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO 717-1 was prepared by Technical Commitee
ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, Subcommittee SC 2, Building acoustics.
This second edition of ISO 717-1 cancels and replaces ISO 717-1:1982 and
ISO 717-3:1982, which have been technically revised.
ISO 717 consists of the following parts, under the general title
Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements
— Part 1: Airborne sound insulation;
— Part 2: Impact sound insulation.
Annex A, Annex B and Annex C of this part of ISO 717 are for information only.

Descriptors: Acoustics, buildings, building elements, airborne sound, acoustic insulation, ratings,
acoustic measurements.

vi © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Introduction 2 Normative references

Methods of measurement of airborne sound The following standards contain provisions which,
insulation of building elements and in buildings through reference in this text, constitute provisions
have been standardized in ISO 140-3, ISO 140-4, of this part of ISO 717. At the time of publication,
ISO 140-5, ISO 140-9 and ISO 140-10. The purpose the editions indicated were valid. All standards are
of this part of ISO 717 is to standardize a method subject to revision, and parties to agreements based
whereby the frequency-dependent values of on this part of ISO 717 are encouraged to
airborne sound insulation can be converted into a investigate the possibility of applying the most
single number characterizing the acoustical recent editions of the standards indicated below.
performance. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of
currently valid International Standards.
1 Scope ISO 140-3:1995, Acoustics — Measurement of sound
This part of ISO 717 insulation in buildings and of building elements —
a) defines single-number quantities for airborne Part 3: Laboratory measurements of airborne sound
sound insulation in buildings and of building insulation of building elements.
elements such as walls, floors, doors and !ISO 140-4:1998", Acoustics — Measurement of
windows; sound insulation in buildings and of building
elements — Part 4: Field measurements of airborne
b) takes into consideration the different sound
sound insulation between rooms.
level spectra of various noise sources such as
noise sources inside a building and traffic outside !ISO 140-5:1998", Acoustics — Measurement of
a building; and sound insulation in buildings and of building
elements — Part 5: Field measurements of airborne
c) gives rules for determining these quantities
sound insulation of façade elements and façades.
from the results of measurements carried out in
one-third-octave or octave bands in accordance ISO 140-9:1985, Acoustics — Measurement of sound
with ISO 140-3, ISO 140-4, ISO 140-5, ISO 140-9 insulation in buildings and of building elements —
and ISO 140-10. Part 9: Laboratory measurement of room-to-room
airborne sound insulation of a suspended ceiling
The single-number quantities in accordance with
with a plenum above it.
this part of ISO 717 are intended for rating the
airborne sound insulation and for simplifying the ISO 140-10:1991, Acoustics — Measurement of
formulation of acoustical requirements in building sound insulation in buildings and of building
codes. The required numerical values of the elements — Part 10: Laboratory measurement of
single-number quantities are specified according to airborne sound insulation of small building
varying needs. The single-number quantities are elements.
based on results of measurements in
one-third-octave bands or octave bands. 3 Definitions
For laboratory measurements made in accordance For the purposes of this part of ISO 717, the
with ISO 140-3, ISO 140-9 and ISO 140-10, following definitions apply.
single-number quantities should be calculated using 3.1
one-third-octave bands only. single-number quantity for airborne sound
The rating of results of measurements carried out insulation rating
over an enlarged frequency range is dealt with value, in decibels, of the reference curve at 500 Hz
in Annex B.
after shifting it in accordance with the method
specified in this part of ISO 717
NOTE 1 Terms and symbols for the single-number quantity
used depend on the type of measurement. They are listed
in Table 1 for airborne sound insulation properties of building
elements and in Table 2 for airborne sound insulation in
buildings. In general, new single-number quantities are derived
in a similar way.

!Footnotes deleted"

© BSI 2006 1
EN ISO 717-1:1996

3.2 Furthermore, two spectrum adaptation terms shall

spectrum adaptation term be calculated (see 4.5) based on two typical spectra
value, in decibels, to be added to the single-number within the frequency range as quoted above. These
rating (e.g. Rw) to take account of the characteristics two terms may optionally be supplemented by
of particular sound spectra additional spectrum adaptation terms covering (if
need be and if measured data are available) a wider
NOTE 2 Two sound spectra are defined (in one-third-octave
bands and in octave bands) in this part of ISO 717. frequency range between 50 Hz and 5 000 Hz.
NOTE 3 Annex A gives information on the purpose of 4.2 Reference values
introducing these two spectrum adaptation terms.
The set of reference values used for comparison with
4 Procedure for evaluating measurement results shall be as given in Table 3.
single-number quantities The reference curves are shown in Figure 1
and Figure 2.
4.1 General
4.3 Sound spectra
The values obtained in accordance with ISO 140-3,
ISO 140-4, ISO 140-5, ISO 140-9 and ISO 140-10 The set of sound spectra in one-third-octave bands
are compared with reference values (see 4.2) at the and octave bands to calculate the spectrum
frequencies of measurement within the adaptation terms shall be as given in Table 4 and
range 100 Hz to 3 150 Hz for one-third-octave shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. The spectra are
bands and 125 Hz to 2 000 Hz for octave bands. A-weighted and the overall spectrum level is
normalized to 0 dB.
The comparison shall be carried out as specified
in 4.4
Table 1 — Single-number quantities of airborne sound insulation properties
of building elements
Derived from one-third-octave band values Defined in

Single-number quantity Term and symbol

Weighted sound reduction index, Rw Sound reduction index, R ISO 140-3:1995 equation (4)
Weighted suspended-ceiling Suspended-ceiling normalized ISO 140-9:1985 equation (3)
normalized level difference, Dn,c,w level difference, Dn,c
Weighted element-normalized level Element-normalized level ISO 140-10:1991 equation (1)
difference, Dn,e,w difference, Dn,e

Table 2 — Single-number quantities of airborne sound insulation in buildings

Derived from one-third-octave or octave-band values Defined in

Single-number quantity Term and symbol

Weighted apparent sound Apparent sound reduction index, R′ ISO 140-4:— equation (5)
reduction index, R′w
Weighted apparent sound Apparent sound reduction index, ISO 140-5:— equation (3)
reduction index, R′45°,w R′45°
Weighted apparent sound Apparent sound reduction index, ISO 140-5:— equation (4)
reduction index, R′tr,s,w R′tr,s
Weighted normalized level Normalized level difference, Dn ISO 140-4:— equation (3)
difference, Dn,w
Weighted standardized level Standardized level difference, DnT ISO 140-4:— equation (4)
difference, DnT,w
Weighted standardized level Standardized level difference, ISO 140-5:— equation (7)
difference, Dls,2m,nT,w or Dtr,2m,nT,w Dls,2m,nT or Dtr,2m,nT

2 © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Figure 1 — Curve of reference values for airborne sound, one-third-octave bands

Figure 2 — Curve of reference values for airborne sound, octave bands

© BSI 2006 3
EN ISO 717-1:1996

Table 3 — Reference values for airborne sound

Frequency Reference values, dB

Hz One-third-octave bands Octave bands

100 33
125 36 36
160 39
200 42
250 45 45
315 48
400 51
500 52 52
630 53
800 54
1 000 55 55
1 250 56
1 600 56
2 000 56 56
2 500 56
3 150 56

4 © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Figure 3 — Sound level spectra to calculate the spectrum adaptation terms for
one-third-octave band measurements

© BSI 2006 5
EN ISO 717-1:1996

Figure 4 — Sound level spectra to calculate the spectrum adaptation terms for
octave-band measurements

6 © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Table 4 — Sound level spectra to calculate the adaptation terms

Frequency Sound levels, Lij, dB
Hz
Spectrum No. 1 to calculate C Spectrum No. 2 to calculate Ctr

One-third octave Octave One-third octave Octave

100 – 29 – 20
125 – 26 – 21 – 20 – 14
160 – 23 – 18
200 – 21 – 16
250 – 19 – 14 – 15 – 10
315 – 17 – 14
400 – 15 – 13
500 – 13 –8 – 12 –7
630 – 12 – 11
800 – 11 –9
1 000 – 10 –5 –8 –4
1 250 –9 –9
1 600 –9 – 10
2 000 –9 –4 – 11 –6
2 500 –9 – 13
3 150 –9 – 15
NOTE All levels are A-weighted and the overall spectrum level is normalized to 0 dB.

4.4 Method of comparison Only use reference values in octave bands for
!To evaluate the results of a measurement comparison with results of measurements in octave
made in accordance with ISO 140-3, ISO 140-4, bands in the field.
ISO 140-5, ISO 140-9 and ISO 140-10 in 4.5 Calculation of spectrum adaptation terms
one-third-octave bands (or octave bands), the The spectrum adaptation terms, Cj, in decibels,
measurement data shall be given to one decimal shall be calculated with the sound spectra given
place1). Shift the relevant reference curve in in 4.3 from the following equation:
increments of 1 dB towards the measured curve
until the sum of unfavourable deviations is as large Cj = XAj – Xw
as possible but not more than 32,0 dB where
(measurement in 16 one-third-octave bands)
j is the index for the sound spectra Nos. 1
or 10,0 dB (measurement in 5 octave bands)."
and 2;
An unfavourable deviation at a particular frequency
occurs when the result of measurements is less than Xw is the single-number quantity calculated
the reference value. Only the unfavourable according to 4.4 from R, R′, Dn or DnT
deviations shall be taken into account. values;
The value, in decibels, of the reference curve XAj is calculated from
at 500 Hz, after shifting it in accordance with this
procedure, is Rw, R′w, Dn,w or DnT,w, etc.
(see Table 1 and Table 2).

!1) The different parts of ISO 140 state that the results shall be reported “to one decimal place”. However, if the octave or
one-third-octave values have been reported with more than one decimal digit, the values shall be reduced to one decimal place
before use in the calculation of the single number rating. This is done by taking the value in tenths of dB closest to the reported
values: XX,XYZZZ... is rounded to XX,X if Y is less than 5 and to XX,X + 0,1 if Y is equal to or greater than 5. Software
developers should ensure that this reduction applies to the true input values and not only to the displayed precision (as shown
on the screen or printed on paper). Generally this can be implemented by the following sequence of instructions: multiply the
(positive) number XX,XYZZZ... by 10 and add 0,5, take the integer part and then divide the result by 10. For further details see
ISO 31-0."

© BSI 2006 7
EN ISO 717-1:1996

where 5.2 Statement of requirements and of

i is the index for the one-third-octave performance of buildings
bands 100 Hz to 3 150 Hz or the octave Requirements shall be given with the
bands 125 Hz to 2 000 Hz; single-number quantity according to 4.2 and 4.4 or
be based on the sum of this value and the relevant
Lij are the levels as given in 4.3 at the
frequency i for the spectrum j; spectrum adaptation term.
EXAMPLES
!Xi the sound reduction index, Ri, or apparent
sound reduction index, R′i, or normalized R′w + Ctr ≥ 45 dB (e.g. for façades)
sound level difference, Dn,i, or standardized or
sound level difference, DnT,i, at the DnT,w + C ≥ 54 dB (e.g. between dwellings)
measuring frequency, i, given to one
decimal place. The acoustic performance of buildings shall be given
in the relevant terms according to the requirements
Calculate the quantity, XAj, with sufficient accuracy (see Annex A).
and round the result to an integer2). The resulting For field measurements in accordance with
spectrum adaptation term is an integer by definition ISO 140-4 or ISO 140-5, it shall be stated whether
and shall be identified in accordance with the the single-number quantity is calculated from
spectrum used, as follows:" measuring results in one-third-octave bands or
C when calculated with spectrum No. 1 octave bands. In general, there may be differences
(A-weighted pink noise); between single-number quantities calculated from
one-third-octave- or octave-band measurements of
Ctr when calculated with spectrum No. 2
about ± 1 dB.
(A-weighted urban traffic noise).
NOTE 4 The spectra of most of the usual prevailing indoor and
outdoor noise sources lie in the range of spectra Nos. 1 and 2; the
spectrum adaptation terms C and Ctr may therefore be used to
characterize the sound insulation with respect to many types of
noise. Guidelines for the relevant spectrum adaptation terms are
given in Annex A.
NOTE 5 Supplementary calculations of the spectrum
adaptation terms may also be carried out for the enlarged
frequency range (including 50 Hz + 63 Hz + 80 Hz
and/or 4 000 Hz + 5 000 Hz one-third-octave bands or 63 Hz
and/or 4 000 Hz octave bands). The relevant terms and spectra
are given in Annex B. An example of the calculation of the
single-number quantity and the adaptation terms is given
in Annex C.

5 Statement of results
The appropriate single-number quantity Rw, R′w,
Dn,w or DnT,w and both adaptation terms shall be
given with reference to this part of ISO 717.
5.1 Statement of performance of building
elements
Calculate the single-number quantity from
one-third-octave bands only. State the two spectrum
adaptation terms in parentheses after the
single-number quantity, separated by a semicolon.
EXAMPLE
Rw (C; Ctr) = 41 (0; – 5) dB

!2) XX,YZZZ… is rounded to XX if Y is less than 5 and to XX + 1 if Y is greater than or equal to 5. For further details see
ISO 31-0. Software implementers should be aware that calculation of the spectrum adaptation terms involves floating-point
calculations that are never exact and may incur rounding errors. In some rare cases this may lead to a difference of + 1 dB
or – 1 dB in the final result. In order to avoid rounding errors, it is strongly recommended to use the highest possible machine
accuracy available for floating-point representation and mathematical operations."

8 © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Annex A (informative)
Use of spectrum adaptation terms
NOTE 6 The spectrum adaptation terms C and Ctr have been introduced in this second edition of ISO 717-1 (which now includes
the former ISO 717-3) to take into account different spectra of noise sources (such as pink noise and road traffic noise) and to assess
sound insulation curves with very low values in a single frequency band. (The validity of the rating obtained with the reference curve
alone is limited for such cases.) The spectrum adaptation term in this sense replaces the 8 dB rule used in the first edition of
ISO 717-1. C and Ctr have not been included as one single-number quantity but have been included as separate numbers. This is to
ensure continuity with the reference curve system and to avoid the danger of confusion of different single-number quantities of about
the same magnitude. Furthermore, interlaboratory tests have shown that the reproducibility of the single-number quantity based on
the reference curve is somewhat better.
A.1 Spectrum adaptation term C
The spectrum adaptation term C is defined in 4.5 as
C = XA,1 – Xw
where
XA,1 characterizes the difference between the
A-weighted sound levels in the source
room and the receiving room, for pink
noise (spectrum No.1) in the source room;
Xw is the relevant single-number quantity
based on the reference curve.
NOTE 7 In several countries, when using pink noise as a sound source,
RA,1 = Rw + C
is used as RA (the sound reduction index) and
DnT,A,1 = DnT,w + C
is used as DnT,A (the standardized level difference).
Generally, C is approximately – 1, however, when there is a dip in the sound insulation curve in a single
frequency band, C will become < – 1. When comparing constructions, it may therefore be appropriate to
consider both Rw and C.
In setting requirements, it may be appropriate to base these on the sum of Xw and C, as stated in 5.2.
A.2 Spectrum adaptation term Ctr
The spectrum adaptation term Ctr is defined in 4.5 as
Ctr = XA,2 – Xw
where
XA,2 characterizes the difference between the
A-weighted levels in the source room (or
open air in front of the façade) and in the
receiving room, for road traffic noise
(spectrum No.2);
Xw is the relevant single-number quantity
based on the reference curve.
NOTE 8 In several countries, when using traffic noise as a source signal,
RA,2 = Rw + Ctr
is used instead of RA,tr (the sound reduction index) and
DnT,A,2 = DnT,w + Ctr
is used instead of DnT,A,tr (the sound insulation).
Generally, for different makes of window having the same basic construction, the numerical value of the
term Ctr will be almost the same; in such cases it may be appropriate to use Rw for rating purposes.
However, when comparing very different types of constructions, both Rw and Ctr should be considered.

© BSI 2006 9
EN ISO 717-1:1996

Table A.1 — Relevant spectrum adaptation term for different types of noise source
Type of noise source Relevant spectrum adaptation term
Living activities (talking, music, radio, tv)
Children playing
Railway traffic at medium and high speeda C
Highway road traffic > 80 km/ha (spectrum No. 1)
Jet aircraft, short distance
Factories emitting mainly medium and high frequency noise
Urban road traffic
Railway traffic at low speedsa
Aircraft, propeller driven Ctr
Jet aircraft, large distance (spectrum No. 2)
Disco music
Factories emitting mainly low and medium frequency noise
a
In several European countries, calculation models for highway road traffic noise and railway noise exist, which define octave
band levels; these could be used for comparison with spectra Nos. 1 and 2.

Requirements may be based on the sum of Xw and Ctr as stated in 5.2. An estimation of the A-weighted
indoor level from the known A-weighted traffic noise level in front of the façade should be based on Xw + Ctr.
A.3 Application of the spectrum adaptation terms to additional types of noise
In Table 1, a number of different noise sources is attached to the spectrum adaptation terms C and Ctr.
This may be used as guidelines for the application of the spectrum adaptation terms to assess the sound
insulation with respect to these noise sources. If the A-weighted spectrum of a certain type of noise is
known, it can be compared with the data in Table 4 and Figure 3 and Figure 4 and the relevant adaptation
term may be chosen.

Annex B (informative)
Terms and spectra for an enlarged frequency range
When measurements have been carried out for an enlarged frequency range, additional spectrum
adaptation terms may be calculated and stated for this frequency range. The frequency range has to be
stated in the index of C or Ctr.
EXAMPLES
C50–3150 or C50–5000 or C100–5000
Ctr,50–3150 or Ctr,50–5000 or Ctr,100–5000
In the statement of results, these additional adaptation terms may be given as follows:
Rw(C;Ctr;C50–3150;Ctr,50–3150) = 41 (0; – 5; –1; – 4) dB
The sound spectra in one-third-octave bands and in octave bands for the enlarged frequency range are
specified in Table B.1 and shown in Figure B.1 and Figure B.2. The spectra, like those in Table 4, are
A-weighted and the overall spectrum level is normalized to 0 dB.
NOTE 9 Because of the normalization to 0 dB, the absolute values for the enlarged frequency ranges 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz and 100 Hz
to 5 000 Hz for spectrum No.1 differ by 1 dB from those given for the frequency range 100 Hz to 3 150 Hz in Table 4.

10 © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Table B.1 — Sound level spectra to calculate the adaptation terms for enlarged
frequency range
Frequency Sound levels, Lij, dB

Hz Spectrum No.1 to calculate Spectrum No.2 to calculate Ctr

for any frequency range

C50–3150 C50–5000 and C100–5000

One-third Octave One-third Octave One-third Octave

octave octave octave

50 – 40 – 41 – 25
63 – 36 – 31 – 37 – 32 – 23 – 18
80 – 33 – 34 – 21
100 – 29 – 30 – 20
125 – 26 – 21 – 27 – 22 – 20 – 14
160 – 23 – 24 – 18
200 – 21 – 22 – 16
250 – 19 – 14 – 20 – 15 – 15 – 10
315 – 17 – 18 – 14
400 – 15 – 16 – 13
500 – 13 –8 – 14 –9 – 12 –7
630 – 12 – 13 – 11
800 – 11 – 12 –9
1 000 – 10 –5 – 11 –6 –8 –4
1 250 –9 – 10 –9
1 600 –9 – 10 – 10
2 000 –9 –4 – 10 –5 – 11 –6
2 500 –9 – 10 – 13
3 150 –9 – 10 – 15
4 000 – 10 –5 – 16 – 11
5 000 – 10 – 18
NOTE All levels are A-weighted and the overall spectrum level is normalized to 0 dB.

© BSI 2006 11
EN ISO 717-1:1996

Figure B.1 — Sound level spectra to calculate the spectrum adaptation terms for
measurements using one-third-octave bands

12 © BSI 2006
 EN ISO 717-1:1996

Figure B.2 — Sound level spectra to calculate the spectrum adaptation terms for
measurements using octave bands

Annex C (informative)
Examples of the calculation of single-number quantities and spectrum
adaptation terms
Table C.1 and Table C.2 show examples of the evaluation of the single-number quantities and spectrum
adaptation terms based on the results of the measurement of the sound reduction index of a building
element in a laboratory. The results may be stated as
Rw(C;Ctr) = 30(– 2; – 3) dB or
Rw(C;Ctr;C50–5000;Ctr,50–5000) = 30 (– 2; – 3; – 2; – 4) dB

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!
Table C.1 — Measurements in the specifie d frequency range 100 Hz to 3 150 Hz
Frequency Ri Reference Unfavourable Spectrum Li1 – Ri 10(Li1 – Ri)/10 Spectrum Li2 – Ri 10(Li2 – Ri)/10
values deviation No. 1 No. 2
shifted
by – 22 dB

Hz dB dB dB dB dB × 10–5 dB dB × 10–5

100 20,4 11 — – 29 – 49,4 1,148… – 20 – 40,4 9,120…

125 16,3 14 — – 26 – 42,3 5,888… – 20 – 36,3 23,442…
160 17,7 17 — – 23 – 40,7 8,511… – 18 – 35,7 26,915…
200 22,6 20 — – 21 – 43,6 4,365… – 16 – 38,6 13,803…
250 22,4 23 0,6 – 19 – 41,4 7,244… – 15 – 37,4 18,197…
315 22,7 26 3,3 – 17 – 39,7 10,715… – 14 – 36,7 21,379…
400 24,8 29 4,2 – 15 – 39,8 10,471… – 13 – 37,8 16,595…
500 26,6 30 3,4 – 13 – 39,6 10,964… – 12 – 38,6 13,803…
630 28,0 31 3,0 – 12 – 40,0 10,000 – 11 – 39,0 12,589…
800 30,5 32 1,5 – 11 – 41,5 7,079… –9 – 39,5 11,220…
1 000 31,8 33 1,2 – 10 – 41,8 6,606… –8 – 39,8 10,471…
1 250 32,5 34 1,5 –9 – 41,5 7,079… –9 – 41,5 7,079…
1 600 33,4 34 0,6 –9 – 42,4 5,754… – 10 – 43,4 4,570…
2 000 33,0 34 1,0 –9 – 42,0 6,309… – 11 – 44,0 3,981…
2 500 31,0 34 3,0 –9 – 40,0 10,000 – 13 – 44,0 3,981…
3 150 25,5 34 8,5 –9 – 34,5 35,481… – 15 – 40,5 8,912…
–5
sum = 31,8 < 32 sum = 147,6199…×10 sum = 206,0636…×10–5
Rw = 52 – 22 dB = 30 dB – 10 lg sum = 28,308… – 10 lg sum = 26,859…
C = 28 – 30 dB = – 2 dB Ctr = 27 – 30 dB = – 3 dB
"

14 © BSI 2006
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!
Table C.2 — Measurements in the enlarged frequency range 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz
Frequency Ri Reference Unfavourable Spectrum Li1 – Ri 10(Li1 – Ri)/10 Spectrum Li2 – Ri 10(Li2– Ri)/10
values deviation No. 1 No. 2
shifted
by – 22 dB

Hz dB dB dB dB dB 10–5 dB dB 10–5

50 18,7 – 41 – 59,7 0,107… – 25 – 43,7 4,265…

63 19,2 – 37 – 56,2 0,239… – 23 – 42,2 6,025…
80 20,0 – 34 – 54,0 0,398… – 21 – 41,0 7,943…
100 20,4 11 – 30 – 50,4 0,912… – 20 – 40,4 9,120…
125 16,3 14 – 27 – 43,3 4,677… – 20 – 36,3 23,442…
160 17,7 17 – 24 – 41,7 6,760… – 18 – 35,7 26,915…
200 22,6 20 – 22 – 44,6 3,467… – 16 – 38,6 13,803…
250 22,4 23 0,6 – 20 – 42,4 5,754… – 15 – 37,4 18,197…
315 22,7 26 3,3 – 18 – 40,7 8,511… – 14 – 36,7 21,379…
400 24,8 29 4,2 – 16 – 40,8 8,317… – 13 – 37,8 16,595…
500 26,6 30 3,4 – 14 – 40,6 8,709… – 12 – 38,6 13,803…
630 28,0 31 3,0 – 13 – 41,0 7,943… – 11 – 39,0 12,589…
800 30,5 32 1,5 – 12 – 42,5 5,623… –9 – 39,5 11,220…
1 000 31,8 33 1,2 – 11 – 42,8 5,248… –8 – 39,8 10,471…
1 250 32,5 34 1,5 – 10 – 42,5 5,623… –9 – 41,5 7,079…
1 600 33,4 34 0,6 – 10 – 43,4 4,570… – 10 – 43,4 4,570…
2 000 33,0 34 1,0 – 10 – 43,0 5,011… – 11 – 44,0 3,981…
2 500 31,0 34 3,0 – 10 – 41,0 7,943… – 13 – 44,0 3,981…
3 150 25,5 34 8,5 – 10 – 35,5 28,183… – 15 – 40,5 8,912…
4 000 26,8 – 10 – 36,8 20,893… – 16 – 42,8 5,248…
5 000 29,2 – 10 – 39,2 12,022… – 18 – 47,2 1,905…
sum = 31,8 < 32 sum = 150,9194…×10–5 sum = 231,4518…×10–5
Rw = 52 – 22 dB = 30 dB – 10 lg sum = 28,212… – 10 lg sum = 26,355…
C = 28 – 30 dB = – 2 dB Ctr = 26 – 30 dB = – 4 dB
"

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EN ISO 717-1:1996

! Bibliography

[1] ISO 31-0, Quantities and units — Part 0: General principles"

16 © BSI 2006
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Annex ZA (normative)
Normative references to international publications with their relevant
European publications
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications.
These normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text and the publications are listed
hereafter. For dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply
to this European Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references
the latest edition of the publication referred to applies.
Publication Year Title EN Year

ISO 140-3 1995 Acoustics — Measurements of sound insulation in EN ISO 140-3 1995
buildings and of building elements — Part 3:
Laboratory measurements of airborne sound
insulation of building elements
ISO 140-9 1985 Acoustics — Measurements of sound insulation in EN 20140-9 1993
buildings and of building elements — Part 9:
Laboratory measurements of room-to-room airborne
sound insulation of a suspended ceiling with a
plenum above it
ISO 140-10 1991 Acoustics — Measurements of sound insulation in EN 20140-10 1992
buildings and of building elements — Part 10:
Laboratory measurements of airborne sound
insulation of small building elements

© BSI 2006 17
BS EN ISO
717-1:1997
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