What Is An Acoustic Rating?

There are many different environments in which noise control and/or sound reduction is necessary to create comfortable conditions in which to live or work.  Soundproof, or acoustic, doors are a major factor in creating these environments – doors manufactured and tested to provide different levels of sound filtration and protection. These acoustic doors are awarded specific levels of noise control referred to as acoustic ratings. Acoustic ratings are measurements used to describe how effective partitioning can reduce sound transmission between spaces. Acoustic doors and frames can be deployed anywhere in the workplace, or even at home, to create a much calmer, more peaceful environment for all. Here is some information about acoustic ratings and how they are determined:

Decibel Ratings

Acoustics is the field that deals with the properties of sound in the design and construction of partition products such as doors and windows, that determine the quality of sound within a building or environment. Sound levels are measured or rated in decibels – these are noise levels against the sensitivity of the average human hearing capacity. Starting at zero decibels being complete silence, the decibel ratings rise in different environments from different sources. To illustrate this, an average conversation between two people is normally conducted at a rating of around 60 decibels, and everyday household items can generate a higher level of rating – a vacuum cleaner is typically around 70-80 decibels, whilst the noise generated from heavy traffic registers at around 85 decibels. Regular exposure to a decibel rating of 85 or above can result in permanent hearing damage to an individual.

Acoustic Testing

Acoustic testing considers the movement of noise, sound, and vibration – acoustic doors and panels are subjected to various tests in a controlled environment that replicates the performance under certain conditions to assess how effective they are. Each environment in which they are tested is carefully designed to ensure that no ‘background’ noise can interfere with the measurement and results. Measurements are recorded with a controlled sound referred to as ‘pink noise’ – the door panel to be tested is placed into a wall separating the generated noise source and the receiving room or space. The leakage of any sound generated is then measured by microphones in the receiving room that have been highly calibrated to produce the acoustic rating, and those door panels that are regarded as suitable through the test results are awarded a decibel rating.

Effective Decibel Ratings

What is considered as an effective decibel rating will depend heavily on the environment for which the acoustic doors will be installed – for example, the sound reduction levels required for the rooms around your house will likely be less than those required for an environment where privacy is important, such as an office  setting, where you need noise control  to prevent conversations and meeting discussions from leaking into adjoining rooms and spaces.

Likewise, an office environment will likely need a lesser sound reduction than an industrial workplace where machinery may produce louder noise levels that will disturb other business being conducted within that building – and greater noise protection again for some healthcare facilities such as hospital operating theatres or dentist practices! Environments such as recording studios, or cinemas and theatres, would require the higher levels of noise protection and would therefore need doors with a higher decibel rating that absorb more sound and prevent echo.

Absorbent Materials

Soundproof acoustic doors are manufactured from materials that are efficient in reducing sound that offer different levels of sound protection by absorbing and reflecting soundwaves, thereby preventing them from passing through the doors into adjoining areas or spaces. Timber, steel, and sometimes PVC, are typical materials used and, in certain environments, additional soundproofing materials may be used, such as insulating foam.

Soundproofing Levels

Acoustic doors and frames can be manufactured to different levels making them suitable for different environments. A low to medium soundproof door may provide a sound reduction of 34 decibels, whilst a high-performance acoustic door will reduce sound by up to 44 decibels. There are doors manufactured for greater noise reduction for environments where required and it is generally accepted that any partition with a rating above 50 decibels is considered excellent at blocking sound.

Importance Of Acoustic Ratings 

Every environment is subjected to a certain level of noise, be it at home or in the workplace, and sometimes your world requires a more peaceful ambiance! Acoustic doors and frames can provide that barrier to reduce noise interruption and create a more peaceful environment – privacy and comfort are important in your everyday environment such as the home, where effective noise control can reduce stress and improve well-being, whilst in the workplace, good acoustic ratings can enhance productivity by reducing distractions from external noise.