This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: E966 − 18 E966 − 18a

Standard Guide for

Field Measurements of Airborne Sound Attenuation of
Building Facades and Facade Elements1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E966; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

INTRODUCTION

This guide provides methods to measure the sound isolation of a room from outdoor sound, and to
evaluate the sound transmission or apparent sound transmission through a particular facade of the
room or an element of that façade such as a window or door. Measurements from outdoors to indoors
differ from measurements between two rooms. The outdoor sound field is not diffuse and the
transmission of that sound through the structure is a function of the outdoor sound angle of incidence.
The outdoor-indoor transmission loss values obtained with this guide are not expected to be the same
as that obtained in laboratory or other tests between two rooms using diffuse incident sound. At this
time, there are insufficient data available to specify a single, standard measurement procedure suitable
for all field situations. For this reason, this guide provides alternative test procedures for the
measurements of facade field level reduction and transmission loss.
This guide is part of a set of standards for evaluating the sound isolation of rooms and the sound
insulating properties of building elements. Others in this set cover the airborne sound transmission loss
of an isolated partition element in a controlled laboratory environment (Test Method E90), the
laboratory measurement of impact sound transmission through floors (Test Method E492), the
measurement of airborne sound transmission in buildings (Test Method E336), the measurement of
impact sound transmission in buildings (Test Method E1007), the field measurement of airborne sound
insertion loss of doors (Test Method E2964), and the laboratory measurement of sound transmission
through a common plenum between two rooms (Test Method E1414).

1. Scope
1.1 This guide may be used to determine the outdoor-indoor noise reduction (OINR), which is the difference in sound pressure
level between the free-field level outdoors in the absence of the structure and the resulting sound pressure level in a room. Either
a loudspeaker or existing traffic noise or aircraft noise can be used as the source. The outdoor sound field geometry must be
described and calculations must account for the way the outdoor level is measured. These results are used with Classification
E1332 to calculate the single number rating outdoor-indoor noise isolation class, OINIC. Both OINR and OINIC can vary with
outdoor sound incidence angle.
1.2 Under controlled circumstances where a single façade is exposed to the outdoor sound, or a façade element such as a door
or window has much lower transmission loss than the rest of the façade, an outdoor-indoor transmission loss, OITL(θ), or apparent
outdoor-indoor transmission loss, AOITL(θ), may be measured using a loudspeaker source. These results are a function of the angle
of incidence of the sound field. By measuring with sound incident at many angles, an approximation to the diffuse field
transmission loss as measured between two rooms can be obtained. The results may be used to predict interior sound levels in
installations similar to that tested when exposed to an outdoor sound field similar to that used during the measurement. The single
number ratings of apparent outdoor-indoor transmission class, AOITC(θ), using AOITL(θ) and field outdoor-indoor transmission
class, FOITC(θ), using OITL(θ) may be calculated using Classification E1332. These ratings also may be calculated with the data
obtained from receiving room sound pressure measurements performed at several incidence angles as discussed in 8.6.

1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.03 on Sound
Transmission.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2018Nov. 1, 2018. Published January 2018November 2018. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20102018
as E966 – 10E966 – 18.ε1. DOI: 10.1520/E0966-18.10.1520/E0966-18A.

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1.3 To cope with the variety of outdoor incident sound field geometries that are encountered in the field, six testing techniques
are presented. These techniques and their general applicability are summarized in Table 1 and Figs. 1-6. The room, façade, or
façade element declared to be under test is referred to as the specimen.
1.4 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements
E336 Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
E492 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies Using the
Tapping Machine
E1007 Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies
and Associated Support Structures
E1332 Classification for Rating Outdoor-Indoor Sound Attenuation
E1414 Test Method for Airborne Sound Attenuation Between Rooms Sharing a Common Ceiling Plenum
E2235 Test Method for Determination of Decay Rates for Use in Sound Insulation Test Methods
E2964 Test Method for Measurement of the Normalized Insertion Loss of Doors
2.2 ANSI Standards:3
S1.11 Specification for Octave-Band and Fractional-Octave Analog and Digital Filter Sets
S1.40 Specifications and Verification Procedures for Sound Calibrators
S1.43 Specifications for Integrating -Averaging Sound Level Meters
2.3 IEC Standards:3
IEC 61672 Electroacoustics - Sound Level Meters
IEC 60942 Electroacoustics - Sound Calibrators

3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—for acoustical terms used in this guide, see Terminology C634.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

TABLE 1 Application Guide to Measurement of Outdoor-Indoor Level Reduction ONIR

Outdoor Signal Source Measurement Section,
Loudspeaker Required for Outdoor Microphone Position Figure, Calculation Applications Remarks
OITL or AOTL Equation
Calibrated loudspeaker Incident sound pressure inferred from separate 8.3.1, Fig. 1; Eq 3 Use when outdoor measurement at or near
calibration of source specimen is not possible.
Loudspeaker Several locations averaged about 1.2 m to 2.4 m from 8.3.2, Fig. 2; Eq 4 Use when calibrated source or flush
the facade element measurement is not possible.
Loudspeaker Several locations less than 17 mm from specimen 8.3.3, Fig. 3; Eq 5 Use when the loudspeaker cannot be
calibrated.
Traffic, aircraft, or similar line source Simultaneous measurement remote from the specimen 9.3.1, Fig. 4; Eq 7 Use when it is possible to measure source in
free field at same distance as specimen.
Traffic, aircraft, or similar line source Simultaneous measurement 2 m from the specimen 9.3.2, Fig. 5; Eq 9 Use when remote measurement or flush
surface measurement is not possible.
Traffic, aircraft, or similar line source Simultaneous measurement with entire microphone 9.3.3, Fig. 6; Eq 10 Use when remote measurement is not
diaphragm within 17mm of the specimen possible.

2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.

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 E966 − 18a

FIG. 1 Geometry—Calibrated Source Method

FIG. 2 Geometry—Nearby Average Method

3.2.1 apparent outdoor-indoor transmission class, apparent AOITC(θ), n—of a building façade or façade element, a
single-number rating calculated in accordance with Classification E1332 using measured values of apparent outdoor-indoor
transmission loss at a specified angle or range of angles.
3.2.2 apparent outdoor-indoor transmission loss, AOITL(θ), dB, n—of a building façade or façade element, the value of
outdoor-indoor transmission loss obtained on a test facade element as installed, in a specified frequency band, for a source at a
specified angle θ or range of angles as measured from the normal to the center of the specimen surface, without flanking tests to
identify or eliminate extraneous transmission paths.

3.2.2.1 Discussion—

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FIG. 3 Geometry—Flush Method

FIG. 4 Geometry—Equivalent Distance Method

All the sound power transmitted into the receiving room through both direct and flanking paths is attributed solely to the physical
area of the test specimen. If flanking transmission is significant, the AOITL will be less than the actual OITL for the specimen.
3.2.3 field outdoor-indoor transmission class, FOITC(θ), n—of a building façade or façade element, the single number rating
obtained by Classification E1332 with OITL values at a specified angle θ or range of angles.
3.2.4 outdoor-indoor noise isolation class, OINIC or OINIC(θ), n—of an enclosed space, a single-number rating calculated in
accordance with Classification E1332 using values of outdoor-indoor noise reduction.

3.2.4.1 Discussion—

OINIC is an A-weighted level difference based on a specific spectrum defined in Classification E1332.

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FIG. 5 Geometry—2 m (79 in.) Position Method

FIG. 6 Geometry and Formulas—Line Source Flush Method

3.2.5 outdoor-indoor noise reduction, OINR or OINR(θ), dB, n—for a specified source angle of incidence or source sound
distribution, the difference in a specified frequency band between the time average free-field sound pressure level at the exterior
of a façade and the space-time average sound pressure level in a room of a building exposed to the outdoor sound through that
façade.

3.2.5.1 Discussion—

The outdoor-indoor noise reduction has been known previously in this guide as the outdoor-indoor level reduction, OILR. For
measured data, the OINR (θ) may be used to indicate results at a specific angle (θ) as discussed in 8.5. ONIR may be used to
indicate the weighted average of measurements over a range of angles as discussed in 8.6 or a measurement result due to exposure
to a line source as discussed in Section 9.
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3.2.6 outdoor-indoor transmission loss, OITL(θ), (dB), n—of a building façade or façade element, in a specified frequency band,
for a source at a specified angle θ or range of angles as measured from the normal to the center of the specimen surface, ten times
the common logarithm of the ratio of airborne sound power incident on the specimen to the sound power transmitted through it
and radiated to the room interior.

3.2.6.1 Discussion—

The unqualified term OITL(θ) signifies that flanking tests have been performed according to Annex A1 to verify that there was
no significant flanking or leakage transmission. In the absence of such tests, the test result may be termed the AOITL(θ) (see 3.2.2).
3.2.7 sound exposure level—*SEL in decibels where the “*” denotes the frequency weighting such as CSEL for C-weighting
(understood to be A if absent).
3.2.8 one-third octave-band sound exposure—level one-third octave-band SEL(f), (dB), n—ten times the logarithm to the base
ten of the ratio of a given time integral of squared instantaneous sound pressure in a specific one-third octave-band of center
frequency f, over a stated time interval or event, to the product of the squared reference sound pressure of 20 micropascals and
reference duration of one second.
3.2.9 traffıc noise—noise emitted by moving transportation vehicles, such as cars, trucks, locomotives, or aircraft moving along
an extended line path.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide provides procedures to measure the reduction in sound level from the outdoors to an enclosed room, the
outdoor-indoor level reduction, OINR, with a variety of sources and methods. With further measurements under restricted
conditions using a loudspeaker source, a basic property of a facade or facade element, the outdoor-indoor transmission loss,
OITL(θ), may be determined. This requires that the conditions of Annex A1 be met to demonstrate that flanking of sound around
the test specimen is not significant. If it is not possible to meet the conditions of Annex A1, the AOITL(θ) is reported. These results
measured with a loudspeaker will vary with the angle of the source θ as measured from the normal to the surface as shown in Fig.
7. The OINR(θ), the AOITL(θ), and the OITL(θ) may be reported for a variety of angles. The result using traffic noise,
OINR(line,Φ), can depend on the incidence angle Φ, from the normal to the point at closest approach. See Fig. 8),

FIG. 7 Source Location (*) and θ Definition

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FIG. 8 Location of Traffic Line Source and Orientation of Incidence Angles with Respect to Traffic Flow and Facade Normal

4.2 Sources of Test Signal:

4.2.1 Loudspeaker Source—The outdoor sound pressure level produced by a loudspeaker source is either inferred from a
previous calibration of the level emitted by that loudspeaker at a specific distance (Fig. 1 and 8.3.1), or it is measured near the
façade (Fig. 2 and 8.3.2), or it is measured flush to the facade (Fig. 3 and 8.3.3). When the outdoor sound level is measured near
the facade, measurements shall be averaged over several locations near the test specimen to minimize effects of incident and
reflected sound wave interference. The test sound incidence angle, θ , is determined and reported.
4.2.2 Traffıc Source—In the traffic noise method used for OINR only, movement of noise sources along a line such as a highway
or flight path combined with time averaging will minimize sound wave interference effects. See Figs. 4-6. To account for source
fluctuations using the traffic noise method, the incident sound level is measured synchronously with the indoor sound level.
4.3 To avoid extraneous noise and propagation anomalies, the measurements shall be made without precipitation and when the
wind speed is less than 5 m/s.
4.4 Sound measurements made to assess the sound attenuation of an exterior partition should be conducted in a series of
one-third octave-band frequencies from at least 80 to 4000 Hz, preferably to 5000 Hz. Such data can be used to compute the
expected performance of the specimen exposed to a specific spectrum of sound, such as is done using Classification E1332.

5. Significance and Use

5.1 The best uses of this guide are to measure the OINR and the AOITL(θ) or OITL(θ) at specific angles of incidence. By
measuring the AOITL(θ) or OITL(θ) at several loudspeaker sound incidence angles, by energy-averaging the receiving room sound
levels before computing results, an approximation of the diffuse field results measured with Test Methods E90 and E336 may be
obtained.
5.2 The traffic noise method is to be used only for OINR measurements and is most suitable for situations where the OINR of
a specimen at a specific location is exposed to an existing traffic noise source.
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5.3 The OINR, AOITL(θ), and OITL(θ) produced by the methods described will not correspond to the transmission loss and
noise reduction measured by Test Methods E90 and E336 because of the different incident sound fields that exist in the outdoors
(1)4. All of these results are a function of the angle of incidence of the sound for two reasons.
5.3.1 The transmission loss is strongly influenced by the coincidence effect where the frequency and projected wavelength of
sound incident at angle, θ, coincides with the wavelength of a bending wave of the same frequency in the panel (2, 3, 4, 5). This
frequency and the angle of least transmission loss (greatest transparency) both depend on specimen panel stiffness, damping and
area mass. In diffuse-field testing as in the laboratory, the effect is a weakness at the diffuse field average coincidence frequency
that is dependent on material and thickness, often seen around the frequency of 2500 Hz for drywall and glass specimens. Thick
wood panels, such as doors, and masonry wall exhibit lower coincident frequencies while thinner sheet steel exhibits higher
coincidence frequencies. For free field sound coming from one direction only, the coincidence frequency varies with incidence
angle and will differ from the diffuse-field value (5). Near or at grazing (θ close to 90°) it will be much lower in frequency than
the diffuse field (E90 and E336) value, and will increase with reducing θ to be considerably above the diffuse-field frequency when
θ is 30° or less.
5.3.2 The OINR is influenced by the angle of incidence of free field sound coming from a specific angle as compared to a diffuse
field. This is because the intensity of free field sound incident across the specimen surface S is reduced by cos(θ) when the sound
is not incident normal to the surface. Additionally, when the sound of level L arrives as a free-field from one direction only, and
that is normal to the surface, the resulting sound intensity in this direction is 4 times that due to diffuse-field sound of the same
level, L. These factors are reflected by the cos(θ) and 6 dB terms in Eq 6.
5.3.3 The methods in this guide should not be used as a substitute for laboratory testing in accordance with Test Method E90.
5.4 Of the three methods cited for measuring the outdoor sound field from a loudspeaker, the calibrated loudspeaker and flush
methods are most repeatable. The near method is used only when neither the calibrated speaker nor the flush method are feasible.
5.5 Flanking transmission or unusual field conditions could render the determination of OITL(θ) difficult or meaningless. Where
the auxiliary tests described in Annex A1 cannot be satisfied, only the OINR and the AOITL(θ) are valid.
5.6 When a room has multiple surfaces exposed to outdoor sound, testing with just one surface exposed to test sound will result
in a greater OINR than when all surfaces are exposed to test sound. The difference is negligible when the OITC of the unexposed
surface is at least 10 greater than the OITC of the exposed surface.

6. Conditions Required to Measure AOITL(θ) or OITL(θ) of a Façade or Facade Element Specimen

6.1 The specimen under test will often be a complete façade wall enclosing one room (the receiving room). The room selected
for test must be surrounded with equal or better construction, with no obvious leakage paths such as open windows in adjacent
spaces. Rooms at the top floor of a building or at a corner might be unsuitable for wall, window, and door testing because of
flanking transmission through the roof. A room at the corner of a building may be undesirable for evaluating a small specimen since
sound penetrating the adjoining exterior wall may be difficult to assess.
6.2 If a relatively massive facade contains a low-mass element such as a window or door, the latter could be considered the
specimen under test on the assumption that it transmits a greater amount of incident sound. The specimen area, S in Eq 6, shall
include its perimeter joints and framing.
6.3 If the OITL is to be measured, flanking measurement according to Annex A1 must be made by blocking the specimen under
test as defined in 6.2. This test determines the degree to which sound transmits through the remainder of the facade. The OITL(θ)
may be computed with the result of Eq A1.1, and so stated in the report according to 12.1.2.

7. Properties of the Receiving Room Required to Determine OITL(θ) or OITL(θ)

7.1 The sound transmitted through the specimen is measured in an adjacent receiving room. This room must form an enclosed
space. See Figs. 1-6. The ratio of the incident power to the power transmitted and radiated into the room is calculated using the
space- and time-averaged room sound pressure level and room sound absorption.
7.2 Receiving Room Shape and Volume—The receiving room must form an enclosed space. For determining the OITL(θ) or
AOITL(θ), the room length, width, and height should be all different with the largest dimension no greater than twice the shortest.
The smallest room dimension must be at least 2.3 m. Except for windows and doors, the specimen dimensions should be at least
2.3 by 2.4 m.
7.2.1 The volume of the receiving room determines to a large extent the lowest frequency at which the sound fields are
adequately uniform. The larger the room, the lower the limiting frequency. In all cases, the room volume must be reported. For
measurement of AOITL(θ) at frequencies of 125 Hz and higher and the reporting of AOITC(θ), the receiving room volume must
be at least 25 m3. For measurement of OITL(θ) at frequencies of 125 Hz and higher and the reporting of FOITC(θ), the room
volume must be at least 40 m3.

4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.

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7.3 Diffusion—For determining an accurate spatial sound pressure level, it is preferred that the receiving room contains diffusing
objects such as hard furniture.
7.4 Receiving Room Sound Absorption Measurement for Determining OITL(θ) and AOITL(θ):
7.4.1 It is preferred that the receiving room should have hard wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces. The receiving room sound
absorption shall not exceed:
A 2 5 V 2/3for AOITL~ θ! when the room volume is 150 m 3 or more, (1)
A2 5 V 2/3
for OITL~ θ! in any size room (2)

where:
V = room volume, m3 (ft3), and
A2 = absorption, m2.
7.4.2 Measurement of the Receiving Room Sound Absorption, A2:
7.4.2.1 When room sound absorption or decay rate must be measured in the receiving room to determine the AOITL(θ) or
OITL(θ), they shall be determined in accordance with Test Method E2235.

8. OINR (θ), AOITL (θ), and OITL (θ) Measurement with a Fixed (Loudspeaker) Source
8.1 Measurements:
8.1.1 Specific measurement procedures are provided for each measurement method in 8.3 and 8.4.
8.1.2 Site Background Noise—Where possible turn off any extraneous interfering noise sources either indoors or outdoors.
Measure the background sound both indoors and outdoors in the same way the test noise levels are measured with the source
operating. Make adjustments for this background noise as required by Section 10. It may be necessary to conduct measurements
during periods of low indoor and outdoor ambient noise to meet these requirements.
8.1.3 One-third octave-band filtering should be used in the measuring system to reduce the effects of background sound on
measurements.
8.1.4 Bands of random noise may exhibit minor fluctuations in level with time. Measurements should be averaged over at least
15 s below 250 Hz, and 5 s at 250 Hz and higher.
8.2 Generation of Outdoor Sound Field:
8.2.1 Loudspeaker Sound Emission Characteristics—A single loudspeaker enclosure is preferred. Its directional characteristic
should be such that at 2 000 Hz the free-field radiated sound pressure up to an angle of 45° off-axis shall not be more than 6 dB
different from the on-axis sound pressure. It must supply sufficient output in all measurement bands to achieve sound levels at least
5 dB and preferably 10 dB over the background level in the receiving room over the range from 80 to 4 000 Hz. It may be necessary
to add a high frequency loudspeaker in or on the enclosure to achieve sound that is reasonably distributed over the specimen area
and to have the transmitted sound be above the background noise in the receiving room.
8.2.2 Test Signal—The electrical signal to the loudspeaker shall consist of random noise over the test frequency range. It may
be necessary to filter the spectrum of the noise source to concentrate the available speaker sound power capability in a few bands
to increase the receiver room sound pressure level. In such cases, the bandwidth of the filter applied to the source signal shall
extend at least one-third octave-band above and below the frequency band(s) measured in the receiving room.
8.2.3 Geometry of the Angle of Incidence—As shown in Fig. 7, the loudspeaker shall be located to create sound arriving at the
specimen at a specified angle of incidence, θ, which is the angle between a perpendicular line OY at the midpoint of the specimen
and the line from that midpoint to the source. In this guide, this angle can lie in any plane. See also Figs. 1-3.
8.2.3.1 When the test objective is to evaluate the performance of a specimen for a particular source location, the test should
duplicate the condition of concern as closely as possible.
8.2.3.2 When the test objective is to minimize the number of source locations, an incident angle, θ, of 45 is preferred. If these
results are to be compared to those obtained in a diffuse sound field, measurements should be made at angles of 15, 30, 45, 60 and
75 and averaged according to 8.6.1. The source positions should preferably be in the vertical plane through the center of the
specimen and perpendicular to the specimen.
8.2.3.3 If the facade has major irregularities such as balconies, additional measurement directions may be needed to provide
adequate representation of the facade performance. The preferred set of additional source positions are in the horizontal plane
through the center of the specimen. If measurements are made at several angles of incidence, the individual values of OITL(θ)
should be reported. The OITL(θ) is computed with Eq 6.
8.2.4 Distance of Source from Test Specimen—The source shall be far enough from the specimen so that the ratio of the
distances from the source in the farthest and nearest parts of the test surface is no more than two. The loudspeaker axis shall be
directed toward the center of the specimen, favoring the more remote edge only as needed to make the sound pressure variation
across the specimen as small as possible, preferably within 3 dB.
8.2.5 Rooms with multiple surfaces—If a room has multiple exterior surfaces such as two perpendicular walls or walls and roof,
and a loudspeaker source is used, each surface must be tested and reported separately.
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8.2.5.1 If it is desired to establish the OINR of the room for a source at a specific fixed location, the loudspeaker can be placed
in that location or in that direction.
8.2.5.2 If it is desired to establish the OINR of each surface including flanking, such as to establish the AOITL of each surface,
test the surface following normal requirements.
8.2.5.3 If a room surface other than the one primarily exposed in the test is much weaker, sound flanking around through that
weaker surface may be the primary path of sound into the room. This is still a valid test of the OINR of the room for this defined
exposure.
8.2.5.4 If the room has multiple surfaces exposed to moving or distributed sources, and it is desired to use data from
loudspeaker tests to predict interior levels or to determine the OITL, then the OINR of each individual surface must be established
separately. This requires minimizing the influence of sound passing through surfaces not under test (see A1.2.2) by covering weak
areas such as doors, windows or penetrations, or by using outdoor sound barriers parallel to and extended from the surface under
test.
8.2.5.5 If multiple room surfaces are exposed simultaneously in actual use, the sound reaching the room interior will be sum
of the total sound through each of the surfaces, and the sound level inside will be higher than predicted based on the OINR of a
single side.
8.2.5.6 If the expected overall interior sound level due to simultaneous exposure of several surfaces is desired, determine the
OINR for each surface. Determine the exposure SPL for each surface. An estimate of the sum of the sound through all the affected
surfaces is the sum of the resulting sound levels.
8.2.5.7 This guide does not provide a way to use the tests of individual surfaces to provide an OINR of the room due to exposure
on multiple surfaces.
8.3 Determination of Outdoor Sound Pressure Level:
8.3.1 Calibrated Loudspeaker Source Method (Fig. 1)—The sound pressure incident on the specimen is inferred from a prior
calibration of the source of constant test sound such as a loudspeaker. In addition to the requirements of 8.2.1 and 8.2.2, this source
shall be calibrated in a free-field (echo-free) environment, and at the same distance that the source is to be from the specimen.
Measurements are made of L at all test frequencies at a distance from the source and at an angle from the source (loudspeaker)
axis corresponding to the loudspeaker location relative to the specimen (Fig. 1 inset). Each level measurement must be averaged
over a sufficient time period (see 8.1.3). The level L at each frequency is assumed to be the sound pressure level incident on the
specimen without the specimen and without reflections from surrounding building components. Average the sound pressure level
found at five random positions within the reference aperture that corresponds to the expected location of the test specimen. See
Fig. 1. In addition, measure and record a near-field calibration value at a fixed short distance on-axis, that is, at 0.5m, to provide
a value that shall be verified at the time of specimen test.
8.3.1.1 The calibration site ground must be similar to that at the test site. The objective is that the sound pressure level imposed
on the specimen, were the specimen not there, shall be the same as found during calibration. The effect of nearby object reflections
at higher frequencies is determined by blocking or deflecting all evident reflection paths with a screen or by applying a sound
absorber to those surfaces. For purposes of this guide, the calibration site meets the free-field requirement when the L calibration
level does not change by more than 1 dB when the screen(s) and absorber(s) are removed.
NOTE 1—When outdoor measurements made proximate to another building facade are influenced by reflections from that other building, it should be
so stated in the test report. This fact is especially important when the test noise source is a calibrated loudspeaker or a traffic source at an equivalent
distance.
8.3.2 Outdoor Measurement Near the Specimen (Fig. 2)—Measure the outdoor sound pressure level near the specimen. To
minimize wave interference effects, average five or more measurements at random distances from the specimen, at random
positions across the specimen, and at varying heights across the specimen. The random distances should be in the range of more
than 1.2 m and less than 2.5 m from the specimen. The random positions and random heights should be within the left, right, upper,
and lower limits of the specimen. If there are projections from the primary surface, measure 1.2 to 2.5 m from those for sample
locations near them.
8.3.3 Flush Outdoor Measurement Position (Fig. 3)—This measurement method is feasible when the specimen is smooth and
hard. Measure the sound pressure with a small condenser microphone 13 mm in diameter mounted very close to the specimen
surface at the midpoint and at other positions on the surface of the specimen, but not so close that it is likely to touch the specimen
surface or impede the airflow through the microphone grille (see also 11.1.3). It is suggested that up to five measurements about
the surface of the specimen be made and averaged.
NOTE 2—The sound absorption of the specimen surface must be very low (6). If the microphone diaphragm is entirely within 17 mm of the surface,
it provides acceptable flush measurements for frequencies up to 5000 Hz (7).
8.4 Indoor Sound Pressure Level Determination—Measure the average sound pressure level in the room.
8.4.1 Fixed microphone positions or a single moving microphone manually swept or moving continuously along a circular path
may be used while satisfying the following conditions:
8.4.1.1 No microphone position shall be closer than 1 m to the inside surface of the exterior wall or to any other boundary or
extended surface, unless the room is too small to allow adequate microphone positions within this restriction in which case the
microphones may be within 0.5 m of surfaces other than the specimen
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8.4.1.2 For a fixed microphone, a minimum of three microphone positions is required, but up to six are recommended.
8.4.1.3 The minimum separation of fixed microphone positions should be 1 m but may be less in small rooms if necessary to
get adequate number of microphone positions.
8.4.1.4 For a moving microphone use an integrating averaging sound level meter meeting the requirements of ANSI S1.43 or
IEC 61672.
8.4.1.5 The minimum averaging time for a moving microphone shall be 30 s.
8.4.2 If and only if only OINR is being reported, and if the room volume is 150 m3 or more, all measurements shall be made
1 to 2 m from the specimen and at least 1 m from other surfaces intersecting the specimen. For a moving microphone, this 1 to
2 m area should be scanned, but not more than 2 m above the floor for the case of vertical facades. For fixed microphones, the
minimum number shall be determined by dividing the largest dimension of the specimen in meters by 3 and rounding up to the
next integer. These positions are not permitted for OITL and AOITL.
8.5 Determination of Outdoor-Indoor Noise Reduction (OINR):
8.5.1 Calibrated Source Method—If the incident outdoor level L has been established by prior calibration as in 8.3.1, the value
of OINR is calculated using:
OINR~ θ! 5 L free 2 L in ~ θ! (3)

where:
Lfree = Calibrated level, L, and
Lin (θ) = Average sound pressure level in the room enclosed by the specimen, dB, caused by exterior sound incident at angle
θ, and
θ = Angle of incidence, that is, the angle between the source position and the perpendicular to the test element midpoint,
degrees. (See Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig. 3.)
8.5.2 Nearby Microphone Method—The presence of the façade approximately doubles the sound pressure near the façade (+3
dB), but in practice, this increase is found less; a 2 dB representation is used here. The average outdoor sound pressure level is
measured near the specimen as described in 8.3.2. The OINR for that angle is calculated using:
OINR~ θ! 5 L near 2 L in ~ θ! 2 2 dB (4)

8.5.3 Flush Microphone Method—The presence of the façade approximately quadruples the sound pressure (+6 dB) on the
specimen. But in practice, this increase is found to be about 5 dB (8). See also X1.1. When the outdoor sound pressure level has
been measured very close to the surface as described in 8.3.3, the OINR(θ) value for that angle is calculated using:
OINR ~ θ! 5 L flush 2 L in ~ θ! 2 5 dB (5)
NOTE 3—The 2 dB and 5 dB factors in Eq 4, Eq 5, Eq 9, and Eq 10 differ by one dB from the theoretically expected differences shown in earlier versions
of this guide. This difference is based on experimental observations documented in reference (8).
8.6 Calculation of AOITL(θ) and OITL(θ)—Calculate AOITL(θ) or OITL(θ) using :
OITL ~ θ! 5 OINR ~ θ!110*log~ S* cos ~ θ!/A 2!16 dB (6)

where:
S = Area of the specimen
A2 = room sound absorption determined in, 7.4, m2.
8.6.1 This AOITL(θ) or OITL(θ) measured at angle θ is valid only for that angle. These results cannot be predicted for other
angles. To compare this OITL(θ) results with the results for equal specimens found with Test Method E90, the sound energy
transmitted at all incidence angles must be averaged. An approximation to this average is found by measuring the room sound
pressure level for several loudspeaker sound incidence angles. These angles may be chosen to represent equal areas of a
hemisphere, so that the resultant pressures need only be pressure squared averaged. For three measurement angles, θ, these angles
are 34°, 60°, and 80°. If a uniform angular increment is more convenient, a weighting factor must be applied to the measured
pressure squared values at each angle. For instance, for incidence angles of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75°, the factors that weight each
pressure squared measurement according to the hemispherical solid angle of incidence that it represents are respectively 0.08, 0.15,
0.22, 0.26, and 0.29. If measurements are made only at 30° and 60°, the corresponding factors are respectively 0.37 and 0.63. This
pressure squared average, expressed in decibels is Lin(θ), used in Eq 6 to compute OITL(θ) or AOITL(θ).

9. Measurement of OINR with Traffic Noise (Fig. 8, or any Extended Line of Similar Sources)
9.1 Traffic noise may be used as the source of noise for the measurement of OINR(line,Φ) only. Often these measurements are
made to evaluate the performance of a specific structure at a specific location (9). Otherwise, the requirements of 9.2.1 must be
met. OITL(θ) shall only be measured using a controlled point source, as described in Section 8.
9.2 Line Source Measurement Site (Fig. 8)—When measurements are intended to indicate the typical performance of a
specimen that may occur at various locations, an acceptable traffic noise site is one for which the specimen surface is parallel to
a straight and level traffic route that is long enough to include angles of incidence up to at least 70° in each direction, (θ1+θ2>140º).
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The angle of incidence at the point of traffic closest approach, Φ, must be no greater than 30° at the vehicle location nearest to
the specimen. See Fig. 4, Fig. 5, or Fig. 6. If these restrictions are not met, though the result is valid for the angle Φ tested, this
OINR(line,Φ) shall not be used to typify the general noise isolation performance of the specimen under test.
9.2.1 For aircraft traffic noise sources, the incidence angle at closest approach, Φ, can vary widely for each noise event. See Fig.
8. The noise level also varies significantly with time for each event. Measurements with aircraft noise sources may be restricted
to component specimens such as roofs, ventilators, and to complete structure specimens that cannot be readily tested by other
means. When flying aircraft provide the test noise, the angle Φ shall be reported. The outdoor free-field microphone method (like
Fig. 4) is preferred (8)
9.3 Determination of Outdoor Traffıc Noise Level:
9.3.1 Traffıc Noise Measurement at an Equivalent Distance (Fig. 4)—This method is used with steady and uniform roadway
traffic as a noise source. Measure the traffic noise sound pressure level, L, outdoors at a reference aperture (Fig. 4 inset), remote
from any reflecting surfaces other than the ground, at the same distance as the test facade is from the traffic. The indoor and outdoor
sound pressure levels shall be measured simultaneously as described in 9.5. If traffic is non-uniform, or if over flying aircraft are
used as the noise source, the average of the indoor noise level and the outdoor noise level, or the SEL of each, must each properly
represent each vehicle passage. See 9.5.
9.3.2 Traffıc Noise Measurement at the 2 m, Position (Fig. 5)—Measure the traffic noise outdoors at a point opposite the center
of the facade element under test, at a distance of 2 m from the outermost portion of the facade. If there are major protrusions such
as balconies, the test point shall be 2 m outside the protruding section, and the protrusion should be identified as part of the
specimen under test.
9.3.3 Traffıc Noise Measurement at the Flush Position (Fig. 6)—This method may be used when the facade is smooth or if only
one element of a facade such as a window is the specimen under test. Measure the traffic noise outdoors flush with the specimen
surface at its center and preferably at up to four more points about the specimen surface. Use a small diameter microphone
according to 8.3.3.
9.4 Determination of Indoor Sound Pressure Level—The indoor measurement positions shall be as described in 8.4 with the
exception that if a room volume is less than 150 m3, a single microphone position located from 1.2 to 1.5 m above the floor may
be used. Its exact location with respect to the specimen under test shall be reported. For measurement procedures, see 9.5.
9.5 Measurement Procedures for Fluctuating Traffıc Noise—Measure the average sound pressure level of all fluctuating noises
using an integrating averaging sound level meter meeting the requirements of ANSI S1.43 or IEC 61672. Outdoor and indoor
measurements must be averaged over the same time interval (see 8.1.3). When fixed microphone positions are used, measurements
shall be made simultaneously for all microphones.
9.5.1 The outdoor free field microphone method (like Fig. 4 is preferred (8)). If only the A-weighted noise reduction due to the
actual source is desired, ASEL measurements may be used instead of one-third octave-band measurements. For aircraft flyover
noise or where natural traffic is sparse, simultaneously measure both the outdoor and the indoor one-third octave-band sound
exposure level, one-third octave-band SEL(f) of individual events. Reject outliers such as flyovers where ϕ>=90º. Compute a single
OINR(line,ϕ) value at each frequency from the sum of all of the exterior SEL(f) values accepted vs the sum of all the corresponding
interior SEL(f) values, according to Eq 7 as follows: For each frequency, “f”, and for "j" overflights where "i" is the ith overflight
indexed from 1 through j; SELOf,i is the ith overflight outdoor noise SEL and SELIf,i is the corresponding ith overflight room
interior noise SEL.
OINRf ~ line,φ! 5 10*Log@ SUMj ~ 10~SELO f,i /10!!# (7)

210*Log@ SUMj ~ 10~SELI f,i /10!!# 2 C

where C, according to the outdoor microphone position, is either 0 (calibrated loudspeaker), or 2 (near the façade) or 5 (flush).
NOTE 4—If the A-weighted noise reduction due to the actual source is reported, the result is called noise level reduction. See X1.1.2.1.
9.5.2 Background levels, outdoors and indoors, should also be verified before and after each measurement session. Corrections
are made if necessary according to Section 10. Background levels may be established during periods of light road traffic or no
aircraft traffic. Otherwise the OINR values measured must be reported as minimum values.
NOTE 5—An outdoor-indoor microphone pair can be used to measure OINR with a continuous traffic noise source. The level difference is measured,
then the indoor microphone is moved and this procedure is repeated for each additional indoor microphone positions located according to 8.4.1.2.
9.6 Calculation of OINR for the Traffıc Noise Methods:
9.6.1 Remote Outdoor Sound Field Measurement (see 9.3.1)—Calculate OINR as:
OINR ~ line! 5 L free 2 L in (8)

where:
Lfree = remote traffic outdoor sound pressure level, L,f and
Lin = simultaneous space average sound pressure level in the receiving room.

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9.6.2 Outdoor Measurements at 2 m from the Facade (see 9.3.2)—The presence of the façade approximately doubles the sound
pressure near the façade (+3 dB), but in practice, this increase is found less; a 2 dB representation is used here. Calculate OINR
as follows:
OINR ~ line Φ! 5 L near 2 L in 2 2 dB (9)

where:
L2m = equivalent sound pressure level outdoors at a point 2 m (79 in.) from the facade test element, dB.
9.6.3 Outdoor Sound Field Measurements Flush to the Facade (see 9.3.3)—The presence of the façade approximately
quadruples the sound pressure (+6 dB) on the specimen. But in practice, this increase is found to be about 5 dB (8). See also X1.1.
Calculate OINR as follows:
OINR ~ line,Φ! 5 L flush 2 L in 2 5 dB (10)
NOTE 6—See Note 3.

10. Adjustments for Background Noise

10.1 Verify that the outdoor and indoor levels are from the designated test source (traffic or loudspeaker) and not from some
extraneous background noise source. At each measurement position, the background level should be at least 5 dB below the level
of signal and background combined. Adjustments shall be made unless the background level is more than 10 dB below the
combined level. If the background level is between 5 and 10 dB below the combined signal and background combined, the adjusted
value of the signal level is calculated as follows:
L s 5 10*log~ 10L sb/10 2 10L b /10! (11)

where:
Lb = Background noise level, dB,
Lsb = Level of signal and background combined, dB, and
Ls = Adjusted signal level, dB.

11. Instrumentation
11.1 Measurements of Sound Pressure Level:
11.1.1 Loudspeaker Source Method—An integrating-averaging sound level meter or equivalent instrumentation that meets Type
1 requirements of ANSI S1.43 or IEC 61672 is required for the methods in Section 8. Type 2 instrumentation may be used when
traffic or aircraft sound sources are used provided the same calibrator and microphone types are used for both the indoor and the
outdoor sound measurement systems.
11.1.2 Traffıc Noise Source—Two similar microphone systems meeting the requirements of 11.1.1 are required for simultaneous
measurement of indoor and outdoor levels for the method in Section 9.
11.1.3 Windscreen—The microphone should be fitted with a wind screen of such design that the system meets the Type 2
requirements for outdoor measurements. For the flush method described in 8.3.3, a modified foam windscreen partly cut away to
permit placement of the microphone close to the surface may be used.
11.2 Filters—Filters for defining the frequency bands used shall meet the class 1 requirements or better of ANSI S1.11 for
one-third octave-band and for octave-band filters.
11.3 Calibration—The calibration of all measurement systems shall be verified at one frequency before (and preferably after)
each series of tests at a given site using a calibrator meeting class 2 requirements of ANSI S1.40 or IEC 60942.

12. Report
12.1 The test report should include the following:
12.1.1 Provide a statement, if true in every respect, that the test was performed in accordance with one of the methods described
in this guide.
12.1.2 Describe the test site: the dimensions and construction of the facade, the dimensions and furnishings of the receiving
room, whether the room was highly absorbent, and the condition of operable windows or doors (open or closed). If auxiliary tests
are done, for example to investigate flanking transmission or to determine the sound transmission loss of a portion of the facade
or if steps are taken to limit flanking through surfaces other the one under the test, these procedures also shall be reported.
12.1.3 Cite the specific test method used and essential details of the test procedure. If the traffic noise method is used, describe
the traffic flow and its location relative to the facade. If a loudspeaker source is used, report the characteristics of the loudspeaker
and its location relative to the test façade and to any other exterior surface of the receiving room. If a calibrated loudspeaker source
was used, report the method of test and free-field determination. If the flush microphone position is used, report the microphone
type, orientation, and spacing to the facade exterior surface.
12.1.4 Identify the instruments used and the measurement and calibration procedures (including microphone calibration). For
a time-varying noise source such as traffic, describe the method of determining equivalent sound pressure levels.
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12.1.5 List results according to frequency and clearly identified as OINR, OITL(θ), or AOITL(θ).
12.1.6 Identify single number rating results as being either OINIC, FOITC(q) or AOITC(q) (see 3.2.1, 3.2.3 and 3.2.4). The
single number rating, OITC, rates the effectiveness of a building facade element at reducing transportation noise intrusion. It is
defined in Classification E1332. Only the TL values determined by Test Method E90 are used to calculate OITC. When a single
number rating is calculated using the E1332 Classification method and the OITL(θ) values obtained here, it is termed “field” as
FOITC(θ). When a single number rating is calculated using AOITL(θ) values obtained here, it is termed AOITC(θ).
12.1.7 Include the following statement in the report: “The results stated in this report represent only the specific construction
and acoustical conditions present at the time of the test. Measurements performed in accordance with this standard on nominally
identical constructions and acoustical conditions may produce different results.”
12.1.8 On each page of the report containing test results, place the following statement: “This page alone is not a complete
report.”

13. Precision and Bias

13.1 Precision—No body of experience in the use of this guide exists at present; however, it is estimated that the repeatability
standard deviation of these test procedures are of the order of 2 to 3 dB, depending on frequency.
13.2 Bias—The bias of test methods referenced in this guide have not been established and await a round robin of OITL
measurements.
13.3 The principal aspect of these test procedures that degrades precision and bias, especially for OITL(θ) calculation, is the
measurement,of Loutdoor the wide range of exterior sound field configurations.

14. Keywords
14.1 calibrated loudspeaker; doors; facade; flanking; noise reduction; outdoor noise field; outdoor-indoor level reduction;
outdoor-indoor transmission loss; traffic noise; transmission loss; windows

ANNEX

(Mandatory Information)

A1. TESTS FOR ASSESSING FLANKING TRANSMISSION (PATHS OTHER

THAN THROUGH THE SPECIMEN)

A1.1 Introduction:

A1.1.1 The formulas provided in this guide determine the outdoor-indoor transmission loss of the test specimen presuming that
all the sound reaching the receiving room is transmitted through the specimen. In practical testing, some sound may find its way
through adjacent elements (flanking transmission).

A1.1.2 To provide a better estimate of the true OITL(θ) of the test element alone, a flanking test is applied. The sound transmitted
into the receiving room by flanking paths is identified by blocking the test specimen and repeating the measurement. Sound
transmitted under this condition may be eliminated or corrections made for it.

A1.1.3 The tests given in A1.2 – A1.4 apply to a test specimen, which can be the entire facade, such as a wall, or to a test element
which forms only part of that facade, such as a window. In applying this procedure to the test specimen (see the procedure in A1.3),
specific attention is given to joints between the specimen and the remainder of the facade. If they are considered part of the
specimen, then they must be covered.

A1.2 Specimen and Perimeter Integrity—This survey is recommended before proceeding to OINR or OITL(θ) measurements:

A1.2.1 To compare sound transmitted through the test facade or element to that transmitted elsewhere, survey the sound levels
within a few millimetres of the various surfaces of the receiving room. This may be done with a stethoscope or a sound level meter,
and headphones. A more revealing method is to sense the vibration of each room surface with a low mass vibration transducer
placed on each of the room surfaces in turn. Identify major air leaks through joints or local defects with the open end of the air
tube of a stethoscope, used as a probe at all such locations.

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NOTE A1.1—In conducting the indoor airborne sound survey, there is a normal buildup of sound pressure near any reflecting surface (+ 3 dB) in the
intersecting corner of any two (+ 6 dB) or three (+ 9 dB)reflecting surfaces.

A1.2.2 Remedial Procedures—Reduce significant sound transmission through surfaces or elements not included in the specimen.
For example (unless it forms part of the test specimen), a leaky joint can be taped or caulked, a ventilator opening can be covered,
or filler panels around windows or air conditioners may be made more massive. All remedial steps should be reported.

A1.3 Facade Flanking Test Procedure:

A1.3.1 Blocking Panel—Measure the apparent AOITL (θ) of the specimen as found. Cover the interior side of the specimen with
an additional panel designed to reduce transmission through the specimen by at least 10 dB. A suitable construction consists of
a layer of freestanding or lightly supported plywood or gypsum board weighing about 10 kg/m2 , spaced at least 100 mm (4 in.)
from the test facade or element. Fill the space with soft sound absorbing material such as glass fiber batts. Seal all panel joints and
perimeter with tape, gaskets, or caulking compound.

A1.3.2 Repeat Tests—Measure the AOITL (θ) of the modified specimen. Compare with the initial OITL measurement.

A1.3.3 Assessment of Results—If the AOITL (θ) of the modified specimen is at least 10 dB higher in every one-third octave band
than the initially-measured OITL, then the initial measurements may represent the true AOITL (θ) of thespecimen.

A1.3.3.1 If the difference in apparent AOITL (θ) is less than 5 dB, proceed to A1.4.

A1.3.3.2 If the difference is between 5 and 10 dB, estimate the true OITL (θ) by treating level measurements with the test element
blocked off as background noise for the same outdoor level in each case (see Section 10). Adapting Eq 11:
L s 5 10log~ 10 ~L ab/10! 2 10 ~L b /10!! (A1.1)

where:
Lb = Indoor level with the specimen blocked off,
Lab = Initial indoor level with specimen exposed, and
Ls = Adjusted indoor level due to transmission through the specimen alone.

A1.4 Supplementary Flanking Tests—If blocking the test specimen reduces the receiving room level by less than 5 dB, increase
the transmission loss of the blocking panel or block off other possible sound transmitting paths into the room. The tests given in
A1.2 may provide guidance in choosing the next step. It is likely that it will be necessary to cover flanking paths to reduce the
flanking noise, and then repeat the procedure starting at A1.3.1. The procedure given in A1.3 may be repeated until the
requirements of A1.3.3 are met.

APPENDIX

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. OTHER FACADE ATTENUATION MEASURING METHODS

INTRODUCTION

The United States Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and consultants doing work for them have used variations on the methods presented in this
guide. Other single number metrics for evaluating facades have been developed. These techniques are
listed here only as historic references. They are not techniques included in this guide.

X1.1 Measurement Methods

X1.1.1 FHWA measurement methods:

X1.1.1.1 Current FHWA measurement guidance (10) is based on an earlier version of this guide using traffic as the source and
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measurements by either the remote measurement procedure or 2 meter procedure. Alternatively a loudspeaker source at 15 to 60
and preferably 45 degrees is suggested. The difference between the 2 m measurement and the free field result is assumed to be 3
dB in accordance with earlier versions of this guide. Time-average levels over a long time period are recommended. The
A-weighted sound level difference is the preferred final result.

X1.1.1.2 An earlier measurement method developed for the FHWA (11) used road noise as the source with an outdoor microphone
at the façade and a single indoor measurement location near the center of the room. The difference between the sound level on the
surface and the free-field level was found to be 5 dB, corresponding to Eq 5 and Eq 10 of this guide. Time average sound levels
were computed from slow response A-weighted sound levels sampled at 10 second intervals for 15 minutes. Suggested alternatives
to road noise were a truck either idling or driving by, or a loudspeaker playing recorded traffic noise.

X1.1.2 FAA measurement methods:

X1.1.2.1 The primary FAA interest is the measurement of the façade noise reduction improvement achieved by modifications to
structures. The FAA names the decibel difference between the A-weighted sound level measured in the free-field and the indoor
sound level as the “noise level reduction”. The current recommended procedure (12) uses overflying aircraft as the source. The
outdoor microphone must have a clear unobstructed view of the flight path. A pole in an adjacent yard or 3 m above the building
roof is suggested. Two indoor microphones at least 1.2 m from any hard reflective surface are recommended but one is allowed.
Several overflight event measurements are recommended, with SEL preferred but maximum levels allowed.

X1.1.2.2 Earlier FAA methods (13) used maximum sound levels with the outdoor microphone mounted approximately 40 mm
from the façade and four microphone positions within the room. It was found with these methods that the difference between the
free-field level and the level close to the façade was 5 dB.

X1.1.2.3 The FAA allows flexibility in methods especially when aircraft noise sources are not convenient. Loudspeakers have
been used as the outdoor sound source, measuring the level reduction in one-third octave-bands and calculating the A-weighted
level difference based on a typical aircraft spectrum. A method also has been developed with a loudspeaker inside since the primary
concern is a difference in performance before and after modifications. (14) Measurements are made 0.3 m from the specimen
surface inside and outside.

X1.2 Single Number Rating Methods

X1.2.1 Exterior wall noise rating, EWNR (15) and External Wall Rating EWR—Associated with the measurement method
described in X1.1.2.2 the FHWA sponsored development of the Exterior Wall Noise Rating, EWNR. It was first shown based on
data and reference to earlier research that a moving source provided enough variation in the angle of incidence that the cos θ term
could be deleted from what is Eq 6 of this guide.

X1.2.1.1 An EWNR rating curve was based on the concept that a material with a transmission loss curve matching it when
exposed to a traffic noise spectrum would produce a resulting spectrum approximating an inverse A-weighting curve. The resulting
rating curve has a slope of 6 dB per octave from 125 to 500 Hz, flat from 500 to 2000 Hz, and -6 dB from 2000 to 4000 Hz. It
was proposed that by using an average value of room sound absorption, the A-weighted level reduction could be computed from:
A 2 weighted level reduction 5 EWNR 2 10log~ S/A ! 26 (X1.1)

X1.2.2 Experimental data showed that the initial value read from the contour curve at 500 Hz had to be reduced by 4 dB to give
the best correlation for typical traffic noise or 6 dB to correlate with aircraft noise of the era. This factor was incorporated into the
EWNR. The value read from the curve at 500 Hz was then defined as the External Wall Rating EWR.

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REFERENCES

(1) Donavan, P. R., Flynn, D. R., and Yaniv, S. L., “Highway Noise Criteria Study: Outdoor/Indoor Noise Isolation,” Technical Note 1113-2, National
Bureau of Standards, 1980.

(2) Jones, R. E., “Intercomparisons of Laboratory Determinations of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss,” Journal of the Acoustical Society of America,
Vol 66, 1970, pp. 148–164.

(3) Quirt, J. D., “Acoustic Insulation Factor: A Rating for the Insulation of Buildings Against Outdoor Noise,” Building Research Note 148, June 1979
(Revised June 1980), National Research Council, Canada.

(4) Cremer, L. and Heckel, M. Structure-Borne Sound, Springer-Verlag, 1988, Chapter VI, Part 6.

(5) Ver, I. and Holmer, C. Noise and Vibration Control, 1971, Institute of Noise Control Engineers, Chapter 11, pp 281–283.

(6) Waterhouse, R. V., “Interference Patterns in Reverberant Sound Fields,” Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Vol 27, 1955, pp. 247–258.

(7) Nash, A., “Facade Sound Insulation—A Field Study,” Inter-Noise 84 Proceedings, Noise Control Foundation, Poughkeepsie, NY, pp. 593–596.

(8) Bradley, J. S. and Chu, W. T., Errors When using Façade Measurements of Incident Aircraft Noise, 2002 International Congress and Exposition on
Noise control engineering, Dearborn, MI, August 19-21. 2002

(9) Lewis, P. T., “A Method for Field Measurements of the Transmission Loss of Building Facades,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol 33, Part 2, 1974,
pp. 127–141.

(10) Lee, C.S.Y. and Fleming, G. G., “Measurement of Highway Related Noise,” Chapter 8, U. S. Department of Transportation Report No.
FHWA-PD-96-046, May, 1996.

(11) Davy, B. A. and Skale, S.R., “Insulation of Buildings against Highway Noise,” U. S. Department of Transportation Report No. FHWA-TS-77-202,
August 1, 1977 .

(12) “Study of Soundproofing Public Buildings Near Airports,” Section 4.2.2, U. S. Department of Transportation Report No. DOT-FAA-AEQ-77-9, April
1977.

(13) “Study of Soundproofing Public Buildings Near Airports,” Report No. DOT-FAA-AEQ-77-9, April 1977 .

(14) Gurovich, Y. A. and Ehrlich, G., Façade Sound Insulation Testing using Aircraft and Loudspeaker Techniques, 2004 International Congress and
Exposition on Noise control engineering, Prague, Czech Republic, August 22-25. 2004.

(15) Mange, G. E., Skale, S. R., and Sutherland L. C., “Background Report on Outdoor-Indoor Noise Reduction Calculation Procedures Employing the
Exterior Wall Noise Rating (EWNR) Method,” U. S. Department of Transportation Report No. FHWA-TS-77-220, March, 1978.

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