06. Indoor Environment - Interior Acoustic Comfort

Implement acoustic control measures to minimize interior-sourced noises

Rationale: Acoustic control measures that minimize unwanted interior-sourced noise — such as installing silencers in HVAC ducts and sealing interior-facing doors — can support improved cognitive function and sleep and prevent associated health issues such as hearing loss, accidents, and cardiovascular disease.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with the below:

Option 1 - Interior Acoustic Control Measures (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with the following requirements:

Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management)

1. Implement a minimum of two of the following interior acoustic control measures throughout the building(s) to limit interior-sourced noises caused by other occupants, appliances, renovations, busy indoor common areas, and other interior sources:

• using sound and vibration-absorption materials such as fiberglass thermal insulation
• using floor and ceiling construction materials that achieves minimum Impact Insulation Class (IIC) ratings of 50 that are tested in accordance with ASTM E492-09, ISO 717.2
• sealing interior-facing doors
• adding acoustic panels to all floors and ceiling
• locate office equipment (copiers, printers, etc.) away from workstations or ensure adequate barriers to block sound
• installing silencers in HVAC duct lines.

Multi-Tenant Base Building

1. Implement a minimum of two of the following interior acoustic control measures throughout the building(s) to limit interior-sourced noises caused by other occupants, appliances, renovations, busy indoor common areas, and other interior sources:

• using sound and vibration-absorption materials such as fiberglass thermal insulation
• using floor and ceiling construction materials that achieves minimum Impact Insulation Class (IIC) ratings of 50 that are tested in accordance with ASTM E492-09, ISO 717.2
• sealing interior-facing doors
• adding acoustic panels to all floors and ceiling
• locate office equipment (copiers, printers, etc.) away from workstations or ensure adequate barriers to block sound
• installing silencers in HVAC duct lines.

Single-Tenant

1. Implement a minimum of two of the following interior acoustic control measures throughout the building(s) to limit interior-sourced noises caused by other occupants, appliances, renovations, busy indoor common areas, and other interior sources:

• using sound and vibration-absorption materials such as fiberglass thermal insulation
• using floor and ceiling construction materials that achieves minimum Impact Insulation Class (IIC) ratings of 50 that are tested in accordance with ASTM E492-09, ISO 717.2
• sealing interior-facing doors
• adding acoustic panels to all floors and ceiling
• locate office equipment (copiers, printers, etc.) away from workstations or ensure adequate barriers to block sound
• installing silencers in HVAC duct lines.

Commercial Interior

1. Implement a minimum of two of the following interior acoustic control measures throughout regularly occupied spaces accessible to tenant occupants within the building(s) to limit interior-sourced noises caused by other occupants, appliances, renovations, busy indoor common areas, and other interior sources:

• using sound and vibration-absorption materials such as fiberglass thermal insulation
• using floor and ceiling construction materials that achieves minimum Impact Insulation Class (IIC) ratings of 50 that are tested in accordance with ASTM E492-09, ISO 717.2
• sealing interior-facing doors
• adding acoustic panels to all floors and ceiling
• locate office equipment (copiers, printers, etc.) away from workstations or ensure adequate barriers to block sound
• installing silencers in HVAC duct lines.

Option 2 - Sound Transmissing Class (STC) Rating - (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with the following requirements:

Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management)

1. Confirm the building(s) meets all of the following Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings:
   – all interior wall construction materials are at least STC 60
   – floor construction materials are at least STC 60

Multi-Tenant Base Building

1. Confirm the building(s) meets all of the following Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings:
   – all interior wall construction materials are at least STC 60
   – floor construction materials are at least STC 60

Single-Tenant, Commercial Interior

1. Confirm the building(s) meets all of the following Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings:
   – all interior wall construction materials are at least STC 60
   – floor construction materials are at least STC 60

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway 

Option 1

MTWB, MTWB+

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) will include a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure within the building(s)

  • the proposed acoustic control measures within the building(s)

MTBB

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) will include a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure within the building(s)

  • the proposed acoustic control measures within the building(s)

ST

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) will include a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure within the building(s)

  • the proposed acoustic control measures within the building(s)

CI

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) will include a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure

  • the proposed acoustic control measures

Option 2

MTWB, MTWB+

• Text boxes to input the planned STC rating of all of the following:

  • Interior wall construction materials

  • Floor construction materials

• Upload an annotated design drawing or spec sheet identifying the STC rating of at least 60 for all construction materials for all required walls and floors

MTBB

• Text boxes to input the planned STC rating of all of the following:

  • Interior wall construction materials

  • Floor construction materials

• Upload an annotated design drawing or spec sheet identifying the STC rating of at least 60 for all construction materials for all required walls and floors

ST, CI

• Text boxes to input the planned STC rating of all of the following:

  • Interior wall construction materials

  • Floor construction materials

• Upload an annotated design drawing or spec sheet identifying the STC rating of at least 60 for all construction materials for all required walls and floors

Built Pathway

Option 1 

MTWB, MTWB+

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) includes a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure within the building(s)

  • each acoustic control measures within the building(s)

MTBB

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) includes a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure within the building(s)

  • each acoustic control measures within the building(s)

ST

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) includes a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure within the building(s)

  • each acoustic control measures within the building(s)

CI

• Checkboxes to certify that the building(s) includes a minimum of two of the listed acoustic control measures

• Upload annotated design drawings detailing:

  • the location of each acoustic control measure within the building(s)

  • each acoustic control measure implemented within the building(s)

Option 2

MTWB, MTWB+

• Text boxes to input the STC rating of all of the following:

  • Interior wall construction materials

  • Floor construction materials

• Upload an annotated map or site plan identifying the interior walls and floors that have an STC of at least 60

MTBB

• Text boxes to input the STC rating of all of the following:

  • Interior wall construction materials

  • Floor construction materials

• Upload an annotated map or site plan identifying the interior walls and floors that have an STC of at least 60

ST, CI

• Text boxes to input the STC rating of all of the following:

  • Interior wall construction materials

  • Floor construction materials

• Upload an annotated map or site plan identifying the interior walls and floors that have an STC of at least 60