BBC RD 1990/10

A REVIEW OF THE AIRBORNE SOUND INSULATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR BROADCASTING STUDIOS AND ANCILLARY AREAS

R. Walker, B.Sc.(Eng.)., C. Eng., M.I.E.E.

Research Department, Engineering Division THE BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Research Department

Report

(PH-299) 1990

BBC RD 1990/10

A REVIEW OF THE AIRBORNE SOUND INSULATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BROADCASTING STUDIOS AND ANCILLARY AREAS

R. Walker, B.Sc.(Eng)., C.Eng., M.I.E.E.

Summary Experience over the past nine years with the airborne sound insulation criteria has shown

that they are stringent. In new developments their application is limited by financial constraints and additionally in refurbishments by structural constraints. Discussions during the past years have taken place on attempts and methods to reduce the requirements. This review began as a study of existing criteria in order to define more closely some of the categories and thus, perhaps, reduce some of the apparent requirements. It has been found that the original bases of the majority of the sound insulation criteria are still appropriate, but that a small number of categories can be adjusted. The opportunity has been taken to incorporate some new data and to allow for changes in background noise level criteria for some area categories. A study of a possible relaxation of the criteria for the special case of a studio to its own control area was abandoned when it became clear that the same relaxations could be applied to all areas.

Index terms: Insulation; acoustics; noise; studios; standards

Issued under the Authority of

Research Department, Engineering Division, BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION Head of Research Department

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