Curiosity, solutions and regulations

Greetings!
In this guide of ours, we will show you the peculiarities, curiosities and regulations of soundproof doors, thus trying to resolve all your doubts and perplexities regarding these fantastic soundproofing solutions.


Let's start from the assumption that all of us could use a little more silence and tranquility. If you are looking to rest better or stay focused when working.
Soundproofing doors are a particular type of door for acoustically insulating the internal rooms of a building.

They can be used in homes, offices, hotels, B&Bs, recording rooms or wherever it is necessary to isolate one room from another, avoiding hearing annoying noises such as voices, music and so on.


Never how? What noises can they fight? Which degree of soundproofing is better? What regulations must be followed?
Let's find out together

There are many solutions on the market ranging from products designed for different sectors.
In addition to the choice of colors and models that are closest to all the furnishings in your home, what matters to analyze a soundproof door is its insulating property, i.e. its ability not to let that annoying sound pass through that you would not like at all feel.
WHY BUY A SOUNDPROOF DOOR COMPARED TO A NORMAL SWING DOOR?

Usually, those who buy a soundproof door do so for two simple reasons:

- PREVENT NOISE FROM ENTERING YOUR SPACE, YOUR ROOM

- PREVENT NOISES FROM LEAVING YOUR ROOM AND GOING TO DISTURB OR SIMPLY MAKE YOUR DISCUSSIONS OR YOUR WORK TO BE HEARD TO OTHERS

Our customers often ask us which soundproofing is right for them, so we direct you in a small introductory guide that will clear your ideas on the degree of soundproofing and how many Decibels to choose in case of your problems!

What is the acoustic insulation of a wall?

It consists in the creation of several levels where the sound waves that will in fact try to cross it will impact. The best way to insulate a wall is to rebuild the partition using acoustic partition insulators. Furthermore, acoustic insulating products can be applied which guarantee the mass effect and halve the passage of annoying sound waves!
A space of at least 50 mm is left within this soundproofing system which is to be filled with sound-absorbing panels.

Optimal wall sound insulation is only possible if installation is carried out with care and by a QUALIFIED professional!

    The mortar must be applied to the vertical surface of the wall;
    Using different thicknesses helps stop the multiple sound waves and frequencies;
    Insert the wall strips between the masonry and the floor;
    It is mandatory to apply sound-absorbing materials

Acoustic soundproofing of walls - DECREES, LIABILITIES AND SANCTIONS

The technical offices, which issue the building permit, must verify the right permits, including the D.P.C.M. 5/12/97.

A project that confirms acoustic requirements at the time of construction is required many times, so as to avoid possible problems such as possible penalties

Acoustic testing? Things? When and by whom is it requested?

It is mainly carried out once the works have been completed and the practicability has been certified.
This is usually done MAINLY for public purpose buildings only!


The responsibility for the correct implementation of the works rests with the client and the builder as well as the construction manager.

The DPCM 12-5-97 does not provide for direct administrative sanctions in the event of failure to verify the acoustic requirements.

REGULATIONS AND CERTIFICATION

Acoustic doors must absolutely possess a certificate that guarantees soundproofing in accordance with the law.

Our doors have been examined and tested by an authorized institute, with a testing laboratory operating according to international standards, which has recognized that FIP ​​S.r.l operates according to UNI EN ISO 10140-2, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 standards

The certification officially confirms the judgment and reviews of our buyers, who have always appreciated the quality of the company's products and services, also as regards the soundproof doors.
Furthermore, accurate checks and laboratory tests certify the perfect seal of the doors when cleaned with the most common detergents and polishes on the market, the seal of the adhesives and the resistance to humidity and/or water.

UNI EN ISO 10140 part 2 specifies the method for measuring airborne sound insulation of building elements such as walls, floors, doors, windows, small technical elements, such as devices for conveying air, traces of systems, and combinations thereof, for example walls and floors with false walls, false ceilings and floating floors.
The test results can be used to compare the sound insulation characteristics of buildings and building elements, classify elements according to their sound insulation capabilities, help design building products that require certain acoustic characteristics, and estimate the in-situ performance in complete buildings. Measurements are made in laboratory facilities where sound transmission via lateral paths is suppressed. The results of the measurements carried out in accordance with the document are not directly applicable to the on-site situation without taking into account other factors influencing sound insulation, such as lateral transmission, boundary conditions and the total damping factor.

All parts of ISO 10140 have been developed to improve the layout for laboratory measurements, ensure consistency and simplify future modifications and additions regarding the mounting conditions of the test items in laboratory and field measurements. They also aim to present a well-written and arranged format for laboratory measurements.
READ AND SOUND INSULATION? LET'S FIND OUT MORE

The DPCM 5/12/97 (framework law 447/95) establishes the passive acoustic requirements of buildings, in order to reduce exposure to excessive noise.

In summary, it establishes the performance parameters that buildings must possess, as regards acoustic insulation from noise of various kinds, such as:

1) airborne or trampling between different housing units;
2) coming from outside;
3) of plants with continuous and discontinuous operation.

REFERENCE INDEXES

1) R'w: apparent soundproofing power index between partitions, defines the soundproofing performance of partitions (walls and floors) expressed in dB.

2) D2m,nt,w: acoustic insulation expressed in dB (for airborne noise from outside).

3) L'n,w: normalized index of the footfall noise level between rooms of a finished attic.

4) LASmax: maximum level produced by technological systems with discontinuous service (bathrooms, plumbing drains, lifts, etc.).

5) LAeq: equivalent level of noise produced by technological systems for continuous use (air conditioners, heating, etc.).

EUROPEAN STANDARD ON BUILDING SOUND INSULATION

The acoustic insulation of residential buildings is regulated by a European law (UNI 11367 of 2010) which determines their classification

This classification protects all those involved in the building process (builders, designers, manufacturers, sellers) from potential disputes. In addition, it significantly influences the commercial value of the property, by now having the acoustic efficiency class of the real estate unit certified has become an increasingly popular practice. Homes must meet specific requirements:

    R'w = 50 = minimum airborne sound insulation between rooms

    D 2m,nT,w = 40 = minimum sound insulation for building facades

    L' n,w = 63 = maximum noise level allowed due to foot traffic

    L Asmax = 35 = maximum noise level allowed for discontinuous operation systems

    L Aeq = 25 = maximum noise level permitted for continuously operating systems

Reference indexes of sound insulation (the reverberation time (T) is not required for residential buildings but only for
schools and gyms
Acoustic Soundproofing: D.P.C.M. 5/12/1997

Law No. 447 of 10/24/95 [1] establishes the fundamental principles of protection of the external and residential environment from noise pollution.

In the construction sector, it provides for acoustic requirements of sound sources inside buildings and passive acoustic requirements of buildings (art. 3, point e, law n0447) and a decree on the design, execution and renovation of buildings (art. 3, point f, law n° 447).

Let's take a close look at the CLASSIFICATION OF BUILDINGS (art. 2, paragraph 1, letter "b" of law n. 447 of 10-26-95)

A large number of studies and market research in the real estate sector bring out enormous price differences between silent buildings and noisy buildings equal to about 15% in favor of the quieter ones, this should spur companies to build buildings and spaces with a high acoustic standard!

SOUND INSULATION IN THE APARTMENT
What is the apparent soundproofing power?

Unfortunately it is not yet clear what the limits are in the case of buildings such as residences, craft businesses, etc.
In this case one should follow the right idea of ​​sticking to values.

 
Apparent soundproofing power, why is it important for an apartment or a building in general? How is it calculated?

With apparent soundproofing power we mean the evaluation index, it refers to houses and housing constructions distinct from each other
It is measured on site by activating a noise source in one of the two rooms and measuring the sound pressure level in the two rooms.

The higher the value of the apparent soundproofing power, the greater its performance will be.
R' = L1 - L2 + 10 log Ss/A

From the R' value, we pass to the R'w index

R'w = Rw – a

Let's explain what these values ​​mean, where L1 and L2 we measure them in dB and A and Ss we indicate them in m2

L1 average sound pressure value in the emitting environment

L2 average sound pressure value in the receiving environment

A is the equivalent absorption area

Ss is the area of ​​the separating element

a is the average of the lateral transmissions.

If a > 5 dB, we speak of strong lateral transmission, if 2 < a ≤ 5 dB, we speak of medium lateral transmission, finally, if a ≤ 2 dB, we speak of weak lateral transmission


What is Lateral Transmission?

Instead, you might be wondering what the lateral transmission that you saw in the other paragraph is, here it is explained.

In practice it is when the sound 'enters' the structure from the non-insulated surfaces of the room, moves as vibration in the building materials and is again inserted into other environments

If a > 5 dB, we will have a strong lateral transmission, if 2 < a ≤ 5 dB we speak of medium lateral transmission, finally, if a ≤ 2 dB we speak of weak lateral transmission

 

Trampling noise

We talked about lateral transmission, soundproofing power, now let's talk about footfall noise and how to behave.

When L'n,w < 5 5dB it finds application in the most disturbing activities such as offices and commercial activities.
For the noise of trampling, the D.P.C.M. does not specify that the requirements refer to floors between separate buildings.

Acoustic insulation

It refers in relation to the noise of technological systems, systems such as unit heaters, ducts with noisy input vents, where the noise is generated within the environment, are excluded from this classification.

In table 4 we see the limit of LAeq = 35 dB for buildings with categories A, C, B, F and G and 25 dB(A) with categories D and E.

 

Limits of sound sources

the DPCM 11/14/97 [3] admits that a source can be disturbing if its level with the window closed, at night exceeds the value of 25 dB, therefore 25 dB should be marked as the limit value


WHAT IS SOUND? WHICH VALUES COULD BE HARMFUL FOR THE BODY? HERE ARE VARIOUS INSIGHTS
The sound

Sound is a component that is ALWAYS present in our lives, especially in the form of noise.
It is the sensation given by the vibration of a body in oscillation.


THE NOISE

Acoustic phenomenon which is immediately followed by sensations of annoyance e
disturbance which can also cause damage to things, animals and
people.

The windows and the roller shutter boxes are mainly responsible for the noise coming from outside

THE FREQUENCY

Its unit of measurement is Hertz (Hz) (cycles per second)
It is the number of times per second a sound wave oscillates.
It is quite easy to control or "knock down" noises with medium or high frequencies, it is much more difficult to intervene on low frequency noises
Why is sound measurement necessary?

Sound is calculated for immeasurable reasons, for example above all to take careful precautions necessary for a better life. But measurements are also used to improve a product such as a sound-absorbing panel. Sound/noise is often measured in very noisy places such as factories, airports, highways, clubs, but they can also be carried out in private homes to solve problems related to sound insulation.

 

Sound measurement is mainly performed using the sound level meter

 

The unit of measurement used to measure sound is the decibel; hearing damage begins at about 90 dB if exposure is very prolonged over time, while after about 120 dB you will begin to feel pain.

La velocità con cui si propaga un suono dipende dalle caratteristiche fisiche del mezzo di propagazione. Queste caratteristiche sono la rigidità, la densità e la temperatura

La velocità aumenta all’aumentare della rigidità e delle temperatura e diminuisce all’aumentare della densità

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOUNDPROOF DOORS

The installation of a noise-reducing internal door is very important because the technical characteristics of the door must be respected in order to guarantee its effectiveness within the environment. The installation of the door must therefore be carried out by an expert installer and not by a simple bricklayer or installer, to avoid errors which could decrease and therefore render the noise abatement absolutely useless.

A soundproof door mounted in a wall that is not very suitable from the point of view of sound insulation, nor does it reduce efficiency.

STEP 1. Installation in the door counterframe
                                                                                                                                   
Adapt the door frame to that of the counterframe, temporarily using wedges or the like until the door sets itself in the correct operating position.

Secure definitively by inserting shims between the fixed frame and the subframe and immediately blocking everything with through screws

Once the fixed frame has been fixed to the subframe, proceed to seal the space between the two using foam.


REMEMBER TO USE FOAM

THERMAL ACOUSTIC EXPANSION OR ACOUSTIC SEALANT SILICONE.

As an alternative to mounting and fixing with spacer and screw, the doors can be mounted using only soundproofing foam or silicone (which is more suitable for fixing on plasterboard)

FOAM AND SILICONE CAN BE SUPPLIED UPON REQUEST BY FIP

The use of the must be carried out with particular care as incorrect use could lead to twisting and malfunctioning of the door frame, compromising all the work performed.
STEP 2. Assembling the joint covers

Measure the frame and decide on the joint system between the leg and butt joint covers, in this case with a 45° or 90° system

Once the joint covers have been cut and the joint system chosen, take the tab and insert it into the slot, proceeding to finish and complete the assembly.

STEP 3. Adjustment of the mobile threshold


VIDEO TUTORIALS
The mobile threshold allows you to close the space of about 5-7 mm between the door and the floor (as shown in the figure).
This space leaves air, cold and noise free to pass through, the soundproof door draft excluder only needs to be adjusted correctly
The mobile draft excluder threshold is equipped with a rubber gasket which allows the space between the floor and the door to be sealed.


How does it work? Let's find out

Its operation is automatic, when the door is closed, the draft excluder lowers, closing the remaining space, not letting air, noise and dust through
The small piston placed in the rear part of the door, when the latter is closed, the small piston lowers the draft excluder threshold.
It may happen that the threshold does not rest completely on the floor, for this reason it is necessary to unscrew the piston by a few turns to increase the stroke of the threshold and make it rest on the ground.

Our soundproof door configurator

Soundproof doors are the type of doors that help improve the permanence in a room or workplace.
As?
Eliminating those annoying noises coming from adjacent rooms or from busy streets, noises that can have a negative impact on one's work and above all on rest!

Through our Tools, the Soundproof Door Configurator, you can be guided in simple steps to visualize the product that best suits your needs, with many possible customizations and a very wide range of soundproofing, which increases as the noise you want increases eliminate.

Use it now and receive an updated quote from our industry experts!