Sound insulation between dwellings – Comparison of national requirements in Europe and interaction with acoustic classification schemes

Most European countries specify limit values for airborne and impact sound insulation in housing. The requirements are expressed by descriptors defined in ISO standards implemented also as European and national standards. A comparative study investigating the regulatory requirements for airborne and impact sound insulation between dwellings in 35 countries in Europe has been carried out. The comparison shows considerable differences in terms of descriptors, frequency range and level of requirements.
Sufficient sound insulation between dwellings is important to protect against noise from neighbours and to provide privacy and possibilities for activities without causing annoyance. In addition to acoustic regulations, more than one-third of the countries have developed acoustic classification schemes with classes reflecting different levels of acoustical comfort/protection. In some countries regulations point to a specific acoustic class, but are in other countries independent. The interaction will be described. All schemes have minimum two classes above regulations, thus enabling specification of higher acoustic quality than regulations, but typically only one class below regulations, implying that major parts of older housing cannot be classified. It is concluded that acoustic classification schemes should preferably include classes covering all existing housing, independent from construction year, thus allowing acoustic labelling in analogy to energy labelling.