Guidelines for Acoustical Performance of Standard Steel Doors and Frames
SDI 128-24
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Table of Contents
1. General
1.1 Scope
This document shall provide guidelines for the specifying, installing, and adjusting of standard steel doors and frames in applications where sound control is a consideration.
1.2 Definitions
1.2.1 Sound Transmission Class
A single number rating that indicates the sound transmission loss over a defined range of frequencies of a door assembly between adjacent closed rooms, abbreviated STC. Higher values equate to better sound reduction performance.
1.2.2 Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class
A single number rating used to compare door assemblies when subjected to exterior sounds, such as ground or air transportation noise, is abbreviated OITC.
1.2.3 Sound transmission loss –TL
The reduction in sound level at specific frequency levels when sound passes through a door assembly.
1.2.4 Frequency
The number of cycles per second of a sound wave, measured in units of Hertz and abbreviated Hz.
1.2.5 Decibel – dB
A unit used to express the intensity of a sound wave, equal to 20 times the common logarithm of the ratio of the pressure produced by the sound wave to a reference pressure, usually 0.0002 microbar.
1.2.6 Sound Control Door Assembly
An assembly consisting of a door, frame, hardware, threshold, and gasketing, capable of reducing the transmission of sound.
2. Gauge vs Thickness
While the term ‘gauge’ is no longer common for defining material thickness it is still used to specify doors and frames for ordering purposes. The term ‘thickness’ is used when defining the actual dimension of an item, and the term ‘gauge’ is used in the context of specifying a particular door or frame.
3. Testing
3.1 Test Specimen
Unless otherwise specified, the test specimen shall be a nominal 36″ wide, by 84″ high for single doors and 72″ wide, by 84″ high for pairs of doors. All doors shall be 1 3/4″ in thickness. All doors shall be fully operable. A detailed description of the test assembly shall be included in the test report.
Ratings derived from non-operable assemblies shall only be used for experimental purposes and are not part of this document.
3.2 Test Method
The door assemblies shall be tested in accordance with ASTM E 90. The STC and OITC ratings shall be calculated in accordance with ASTM E 413 and E 1332, respectively. The latest editions of the standards shall be used in determining the STC and OITC ratings. Testing shall be performed at laboratories that are accredited under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)
3.3 Test Results and Report
The test report shall be prepared by the test laboratory and shall contain the information identified in Section 13 of ASTM E 90 or Section 8 of ASTM E 1425.
4. Design Criteria
4.1 Performance Considerations
The proper function of acoustical doors relies on a combination of factors that are under the control of various firms, trades, specifiers, suppliers, and designers. Without the cooperation of all concerned, the installed opening may not function as intended. Proper seal installation and adjustment are critical to the performance of the opening. The installation guidelines shall be provided by the manufacturer.
Consideration must be given to correctly specifying the door capability for the project condition. Some doors, although rated higher in overall STC or OITC ratings may not perform as well as lower rated doors at certain frequencies. The test reports should be reviewed to establish the best TL values at the frequencies under consideration for a given project.
Room design should create a full enclosure equal to or greater than the door’s TL capabilities. For example, walls that do not run full height to a similar rated overhead structure will allow sound leakage through ceilings, louvers, pipe chases, access doors, etc.
Carpeting, although considered a good source of sound absorption, should not be used underneath acoustical doors. Door bottom gaskets must compress against a solid object to affect a proper seal. Carpeting by its nature does not provide that type of surface.
Walls, in addition to their STC rating, should be designed to support the additional weight of acoustical doors. A wall that moves or flexes each time the door is operated cannot ensure that the gasket alignment will be maintained.
The manufacturer’s literature should be consulted to determine the weight of acoustical doors; especially, those that have higher acoustical ratings.
4.2 Field Testing
Results obtained from field-testing may vary from those obtained under laboratory conditions. Atmospheric conditions, room volumes, wall type and design, sound diffusion, test equipment, etc. may affect the results obtained when testing in the field.
4.3 Hardware Considerations
Hardware should be specified giving special consideration to the fact that it will be used on acoustical doors. Any type of hardware that may be the source of sound leakage should be avoided. Since all acoustical doors depend on a tight perimeter seal, some types of hardware will become difficult to operate due to the compression required to seal the opening.