The reduction of noise transmission in living environments is increasingly important with the move to multi-dwelling residences, along with the requirement for the standard family home to fulfill multiple purposes such as providing entertainment areas, home and income functions and meeting the needs of the extended family. Wall and floor systems are fundamental to noise transmission management because the more efficient the system is at reducing noise transmission, the more comfortable the living environment.
Concrete wall and floor systems inherently have good noise transmission reduction properties. The NZ Building Code (section G6) specifies the minimum requirements for noise transmission reduction for walls and floors common between two occupancies (intertenancy) and the Cement & Concrete Association of New Zealand reproduces the table of Sound Transmission Class (STC) at www.ccanz.org.nz, which illustrates the STC ratings of concrete wall and floor systems.
Further interesting information on impact sound attenuation and Impact Insulation Class (IIC) tables on various floorings and toppings is found at National Research Council Canada.
Also refer to www.firth.co.nz