Sound classification of dwellings in the Nordic countries

A draft standard INSTA 122:1997 on sound classification of dwellings is for voting as a common national standard in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland) and in Estonia. The draft standard specifies a sound classification system with four classes A, B, C and D, where class C is proposed as the future minimum requirements for new dwellings.

The classes B and A define criteria for dwellings with improved or very good acoustic conditions, whereas class D may be used for older, renovated dwellings in which the acoustic quality level of a new dwelling cannot reasonably be met. The classification system is based on limit values for airborne sound insulation, impact sound pressure level, reverberation time and indoor and outdoor noise levels.

The purpose of the standard is to offer a tool for specification of a standardised acoustic climate and to promote constructors to improve the acoustic qualities of dwellings so that not only the minimum requirements of the building regulations are satisfied.