This Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) provides two methods for measuring the aircraft noise level reduction of building façades. Airports and their consultants can use either of the methods presented in this ARP to determine the eligibility of structures exposed to aircraft noise to participate in an FAA-funded Airport Noise Mitigation Project, to determine the treatments required to meet project objectives, and to verify that such objectives are satisfied. This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) provides methods for the measurement of aircraft noise level reduction of a building envelope.Standard methods for measuring the noise reduction of façades have been published by the International Organization for Standards (ISO) and the American Society for Materials and Standards (ASTM), but these methods do not provide the details necessary to obtain reproducible results when applied to realistic field situations, particularly when the façades are exposed to aircraft noise sources. This ARP generally follows these methods, but has been developed to provide these additional details and the rigor necessary for application to airport residential sound insulation projects.

This report provides guidance for selecting and implementing methods for measuring noise level reduction in dwellings associated with airport noise insulation programs. The research complements the results of ACRP Report 89: Guidelines for Airport Sound Insulation Programs and was undertaken to assess the accuracy and validity of various noise level reduction measurement procedures currently used in airport noise insulation programs. Acoustical field measurements were made at 10 homes near San Diego International Airport and nine homes near Boston Logan International Airport. Seven measurement methods were tested: outdoor ground-level artificial sound source (loudspeaker); outdoor elevated artificial source (loudspeaker); indoor artificial sound source (loudspeaker); aircraft flyover: fixed microphone; aircraft flyover: moving microphone; architectural survey and noise reduction calculations; and acoustic intensity measurements, exterior loudspeaker and interior intensity. The report includes a summary of sound insulation theory and the science behind noise level reduction, and an overview of FAA-sponsored noise insulation programs. The report also provides guidance, including a decision matrix, for selecting an appropriate acoustical testing method. Lastly, the report provides suggested practices for each measurement technique, based on the results of the research.

Sound insulation is an important aspect of building performance. This book is a comprehensive guide to sound and vibration theory and its application to the measurement and prediction of sound insulation in buildings. It enables the reader to tackle a wide range of issues relating to sound insulation during the design and construction stages of a building, and to solve problems in existing buildings. The book has been written for engineers, consultants, building designers, students in acoustics, researchers and those involved in the manufacture and design of building products. Key aspects are that it: * Explains the fundamental theory using examples that show its direct application to buildings * Guides the reader through the links between measurement and theory * Explains concepts that are important for the application, interpretation and understanding of guidance documents, test reports, product data sheets, published papers, regulations and Standards * Makes direct reference to ISO and EN Standards on sound insulation * Contains a large number of illustrations showing measurements, predictions and example calculations for quick reference Carl Hopkins previously worked on building acoustics and environmental noise at the Building Research Establishment. During this time he was involved with sound insulation in research, consultancy, standardization, and building regulations as well as being an advisor on acoustics to government departments. He is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of Liverpool within the Acoustics Research Unit of the School of Architecture.