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FAQ Employment Application Careers Glossary Acoustics 101
A | B | C | D | E | F | H | I | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | U | V | W

A

A-Weighted Sound Level
A measure of sound pressure level designed to reflect the response of the human ear, which does not respond equally to all frequencies. To describe sound in a manner representative of the human ear’s response it is necessary to reduce the effects of the low and high frequencies with respect to the medium frequencies. The resultant sound level is said to be A-weighted, and the units are dBA. The A-weighted sound level is also called the noise level. Sound level meters have an A-weighting network for measuring A-weighted sound levels.
AATCC 8
Determines the amount of color transferred from the surface of colored textile material to other surfaces by rubbing.
AATCC 16 Option 3
AATCC 16 Option 3 is a test method of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). With option 3, a Xenon-Arc lamp is used as a light source. A strip of fabric (part of which is protected by a special card) is placed in a fadometer and exposed to 40 hours of accelerated fading units (AFU). After exposure, the difference in color between the exposed and protected parts of the fabric are compared to the AATCC grey scale, and the degree of fading is rated. Grade 5 = no fading. Grade 4 = slight fading. Grade 1 = high degree of fading.
AATCC 107
Test method to determine colorfastness to water.
Absorption
The properties of a material composition to convert sound energy into heat, thereby reducing the amount of sound energy that can be reflected.
Acoustical
The properties of a material to absorb or reflect sound (adjective) acoustically (adverb).
Acoustical Analysis
A review of a space to determine the level or reverberation or reflected sound in the space (in seconds) as influenced by the building materials used to construct the space. Also, a study of the amount of acoustical absorption required to reduce reverberation and noise.
Acoustical Environment
The acoustical characteristics of a space or room influenced by the amount of acoustical absorption, or lack of it, in the space.
Acoustics
Acoustics is the science of sound, including its production, transmission, and effects. The acoustics of a room are those qualities that together determine its character with respect to the perception of sound.
Ambient Noise
Ambient noise encompasses all sound present in a given environment, usually being a composite of sounds from many sources near and far.
Architectural Acoustics
The control of noise in a building space to adequately support the communications function within the space and its effect on the occupants. The qualities of the building materials used to determine its character with respect to distinct hearing.
Area Effect
Acoustical materials spaced apart can have greater absorption than the same amount of material butted together. The increase in efficiency is due to absorption by soft exposed edges and also to diffraction of sound energy around panel perimeters.
ASTM
Acronym for American Society of Testing and Materials.
ASTM D2261
Standard Test Method for Tearing Strength of Fabrics by the Tongue (Single Rip) Procedure.
ASTM D3511
Standard Test Method for Pilling Resistance and Other Related Surface.
ASTM D4034
Standard Test Method for Resistance to Yarn Slippage at the Sewn Seam in Woven Upholstery Fabrics.
ASTM D4157
Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Textile Fabrics.
ASTM D5034
Standard test method for breaking strength and elongation of textile fabrics. (grab test)
ASTM D5116
Standard Guide for Small-Scale Environmental Chamber Determinations of Organic Emissions From Indoor Materials/Products.
ASTM E84
Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. This test method is intended to provide only comparative measurements of surface flame spread and smoke density measurements with that of select grade red oak and fiber-cement board surfaces under the specific fire exposure conditions described herein. The results of the test are used to rate materials as follows: Class A (1): Flame Spread 0 – 25 Smoke Developed 0 – 450 Class B (2): Flame Spread 26 – 75 Smoke Developed 0 – 450 Class C (3): Flame Spread 76 – 200 Smoke Developed 0 – 450.
Attenuation
The reduction of sound energy as a function of distance traveled.
Audiometer
An instrument for measuring hearing acuity.

B

Baffle
A free hanging acoustical sound-absorbing unit. Normally suspended vertically in a variety of patterns to introduce absorption into a space to reduce reverberation and noise levels.
Boominess
Low-frequency reflections. In small rooms, acoustical panels with air space behind can better help control low frequency reflectivity.

C

Cloud
In acoustical industry terms, an acoustical panel suspended in a horizontal position from ceiling/roof structure. Similar to a baffle but in a horizontal position.
Cocktail Party Effect
Sound in a noisy crowded room generated mostly by conversation. Levels rise and fall as people compete with one another to be heard. Perception of speech can be nearly impossible in high levels of noise.
Cycle
In acoustics, the cycle is the complete oscillation of pressure above and below the atmospheric static pressure.
Cycles Per Second
The number of oscillations that occur in the time frame on one second. (See Frequency). Low frequency sounds have fewer and longer oscillations.

D

Damping
Damping is the dissipation of vibratory energy in solid media and structures with time or distance. It is analogous to the absorption of sound in air. Please visit our Sound Bytes page for more information.
Decibel (dB)
A dimensionless unit which denotes the ratio between two quantities that are proportional to power, energy, or intensity. One of these quantities is a designated reference by which all other quantities of identical units are divided. The sound pressure level in decibels is equal to 10 times the logarithm (to the base 10) of the ratio between the pressure squared divided by the reference pressure squared. The reference pressure used in acoustics is 20 micro Pascals.
Deflection
Deflection is the distance an elastic body or spring moves when subjected to a static or dynamic force. Typical units are inches or mm.
Diffusion
The scattering or random reflection of a sound wave from a surface. The directions of reflected sound is changed so that listeners may have sensation of sound coming from all directions at equal levels.

E

Echo
Reflected sound producing a distinct repetition of the original sound. Echo in mountains is distinct by reason of travel after original signal has ceased.
Elastomeric
Flexible, low-modulus material capable of expanding and contracting and returning to original dimensions without fatigue.

F

FG
Abbreviation for Fiberglass Board.
Firestop System
An assembly consisting of 1) the penetrant or penetrants, 2) the opening through a particular type of wall or floor, and 3) the firestop materials and design that are used to seal the opening or protect the penetrants.
Flame Spread
Classification indicating propagation of flame across a sample compared to flame propagation across concrete panels and red oak. Results are obtained through an ASTM E84 or UL723 test.
Flanking
The transmission of sound around the perimeter or through holes within partitions (or barriers) that reduces the otherwise obtainable sound transmission loss of a partition. Examples of flanking paths within buildings are ceiling path above partitions; ductwork, piping, and electrical conduit penetrations through partitions; back-to-back electrical boxes within partitions, window mullions, etc.
Flutter Echo
Short echoes in small, reverberative spaces that produce a clicking, ringing, or hissing sound after the original sound signal has ceased. Flutter echoes may be present in long narrow spaces with parallel walls.
Free Field
Sound waves from a source outdoors where there are no obstructions.
Frequency
The number of oscillations or cycles per unit of time. Acoustical frequency is usually expressed in units of Hertz (Hz) where one Hz is equal to one cycle per second.
Frequency Analysis
An analysis of sound to determine the character of the sound by determining the amount of sound at various frequencies that make up the overall sound spectrum. For example, higher frequency sound or pitch vs. low frequency.

H

Hearing Impairment
A degree of hearing loss, temporary or permanent, due to many causes. Hearing loss can be caused by illness, disease, or exposure to excessively high noise levels. Affects 25 – 50 million people in USA of all ages. Hearing impairment, as generally used, means a hearing loss of mild, moderate, or severe degree as opposed to “deafness,” which is generally described as little or no residual hearing with or without the aid of an assisting listening device. Hearing-impaired persons are particularly adversely affected by long reverberation times.
Hearing Range
16–2000 Hz (Speech Intelligibility) 600–4800 Hz(Speech Privacy) 250–2500 Hz (Typical small table radio).
Hertz (Hz)
Frequency of sound expressed by cycles per second.
HPC Coated
HPC is a high-performance coating that is applied to an acoustical melamine foam base. Our exclusive water-based HPC formulation improves durability and protects the acoustical foam from dust and dirt, allowing the surface to be cleaned using a damp cloth. The HPC coating is especially appropriate for use in high-traffic areas. HPC Premium extends the HPC coating further by offering a line of brilliant colors from which to choose. HPC Coating for Wall and Ceiling Panels: Coating is applied to the face of panels only. An edge coating option is available for when the edges of the panel will be exposed. HPC Coating for Hanging Baffles and Clouds: The coating will be applied to all exposed edges and sides. HPC Coating for Drop-In Ceiling Tiles: All necessary edges will be coated to provide a finished appearance.

I

IIC
Impact insulation class (IIC) is a number rating of how well a building material or construction assembly attenuates impact sounds, such as footsteps. A larger number means more attenuation.
Inverse Square Law
Sound levels fall off with distance traveled. Sound level drops off 6 dB from the source point for every doubling of distance.

L

LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification program that uses a set of systems to rate the efficiency for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings.
Live End/Dead End
An acoustical treatment plan for rooms in which one end is highly absorbent and the other end is reflective and diffusive.
Loudness
A listener’s auditory impression of the strength of a sound. The average deviation above and below the static value due to a sound wave is called sound pressure. The energy expended during the sound wave vibration is called intensity and is measured in intensity units. Loudness is the physical resonance to sound pressure and intensity.

M

Masking
The process by which the threshold of hearing of one sound is raised due to the presence of another.
Mass
Mass is the fundamental property of a material relevant to sound transmission loss through that material. Generally, the more massive the material, the greater the sound transmission loss.

N

NFPA-265
This test method evaluates flammability characteristics of interior textile wall coverings, measures certain fire performance characteristics, and determines the potential contribution to fire growth in a room and for fire spread beyond the room.
Noise
Unwanted sound that is annoying or interferes with listening. Not all noise needs to be excessively loud to represent an annoyance or interference.
Noise Criteria (NC)
Noise criteria curves used to evaluate existing listening conditions at ear level by measuring sound levels at the loudest locations in a room. NC criteria can be referred to equivalent dBA levels.
Noise Isolation Class (NIC)
A single number rating of the degree of speech privacy achieved through the use of an Acoustical Ceiling and sound-absorbing screens in an open office. NIC has been replaced by the Articulation Class (AC) rating method.
Noise Reduction (NR)
The amount of noise that is reduced through the introduction of sound-absorbing materials. The level (in decibels) of sound reduced on a logarithmic basis.
NRC
The Noise Reduction Coefficient (commonly abbreviated NRC) is a scalar representation of the amount of sound energy absorbed upon striking a particular surface. An NRC of 0 indicates perfect reflection. An NRC of 1 indicates perfect absorption. Higher Numbers = Higher Performance. Type A Mount: Sound absorption test for materials mounted direct to a flat surface like a wall or ceiling. Type E400 Mount: Sound absorption test for materials installed into a T-Bard suspended ceiling grid.

O

Octave
A pitch interval of 2 to 1. The tone whose frequency is twice that of the given tone.
Octave Bands
Sounds that contain energy over a wide range of frequencies are divided into sections called bands. A common standard division is in 10 octave bands identified by their center frequencies 31.5, 63, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz.
Open-cell melamine-based foam
Open-cell melamine foam is the base material for many of our acoustical foam products. It is manufactured from a melamine resin and is Class 1 fire rated per ASTM E84. This structurally-stable, open-celled acoustic foam provides excellent sound absorption ratings, high fire resistance, low thermal conductivity, and is mold resistant. Its versatile nature allows it to be modified to create many shapes, sizes, and patterns or be combined with other materials to absorb and/or block sound in a wide range of applications.

P

PCF
Unit of measure for density: Pounds per cubic foot.
Pitch
The perceived auditory sensation of sounds expressed in terms of high or low frequency stimulus of the sound.
PSI
Pounds per square inch.

R

Reflection
The amount of sound wave energy (sound) that is reflected off a surface. Hard, non-porous surfaces reflect more sound than soft porous surfaces. Some sound reflection can enhance the quality of the signal of speech and music.
Resonance
The emphasis of sound at a particular frequency.
Resonant Frequency
Resonant Frequency is a frequency at which resonance exists.
Reverberation
Sound after it is ended at the source will continue to reflect off surfaces until the sound wave loses energy by absorption to eventually die out.
Reverberation Time
The reverberation time of a room is the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB once the source of sound has stopped. Reverberation time is the basic acoustical property of a room, which depends only on its dimensions and the absorptive properties of its surfaces and contents. Reverberation has an important impact on speech intelligibility.

S

Sabin
A unit of sound absorption based on one square foot of material. Baffles are frequently described as providing X number of sabins of absorption based on the size of the panel tested through the standard range of 125 – 4000 Hz. The number of sabins developed by other acoustical materials are determined by the amount of material used and its absorption coefficients.
Sabine Formula
A formula developed by Wallace Clement Sabine that allows designers to plan reverberation time in a room in advance of construction and occupancy. Defined and improved empirically, the Sabine Formula is T=0.049(V/A) where T=Reverberation time (time required for sound to decay 60 dB after source has stopped) in seconds. V=Volume of room in cubic feet. A=total square footage of absorption in sabins.
Septum
A thin layer of material between 2 layers of absorptive material, such as foil, lead, steel, etc. that prevents sound waves from passing through absorptive material.
Signal to Noise Ratio
The sound level at the listener's ear of a speaker above the background noise level. The inverse square law impacts the S/N ratio.
Smoke Developed Index
Classification that relates to a comparison of smoke development of a particular material compared to concrete panels and red oak. Results are obtained through an ASTM E84 or UL723 test.
Sound
Sound is an oscillation in pressure, stress particle displacement, particle velocity in a medium. Sound produces an auditory sensation caused by the oscillation.
Sound Absorption
The ability of a material to convert sound energy, thereby reducing the amount of sound energy that can be reflected back.
Sound Barrier
A material that when placed around a source of noise inhibits the transmission of that noise beyond the barrier. Blocking sound requires materials that are dense and heavy. Often, a series of materials are used to create multi-layered assemblies to prevent the transmission of sound and create a soundproof barrier.
Sound Level
A subjective measure of sound expressed in decibels as a comparison corresponding to familiar sounds experienced in a variety of situations.
Sound Level Meter
A device that converts sound pressure variations in air into corresponding electronic signals. The signals are filtered to excluded signals outside frequencies desired.
Sound Pressure
The sound pressure is the total instantaneous pressure at a point in space, in the presence of a sound wave, minus the static pressure at that point.
Sound Pressure Level
The sound pressure level, in decibels, of a sound is 20 times the logarithm to the base of 10 of the ratio of the sound pressure to the reference pressure. The reference pressure shall be explicitly stated and is defined by standard.
Sound Transmission Loss
Describes the accumulated decrease in intensity of a waveform or sound energy as a wave propagates outwards from a source or through a structure.
Spectrum
The description of a sound wave's components of frequency and amplitude.
Speech Intelligibility
The ability of a listener to hear and correctly interpret verbal messages. In a classroom with high ceilings and hard parallel surfaces such as glass and tile, speech intelligibility is a particular problem. Sound bounces off walls, ceilings, and floors; distorting the teacher’s instructions and interfering with students’ ability to comprehend. Centers between 250 and 4000k.
Speech Privacy
The degree to which speech is unintelligible between offices. Three ratings are used: Confidential, Normal (Non-Obtrusive) and Minimal.
STC
Sound Transmission Class: Quantifies the performance of a material or partition to attenuate airborne sound. This roughly reflects the decibel reduction of a building material or partition. Higher Numbers = Higher Performance.

T

Time Weighted Average (TWA)
The yardstick used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to measure noise levels in the workplace. It is equal to a constant sound level lasting eight hours that would cause the same hearing damage as the variable noises that a worker is actually exposed to. (This hearing loss, of course, occurs over long-term exposures.) Same as OSHA.
TPI
Measurement for screws and bolts indicating the amount of threads per an inch.

U

Ultrasounds
Sounds of a frequency higher than 20,000 Hz. The frequency region containing these frequencies is called the ultrasonic region.

V

Vibration
Vibration is a force which oscillates about some specified reference point. Vibration is commonly expressed in terms of frequency such as cycles per second (cps), Hertz (Hz), cycles per minute (cpm or rpm), and strokes per minute (spm). This is the number of oscillations which occurs in that time period. The amplitude is the magnitude or distance of travel of the force.
Vibration Isolator
A resilient support that tends to isolate a mechanical system from steady state excitation.
Volume
The cubic space of a room bounded by walls, floors, and ceilings determined by the Volume=Length x Width x Height of space. Volume influences reverberation time.

W

Wavelength
Sound that passes through air produces a wavelike motion of compression and refraction. Wavelength is the distance between two identical positions in the cycle or wave. Similar to ripples or waves produced by dropping a stone in water. Length of sound wave varies with frequency. Low frequency equals longer wavelengths.