Case Study: Retrofit Acoustic Treatments in a Heritage Apartment - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Hugh Williamson Associates Inc.

Case Study: Retrofit Acoustic Treatments in a Heritage Apartment Building

Presentation to BECOR 14 April 2004

• Dr. Hugh Williamson

Hugh Williamson Associates Inc.

The Strathcona, 1927

Hugh Williamson Associates Inc.

The Strathcona, 1927

Hugh Williamson Associates Inc.

Case Study: Retrofit Acoustic Treatments in Heritage Buildings Background

• Acoustical data (STC and IIC) available

for many walls and floors of modern construction

• No data available for older construction

techniques such as lath and plaster or balloon framing

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Case Study: Retrofit Acoustic Treatments in Heritage Buildings OBJECTIVES

• Provide acoustical and cost data for

specific retrofit case

• Provide some general guidance to
• wners, architects, builders and

acoustical consultants

• N.B. – This is a Case Study which may
• r may not be applicable to other

buildings

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The Case: Sound Isolation Between Floors

• Two identical units, one

above the other Constraints:

• Ceiling renovation only
• Time: Testing and retrofit to

take place between rentals

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Floor Plan

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Original Floor/Ceiling

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Floor/Ceiling Joist Structure 1

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Floor/Ceiling Joist Structure 2

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Experimental Approach

• Measure FSTC and FIIC Before
• Renovate
• Measure FSTC and FIIC After
• Limited measurements of flanking

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Before

• Living/Dining – Ceiling removed
• Bedrooms 1 and 2 – Undisturbed
• Bedroom 3 – Laundry renovation

started, holes in floor

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Living/Dining Ceiling Retrofit

• Batt insulation
• Resilient channels
• Two layers 12.7 gypsum board

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Bedroom Ceiling Retrofits

• Blown-in insulation
• Holes in old ceiling (varied)
• Resilient channels
• Two layers 12.7 mm gypsum board

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Bedroom Ceiling Variants

• Bedroom 1: 100 mm ‘hammer holes’ on

400 mm grid (approx. 15% open)

• Bedrooms 2: 100 mm ‘hammer holes’ on

800 mm grid (approx. 8% open)

• Bedroom 3: 25 mm drilled holes on

400 mm grid (approx. 0.3% open)

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Holes - Bedroom 1

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Holes - Bedroom 2

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Holes - Bedroom 3

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FSTC Test – Sound Source

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FSTC/IIC Test – sound measurement

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FIIC Test – Tapping machine

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Room State FSTC FIIC

Living/Dining Room Before (similar apartment) – lath & plaster ceiling

39 39

Living/Dining Room After - old lath & plaster ceiling removed

46 (improvement +7) 45 (improvement +6)

Bedroom 1 Before – lath & plaster ceiling

42 41

Bedroom 1 After - large holes on 400 mm centres in old lath & plaster ceiling

52 (improvement +10) 48 (improvement +7)

Bedroom 2 Before – lath & plaster ceiling

42 43

Bedroom 2 After - large holes on 800 mm centres in old lath & plaster ceiling

50 (improvement +8) 47 (improvement +4)

Bedroom 3 Before - not available for testing

• Bedroom 3

After – drilled 25 mm holes on 400 mm centres in old lath & plaster

46 (estimated improvement +4) 46 (estimated improvement +3 to 5)

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Cost Estimate Summary

Retrofit Estimated Cost

Full removal of former ceiling:

• Removal and disposal of lath and plaster ceiling
• Install 100 mm (4”) mineral wool insulation batts
• Install resilient channels, on 400 mm (16”) centres
• Install two layers of gypsum board 12.7 mm, Type X, fire rated

$108 – 118 per m2 ($10 - 11 per ft2) Large holes in former ceiling:

• Make holes, approximately 100 mm (4”) diameter, in former lath and plaster

ceiling on a 400 or 800 mm grid pattern. Dispose of waste.

• Blown-in cellulose insulation (includes cost of applying a polythene sheet to

hold insulation in place during installation.

• Install resilient channels, on 400 mm (16”) centres
• Install two layers of gypsum board 12.7 mm, Type X, fire rated

$65 per m2 ($6 per ft2)

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DISCUSSION

• Lab Test for Similar Modern Construction

STC 56 (achieved FSTC 46 - 52) IIC 50 (achieved FIIC 45 – 48)

• Flanking Transmission Limits Results

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Flanking Paths

Source: NRC/IRC Report IRC-RR-103 Nightingale, Halliwell & Quirt, 2002

Hugh Williamson Associates Inc.

Case Study: Retrofit Acoustic Treatments in a Heritage Apartment Building

CONCLUSIONS

• Significant improvements achieved

FSTC +4 to +10 FIIC +3 to +10

• Flanking transmission limits results (below ideal)
• Cost: $65 to $118 per m2 ($6 to $11 psf)
• Results encouraging but cannot be generalized
• More case studies and research needed

Hugh Williamson Associates Inc.

Case Study: Retrofit Acoustic Treatments in a Heritage Apartment Building Acknowledgements:

• CMHC – Funding, discussions & insight
• Andrex Holdings, Sandy Smallwood
• Co-operation, patience & inspiration
• Buchan Laurent Parent, Don Buchan
• air leakage testing