By soundproofing living and working spaces effectively, it’s possible to create low noise environments that improve the quality of life for inhabitants. Therefore the selection of the right sound insulation components will impact living comfort during use of the building. But of course, to achieve maximum noise reduction, sound insulation components must be installed properly. Below is an overview of the main factors that should be considered during the installation process.
Installing pipes and pipe clamps
NOTE: It’s important to inspect the installation materials for any damage, before installing pipes or pipe brackets. Pipes can be cut to length by using standardized pipe cutting tools, after cutting the pipe must be chamfered and deburred correctly. Fittings may not be shortened. Chamfering pipes will prevent damages to the seal, facilitate easy insertion of the pipes into the sockets, and minimize possible interference noise later on.
Pipes should always be installed without stress to help minimise the transmission of structure-borne sound. Pipe brackets should be installed straight and plumb. Varied spacing between pipe clamps is okay as walls are not always completely straight, but it’s crucial to align each pipe clamp individually. Correct anchors should also be used to fix the pipe bracket hanger bolts with the masonry. If applicable for the application, plastic fixing plugs are beneficial from an acoustic point of view.After installation the pipe brackets should be inspected, as some adjustments will be needed if a unilateral compression of the elastomer is already visible.
In some cases, to prevent condensation or to reduce airborne and structure-borne sound transmission at critical areas, it can also be necessary to insulate pipes before installation. This is particularly required where strong deflections in wastewater pipes cannot be avoided, at impact zones of wastewater from downpipes, and where local regulations apply.
Wall and ceiling penetrations
Careful consideration should also be given to wall and ceiling penetrations during the installation process. Such penetrations can be a source of sound transmission, which can lead to increased noise in protected rooms. To avoid this, sound insulation should be used in the wall, floor, and ceiling to achieve the best possible decoupling. When filling the annular gap, it’s important that no structure-borne sound bridges are formed. Depending on the building class, additional fire protection measures must also be considered for wall and ceiling penetrations.
In drinking and waste water areas, wall panels with sound decoupling can be used to prevent structure-borne sound. Applying sound decoupling walls can lead to significant noise reductions. Sound decouplers are usually made of rubber and are pressed over the wall panel before installation. Because the wall panel has no direct contact with the wall, structure-borne sound transmission is minimized.
Installing a tile splashback and sanitary objects
After installing the pipework the tile splashback and sanitary objects should be fitted next. It is essential when installing the tile splashback to avoid any contact between the tile and the pipe system, as any contact will lead to interference noise.
When installing sanitary objects, structure-borne sound decouplings are helpful for noise reduction. Care must be taken here to ensure that any fastenings are not too strong, and that they fit correctly.
Insulation requirements to be observed during installation
Throughout the entire installation process, there are certain installation requirements that must be adhered to. Within the scope of sound insulation design and verification, there are two subdivisions. These are:
- Building code requirements DIN 4109 part 1-2.
- Civil law requirements DIN 4109-5 VDI 4100 DEGA 103 Directive.
The DIN 4109 defines sound insulation requirements. These standards represent a set of minimum construction requirements that ensure building occupants are protected from unreasonable annoyance due to sound transmission. This is provided that no abnormally loud noise is generated in the adjacent rooms. It is important to note that there have already been some rulings that demand increased civil requirements.
The DIN 4109 consist of a common installation of a bathroom corresponding to the practical application of a system test that is set up to achieve the sound insulation targets. Each of these sanitary elements and components contributes its part to determine the total installation sound level. Various test structures have shown which criteria are decisive for the final result:
- The choice of the house drainage pipe system.
- The curtain wall system used.
- The cistern.
Minimum sound insulation requirements
According to DIN 4109-1, to protect against noise from technical building systems and operations structurally connected to the building, sound insulation must be used to, at a minimum:
- Protect against supply and disposal facilities.
- Protect against transport systems.
- Protect against permanently installed operational equipment.
The following are also considered to be building services installations as they require a lot of elements that influence building acoustics:
- Communal washing facilities.
- Swimming facilities, saunas, and the like.
- Sports facilities.
- Central vacuum cleaning systems.
- Garage facilities.
- Fixed motorised external sunshades and roller shutters.
These minimum requirements can be made more stringent with civil agreements. Increased sound insulation requirements can be agreed, for example, in DIN 4109-5 and VDI 4100. Note: user noises in private living areas such as playing music, loud conversation or noises from portable machines and appliances are not subject to the minimum requirements listed within these standards.
Sound insulation certificates
After everything is installed, sound insulation certificates must be submitted. These can be requested from the respective component manufacturers.
Practical advice for installing sound insulation components
Adding to the points already discussed in this article, below is a list of practical advice to help you install sound insulation components properly:
- Select fittings that are designed for good flow.
- Use fittings with an inner radius in the wastewater area.
- Use wall panels with structure-borne sound decoupling.
- Use system brackets that fit the respective pipe system.
- Use sound insulation over pipes in critical areas and where local regulations require it.
- As an installer, coordinate with the planning office if you have questions about the correct implementation of the sound insulation specifications.
- Use the right pipe system, including the associated system components. Follow the recommendations of the planning office here or seek advice from a competent manufacturer.
- For legal matters, use the following: DIN 4109 part 1-2 for building code requirements for installation. DIN 4109-5, VDI 4100, and DEGA 103 guidelines for civil law requirements for installation.
Make the right choices with a free technical consultation from Wavin
To help you absolutely guarantee that you are installing all sound insulation components properly, Wavin offers free technical consultation. Next to this, we also provide cutting-edge low noise solutions that you can use in any building project.
Wavin SiTech+ is an easy-to-install cost-effective water discharge system. It reduces noise mainly due to its heavier fittings and is very versatile due to its unique installation features.
You can achieve optimal reduction of airborne sound with our premium option, Wavin AS+, thanks to the system’s high mass and wall thickness. Structure-borne sound is also minimised by the low elastic-modulus of the system’s flexible, mineral-reinforced polypropylene (PP) material, and its special couplers.
If you’d like to know more about how to protect against noise from building services installations, why not download our guide Sound insulation of noise from building services installations.
