Commercial Architecture January 2018 - 53

PROJECT

flooring

ing the sanitary maintenance requirements of the
healing environment with a hard, resilient surface.
SOUND TRANSMISSION

In addition to affecting the speed and efficiency of

Want more information? To download the information listed below,
visit commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1801ecore.

sound being reflected within a room, flooring also

Circle 6 on the Reader Service Card.

Get information about Ecore Rx products.

contributes to the efficiency of sound transmission

Find out more about acoustics.

Download a list of article-cited references.

between vertically adjacent rooms. Common industry standards used to determine the severity of noise

Watch a video.

generated from a source room to a room below are
Impact Insulation Class (IIC) ratings and Delta IIC
ratings. These standards also play a key role in determining the effectiveness of acoustic solutions, such as
IIC is a rating of how well a floor-ceiling assembly
attenuates impact sounds, such as footsteps or
dropped items, and can be significantly improved
with more absorbent floor covering and underlayment. IIC is dominated by material properties and
installation

methods.

The

effective

floor-ceiling assembly is at isolating vibrations and absorbing impact sound, the higher the IIC rating.
Delta IIC ratings measure how much impact-sound
isolation a product adds to a 6-in. slab floor assembly
with no ceiling below. As a basic example, if a bare

H
S IG
H
E
L
T
F
A EM
D
H P
E
R
IN
G

floor underlayments.

6-in. slab has an original IIC rating of 28 and then
flooring and underlayment result in an IIC rating increase to 50, the Delta IIC rating would be 22. Delta
IIC ratings are helpful when comparing impact sound
performance of different materials or products.
Studies reveal loud sound levels can have a negative impact on patient wellness, provider efficiency,
and overall quality of care. To reduce sound levels
and improve patient experience and outcomes, many
healthcare facilities are looking to update their site
designs and the materials used, including flooring selection. When evaluating healthcare flooring options,
it is important to consider the need to reduce noise
levels while maintaining high standards of cleanliness and providing safety and comfort to patients
and providers underfoot. Studies show resilient floor-

MAX TEMP 250ºF
NON-SLIP SURFACE
Ultra HT Wind & Water Seal™ is the premium high
temperature underlayment designed to keep you
cool in the most extreme conditions. Discover all the
advantages that Ultra HT offers on your next project.

ing surfaces backed with recycled rubber underlayment solve acoustical issues without creating a hygienic risk. These single, fusion-bonded products
contribute to a quieter environment. CA

> Tough, durable cross-laminated top
film surface
> Maximum protection against extreme heat, rain or ice dams
> Non-slip polymer surface for excellent foot traction

Sharon Paley, INCE, is an acoustic engineer with Ecore,

> Self-adhering and self-sealing for a complete waterproof bond

Lancaster, PA, a company that transforms reclaimed ma-

> ICC-ES ESR-1737, Florida Building Code FL#11842, Miami-Dade County

terials into performance surfaces. Before joining Ecore,

Approved and CCMC 14048-L

Sharon worked at Boeing and acoustic consulting firms
Acentech and Metropolitan Acoustics. She is an active
participant in a number of industry organizations includ-

Visit mfmbp.com for FREE Samples and Downloads today.

ing ASA, INCE, NCAC, and ASTM. Ms. Paley received
her bachelor's degree from UCLA and her M.S. in me-

(800) 882-7663

chanical engineering with a concentration in acoustics
from Boston Univ.
1/5/17 3:56 PM

MFM Ultra HT trade CA Jr Tabloid ad 2017.indd 1

CIRCLE 220

http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com/1801ecore http://www.mfmbp.com http://www.mfmbp.com https://www.cdsreportnow.com/bgs/search?CBP0220201801

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture January 2018