BS EN ISO 354:2003
Our acoustic board is certified with ISO 354, which is a special certification for sound. You can read more about what this certification entails below.
BS EN ISO 354:2003 is an international standard that describes the method of measuring sound absorption in a reverberation room. The method is used to determine how effectively a material or structure absorbs sound. This is essential to achieve good acoustic comfort in spaces such as concert halls, meeting rooms, offices and other buildings where sound control is important.
What is BS EN ISO 354:2003?
BS EN ISO 354:2003 sets out a method for measuring sound absorption in a standardized environment , where a material is placed in a reverberation room; a space designed to produce echoes and reflections of sound. The purpose of the test is to assess how the material reduces these reflections by absorbing sound energy.
The method consists of the following steps:
- Reverberation room : The test is carried out in a reverberation room, which is a room with very few natural sound-absorbing elements, so that the sound is reflected many times, which gives a clear measure of how a material affects the behavior of sound.
- Sound source : A standardized sound source, often a loudspeaker, creates a constant sound energy in the room.
- Measurement of reverberation time : When the sound source is switched off, the reverberation time is measured, i.e. the time it takes for the sound to decrease by 60 dB. This measurement reflects how quickly the sound "dies out" in the room.
- Placement of the material : The test material is placed on a wall, ceiling or floor, and then the change in reverberation time is measured. If the material absorbs sound, the reverberation time will decrease as the sound is reflected less.
- Sound absorption coefficient : The changed reverberation time is used to calculate a material's sound absorption coefficient, which is a measure of how effectively the material absorbs sound. This coefficient is given as a number between 0 and 1, where 0 means that the material does not absorb sound (ie the sound is completely reflected) and 1 means that the material absorbs all the sound that hits it.
How is BS EN ISO 354:2003 used for classification?
After the sound absorption coefficient is calculated, it is used to classify materials on an acoustic classification scale that describes their effectiveness in absorbing sound. The classification depends on the measured sound absorption coefficient and can follow a number of different scales or categories, depending on what you want to achieve in the room. In most cases, the following systems are used:
- Sound absorption coefficient : The material is given a coefficient, typically between 0 and 1. Materials that absorb a lot of sound will have a coefficient closer to 1, while materials that reflect more sound will have a coefficient closer to 0.
- Acoustic classifications (eg A, B, C, D, E) : Materials can also be classified according to their sound absorbing properties according to their coefficients. A material with a high sound absorption coefficient (often ≥ 0.90) will be classified as A class , which means it has excellent sound absorbing properties. Materials with lower coefficients may be classified as B, C or D class , depending on how effective they are at absorbing sound.
Examples of application of BS EN ISO 354:2003:
- Building acoustics : In buildings such as auditoriums, theatres, music studios and office spaces, the standard is used to select the right materials to control sound conditions, reduce noise and create a good acoustic experience for users.
- Design of acoustic products : Manufacturers of acoustic materials such as acoustic panels, sound-absorbing carpets and insulation use the standard to test and document the sound absorption properties of their products, which is crucial for the marketing of the products.
- Building regulations : The results of the standard are used to comply with building regulations that set requirements for acoustic conditions in certain types of buildings, such as schools, hospitals or office buildings, where noise pollution must be minimized.