Performance testing under the ‘Recognition and Inspection Standards for Floor Impact Noise Insulation Structures in Apartment Buildings’ to begin August 4
Following the amendment of the ‘Housing Act’ for floor impact noise performance testing (a post-verification system), which passed through National Assembly deliberations on February 3, apartment buildings will undergo post-construction performance testing based on the newly established floor impact noise performance testing standards starting August 4, and inter-floor noise is expected to be reduced as a result.
The main contents of this amendment consist of: ▲establishment of floor impact noise performance testing standards (light-weight impact noise 49㏈, heavy-weight impact noise 49㏈); ▲regulations on floor impact noise performance testing methods, etc.; ▲establishment of procedures for improvement recommendations and reporting of remediation results; and ▲designation of specialized institutions for floor impact noise performance testing. In addition, the government established recognition and inspection standards for floor impact noise insulation structures in apartment buildings. It reflected international standards (ISO) in the floor impact noise testing and evaluation methods, adjusted the recognition criteria for the performance grades of floor impact noise insulation structures, and included measures to improve the performance standards for cushioning materials.
▲Establishment of floor impact noise performance testing standards - Reflecting the results of field surveys conducted to establish performance testing standards for inspecting floor impact noise insulation performance after apartment building construction, both light-weight impact noise and heavy-weight impact noise were set at 49dB. As performance testing standards requiring verification after construction—at the usage inspection stage—were established, the floor impact noise standards requiring verification before construction—at the business plan approval stage—were also adjusted identically, from 58㏈ (decibels) to 49㏈ for light-weight impact noise and from 50㏈ to 49㏈ for heavy-weight impact noise. Light-weight impact noise is floor impact noise caused by relatively light and hard impacts, while heavy-weight impact noise is floor impact noise caused by heavy and soft impacts. Accordingly, a system for verifying floor impact noise insulation performance both before and after apartment building construction has been established with strengthened performance standards.
▲Regulations on floor impact noise performance testing methods, etc. - The selection of sample households subject to floor impact noise performance testing is linked to sales information such as the floor plan type and area of the apartment building, while being extracted using a random method utilizing a computer program to ensure objectivity and reliability. In addition, to simplify the administrative procedures for floor impact noise performance testing, it was stipulated that the floor impact noise performance testing institution may submit the performance test results on behalf of the project operator, who is otherwise required to submit them to the usage inspection authority.
▲Establishment of procedures for improvement recommendations and reporting of remediation results - When the floor impact noise performance test results fall short of the performance testing standards and the usage inspection authority recommends measures such as supplementary construction or damage compensation, the authority sets a deadline for corrective measures taking into account the site’s construction progress rate, etc., and requires the project operator to submit an action plan—within 10 days unless there are unavoidable circumstances. The project operator must then report the results of the measures taken in accordance with the action plan to the usage inspection authority within the corrective measure deadline.
▲Designation of specialized institutions for floor impact noise performance testing - To enhance the reliability of the performance test results, it was stipulated that the testing institution be designated as a specialized institution separate from the Korea Land & Housing Corporation and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, which are the institutions that recognize the performance grades of floor impact noise insulation structures.
Recognition and Inspection Standards for Floor Impact Noise Insulation Structures in Apartment Buildings Established
▲Reflection of international standards (ISO) in floor impact noise testing and evaluation methods - The floor impact noise testing and evaluation methods were changed to follow the international standard (ISO) method, which Korea led in revising (Dec. 2020) to reflect the characteristics of floor heating such as ondol. First, for the testing method, light-weight impact noise continues to use the tapping machine as before, while heavy-weight impact noise was changed from the bang machine (tire) to the impact ball (rubber ball) method, which resembles real-life noise such as the sound of children’s footsteps. Next, for the evaluation method, light-weight impact noise was changed from a method that mainly evaluated the sound absorption capacity of the floor structure to a method that considers reverberation time in order to improve the accuracy of high-frequency sound evaluation, while heavy-weight impact noise was changed from a method that evaluated primarily low frequencies to a method that considers the auditory characteristics perceptible to the human ear.
▲Adjustment of recognition criteria for performance grades of floor impact noise insulation structures - As mentioned above, in establishing the floor impact noise performance testing standards, the lower limit of the recognition criteria for the performance grades of floor impact noise insulation structures was also adjusted identically, from 58㏈ to 49㏈ for light-weight impact noise and from 50㏈ to 49㏈ for heavy-weight impact noise. Along with this, the previously inconsistent gaps between performance grades of 3–5㏈ were uniformly adjusted to 4㏈ intervals, the minimum level at which a person can distinguish a difference in noise.
▲Improvement of cushioning material performance standards - Detailed regulations had been in place regarding test methods and performance standards for cushioning materials made of styrofoam (EPS), rubber (EVA), and EPS + EVA used in floor impact noise insulation structures, to ensure a certain level of floor impact noise insulation performance. However, to allow for the development of high-performance cushioning materials, some performance standards such as density, dynamic elasticity coefficient, and absorption were deleted, while essential standards necessary for safety, such as dimensional stability after heating and residual deformation, were maintained as before.
Kang Tae-seok, Director of the Housing Construction and Supply Division of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, “Through this amendment, we expect to induce technological development and solid construction in the construction industry via floor impact noise performance testing after apartment building construction, thereby definitively reducing the inter-floor noise that residents actually experience.” The full text of the amendment can be found on the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport website (http://www.molit.go.kr) under Information Plaza / Legal Information / Legislative and Administrative Notices.
Inter-Floor Noise Mats That Reduce Light-Weight Impact Noise Gain Popularity
Meanwhile, inter-floor noise mats that reduce light-weight impact noise have recently been gaining popularity among consumers. In particular, demand for installing noise-prevention mats throughout the entire home is rising sharply among households raising children. A notable feature of recently introduced inter-floor noise mats is that their functionality has been further upgraded—there is no concern about foreign matter or dust getting into gaps, and they are easy to clean. Their designs also feature modern and sophisticated styles that do not disrupt existing interiors, and their use is expanding beyond inter-floor noise mats to living room mats and interior mats.
LX Hausys has introduced the ‘LX Z:IN Ansim Mat,’ which offers excellent eco-friendliness and trendy design, and it is receiving a favorable response from consumers. The ‘LX Z:IN Ansim Mat’ is an eco-friendly product that applies TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), a material used in infant tableware and food containers, to its surface layer to reduce the volatile harmful substances that cause sick building syndrome. With total volatile organic compounds of less than 0.1㎎/㎡h, it obtained the HB mark, which the Korea Air Cleaning Association grants through quality certification testing of organic compound emission intensity, and its high-elasticity
cushion layer reduces light-weight impact noise, helping to alleviate inter-floor noise.
The ‘Inter-Floor Noise PVC Roll Mat’ introduced by Parklon can be installed by the user (DIY) and, made of pure PVC material, features a soft touch and non-slip function. The product comes in a variety of specifications—lengths from 1 to 7m and a total of six widths—so it can be chosen to fit the installation space, and its easy cutting and light weight allow for simple, custom installation in any desired space. In particular, Parklon’s ‘Inter-Floor Noise PVC Roll Mat’ has received safety certification through testing by the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL), so the whole family from children to adults can use it without worry, and it has also proven its inter-floor noise reduction effect, decreasing from 70㏈ before mat installation to 27㏈ after installation.
Carats has launched and introduced the ‘iBlock TPU Mat.’ Carats’ ‘iBlock TPU Mat’ not only prevents inter-floor noise but also allows for DIY installation and can be used hygienically. In particular, in inter-floor noise testing by Korea Noise & Vibration, it showed a 55% reduction effect, decreasing from 68㏈ before product installation to 28㏈ after installation.
‘Nature Square,’ introduced by Bombom Mat, is a product that concentrates Bombom Mat’s technological capabilities, including an air dome structure and an interlocking fastening structure. In particular, by applying its patented air dome structure, it minimizes floor damage during mat installation, and its self-inflating design, which discharges internal air on its own, keeps the floor surface always dry, protecting the mat and floor from moisture.