Indoor sound level spectra of public entertainment premises for rating airborne sound insulation

Abstract

Public entertainment premises are significant sources of urban noise pollution. In this paper, indoor sound level spectra for different types of entertainment premises have been analyzed. While most of the spectra lie between two standardized curves proposed by the ISO 717-1:2013 (The International Organization for Standardization) standard, spectra recorded in discotheques show a pronounced spectral level below 160 Hz as a result of an intensive use of subwoofers. This indicates potentially inappropriate rating of sound insulation against such specific low-frequency noise by standardized spectrum adaptation terms. A modified spectrum adaptation term for a single-number rating of sound insulation under such circumstances has been proposed.