Sound insulation is a key quality-of-life aspect for modern buildings. Nor is it merely a ‘nice-to-have’. Sound insulation is specified by construction regulations and is therefore a binding requirement. In residential construction, it can make all the difference to resident comfort and wellbeing. In offices and educational institutions, proper insulation also promotes concentration, productivity and occupant comfort. The role played by sanitary equipment is often overlooked, however. Yet the later later noise level is directly affected by fittings, pipe routing and installation. An integrated strategy that includes sound insulation as part of early planning is a better approach for everyone concerned.
Why sound insulation is important
Overview of relevant laws and standards
Sound insulation and sanitary equipment
Who is responsible?
Solutions from SCHELL
Sound insulation and room acoustics are important for several reasons.
Sound is created by vibrations that are then spread through the air or by solid bodies. In buildings, a key distinction is made between airborne sound, which spreads through the air, and structure-borne sound, which is transmitted by the building fabric – such as walls, ceilings or pipework.
Sound insulation measures in buildings fall into two categories: exterior sound insulation (windows, walls, roofs) and interior sound insulation (airborne/footfall sound reduction, reducing noise from building services). Whether or not building sound insulation is effective depends to a large extent on good planning and good workmanship during installation.
Unlike a visual defect, however, poor sound insulation is patently obvious and cannot be simply ignored. Noise from adjacent units or from the installation itself quickly leads to dissatisfaction.
Typical outcomes:
Specific regulations aimed at ensuring a quiet, disturbance-free environment also apply to public buildings like offices, schools or other educational institutions. A failure to comply will have an immediate impact on users and building operators.
Typical outcomes:
Good practice:Poor sound insulation is often very hard (and expensive) to fix after the fact. Predictive planning is a much more cost-effective approach.
In Germany, sound insulation is regulated by building law, with key building regulations being adopted and enforced by the Länder. Legal requirements are set out in the building permit and are thus essential to any construction project.
DIN 4109-1 specifies minimum requirements for sound insulation. The overall aim is protecting health. These requirements constitute a minimum level that must be met.
Good to know:
DIN 4109-1 defines the minimum level of sound insulation required by building law. Today, however, this minimum standard will not be adequate for many construction projects.
Applicable requirements will depend on the specific building project. Key factors are the building type, usage, agreed quality level and – above all – the construction contract. DIN 4109-1 is therefore often cited with DIN 4109-5 and VDI 4100, both of which define tougher requirements for sound insulation.
In residential construction, justified customer expectations often play a leading role. This is also confirmed by case law. In its judgment of 25 August 2023 (case number: 1 U 85/21), OLG Schleswig held that the minimum level defined by DIN 4109-1 does not automatically meet the requirements for residential construction.
Good practice: DIN 4109-5 is generally regarded as the benchmark for a clear improvement in sound insulation – especially for normal to premium units. In the final assessment, however, it is not the standard that counts but the contractual deliverables and ‘justifiable expectations’ for quality.
Sound insulation is only effective as part of a whole system, where all of the parts are properly integrated. Building structures and building automation systems always work together.
Even supposedly small planning decisions can have a significant impact:
Sounds are not merely created but are also transmitted. Structure-borne noise can spread through the building fabric and be heard in a completely different location.
Good practice: Sound insulation is always part of a system. If one component is skipped, this affects the overall result. Later corrections are typically expensive and may be technically impossible.
The sanitary installation is a significant factor for the final noise level. Even if sound insulation is well planned, walls, ceilings and shafts become ineffective if installation noise can pass through unhindered. Typical noise sources here include flowing water, pressure fluctuations and vibration, which can then spread immediately to adjacent spaces.
Here, too, the guiding principle must be to
clarify the required sound insulation level and have this stated in the contract.
This ensures that planning, product selection and execution are all aligned with the same goals.
In sanitary facilities, sound insulation is often thought of in terms of individual products. In terms of a rating, however, only the overall installation is assessed.
This ‘building services noise’ is created by the interplay of several factors:
Good practice: Every single component influences the end result. Even acoustically certified products cannot be truly effective if planning or installation work is not carried out properly.Whether minimum or more stringent requirements apply, the whole system must achieve the required level of sound insulation.
A ‘draw-off fitting’ is a fitting where water is intended to be drawn off for use. These fittings include:
The hydraulic flows, pressure and mechanisms involved in operating these fittings mean that they strongly influence noise levels. To ensure an accurate assessment of the noise produced, fittings are assigned to a noise class.
DIN EN ISO 3822 defines the basic measurement procedure that is used to determine noise levels under laboratory conditions for sanitary draw-off fittings supplying water.
For WC and urinal flush valves, DIN EN 12541 defines a set of measurement requirements that supplement those in DIN EN ISO 3822, setting out exactly how these fittings are to be tested and assessed.
Values measured according to DIN EN ISO 3822 then enable assignment of the fitting to a ‘fitting group’ (this is the term used in the standard) from DIN 4109, which is typically called a ‘noise class’ (general term) .
This classification is especially important in practice, as planners, project leads and architects can use it to make targeted selections of acoustically certified fittings.
Fittings in noise class I are considered to be especially quiet and are suitable for noise-sensitive areas. Although this classification largely affects draw-off fittings, it may also apply to other water supply fittings such as angle valves.
Sound insulation for sanitary equipment requires team work. Planning and execution depend on and complement one another. The required level of sound insulation can be achieved only if everyone involved knows and fulfils their particular role.
The fit-out planner defines the sound insulation goals as part of the planning process. This includes:
The best results are achieved by accounting for these aspects as early as possible.
Tradespersons complete the work to the required standards. Key elements here include:
Deviations in execution can nullify the benefits from even the most careful planning.
Effective sound insulation in sanitary facilities is created by the interplay of planning, suitable products and professional calibration. Certified products offer additional planning reliability here. SCHELL offers a wide range of solutions in noise class I for various application scenarios.
WC facilities and flush valves need especial consideration in buildings, as the flushing noise can quickly become problematic in adjacent (living) spaces. During planning and tendering, specifying fittings with noise class I is therefore a key selection criterion.
SCHELLOMAT Silent Eco SV exposed WC flush valve (DN 20): featuring a three-litre eco button, this exposed flush valve is DIN 12541-compliant and has a noise class I rating – it produces no more than 20 dB(A) at 3 bar pressure.
COMPACT II concealed WC flush valve: These low-noise, concealed flush valves are easy to install, conform to DIN EN 12541 and are equipped with an internal isolating valve. The valves can be combined with any SCHELL WC controls/operating panels.
MONTUS COMPACT II WC module with integrated COMPACT II concealed flush valve: This pre-assembled module simplifies installation and its vibration-isolated design also helps to reduce structure-borne sound.
WC sound insulation mat: While not noise class-rated, this mat helps to reduce overall structure-borne sound levels in the building installation. Sound absorbance conforms to DIN 4109.
Wash basin taps are one of the most frequently used draw-off fittings in a building and are therefore a typical source of day-to-day noise. Taps certified as noise class I ensure an especially quiet flow of water not exceeding 20 dB(A) and therefore reduce noise loads significantly – especially in adjacent bedrooms and quiet rooms.
The electronic wash basin faucets XERIS E², CELIS E² and PURIS E² with innovative time-of-flight (ToF) sensor support contactless and hygienic operation, while their noise class I rating also makes them especially quiet.
Self-closing wash basin tap PURIS SC: The self-closing mechanism saves water while simultaneously guaranteeing unobtrusive, precise operation in day-to-day use. Noise class I means the fitting is especially quiet.
MODUS EH and MODUS EH-T wash basin taps: These stylish single-lever mixers with open-loop or designer lever keep the flow of water whisper-quiet, thanks to their noise class I rating.
Shower fittings produce a large volume of water and are therefore one of the loudest items of sanitary equipment. Noise class I fittings are effective in limiting flow and hydraulic noise, and so reduce the overall operational sound levels.
MODUS MD-T exposed shower fitting:
This acoustically optimised, noise class I shower fitting suppresses flow/hydraulic noise effectively even at high flow rates.
VITUS exposed shower fitting:
The VITUS exposed shower fitting is available with self-closing, single-lever, open/close controls or CVD touch electronics. In all variants, the fitting’s noise class I rating ensures especially quiet operation.
Concealed masterboxes for LINUS concealed shower fittings:
Concealed masterboxes from SCHELL are supplied pre-assembled from the factory, and are available in various models to match control type – such as self-closing or CVD touch electronics. Almost all masterboxes have a noise class I rating.
Connecting fittings like angle valves also influence an installation’s overall noise level. A great many SCHELL variants have a noise class I rating: they reduce noise from turbulent flow and their regulating function ensures quiet operation as well as a demand-based flow of water.
SCHELL is the global leader for angle valves and appliance connection fittings. SCHELL angle valves are ‘Made in Germany’ and almost all offer a regulating function for noise class I – even for throttled-back flow volumes.
Good practice: Some special-purpose variants may not offer this product feature. Please consult the technical data sheet if in any doubt.
Sound insulation doesn’t start with installation: it results from planning and its success is decided by execution. An approach that considers sanitary equipment from the outset and chooses quiet, standards-compliant solutions mitigates risks and improves quality of life for building residents and visitors. The interplay of building fabric, installation and appropriate products is critical here: the required level of sound insulation can only be reliably achieved if all components are properly coordinated with one another. Early consultations between planning and execution teams creates a reliable outcome that avoids rework and ensures long-term user satisfaction.
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