Healthcare-v4.1 EQc9: Acoustic Performance

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Intent

To provide workspaces and classrooms that promote occupants’ well-being, productivity, and communications through effective acoustic design.

Requirements

HEALTHCARE

Design the facility to meet Option 1 (1 point) and/or Option 2 (1 point).

Option 1. Speech Privacy, Sound Isolation, and Background Noise (1 point)

Design sound isolation to achieve speech privacy, acoustical comfort, and minimal annoyance from noise-producing sources. Consider sound levels at both source and receiver locations, the background sound at receiver locations, and the occupants’ acoustical privacy and acoustical comfort needs.

Design the facility to meet the criteria outlined in the following sections, as applicable:

• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals—Section 1.2-6.1.5 and Section 1.2-6.1.6
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient Facilities—Section 1.2-5.1.6 and Section 1.2-5.1.6.2
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities--Section 2.5-8.6

Consider background noise levels generated by all building mechanical-electrical-plumbing systems, air distribution systems and other facility noise sources under the purview of the project building design-construction team.

Design the facility to meet the criteria outlined in the following sections, as applicable:

• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals—Section 1.2-6.1.4 (Table 1.2-5)
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient Facilities—Section 1.2-5.1.4 (Table 1.2-5)
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities--Section 2.5-8.4 (Table 2.5-5)

Calculate or measure sound levels in representative rooms and spaces of each type to confirm compliance with criteria in the above-referenced tables using a sound level meter that conforms to ANSI S1.4 for type 1 (precision) or type 2 (general purpose) sound measurement instrumentation. For spaces not listed in Table 1.2-2, refer to ASHRAE 2015 Handbook, Chapter 48, Sound and Vibration Control, Table 1.

Option 2. Acoustical Finishes and Site Exterior Noise (1 point)

Meet the requirements for acoustical finishes and site exterior noise.

Specify materials, products systems installation details, and other design features to meet the following:

• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals—Section 1.2-5.1.3 (Table 1.2-4)
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient Facilities—Section 1.2-5.1.3 (Table 1.2-4)
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities--Section 2.5-8.3 (Table 2.5-4)

Calculate or measure the average sound absorption coefficients for representative unoccupied rooms of each type in the building to confirm conformance with the requirements.

Minimize the effect on building occupants of site exterior noise produced by road traffic, aircraft flyovers, railroads, on-site heliports, emergency power generators during maintenance testing, outdoor facility MEP and building services equipment, etc. Also minimize effects on the surrounding community from all facility MEP equipment and activities as required to meet (1) local applicable codes or (2) background noise requirements above, whichever is more stringent.

Comply with the 2018 FGI Guidelines for the following noise sources:

• heliports, A1.3-3.6.2.2;
• generators, 2.1-8.3.3.1;
• mechanical equipment, 2.1-8.2.1.1; and
• building services, A2.2-5.3

Measure and analyze data to determine the exterior noise classification (A, B, C, or D) of the facility site and design the building envelope to meet the following, as applicable:

• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals—Table 1.2-3
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient Facilities— Table 1.2-3
• 2018 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities—Table 2.5-3

For exterior site exposure categories B, C, or D, calculate or measure the sound isolation performance of representative elements of the exterior building envelope to determine the composite sound transmission class (STCc) rating for representative façade sections. Measurements should generally conform to ASTM E966-18, Standard Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound Insulation of Building Façades and Façade Elements.

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost?

Cost estimates for this credit

On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.

Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.

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