| Quick Step Impact Isolation Class (IIC) |
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Impact
Isolation Class (IIC) is, in basic terms a measure of
sound heard in one room from an impact made on a floor
in the space directly above. This issue is commonly
raised when installing floorcovering in multi-storey
residential apartments. In fact, The Strata Titles Act
raises the issue in requiring that peaceful enjoyment be
afforded by all occupants to any residents occupying
space below them.
 A
Complex Issue |
| The Impact
Isolation Class of a floor is tested
using highly technical tapping machines
(used in the testing room) and listening
devices (used in the receiving room) and
this work is carried out by specialised
acoustic engineers. Results of testing
are then entered into complex
mathematical equations to determine an
Impact Isolation Class. |
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How
the Testing is carried out |
| By measuring the
sound transfer of the tapping machine
through a floor across a wide range of
frequencies, a series of data is
collected. This data is then inserted
into complicated mathematical formulas
to determine the Impact Isolation Class
(IIC). While an Impact Isolation Class
can only really be determined in a
laboratory, field tests are carried out
on various installations in service.
These tests are recorded as Field Impact
Isolation Class (FIIC) tests. |
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Variables
that influence Test Results |
| Many variables can
influence the Impact Isolation Class of
a floor. Subfloor type (timber or
concrete), subfloor thickness, subfloor
density, subfloor construction method,
frequency of subfloor supports or beams,
the presence of a suspended ceiling, the
floorcovering and underlay used in the
testing room and background noises can
all have a bearing on the IIC achieved.
Whether a receiving room is furnished
can also have a bearing on the result.
In most cases however, three main
factors are looked at to draw broad
comparisons. The thickness of the
subfloor, the floorcovering used and the
underlay used, seem to have the most
significant bearing on results achieved.
To this end, Quick Step 800 Classic has
been tested on both Standard Foam
Underlay and Quiet Step Underlay. |
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Complying
with Standards |
| The Strata Tiltles
Act (the only Act or Standard dealing
with this issue) does not ask that a
specific Impact Isolation Class be
achieved. It simply states that
"peaceful enjoyment" be afforded to the
occupant below. This subjective
terminology has created the need for
acoustic engineers across Australia to
apportion an IIC that affords "peaceful
enjoyment". In terms of Quick Step
Uniclic, we tend to follow the
requirements of the largest apartment
developers in Australia, whose acoustic
engineers require a product to meet an
IIC55 on a 180mm thick concrete
subfloor. |
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How
Quick Step 800 Classic Performed |
As mentioned above,
many IIC tests have been carried out on
Quick Step 800 Classic over the years.
The fact that Quick Step 800 Classic is
one of the most commonly used floating
laminate floors in apartment living
across Australia stands as testament to
the outstanding results achieved in
terms of Field Impact Isolation Class.
Our test results follow:
Quick Step 800 Classic Installed
on Standard 2mm Foam Underlay
Tested on 180mm Concrete
Subfloor Result = FIIC 57
Quick Step 800 Classic Installed
on Quiet Step Underlay
Tested on 180mm Concrete
Subfloor Result = FIIC 58
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In summary, the field of Impact Isolation Class is
incredibly complex. The combination of so many variables
and the subjective nature of the governing legislation
has been the cause of many disputes in recent years.
Premium Floors have tended to rely on our own
experience, the advice of acoustic engineers
commissioned to undertake our testing and the acoustic
engineers contracted by the largest apartment builders
in Australia for information, testing and guidelines
regarding an acceptable Impact Isolation Class. In
short, Quick Step 800 Classic has been installed in many
multi-storey apartments across Australia with no
complaints at all!
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