Ivie IE-45 RTA - Real Time Analysis - Manual (Page 16)

Ivie IE-45 Manual
page 16
NIC and (F)STC Measurements
NIC Measurements
Sound transmission field testing of operable walls and field partitions is almost exclusively done using ASTM
E336 as the standard. The IE-45 is capable of making Noise Isolation Class (NIC) measurements. NIC meas-
urements are normally specified rather than Field Sound Transmission Class (F)STC measurements because
they are faster, easier, and therefore, less expensive to make. Field Sound Transmission Class ({F}STC) meas-
urements require RT60 information for the calculation, as well as receiving room absorption in all sixteen 1/3
octave bands of interest. The IE-45 is capable of making RT60 measurements (if the optional RT60 software
module is purchased) as well as measuring receiving room absorption in the required sixteen 1/3 octave bands.
However, since RT60 measurement capability is an option, not a standard feature, Ivie has chosen not to inte-
grate (F)STC measurement capability into the IE-45 measurement suite. The following instructions are therefore
limited to the theory of NIC measurements and making NIC measurements.
NIC is a single-number acoustical rating of sound isolation between two different spaces separated by a sound
barrier. A typical measurement example would be determining the sound isolation provided by a wall or mov-
able partition separating two rooms. To make the measurement, an omni-directional sound source would be
placed in the Source Room to energize it with pink noise. Averaged (power averaged), 1/3 octave RTA spec-
trum measurements would then be made on both sides of the wall (Source Room and Receiving Room) and
each room average would be stored to separate memory locations. The NIC calculation would begin as the
stored spectrum of the Receiving Room is subtracted from the stored spectrum of the Source Room to create a
Transmission Loss (TL) curve.
The NIC rating would then be determined by comparing and shifting the TL curve relative to the standard NIC
contour such that the TL curve is never more than 8 dB below the NIC contour in any 1/3 octave band; and the
sum of the deficiencies below the contour over the 16, 1/3 bands, does not exceed 32 dB. Once the TL curve is
shifted to meet these criteria, the NIC rating is determined by the value of the NIC contour at 500 Hz. Once the
Source Room and Receiving Room curves are stored, the curve fitting and NIC calculation are all done automat-
ically by the IE-45. Only a few taps of the stylus are required to complete the measurement and display the
results.
The step-by-step process for making an NIC measurement is demonstrated by the illustrations on the opposite
page. Note: Of particular interest in NIC measurements is the requirement for power averaged data. The
IE-45 “default” operating mode is “Arithmetic Average,” so “Power Average” will need to be selected.
Real Time NIC Measurements
This is a very useful diagnostic tool offering, unique to Ivie instrumentation. This mode allows the user to com-
pare the stored average curve in the Source Room to real time data in the Receive Room, thus providing a run-
ning calculation of NIC in real time. While in the Receive Room, the microphone can be moved to any position
around the sound barrier to find "sound leaks", weak isolation areas, strong isolation spots, etc. Because the
NIC curve and calculated number are continuously updated in real time, it is easy to quickly compare different
areas, thereby determining deficiencies relative to location.