ISO 10140-3-2021 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10140-3:2021 — Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements — Part 3: Measurement of impact sound insulation. This international standard specifies laboratory methods for measuring the impact (footfall) sound insulation performance of floor assemblies and floor coverings; results are intended for product comparison, classification and estimation of in-situ performance when combined with other factors.

Abstract

ISO 10140-3:2021 defines laboratory test procedures that use standardized impact sources (including the standard tapping machine and alternative impact sources) to measure the impact sound insulation of floors in test facilities where flanking transmission is suppressed. The standard describes test conditions, required measurements and reporting conventions; it is applicable to all types of floors and floor coverings but applies only to laboratory measurements (field results require additional consideration of flanking paths and boundary conditions).

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard).
• Publication date: April 2021 (Edition 2, published 16 April 2021).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 91.120.20 (Acoustics in building — Sound insulation).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2021).
• Number of pages: 15 pages (official ISO edition). Note: some national/adopted versions and national publications list different pagination (commonly 21–24 pages) due to national forewords, translations or combined EN adoption documents.

Scope

ISO 10140-3:2021 specifies laboratory measurement methods for impact sound insulation of floor assemblies. The scope covers tests performed in laboratories with suppressed flanking transmission and structural isolation between source and receiving rooms, and provides methods for simulating impact sources (standard tapping machine and alternatives) to represent different real-world footfall and impact conditions. The standard does not by itself account for in-situ flanking transmission or boundary condition effects — those must be addressed separately when estimating field performance.

Key topics and requirements

• Specified laboratory test arrangement and environmental/operational conditions for impact sound measurements.
• Use of the standard tapping machine to simulate shoe-clad footfall and alternative impact sources for low-frequency-dominant impacts (e.g., bare feet, jumping).
• Frequency band measurement and reporting requirements (third-octave or one-third-octave bands as specified).
• Instructions for preparing and mounting test specimens and for suppressing flanking transmission in laboratory facilities.
• Reporting conventions to allow comparison and classification of test results; guidance that laboratory results must be combined with flanking and installation considerations for accurate field performance prediction.

Typical use and users

ISO 10140-3:2021 is used by acoustic test laboratories, product manufacturers (flooring, floor coverings, floating floors, insulating underlays), building acoustics consultants, façade and building element designers, certification bodies and standards committees. Typical applications include product development and quality control, performance specification and comparison, acoustic classification of floor systems, and supporting design decisions where laboratory-based impact sound data are required.

Related standards

ISO 10140-3 is part of the ISO 10140 series on laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements. Key related parts include ISO 10140-1 (application rules for specific products), ISO 10140-2 (airborne sound insulation test methods), and ISO 10140-5 (requirements for test facilities and equipment, including tapping machine specifications referenced by Part 3). National and regional adoptions (for example BS EN ISO 10140-3:2021 and DIN/EN ISO variants) exist and may include national forewords or combined EN texts.

Keywords

impact sound insulation, floor impact noise, tapping machine, laboratory measurement, sound reduction, building acoustics, ISO 10140, floor coverings, test facility, flanking transmission.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10140-3:2021 is an international standard that specifies laboratory methods for measuring the impact sound insulation (footfall/impact noise) of floor assemblies and coverings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers laboratory test arrangements, the use of standardized impact sources (including the standard tapping machine and specified alternatives), measurement and frequency-band reporting procedures, specimen mounting and preparation, and reporting conventions for comparing and classifying impact sound performance. It applies only to laboratory measurements; field performance requires additional consideration of flanking transmission and installation effects.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Acoustic test laboratories, flooring and construction product manufacturers, acoustic consultants, building designers, certification bodies and standards organizations use the standard for testing, product development, specification and classification.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 10140-3:2021 is the current published edition (Edition 2, published April 2021). It revised and replaced ISO 10140-3:2010 (and its amendment).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the ISO 10140 series on laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements; other relevant parts include ISO 10140-1, ISO 10140-2 and ISO 10140-5 among others.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Impact sound insulation, tapping machine, floor impact noise, laboratory measurement, building acoustics, sound insulation classification.