5.507.4 Acoustical Control
Employ building assemblies and components with Sound Transmission Class (STC) values determined in accordance with ASTM E90 and ASTM E413 or Outdoor-Indoor Sound Transmission Class (OITC) determined in accordance with ASTM E1332, using either the prescriptive or performance method in Section 5.507.4.1 or 5.507.4.2.
Exception: Buildings with few or no occupants or where occupants are not likely to be affected by exterior noise, as determined by the enforcement authority, such as factories, stadiums, storage, enclosed parking structures and utility buildings.
Exception: [DSA-SS] For public schools and community colleges, the requirements of this section and all subsections apply only to new construction.
Wall and roof-ceiling assemblies exposed to the noise source making up the building or addition envelope or altered envelope shall meet a composite STC rating of at least 50 or a composite OITC rating of no less than 40, with exterior windows of a minimum STC of 40 or OITC of 30 in the following locations:
Within the 65 CNEL noise contour of an airport.
Exceptions:
- Ldn or CNEL for military airports shall be determined by the facility Air Installation Compatible Land Use Zone (AICUZ) plan.
- Ldn or CNEL for other airports and heliports for which a land use plan has not been developed shall be determined by the local general plan noise element.
- Within the 65 CNEL or Ldn noise contour of a freeway or expressway, railroad, industrial source or fixed-guideway source as determined by the Noise Element of the General Plan.
Wall and floor-ceiling assemblies separating tenant spaces and tenant spaces and public places shall have an STC of at least 40.
Note: Examples of assemblies and their various STC ratings may be found at the California Office of Noise Control: http://www.toolbase.org/PDF/CaseStudies/stc_icc_ratings.pdf.