Testing | Checking | Measuring

Our test facility for determining the shaft sound level difference of ventilation systems provides a detailed analysis of multi-floor air ducting systems. In accordance with DIN 52210-6:2013, sound transmissions from ventilation ducts, exhaust air systems or individual components such as shaft branches can be measured. The test setup simulates realistic conditions with a variable duct system and separate duct branches for sending and receiving rooms. Strategically placed microphones at important points record the sound levels, delivering precise results to optimize ventilation systems. With a sound level difference of at least 55 dB (Dw), our test facility meets the highest standards for sound insulation analyses.

Testing and determination of the characteristics of chimney systems and their components in regard to thermal, moisture and flow behavior, corrosion resistance, thermal load capacity, gas tightness, construction and function. Determination of parameters relating to energy efficiency, fire resistance and environmental aspects and performance testing of individual and collective heating systems fired by solid and liquid (vaporizing burner) fuels.

Our two acoustic semi-anechoic chambers provide optimal conditions for conducting precise sound measurements. In the first chamber, specially designed for measuring sound power and directional characteristics, you benefit from an environment that is acoustically optimized to simulate the conditions of a free field. The second chamber is also temperature-resistant, making it particularly advantageous when it comes to measuring the noise generated by heat pumps and air-conditioning units. This adaptability makes it possible to test acoustic performance under different climatic conditions, ensuring realistic and practical results.

An environment with room acoustics optimized to reduce reflection is used to simulate the acoustic conditions of a free field above a reflecting plane. Such a room is classified as a semi-anechoic chamber. This environment can be used to perform highly accurate measurements of the radiated sound power from sound sources, as well as their directional characteristics. An acoustic free field is distinguished by the fact that the sound pressure level decreases proportionally with increasing distance from the sound source. This condition is achieved by lining walls and ceilings with special sound-absorbing materials, such as flat absorbers (industry) or wedge absorbers, as in this room. The chamber is about 20 meters long, which allows measurements of sound propagation over obstacles to be performed. Typical tasks include the measurement of sound diffraction or sound shielding via barriers, such as noise barriers, as well as the scattering or absorption of sound by acoustically relevant surfaces.

A few years ago, a test rig was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP in Stuttgart for measuring the dynamic E modulus and loss factor based on ISO 6721-4 (non-resonant method). This method can be used to examine the E modulus and loss factor of foams and soft plastics (such as rubber, silicone, etc.) as a function of frequency.

Sound power is an important parameter for characterizing the noise emissions of machines, devices, and systems, as it quantifies the absolute power of a sound source regardless of its acoustic environment. A common method for determining sound power involves measurements under controlled conditions in the reverberation room, where the sound source operates within a diffuse sound field. The sound power is derived from the sound pressure measurements and corresponds to accuracy class 1. These measurements are carried out in third-octave bands according to DIN EN ISO 3741, covering an extended frequency range from 50 Hz to 10 kHz. Whether ventilation technology, HVAC technology, or other noise sources, the reverberation room facilitates detailed investigations using both direct and comparative methods. Its vibration-damped design and connection to an anechoic chamber provide additional flexibility to simulate a wide range of acoustic scenarios.

Our P3 diagonal test facility enables comprehensive analysis of the longitudinal sound insulation and joint insulation of a wide range of wall systems - from lightweight to solid constructions. Its innovative design, consisting of four adjacent rooms and elastic separating joints, allows for detailed simulation of real-world building and usage scenarios. This test bench meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 10848-2 and DIN EN ISO 10848-3 standards, ensuring reliable, standard-compliant results. State-of-the-art measurement technology permits precise evaluation of airborne and structure-borne sound transmission in all relevant propagation directions, including direct, longitudinal, and diagonal transmission. These measurement results contribute significantly to optimizing the acoustic performance of your wall systems and meeting market requirements.

In our ceiling testing facility, flat roofs or lightweight ceilings can be installed according to DIN EN ISO 10140 (wooden ceilings). These include flat roofs, industrial roofs, wooden beam ceilings, solid wood ceilings and wood-concrete composite ceilings. The airborne and impact sound insulation of the ceilings, installation noise from bathtubs and shower trays, as well as the reduction of impact sound from screeds, hollow and raised floors, suspended sub-ceilings and much more can be measured effortlessly in the testing facility. The ceilings or roofs are installed on a circumferential bracket. The dimensions of the test object are approx. 4.78 x 3.78 m (L x B).

When raindrops fall on horizontal building elements such as roofs, skylights or window sills, they sometimes generate unwanted noise. This effect can cause noise pollution for building users or neighbors both outside and inside the building. Therefore, our scientists use our rain noise testing facility to measure the sound intensity level Li,A (sound power per 1 m² of roof area) that is generated when reproducible “standard rain” falls on sloping roof surfaces. These measurements are particularly relevant for roof constructions made of materials such as foil cushions, metal or sheet metal, as well as standing seam roofs and profiled roofs (ETFE).

Our suspended ceiling test facility (P5) enables the determination of the longitudinal sound insulation of suspended ceilings in accordance with the standard DIN EN ISO 10848-2:2018. With flexible configuration options, such as a ceiling that is infinitely height-adjustable, we offer optimum adaptation to individual testing requirements - without the need for structural modifications. A highly sound-insulating partition wall between the source and receiving rooms guarantees precise and reproducible measurement results. This technical setup provides ideal conditions for measuring closed suspended ceilings, grid ceilings and systems with integrated ceiling elements.