Testing | Checking | Measuring

Our testing facility with solid installation walls can be used to precisely determine the noise generated by plumbing and water installations because a typical residential building is simulated. The testing facility consists of two rooms, one above the other, thus corresponding to a section of a typical residential building with two residential units above one other. Thanks to the way the rooms are arranged – bathroom above bathroom, each with adjoining living room – it is possible to measure the airborne and structure-borne sound generated by installations in one’s own and other people's living areas (requiring noise protection). In conjunction with the attic and basement floors, installations that extend over several floors, such as waste water systems (according to DIN EN 14366-1), drinking water systems or building service equipment, can also be tested.

In our specialized testing facility, we can determine the noise level Lap in accordance with DIN EN ISO 3822. The noise generated by sanitary taps, fittings, valves and other water installation devices is recorded in detail, transmitted via a standardized measuring setup in our measuring lab and then compared with the noise level generated by the installation noise standard (IGN).

At the Fraunhofer IBP screed test stand, the impact sound reduction and airborne sound insulation of ceilings, ceiling coverings, and suspended ceilings, on a solid reference ceiling are examined according to DIN EN ISO 10140. The standardized 140-mm-thick reinforced concrete test ceiling separates two adjacent reverberation rooms, providing optimal conditions for acoustic analyses. Flanking transmission is minimized by additional lining, while the standardized tapping machine and alternative impact sound sources, such as fitness weights or rubber balls, are used for impact noise measurements. The test stand is suitable for floating screeds, cavity floors, raised floors, and various floor coverings. In addition to impact sound measurements, structure-borne sound and modal analyses can also be performed.

In our installation testing facility, the noise from sanitary and water installations can be precisely determined using lightweight dry construction installation walls. The testing facility consists of two rooms, one above the other, which can each be subdivided into a total of four rooms by a (lightweight) installation wall. It thus corresponds to a section of a typical residential building with two residential units above each other with lightweight installation walls. Thanks to the way the rooms are arranged – bathroom above bathroom, each with adjoining living room – it is possible to measure the airborne and structure-borne sound generated by installations in one’s own and other people's living areas (requiring noise protection). In conjunction with the roof and drainage system under the testing facility, installations that extend over several floors, such as waste water systems (according to DIN EN 14366-1), drinking water systems or building service equipment, can also be tested.

At Fraunhofer IBP, sound insulation tests for raised and hollow floors are conducted using various test facilities, including the wall and ceiling test stand, all of which meet the requirements of the DIN EN ISO 10140-5:2021 standard. The flooring system to be examined is installed directly onto the concrete floor of the test stand. A highly sound-insulating partition wall extends from the ceiling to just above the surface of the raised floor between the source and receiving rooms. This partition wall is fitted with mineral wool and a permanently plastic seal to minimize flanking transmission. Measurements are carried out using dodecahedron loudspeakers, standard tapping machines, and rotating microphones. The system’s flexibility allows for the testing of various floor systems, including those with air outlets or floor bulkheads.

In the Fraunhofer IBP reverberation chamber, the sound absorption coefficient of sound absorbers, acoustic panels, noise barriers, and suspended ceilings can be determined. Similarly, the equivalent sound absorption area of items such as mobile partition walls, seatings and other individual objects can be determined. The measurements are carried out according to DIN EN ISO 354 with diffuse sound incidence. Due to its size and construction, the reverberation chamber also offers the possibility to carry out measurements in the low-frequency range. A unique feature of the reverberation chamber is its sliding door, which allows for sound absorption measurements to be carried out under both diffuse sound incidence and free-field conditions. This flexibility makes it possible to simulate a wide range of realistic acoustic scenarios. Additionally, the reverberation chamber is equipped with a vibration-damped structure that minimizes structure-borne sound transmission, ensuring highly accurate measurement results.

The P2 wall test stand at Fraunhofer IBP is specifically designed to determine the sound insulation of wall constructions in accordance with DIN EN ISO 10140-2. Equipped with two surrounding joints to effectively suppress flanking transmissions, it enables reliable testing of highly sound-insulating building components, such as cinema partition walls or installation walls. The test stand allows wall constructions to be mounted up to the bare ceiling or below a lintel with integrated Halfen channels. Its large test opening and drivable equipment provide maximum flexibility for analyzing solid and lightweight walls, mobile partition walls, and facade elements. A standout feature of the P2 test stand is its ability to precisely evaluate sound insulation at low frequencies – a crucial factor for achieving acoustic excellence.

At the Fraunhofer IBP door test facility, the airborne sound insulation of doors, door leaves, and panels is measured in accordance with DIN EN ISO 10140-1 to 5. Two soundproof reverberation chambers, separated by a highly sound-insulating wall with a standardized test opening, enable the evaluation of acoustic properties. The use of cladding effectively suppresses flanking transmission within the rooms. The test facility also offers flexibility for testing a wide range of components, including partition wall sections and additional cladding. With the help of state-of-the-art measurement technology, reliable and standard-compliant data for acoustic optimization can be generated.

In addition to windows, we use our window testing facility to test the acoustics of glazing, façade or wall sections, roller shutter boxes, panels, ventilation elements, joint seals and small-size components. The tests are carried out in accordance with DIN EN ISO 10140-5 with a clear opening of 1.25 m x 1.5 mm (test area: 1.875 m²). For components with smaller dimensions, the test opening can be adapted accordingly with the aid of a multi-shell, highly sound-insulating construction. A crane is available in the testing facility for installing and removing heavy components.

The facade test facility P1 at Fraunhofer IBP meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO 10140-5:2021. The test stand is vibration-isolated, with a surrounding joint effectively suppressing flanking transmission between the source and receiving rooms. Its versatile test opening allows for the measurement of facade elements, windows and sliding doors, as well as complex mock-up facades with installations. Cutting-edge state-of-the-art measurement technology ensures precise assessment of sound insulation under realistic conditions, including dodecahedron loudspeakers in the test rooms and circularly moving microphones in the receiving room. The test stand is designed to accommodate even large facade elements, which can be delivered and installed using a truck-mounted crane. This makes it ideal for innovative development projects and quality assurance of a wide range of building components.