Naturally ventilated buildings may find this credit relatively difficult to achieve. If considered early in design, it’s possible to achieve the credit, but may take a concerted effort to increase the amount of outdoor air intake using larger and more numerous operable windows, and more sophisticated designs such as wind chimneys.
Specifications should state explicitly that acoustic materials should not be painted in the field unless recommended by the manufacturer. Painting acoustic materials will generally reduce their acoustic performance.
It may be difficult to appropriately calculate the effectiveness of duct silencers. It is important to select an appropriate silencer and to place them properly within the ductwork layout. Designers should work with an acoustics consultant, or closely with the manufacturer, if the mechanical engineer is not familiar with these installation and calculation issues.
Calculations for “duct breakout noise” should also be made if there is large, high-velocity ductwork in the core learning space or above lay-in tile ceilings. Acoustic duct lagging may be needed in these situations.
The calculation for background noise level can be calculated by a mechanical engineer if they are familiar with the calculations or common software, such as the Trane Acoustics Program (TAP)—which costs $500 per license. ASHRAE has guidelines on running the calculations without software, but these are fairly detailed measurements and a consultant will most likely be needed.
Project teams generally prefer to have an acoustics engineer or consultant to verify that all of the requirements are met. These calculations are relatively easy to run as long as the architect is comfortable doing so.
commissioning a new facility, the 