The LEED v3 Reference book provides a table of "common materials". The LEED Online template asks for supporting documentation for all the materials used as an acoustic material finish. If a "common material" doesn't have NRC/sound abs coeff. info available can we still use it in the calculation? A gym floor can have VCT, but since it isn't used as an acoustic material and doesn't have NRC ratings, can we not use it in the calcs since the manufacturer doesn't have testing results? If so, what is the point of the "common materials" list?
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Daniel Hicks
Daniel Hicks, E.I., INCEGeiler & Associates
267 thumbs up
March 3, 2011 - 10:40 am
You should include the surface areas and NRC values for all materials in the room, whether they are "acoustical" or not as all materials absorb sound to some extent and will have an effect on the calculation. For simplicity, I would keep it to the most significant materials in the room as little items will barely make an impact in the calculations. For example, rubber base molding may be in the room, but it's actual significance in the calculation will be negligible.
If you can't find the material you need in the common materials list provided, I would search online. I googled "absorption coefficient common materials" and several good sources came up. For supporting documentation, you could print out the table and attach it, although I've only ever included supporting documentation for actual acoustic products and not common building materials without any review problems.