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Acoustic comfort
WHAT IS NOISE?
Noise in buildings can significantly affect health and comfort. Over the past 30 years, efforts have focused on reducing external noise, but indoor noise remains a challenge.
Heat insulation, while improving energy efficiency, can amplify sound perception. In drainage systems, acoustic performance is a key factor—second only to fire safety. Cast iron, a PVC material alternative, has intrinsic acoustic insulation properties. Thanks to designed equipment accessories, cast iron systems provide low noise pipe advantages and deliver outstanding features for modern sanitation solutions.
NOISE FROM PIPE SYSTEMS
Noise from wastewater drainage systems is classified as "equipment noise." It mainly comes from water/air turbulence or the mechanical impact of water flow against the internal pipe walls. These vibrations travel through lightweight structures like ceilings or cupboards.
Noise is energy transmitted through vibration and measured in decibels (dB). For pipes, the main categories are:
NOISE FROM PIPE SYSTEMS
Noise from wastewater drainage systems is classified as "equipment noise." It mainly comes from water/air turbulence or the mechanical impact of water flow against the internal pipe walls. These vibrations travel through lightweight structures like ceilings or cupboards.
Noise is energy transmitted through vibration and measured in decibels (dB). For pipes, the main categories are:
Airborne noise:
These are air vibrations within the same room. Dense materials, like cast iron or structured plastic, block sound. Their solid walls and multi-layers help ensure better acoustic insulation.
Structure-borne noise:
This occurs when vibrations pass through a building’s structure. Even silent materials transmit sound at joints, collars, or brackets. Reducing this requires dampening at each connection point to minimize impact and enhance smooth transmission.
Standards demand separation between "noisy" and "quiet" rooms. For noisy spaces, sound limits are 35 dB or more. For living or work areas, regulations typically require levels around 30 dB.
Airborne noise:
These are air vibrations within the same room. Dense materials, like cast iron or structured plastic, block sound. Their solid walls and multi-layers help ensure better acoustic insulation.
Structure-borne noise:
This occurs when vibrations pass through a building’s structure. Even silent materials transmit sound at joints, collars, or brackets. Reducing this requires dampening at each connection point to minimize impact and enhance smooth transmission.
Standards demand separation between "noisy" and "quiet" rooms. For noisy spaces, sound limits are 35 dB or more. For living or work areas, regulations typically require levels around 30 dB.
COMPARATIVE LABORATORY TESTS
Acoustic comfort is a differentiation criterion that indicates construction quality. The building project manager and specifier may define together specific requirements to improve the final construction.
In 2019, Pam Building commissioned a series of comparative tests on airborne and structure-borne noises in installation conditions described by standard EN 14366*, at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics in Stuttgart.
The measurement results for the Pam Building cast iron pipes listed in the table were determined at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics on an installation wall with a basis weight of 220 kg/m2.
The prerequisite for this was that the building conditions in the real construction situation be comparable to or more favorable than the test bench of the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics in terms of sound technology.
When compared with the requirements, pay attention to the simultaneous operation of plumbing installations and possible interactions among the plumbing components which may produce different results. As a comparison value with the requirements, the measured value should be obtained at a flow rate of 2.0 l/s, because this corresponds to approximately one toilet flush. The sound measurements were taken both on the opposite side of the installation (in the picture on the right) and in the mounting room (on the left of the picture).
Details of the tests configuration :
- Standard bracketing: 2 bracket collars per floor. Both mounted with a 1 Nm torque.
- Stack support: Stack supports are fixed to the wall/floor.
- PAM’Acoustic: 2 anti-vibration brackets per floor. Both mounted with a 1 Nm torque.
Details of the tests configuration :
- Standard bracketing: 2 bracket collars per floor. Both mounted with a 1 Nm torque.
- Stack support: Stack supports are fixed to the wall/floor.
- PAM’Acoustic: 2 anti-vibration brackets per floor. Both mounted with a 1 Nm torque.
Tests results for the installations, According to EN 14366
| Pipe system | Test report N° | Installation acc. to EN 14366 | |||
| Airborne noise (La,A) | Structural noise (LSC,A) | ||||
| 2.0 (l/s) | 4.0 (l/s) | 2.0 (l/s) | 4.0 (l/s) | ||
| S range + classical bracketing with rubber and stack support in basement floor | PB-A 223/2019 | 47 db (A) | 50 db (A) | 21 db (A) | 26 db (A) |
| S range + PAM'Acoustic without stack support in cellar | PB-A 226/2019 | 47 db (A) | 50 db (A) | <10 db (A) | <10 db (A) |
Complete reports are available on request. Sound levels below 10 dB(A) are not mentioned in the test report.
Structure borne noise & Pam’Acoustic
Pam’Acoustic is a designed solution for extreme noise control in premium buildings. Positioned between the pipe and its collar, this silent component reduces structure-borne sound to just 10 dB(A). It supports easy installation, even in tight spaces, and works seamlessly with cast iron and plastic combinations, offering increased comfort and acoustic performance.
Tests according to standard NF EN 14366 (IBP laboratory).
For a flow rate of 2 liters/second, wall: 220 kg/m².
NOISE IN REAL CONDITION OF USE
Usually pipe systems are installed in a technical shaft that contributes to reducing the noise emitted by the effluent flowing in a pipe. Nevertheless, the noise level of pipes installed behind a shaft may not be sufficient to comply with the specifications of the owner or set by the national regulation.
In 2018, Pam Building initiated several noise measurement tests with an independent laboratory in real conditions, inspired by standard EN 14366, but using a real WC flush to assess the noise level of the combination of pipe material and shaft acoustic performance (ΔLan).
Below are some examples of measurements at a flow rate of 2 l/s with the S range fixed on a 15 cm thick supporting concrete wall:
| Technical Shaft | S range with rubber lined steel brackets |
S range with steel brackets and acoustic dampener |
| ΔLan Performance | LA,S,max [50-5000 Hz] (dB) | LA,S,max [50-5000 Hz] (dB) |
| 19 ≤ ΔLan < 24 | 33 | 32 |
| 24 ≤ΔLan < 29 | 30 | 25 |
| 29 ≤ΔLan < 34 | 29 | 19 |
Choosing our systems guarantees the best acoustic solution on the market.
Depending on your project specification or national regulation, Pam Building can help you validate your pipework’s compliance.
Contact our technical assistance
Summary of our solutions :
- High wall mass
- Low vibration tendency
- Effective sound decoupling
- Smooth and easy installation
- Features tailored to modern drainage systems
- Suitable for all upvc and pvc assemblies
- Works with rings, seals, and joints
- Ensuring reliable sanitation solutions
Summary of our solutions :
- High wall mass
- Low vibration tendency
- Effective sound decoupling
- Smooth and easy installation
- Features tailored to modern drainage systems
- Suitable for all upvc and pvc assemblies
- Works with rings, seals, and joints
- Ensuring reliable sanitation solutions