EP4: Understanding the ratings behind acoustical wall, ceiling and roof assemblies

Noise pollution can have harmful effects on human health, ranging from simple annoyance and distraction to increased blood pressure and stress.* Effectively reducing the distance sound can travel is critical to creating pleasant spaces where people live, work and play. The first step toward designing quality acoustical assemblies is understanding the differences between Sound Transmission Class (STC), Impact Insulation Class (IIC), Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC). Listeners will learn:  Why noise reduction is important What the four acoustic ratings — STC, IIC, CAC and OITC — measure and how they are tested Real-world examples of noise challenges gypsum board acoustical assemblies solve The role National Gypsum's Fire & Sound Assembly Selector can play in selecting assemblies that meet both acoustical and fire ratings Want to know more?  Explore our Fire & Sound Assembly Selector to streamline planning and estimating Take a look at the Gold Bond® SoundBreak® XP® family of products Download The SoundBook®, the industry's leading resource for technical details and sound-rated assembly drawings Download the CAC assemblies mentioned in the episode Download the Sound Solutions Guide Take a deep dive into acoustical design by reading our library of acoustics-focused blog posts: Making sense of acoustical ratings alphabet soup 6 variables that affect STC ratings Using roof coverboard to reduce outside sound transmission Choosing building materials for better acoustics How to reduce sound transmission in floor-ceiling assemblies Understanding acoustical assemblies with The SoundBook Do you have a question you'd like us to answer or a topic we should cover? We want to hear from you. Email your ideas to [email protected]. "Clean Air Act Title IV: Noise Pollution," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, last updated February 13, 2025. The information provided in this podcast is for general information purposes only. For specific building or design questions, please consult with the 1-800-NATIONAL® Construction Services team or your regional National Gypsum construction design manager. Always use products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.