Recent Advancements in Belgian Building Acoustical Standards.

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Belgium is currently revising its building acoustical standards. In this paper, an overview is given of the changes and new approaches. For dwellings, 3 acoustic comfort classes have been defined by adding a superior class. To ensure a sufficient low frequency airborne and impact sound insulation in lightweight constructions, additional requirements are imposed on the low frequency laboratory performance of dwelling separating elements. Specific requirements hold between apartments and common circulation areas. A new optional way of evaluating façade sound insulation by measuring indoor sound levels is introduced. To estimate the outdoor sound levels, the use of noise maps with internationally defined noise indicators is made possible. Service equipment noise requirements are simplified and an additional requirement on noise emission towards neighboring properties is introduced. Requirements between spaces in non-residential buildings are based on a classification according to their noise sensitivity and noise production.