Acoustical Testing, Consulting & Noise Assessment for Building Products

Projects can introduce noise or vibration to the environment or conversely, future developments can be impacted by existing sources of noise & vibration. Intertek can help project personnel to interpret local, state and federal noise regulations, ordinances, and guidelines and has the expertise to assist the project in achieving its community goals. Whether it is noise from rooftop mechanical systems bothering nearby residents, or vibrations from transit systems impacting a sensitive development, Intertek BSS-NAV can identify project objectives, assess environmental noise & vibration problems and develop solutions to achieve the project goals or environmental requirements.

Our experienced and creatively inspired team of acousticians and engineers performs acoustic and vibration analyses and consulting for the design of new or renovation projects. We collaborate with architects, developers, contractors, building owners, and occupants to identify how to optimize acoustic and vibration conditions for their project goals. Our approach to projects provides clients with clear and concise deliverables in all stages of design and construction. With over 100 years of combined industry experience, our staff provides resourceful acoustic and vibration feedback for various project types.

Intertek uses modern computer modeling tools to analyze and visualize the predicted acoustic and vibration conditions of our projects. We can provide detailed predictions of interior and exterior sound propagation using 3-D computer modeling software. Our exterior acoustic models provide insight for designers to select building enclosures and noise control for mechanical systems to meet the project’s acoustic goals on the project site or for the community.

Interior acoustic models help to predict a wide range of acoustic characteristics within rooms and spaces to help with the shaping of rooms, selection of acoustic finishes, and placement and directivity of loudspeakers to optimize the sound for the occupants. This process assists the ownership and design teams with how various design options may affect the future acoustic conditions in these rooms.

Vibration modeling helps to predict whether vibration will be feelable within the building and whether it is likely to disturb the occupants or exceed project goals, such as acceptable levels for vibration sensitive equipment. Vibration model results can also be used to predict whether the vibration will be perceptible as groundborne or structureborne noise. Results from the vibration modeling provide the design team with insights towards modifications that can be made to the structure to reduce vibration, if needed. Finally, vibration modeling helps evaluate the effectiveness of structural design modifications to achieve the project goals.

Visualization of the modeling results allows design teams to better understand the predictions of the future acoustic and vibration environment and address acoustic and vibration issues in the early stages of a project’s design.

Beyond the numerical and visualized results from state-of-the-art acoustic modeling software, BSS-NAV develops audio simulations to allow the acoustic conditions within spaces to be heard long before they are built. This process, known as “auralization”, is helpful for owners, designers and decision-makers in selecting design options, which often may affect the project budget.

Auralizations of rooms allow listeners to experience the effectiveness of sound absorbing finishes and room shaping to ensure that their spaces have the desired acoustics for engaging musical performances or providing clear and understandable speech. Hearing a space before construction aids the decision-making process early in the design, saving the potential cost of post-construction modifications.

Auralizations of other acoustic conditions allow for the listeners to hear the isolation or transmission of sound into spaces from exterior or interior sources. The auralization of the acoustic isolation performance of demising assemblies or the transmission of groundborne/structureborne noise into a space allows the owner, designers, and contractors to better understand the value of recommended isolation treatments toward achieving project acoustic goals.

Using calibrated equipment, we perform a wide variety of acoustic and vibration measurements to quantify sound and vibration levels. These measurements may assess the compliance of noise sources with applicable ordinances or inform designers of sound levels near their project sites, such as nearby traffic or aircraft, which can adversely affect acoustic and vibration conditions within the project. These measurements help designers and architects understand how the environment they are building in or around will affect their project and how their project will affect the surrounding environment.

Our BSS-NAV team performs standardized acoustic and vibration field tests in accordance with industry standards to assess the sound and vibration levels at greenfield and brownfield sites, code compliance of demising assemblies, the performance of acoustically rated systems, the decay of sound within spaces, the sound and vibration levels of mechanical systems, and more. We perform measurements to the following acoustic and vibration standards:

Acoustic commissioning involves the peer review of existing, renovation or new construction projects for owners to help ensure that the facility achieves the Owners Project Requirements (OPR), LEED credits, WELL Sound Features or other project objectives. Our staff has experience peer reviewing documents prepared by other acoustic consultants to confirm the design is consistent with the stated acoustic performance objectives, providing collaborative feedback for resolving any deficiencies in the design. During construction, our team provides thorough inspections of the acoustical elements of projects to observe that the execution of the design is consistent with the project goals. We work with the designers and contractors to provide project-specific acoustic and vibration solutions for problems that may arise in the field and collaborate with the project team from design through to occupancy.

Our staff has experience with providing expert witness services for public hearings or litigation with focus on clear and concise communication and attention to detail. Our acoustic specialists present testimony and opinions allowing complex technical issues to be understood by laypeople. Our experience ranges from acoustical complaints with residential projects, corporate facilities, higher education facilities, industrial complexes, community noise and vibration conditions and accident investigations. We can support litigation through assessments, measurements, or testing, and extensive analyses, modeling and simulations of the conditions. Our litigation support has been successful for our clients toward proving their side of the conditions.

Sound is often an important facet in users’ or consumers’ perception of a product’s quality or craftsmanship. This service may be sought for products to achieve acoustical criteria for various international markets. Minimizing noises that are harsh or abrasive and enhancing sounds that promote positive impressions of the product are the unique balance of this consulting effort, which result in products that have a sound that is more desirable. Our team can provide acoustic and vibration feedback and recommendations for product developers to ensure that their products are designed with sound quality in mind.

International Accreditation Service (IAS): IAS accreditation covers Intertek's acoustical testing capabilities across various standards, including ASTM International, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This accreditation demonstrates our ability to conduct a broad range of tests while adhering to rigorous international standards.

NVLAP accreditation recognizes Intertek's expertise in testing building products for compliance with national standards such as the International Building Code (IBC). This accreditation is crucial for manufacturers seeking to sell their products in the U.S. market.

  Worldwide accreditations enhance the credibility of your test reports, facilitating trade and market access for building products. Our team of experts is knowledgeable about both national and international standards, ensuring your products comply with regulations in any market you target. We navigate complex regulations and tailor testing to specific market requirements, helping you access new markets worldwide  

Depending on your project's specific needs, Intertek may also hold additional accreditations from regional or industry-specific bodies, such as the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), the European Organization for Technical Approvals (EOTA), or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).