Approximate specific acoustic insulation of the external partition

Have you ever heard your neighbor's footsteps, even though the partition wall seems solidly insulated? Often the culprit is not the direct barrier, but sound traveling through the building's structural elements. The normalized longitudinal impact sound level is a key parameter that allows us to assess how much noise from footsteps penetrates through floors and side walls, bypassing the main insulation.

Raised floors have become standard in server rooms and modern offices, allowing for the concealment of cable clutter. Unfortunately, this installation convenience creates an empty space beneath our feet that can transmit sounds between rooms. This parameter allows for the assessment of the acoustic risk associated with the use of technical flooring.

In modern open space offices or in rooms separated by partition walls, the physical barrier often ends at the height of the visible ceiling. However, above that, there is an empty technical space that can act like a highway for sound. This parameter describes how effectively the ceiling system prevents noise from jumping over to the neighbor.