Weighted sound insulation indicator for airborne sounds

Professional Definition

Airborne sound insulation defined in the standard frequency range reduced to a single number value according to the method specified in standard PN-EN ISO 717-1.

This index refers to any insulation parameter (e.g., R, D_nT) and is denoted by the letter "w" in the index (e.g., Rw, DnT,w). The procedure for determining it involves comparing the measured frequency characteristic to a reference curve defined in standard ISO 717-1, until a specified match for the 500 Hz band is achieved.

Acoustics in Simple Words

It can be compared to the average grades on a school report card. A student may excel in PE (high frequencies) but be weak in math (low frequencies). The weighted index is like an "average" that allows for a quick comparison of the overall performance of two students (or walls) without going into the specifics of each subject separately. However, it is important to remember that like an average grade, this index can sometimes hide weak points of insulation in specific bands.

Summary

The weighted index (with the letter 'w') is a universal language in construction, allowing for quick comparisons of products in terms of acoustic insulation. It enables verification of compliance with building regulations without the need to analyze the full frequency spectrum.