ISO 10052:2021

Overview - ISO 10052:2021 (Acoustics, Survey method)

ISO 10052:2021 defines a practical survey method for in-situ acoustic measurements used to screen building and room acoustics quickly and consistently. It covers field measurements of:

• airborne sound insulation between rooms,
• impact sound insulation of floors (including heavy/soft impacts),
• airborne façade sound insulation, and
• sound pressure levels from service equipment in rooms.

The methods apply to dwellings or comparable rooms up to 150 m³ and produce octave‑band frequency dependent results that can be converted to single-number ratings using ISO 717-1 and ISO 717-2. Service equipment results are given directly in A- or C-weighted sound pressure levels; heavy/soft impact results include A-weighted maximum impact sound pressure level values.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Measurement scope and limits: Designed for rooms up to 150 m³ and intended as a survey - simpler and with larger uncertainty than full engineering test methods.
• Instrumentation: Use of sound level meters conforming to IEC/ISO performance standards (hand‑held measurement instruments are acceptable for the survey approach).
• Generation of sound field: Guidance on source placement and excitation for airborne and impact tests, including the standardized tapping machine for impact measurements.
• Frequency analysis: Results reported in octave bands (per IEC 61260 filters) and optionally converted to single-number indices (ISO 717 series).
• Reverberation and corrections: Use of reverberation index, reference reverberation time, or tabulated estimates to normalize results.
• Measurement procedures: Steps for measuring level differences, impact sound pressure levels, façade insertion loss and service equipment noise; includes required measurement ranges and precision considerations.
• Reporting: Template requirements and mandatory details for a test report; Annex B specifies operating conditions and cycles for reproducible service equipment measurements.

Practical applications

• Rapid acoustic screening surveys during design, refurbishment or prior to detailed testing.
• Pre‑acceptance checks and on-site verification of partition or floor performance when quick assessments are needed.
• Noise investigations related to building services (pumps, HVAC, lifts) using A/C-weighted sound pressure levels.
• Supporting decisions for retrofits, soundproofing, tenant complaints, and compliance checks where full engineering tests (ISO 16283 series) are not required or feasible.

Who should use ISO 10052:2021

• Acoustic consultants and building acousticians
• Building inspectors and enforcement authorities
• Architects, MEP engineers and contractors
• Facility managers and maintenance teams
• Manufacturers and installers of partitions, floor coverings and building services seeking rapid on-site assessment

Related standards

• ISO 16283 series (engineering field measurements)
• ISO 16032 (service equipment measurement)
• ISO 717-1 / ISO 717-2 (single-number rating conversions)
• ISO 10140-5, IEC 61260, IEC 61672-1 (instrumentation and laboratory/test requirements)

ISO 10052:2021 is a practical, standardized survey tool for building acoustics - ideal when quick, repeatable field assessments and screening-level results are required.