Overview
EN ISO 10052:2021 - "Acoustics - Field measurements of airborne and impact sound insulation and of service equipment sound - Survey method" - specifies simplified, repeatable field survey methods for quick assessment of building acoustic performance. The standard applies to rooms in dwellings or rooms of comparable size (maximum 150 m³) and covers:
- Airborne sound insulation between rooms
- Impact sound insulation of floors (including heavy/soft impact)
- Airborne sound insulation of façades
- Sound pressure levels from service equipment (e.g., HVAC, pumps)
Survey results are typically octave‑band, frequency‑dependent values that can be converted into single-number ratings using ISO 717‑1 and ISO 717‑2. For heavy/soft impact tests the method also reports A-weighted maximum impact sound levels; service equipment noise is reported as A- or C-weighted sound pressure levels.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and applicability: Intended as a screening/survey method for dwellings and similar rooms up to 150 m³ - not an engineering-level test method.
- Measurement outputs: Octave-band sound insulation spectra; convertible to single-number indices per ISO 717 series; L_A,Fmax for maximum impact levels; A/C-weighted levels for equipment noise.
- Instrumentation & procedure: Uses hand‑held sound level instruments and manual microphone sweeping for room surveys. Reverberation time correction may be estimated from tables or measured.
- Operating conditions: Measurements performed with specified operating cycles and conditions (see Annex B). National regulations may supersede these.
- Uncertainty and precision: Survey method has greater measurement uncertainty than detailed engineering methods; suitable for screening and troubleshooting rather than final compliance certification.
- Normative references: Includes cross-references to ISO 10140‑5, ISO 16283‑2 and relevant IEC standards for filters and sound level meters.
Applications and users
Practical uses:
- Rapid acoustic screening during building surveys or refurbishment
- Pre-compliance checks and quality control after installation
- Complaint investigations related to airborne, impact or equipment noise
- Preliminary façade noise assessments and HVAC/pump noise checks
Primary users:
- Acoustic consultants and field technicians
- Building inspectors and regulatory agencies
- Architects, contractors and property managers
- Facility engineers and manufacturers of building services equipment
Keywords: acoustics, field measurements, sound insulation, impact sound, airborne sound, façade sound insulation, service equipment sound, ISO 10052:2021, survey method, building acoustics.
Related standards
This standard is suitable where quick, repeatable acoustic screening is required; for definitive compliance testing, refer to the ISO 16283 series and related engineering methods.