Overview - EN ISO 10848-5:2020 (Radiation efficiencies of building elements)
EN ISO 10848-5:2020 is Part 5 of the ISO 10848 series on acoustics. It specifies laboratory measurement methods to characterize the acoustic radiation of building elements (single‑leaf and double‑leaf) when directly excited by airborne or structure‑borne sources. The measured radiation efficiencies serve as input data for flanking‑transmission prediction methods (for example ISO 12354‑1 and ISO 12354‑2), for product comparison, or to express contractual requirements.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Measurement scope: Laboratory procedures to determine how efficiently an element radiates sound when excited by airborne or structure‑borne sources. Applicable to single‑leaf and double‑leaf construction.
- Test instrumentation and arrangement: Requirements for test facilities and equipment (referenced standards apply), microphone and vibration transducer placement, and recommended measurement geometry.
- Measured quantities:
- Average sound pressure level in the receiving room.
- Average velocity level (spatial and temporal averaging) of the element under excitation.
- Reverberation time and the equivalent sound absorption area of the receiving room.
- Radiation index/efficiency derived from these measurements.
- Excitation methods: Procedures for both stationary and transient excitations; structure‑borne (vibration) and airborne excitation techniques are covered.
- Calculation and reporting: Methods to calculate radiation indices and to express results with stated precision and uncertainty. Test report content requirements are defined.
- Alternative measurement: Annex A describes measurement of radiation efficiency using sound‑intensity techniques.
Applications - who uses this standard
- Acoustic test laboratories conducting laboratory characterization of building elements.
- Acoustic consultants and engineers performing flanking transmission assessments and prediction modelling.
- Manufacturers of walls, floors, ceilings and building services components who need reproducible radiation efficiency data for product comparison or specifications.
- Designers and contractors integrating sound insulation and flanking control into building designs.
Practical uses include feeding radiation efficiency data into ISO 12354 family prediction methods, assessing resonant transmission contributions, and setting product requirements.
Related standards
- ISO 10848‑1 (frame document for flanking transmission measurements)
- ISO 12354‑1 / ISO 12354‑2 (prediction of acoustic performance using element data)
- ISO 10140‑5 (requirements for test facilities)
- ISO 12999‑1 (measurement uncertainty in building acoustics)
- EN 12354‑5 (service equipment sound prediction - adaptation terms)
Keywords: acoustics, flanking transmission, radiation efficiency, building elements, EN ISO 10848‑5, laboratory measurement, structure‑borne, airborne, sound insulation, ISO 12354.
