Grading system for dwellings acoustic performance implemented in French housing quality certification

Abstract

The QUALITEL group is the French association for housing quality, and manages the NF Habitat and NF Habitat HQE certifications. QUALITEL has developed many years ago its own grading system for dwellings acoustic performance, while the international classification technical specification (ISO/TS 19488) and the French single acoustic indicator were discussed. A classification scheme is a good idea to inform the public about building acoustics and an interesting tool for customers to compare products and more generally for the general public and nonspecialists building stakeholders. The QUALITEL label grading is composed of two indicators. The first one concerns the acoustic outdoor quality of the building environment; it allows to evaluate outdoor spaces such as balconies or gardens and also reflects the importance of exterior noise in the dwellings when the windows are open. The second one concerns the building acoustic indoor quality ; it allows to evaluate the protection against outdoor noise, noise from neighbors, and service equipment. This article focuses on the second indicator about the building performance and describes how it is obtained and compares this evaluated grade to the inhabitant's satisfaction rate, obtained with surveys. Some examples on real buildings are presented and compared with ISO/TS 19488 classification.