A proposal for a new classification scheme for dwellings in Brazil

Since 2013, the national standard ABNT NBR 15575 established acoustic performance criteria for dwellings in Brazil. This standard presents three different performance levels - minimum (mandatory), intermediate and superior - through an informative annex that classifies the acoustical performance for each requirement. The standard is under revision and, due to technical discussions, a global acoustic system classification of dwellings is proposed aiming to allow ordinary people to understand the acoustical performance in a fast and intuitive way. The classification scheme proposed is based on the work developed by European COST action TU 0901, which presents harmonized criteria for several acoustic requirements. A large database of field measurements in typical Brazilian building systems was analyzed in order to verify the samples distribution using this new scheme. An A/B/C/D scale is proposed, and the results are presented for airborne/impact sound insulation between dwellings, airborne sound insulation for facades and criteria for sound levels of service building equipment. 1 marcos.