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Soundproof interior double door installation (C) Daniel Friedman Sound Control in buildings - Cut off Flanking Sound Paths
Definition of flanking sound transmission & how flanking noise transmission is controlled

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Building noise control - flanking pathways:

This article explains how sound flanking paths, sound leaks around and through building components, defeats incomplete attempts to reduce building sound transmission and noise levels. We include design details for sound reducing details in buildings including soundproof office doorways and doors.

This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) , by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

How to Cut Off Flanking Paths for Sound

Common flanking paths for noise (C) J Wiley  & Sons Best Practices - Steven Bliss Definition of flanking transmission or flanking sound transmission

Definition of flanking transmission or flanking noise transmission: the term flanking transmission in acoustical engineering is used to describe the passage of sound over, under, or around barriers intended to provide sound or noise control or isolation.

[Click to enlarge any image]

For example if sound-transmission-resistant partitions have been constructed between rooms but there are openings at the partition wall top (perhaps through a suspended ceiling) then sound control may be ineffective as sounds can pass over the intended noise barrier.

The page top photograph shows a pair of solid core doors installed at the entry to an office where sound transmission and privacy are a concern. Below we provide more details about soundproofing at doorways.

Continuing from from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) :

Sound takes the path of least resistance between rooms, through any air leaks or through rigid connections in the structure itself. These routes that bypass efforts at sound insulation are called flanking paths.

These flanking transmission pathways can significantly reduce the effectiveness of soundproofing efforts.

Building walls with high STC ratings (SOUND TRANSMISSION CLASS RATINGS) will do little good if sound can pass easily though electrical outlets or a thin, loosely fitting door.

For example, an un gasketed door or the equivalent of a one-inch-square hole in a wall can reduce an STC 50 wall to STC 30.

Checklist of Common Flanking Transmission Pathways in Buildings

Flanking noise below a door (C) Daniel Friedman

Our photo shows a sneaky flanking noise path - an under-cut door to a room used for massage treatment. Even though the door is solid wood, gaps around the door and the especially wide gap below the door provide a flanking noise pathway.

Common flanking paths include:

How to minimize Flanking Transmission of Noises

Bathroom noise & sound transmission & flanking control (C) Daniel Friedman

Minimizing sound noise transmission flanking paths requires both good planning and workmanship. Common strategies to control flanking path for noise in buildings include:

Design Details for Soundproof Doors & Doorways

This topic has been moved to SOUND CONTROL for DOORS.

- - Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction (Steve Bliss, J Wiley & Sons) .


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FLANKING SOUND PATHWAY CUT-OFF at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS

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