About this Event
Event Overview
Acoustics plays a critical role in occupant comfort, privacy, productivity, and wellness within the built environment. Understanding how sound is transmitted, absorbed, and controlled is essential for architects, engineers, specification writers, contractors, and facility managers.
Join renowned acoustics researcher Andrew Schmidt as he provides a practical introduction to acoustic fundamentals, explains commonly specified acoustic performance metrics, and reviews current acoustical requirements within the WELL Building Standard. Through real-world examples and practical applications, attendees will gain a better understanding of how acoustic performance is measured, specified, and achieved in buildings.
Detailed Event Description
Sound control and room acoustics are increasingly important considerations in modern building design. From speech privacy in offices to occupant comfort in schools, healthcare facilities, and residential buildings, effective acoustic design contributes directly to building performance and user satisfaction.
This presentation will provide attendees with a practical understanding of the key acoustic concepts used in construction and design, including sound transmission ratings, room acoustics, reverberation control, and acoustic performance requirements found in leading building standards.
Andrew Schmidt will explain how acoustic systems are tested, what the various performance ratings mean, and how acoustic design decisions can influence occupant experience. The session will also review acoustic requirements within the WELL Building Standard Version 2 and discuss best practices for achieving desired acoustic outcomes.
Whether you are involved in design, specification writing, construction, commissioning, or facility operations, this presentation will provide valuable insight into the science behind acoustics and the practical application of acoustic performance requirements.
Learning Objectives
By attending this seminar, participants will:
- Understand the fundamentals of sound transmission and room acoustics.
- Learn the significance of STC, IIC, and CAC ratings and how they are related.
- Understand how acoustic products and assemblies are tested in laboratory environments.
- Become familiar with field performance measures such as NIC, NNIC, and NISR.
- Learn how sound-absorbing materials influence reverberation time and overall room performance.
- Understand NRC, Sabins, and Array-NRC ratings and their applications.
- Review acoustic requirements within the WELL Building Standard v2.
- Explore practical design considerations and common misconceptions related to sound-rated construction.
Presentation Outline
Fundamentals of Sound Transmission and Room Acoustics
Sound Transmission
- STC (Sound Transmission Class)
- IIC (Impact Insulation Class)
- CAC (Ceiling Attenuation Class)
- Laboratory testing methods
- Understanding rating systems
- Relationship between STC, IIC, and CAC
- Introduction to field testing metrics:
- NIC
- NNIC
- NISR
Room Acoustics
- Reverberation Time
- Sound Absorption Fundamentals
- NRC, Sabins, and Array-NRC
- Acoustic testing methods
- Impact of sound-absorbing materials on room performance
- Sample calculations and influencing factors
Acoustic Requirements in Design Standards
WELL Building Standard v2
- Sound Barriers (STC requirements and Speech Privacy Class)
- Reverberation Time criteria
- Sound Reducing Surfaces (NRC and area requirements)
- Impact Noise Management (IIC requirements)
- Additional Discussion Topics
- Best practices for sound-rated construction
- Common misconceptions about sound transmission
- Factors affecting STC and IIC performance
- Acoustic clouds, baffles, and spaced sound absorbers
- Testing methodologies and performance evaluation
Speaker Biography
Andrew Schmidt
Principal Researcher, Acoustics
Andrew Schmidt is an acoustical consultant with extensive experience across a wide variety of commercial and residential construction projects. He earned his engineering degree through the Acoustics and Music Program at the University of Hartford and began his career with Jaffe Holden Acoustics under the mentorship of the late Chris Jaffe.
Andrew's expertise encompasses all aspects of architectural acoustics, including sound isolation, room acoustics, noise control, and vibration mitigation for building mechanical systems.
Since joining USG Corporation in 2017, Andrew has served as a Senior Researcher within the Building Science Laboratory, focusing on new product development, technical support, and the advancement of next-generation acoustic tools and resources for the construction industry.
He is an active member of several leading industry organizations, including:
- Acoustical Society of America (ASA)
- ASTM International
- Gypsum Association (GA)
Andrew is widely recognized for his ability to translate complex acoustic principles into practical solutions that can be applied by designers, building professionals, and construction teams.
Venue & Parking
📍 Stantec Office
1331 Clyde Ave., Suite 300
Ottawa, ON K2C 3G4
🚗 Complimentary Parking Available
Attendees may park in the parking lots associated with the SmartCentres development (including the Walmart parking area). To avoid parking tickets, vehicle licence plate numbers must be registered in advance.
Please email your licence plate number to [email protected] at least one day prior to the event. Parking will be provided free of charge for registered attendees.
Who Should Attend
This session is particularly relevant for:
- Architects
- Architectural Technologists
- Engineers
- Building Envelope Consultants
- Specification Writers
- Contractors
- Construction Managers
- Facility Managers
- Owners and Developers
- Interior Designers
- Acoustic Consultants
- Students and Emerging Professionals
Event venue & nearby stays
Stantec Ottawa office, 1331 Clyde Avenue, Ottawa, Canada
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