Rating System

LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v2 - Schools 2007

Inquiry

The Ursuline Academy Music Hall is a small addition to the school\'s Performing Arts building. We are seeking approval for this prerequisite through an alternative compliance approach due to the special nature of this project. This 3,480 square foot addition, while attached to the Performing Arts building, is not connected through corridors. To enter the new Music Hall, the students have to exit the existing building to enter the new one. LEED requires, through compliance with ANSI standard S12.60-2002, that a rating of STC-60 must be maintained through a composite wall and door construction between music and core learning spaces (which assumes that the adjacent spaces are both occupied). We submit that we have an adequate sound isolation wall between music to core learning spaces. This sound isolation wall consists of floor to deck partitions sealed at the perimeter with sound sealant, with two layers of 5/8" thick gypsum wallboard on both sides of a 3 5/8" metal stud, with acoustical insulation in the stud cavity. This partition is rated at STC-54 to 55 (laboratory testing). The doors to these spaces are rated at STC 40 with sound seals and fully mortised automatic door bottoms seals. These ratings exceed the norms for classroom spaces (usually STC-47 to 49 for walls and STC-20 or less for unsealed doors). The wall construction between the Office and Library to the Rehearsal Room will have floor to deck partitions sealed at the perimeter with sound sealant with one layer of 5/8" gypsum wallboard on both sides of a 3 5/8" metal stud, with acoustical insulation in the stud cavity. This partition is rated at STC-47 to 49 (laboratory testing). This partition type, even though it has a lower sound isolation rating, is considered acceptable due to the fact that when the teacher is teaching no one will be in either of these rooms; therefore an STC rating of 60 not relevant. It is because of the special way in which Ursuline plans on using these spaces that we feel that it is not necessary to achieve an STC- 60. Due to the special nature in which the school will be using this building will this be an acceptable solution to complying with this prerequisite?