GSW // UNDERSTANDING THE STC & OITC RATINGS
Not all windows are intelligent. An intelligent window can do more than you would think.
The acoustical performance of windows and doors is influenced not only by the glass but also by the framing members and construction of the window assembly. Sound transmission class (STC) and Outdoor/Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) are measured in decibels (dB), and are the standard method for rating sound attenuation characteristics of glass products and window assemblies.
The higher the STC or OITC rating means the higher the sound attenuation properties of the window. The attached STC and OITC data is for glass only and that the final STC rating of the window assembly could vary because of the influence of the acoustical performance of the framing members and the construction of the window assembly.
Depending on the tightness and acoustical performance of the window frame, the final STC rating of the window assembly could have no influence to a 3 decibel drop in STC ratings from the base glass STC rating.
STC is typically used to measure sound transmission loss over a frequency range from 125 to 4000 hertz, and is most applicable for interior areas that experience mid to high frequency noises, such as conversation, television, or office equipment. OITC is similar to STC, but is measured for exterior areas across a frequency range of 80 to 4000 hertz and is therefore more applicable for low frequency noises coming from urban environments, such as traffic or airport noise. In the case of both STC and OITC ratings, a higher the rating, the better as it indicates that less noise is detectable.
OITC rating System was designed to measure the transmission of street sounds (such as car horns, sirens,construction, and low-flying airplanes) through exterior walls, Windows and facade elements. Exterior noise tends to be a lower frequency than interior noise (such as voices), so the OITC rating System emphasizes low frequency sounds in its calculations. Professionals use the OITC rating System less frequently than the STC rating System.
Today, the OITC rating System is used to assess any barrier meant to block out low frequency sound. For example, if your neighbor has a sub woofer-equipped sound System, you may want to consider OITC ratings for all of your barriers, interior and exterior.
How the OITC Rating is Measured
Like the STC rating System, OITC measures sound intensity loss in decibels. If a 105-decibel above ground subway only registers as 80 decibels after traveling through a Window or wall, the sound experiences a 25-decibel deficit. The ability of a barrier to create a specific decibel deficit varies according to the frequency of the sound passing through it: in general, very high and very low frequency sounds are more difficult to block.
A barrier’s OITC rating is measured using data gathered over an 80 to 4000 hertz frequency range. Once the data is collected, professionals calculate a barrier’s OITC rating in accordance with standards laid out by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). In general, a barriers OITC rating is lower than its STC rating.
Decibel (dB) – Decibel is a measure of the amplitude of sound. The higher the number of decibels signifies the louder the sound. Decibel only quantifies the loudness of sound and does not quantify any other characteristics of sound.
The table below will show you the insulating glass constructions that meet specific sound level ratings :
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