1.1 The purpose of this classification is to provide a single-number rating that can be used for comparing building facade designs, including walls, doors, windows, and combinations thereof. This rating is designed to correlate with subjective impressions of the ability of building elements to reduce the overall loudness of ground and air transportation noise. It is intended to be used as a rank ordering device.

1.2 The rating does not necessarily relate to the perceived aesthetic quality of the transmitted sound. Different facade elements with similar ratings may differ significantly in the proportion of low and high frequency sound that they transmit. It is best to use specific sound transmission loss values, in conjunction with actual spectra of outdoor and indoor sound levels, for making final selections of facade elements.

1.3 Excluded from the scope of this classification are applications involving noise spectra differing markedly from those described in 4.1. Thus excluded, for example, would be certain industrial noises with high levels at frequencies below the 80 Hz one-third octave band, relative to levels at higher frequencies. However, for any source with a spectrum similar to those in 4.1, this classification provides a more reliable ranking of the performance of partitions and facade elements than do other classifications such as Classification E413.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.