Regulation on the Protection of Buildings Against Noise

Purpose, Scope, Legal Basis, and Definitions

Purpose

ARTICLE 1 – (1) The purpose of this Regulation is to determine the rules to be complied with in terms of design, construction, use, maintenance, and operation to ensure good hearing and perception conditions that minimize the negative effects of noise originating from outside or inside buildings, to which people will be exposed during the operation and use stages of all kinds of structures, buildings, facilities, and enterprises, on the peace and tranquility of individuals, and physical and mental health.

Scope

ARTICLE 2 – (1) This Regulation covers the basic rules regarding the measures for controlling environmental noise such as transportation, industry, construction, and human-induced noise to which people are exposed indoors in official and private structures, buildings, facilities, and enterprises of all kinds to be constructed within and outside municipal and adjacent area boundaries, as well as neighborhood noise, impact sounds, noise from mechanical systems and service equipment arising inside the structure, and mechanical vibrations emitted from devices.

(2) This Regulation;

1. a) the assessment of noise pollution inside buildings, inspection of enterprises, and all kinds of administrative sanction practices within the scope of environmental permit or license certificates to be issued to enterprises and facilities in accordance with the Environmental Permit and License Regulation published in the Official Gazette dated 10/9/2014 and numbered 29115,
2. b) applications carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation on the Protection of Employees from Noise-Related Risks published in the Official Gazette dated 28/7/2013 and numbered 28721, and the Regulation on the Protection of Employees from Vibration-Related Risks published in the Official Gazette dated 22/8/2013 and numbered 28743,
3. c) applications regarding the noise to which workers employed in workplaces within the scope of the Labor Law dated 22/5/2003 and numbered 4857 are exposed,

ç) room acoustics design issues and calculations for special uses such as conference, concert, cinema, and theater halls,

does not cover.

(3) The provisions of this Regulation shall also apply to the assessment of existing structures due to improvement and renovation, buildings and facilities whose intended use is requested to be partially or completely changed after the entry into force of the Regulation, and to substantial repair and renovation projects.

(4) For buildings registered as cultural property to be preserved, necessary structural measures shall be applied in a manner that does not affect the characteristics of the building, by obtaining the opinion of the Regional Board for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.

(5) The procedures and principles regarding the protection of new or to-be-constructed structures, buildings, and facilities used by the Turkish Armed Forces from noise shall be determined by the Ministry of National Defense; the procedures and principles regarding the protection of structures, buildings, and facilities used as correctional institutions from noise shall be determined by the Ministry of Justice, taking into account the provisions of this Regulation.

(6) In existing public buildings, the authorized administration is responsible for conducting the necessary measurements and tests for noise prevention, improving acoustic conditions, and determining the sound insulation level to be provided, based on the provisions and minimum insulation levels of this Regulation.

Legal Basis

ARTICLE 3 – (1) This Regulation has been prepared based on Article 14 of the Environmental Law dated 9/8/1983 and numbered 2872, Articles 2 and 8 of the Decree-Law on the Organization and Duties of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization dated 29/6/2011 and numbered 644, and Articles 38 and 40 of the Development Law dated 3/5/1985 and numbered 3194.

Definitions

ARTICLE 4 – (1) For the purposes of this Regulation, the following terms shall have the meanings specified below;

1. a) A-weighted sound pressure level (dBA): A single-number sound level unit obtained with the aid of the A-weighting network, which is widely used in noise control, determines the effect of noise, and places more weight on middle and high frequencies where the human hearing system is most sensitive to low-pressure sounds,
2. b) Weighted impact sound insulation improvement index (ΔL_w): The single-number value obtained using a reference curve of the impact sound insulation improvement index ΔL determined in 1/3 octave bands,
3. c) Weighted sound reduction indices (R_w, R’_w): Single-number insulation indicators obtained using a reference curve from the sound reduction index or apparent sound reduction index values of the building element to specify the insulation performances of the building elements,

ç) Weighted sound reduction improvement index (ΔR_w): The single-number value obtained using a reference curve of the sound reduction improvement index ΔR determined in 1/3 octave bands,

1. d) Weighted sound absorption coefficient (α_w): The single-number value of the frequency-dependent values of sound absorption, obtained using a reference curve,
2. e) Weighted standardized facade level difference (D_2m,nT,w): The single-number insulation indicator obtained using a reference curve from the value corrected according to the reverberation time in the receiving room of the difference between the sound pressure level measured 2 meters in front of the facade with the aid of existing traffic noise or a specific sound transmitter source, and the sound pressure level in the receiving room,
3. f) Weighted standardized impact sound pressure level (L’_nT,w): The single-number insulation indicator obtained using a reference curve from the spectral value reduced using a correction term depending on the reverberation time of the receiving room of the impact sound pressure level measured and calculated in the receiving room in field measurements,
4. g) Weighted standardized level difference (D_nT,w): The single-number insulation indicator obtained using a reference curve from the spectral value obtained by correcting, according to the reverberation time of the receiving room, the difference between the spatial and temporal averages of the sound pressure levels produced in both rooms by airborne sound generated by one or more sound sources in one of two adjacent rooms,

ğ) Acoustics: The branch of science that examines topics such as the generation and propagation of sound waves, sound sources, hearing-perception-impact, measurement, and control technologies, and investigates application possibilities,

1. h) Acoustic performance certificate: The document indicating the acoustic performance class as a result of acoustic tests to be carried out for all noise-sensitive buildings or independent units within them according to this Regulation,

ı) Acoustic performance class: The rating system expressed as A, B, C, D, E, or F (where A indicates the highest performance and F indicates the lowest performance) established through the assessment of an independent unit or the entire building in buildings and independent units within them, depending on indoor noise levels, insulation values of building elements, indoor noise levels originating from installation and service equipment, and reverberation times,

1. i) Acoustic project: The project documents prepared using the provisions of this Regulation, containing acoustic projects and detailed drawings, key sheets, calculation and/or measurement results, and assessment reports,
2. j) Receiving room: The room to which sound is transmitted and where the receiving microphones are positioned in a sound insulation measurement,
3. k) Background noise (for buildings): The remaining total sound measured at the same position and under the same conditions when the noise source under investigation is not operating in an environment or closed space,
4. l) Correction for background noise: The process of finding the actual source value in an environment or closed space by log subtraction of the background noise from the measured total value,
5. m) Independent unit: The section of a building that is suitable for separate and independent use and is subject to independent ownership in accordance with the Condominium Law dated 23/6/1965 and numbered 634,
6. n) Ministry: The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization,
7. o) Uncertainty value: The estimated value defining the range within which the measured quantity can be found around its true value (an indicator of measurement quality and reliability of measurement results),

ö) Building acoustics: The sub-discipline of acoustic science that examines the noise problems caused by the immediate surroundings of buildings, the internal acoustics of spaces within buildings, and building elements along with all kinds of mechanical and electrical systems, aiming to prevent harmful sounds and including the reverberation time,

1. p) Building acoustics specialist: Those who perform services such as preparing reports and acoustic projects on building acoustics as envisaged in this Regulation, evaluating during construction, and presenting the results with measurements after implementation,
2. r) Partition element: Vertical structural elements such as walls, which separate the source and receiving rooms and may also contain components like doors and windows, and structural elements like floors and roofs,
3. s) C-Weighted sound pressure level (dBC): A single-number sound level unit obtained with the aid of the C-weighting network, used in the assessment of noise with low-frequency sounds down to 35 Hz,

ş) Environmental noise or outdoor noise: Harmful or unwanted airborne sounds generated during the use of transport vehicles, road traffic, railway traffic, airway traffic, waterway traffic, wind turbines, machinery and equipment used outdoors, construction sites, industrial facilities, workshops, manufactories, workplaces, and similar enterprises, as well as recreation areas and entertainment venues, amusement parks, children’s playgrounds, sports fields, and human activities,

1. t) Impact sound: Sounds that occur directly in a solid medium, such as a floor, resulting from two masses colliding or door slamming, footsteps, dragging of items, friction, which are transmitted to the building structural system and building elements, and thus cause the generation of structure-borne sounds,
2. u) Impact sound pressure level (L_i): The sound pressure level averaged energetically according to various microphone positions in one of the 1/3 octave bands in the receiving room during the excitation of the floor, whose impact sound insulation is to be measured, by a standard impact sound source,

ü) Impact sound insulation: The spectral or single-number insulation indicator value obtained from the sound pressure level measured in the lower room in the case of operation of a standard impact sound source modeling footstep sound positioned on the upper floor slab, also taking into account the acoustic conditions of the receiving room,

1. v) Impact sound insulation improvement index (ΔL): The unit used in laboratory measurements to specify the performance of an additional layer used to increase the insulation value of a building element against impact sounds, showing the difference between the normalized impact sound pressure levels measured in 1/3 octave bands in layered and non-layered states of a reference floor,
2. y) Decibel (dB): The unit of “level” in which the result obtained by comparing the power, intensity, and pressure of measured sounds with reference to the faintest audible sound, according to this reference value, is given logarithmically,
3. z) External building elements: Building envelope elements that are exposed to outdoor noise sources and other environmental factors, separating an outdoor environment from an indoor environment, which may also include components like doors and windows, and representing external walls, curtain walls, roofs, terraces, and open-underneath floors,
4. aa) Direct transmission: The transmission of sounds incident on a structural element to the rear of the element, either structure-borne through the vibration of the element or airborne through openings such as cracks, shutters, and ventilation units on the element,
5. bb) Indirect or flanking transmission: The transmission of sound through other elements adjacent to these elements, such as side walls, ceiling, and floor, other than the sounds transmitted directly from the external structural element via the partition element from a room adjacent to a receiving room,
6. cc) Floor: Structural elements that separate building internal sections horizontally or slantwise,

çç) Level difference (D): The difference in sound pressure level between the spatial and temporal averages of the sound pressure levels produced in both rooms by airborne sound generated by one or more sound sources in one of two adjacent rooms,

1. dd) Entertainment venue: A workplace operating within an accommodation facility or independently, aimed at meeting the entertainment needs of the customer, containing electronically amplified sounds and live music in its environment,
2. ee) Equivalent sound absorption area (A): The product of the area of a surface and its absorption coefficient,
3. ff) Equivalent continuous sound pressure level (L_eq): The level equivalent to a continuous sound with equal energy of a fluctuating noise whose sound pressure levels vary within a certain period of time (called L_Aeq when measured as A-weighted sound level),
4. gg) Maximum sound pressure level (L_F,max): The maximum value in each octave band of sound pressure levels measured using fast time weighting within a specific measurement period (called L_AF,max when measured as A-weighted sound level),

ğğ) Frequency: The number of vibrations per second of a pure tone sound wave,

1. hh) Frequency spectrum: The graphic representation of the variation of sound pressure levels of a noise in each of the octave and 1/3 octave bands according to frequencies,

ıı) Night level (L_night): The indicator obtained from A-weighted long-term average sound levels, defined during night hours, representing the level of environmental noise,

1. ii) Day-evening-night level (L_den): The indicator obtained from A-weighted long-term average sound levels, representing the level of environmental noise,
2. jj) Noise assessment: Any method used to determine, predict, or measure the adverse effects of noise using a noise indicator,
3. kk) Noise indicator: A physical scale used to define the adverse effect of noise, being assessment units used to express measurement results with a single number by applying certain weightings,
4. ll) Noise control: Operations carried out to completely or partially eliminate the harmful effects of sounds having the characteristics of noise emitted from any sound source, by methods such as reducing them to the level envisaged in this Regulation, changing their acoustic properties, reducing their duration of impact, or masking them with another less annoying sound,
5. mm) Noise control criterion (NR): A single-number assessment method used to evaluate the noise of an indoor space according to its spectral characteristics,
6. nn) Noise measurement: The process of measuring the sound pressure levels of noise or background noise arising due to an existing source in outdoor and indoor environments with the aid of electroacoustic measurement systems, using the methods and devices specified in the relevant standard listed in ANNEX-9, analyzing them spectrally, temporally, and statistically, and reporting the results,
7. oo) Noise criterion: Limit values determining in detail for various uses the noise levels that can be accepted using a noise indicator in order not to adversely affect human health, comfort, performance, and work efficiency,

öö) Noisiness degree: The noise-producing characteristic classified as high, medium, and low, used to classify spaces according to their noise levels,

1. pp) Less noise-sensitive buildings: Uses such as administrative and commercial buildings, sports facilities, and terminals,
2. rr) Highly noise-sensitive buildings: Uses such as residences, hospitals providing inpatient services, child and elderly care homes, boarding educational institutions, student dormitories, and cultural facilities,
3. ss) Noise-sensitive buildings: Uses such as accommodation facilities providing overnight service, educational institutions, and religious facilities,

şş) Non-noise-sensitive buildings: Areas and uses that can be noise sources themselves and are not sensitive to noise, such as parking lots, garages, entertainment venues, and industrial facilities,

1. tt) Airborne sound: Sounds propagating in the air and transmitted to long distances by the vibration of a sound source located in the air,
2. uu) Airborne sound insulation: The spectral or single-number insulation indicator value obtained from the sound reduction occurring when airborne sound striking a building element is transmitted behind the element, also taking into account the acoustic conditions of the receiving room,

üü) Hertz (Hz): The unit showing the number of vibrations per second of a pure tone sound wave,

1. vv) Indoor noise or internal noise: The entirety of unwanted and harmful sounds originating from mechanical and electrical installation noise inside the building and all kinds of neighborhood noise sources, adversely affecting people inside the space,
2. yy) Structure-borne sound: Continuous or intermittent sounds formed as a result of an impact source vibrating the solid medium it contacts, such as a building element, and transmitted in all directions within the element,
3. zz) Source room: The room where the noise source is positioned in a sound insulation measurement,

aaa) Neighborhood noise: Noise generated by household activities and neighbors, arising from individuals’ own behaviors and habits and various household appliances inside the dwelling; such as closing doors, windows, walking, speaking loudly, shouting, children running and jumping, cleaning, dragging furniture, watching television, listening to radio and music amplified by electronic sound transmitters, using musical instruments, using household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, dryers, sewing machines, refrigerators, garbage disposals, vacuum cleaners, keeping pets, and activities such as renovations to be carried out within the building, as well as noise coming from common areas like stairs, corridors, and others,

bbb) Intermittent sound: Sounds repeated at regular or irregular intervals and lasting at least 5 seconds,

ccc) Mechanical vibration: Periodic vibrations that occur under the influence of an exciting force applied to a solid body, are at frequencies below the hearing limits, and are perceived as a sense of touch,

ççç) Mechanical and electrical system noise: Airborne and impact sounds produced by all kinds of residential air conditioning outdoor units, central air conditioning systems and equipment, plumbing equipment and pipes, elevators, generators, and similar systems located inside or outside the structure in buildings,

ddd) Architectural acoustics report: The report containing the sound insulation properties of building elements, details, related calculations, and application principles,

eee) Octave band: The frequency band used to reveal the variation of sound pressure level with frequency, whose lower and upper frequency limits are twice each other and whose bandwidth is equal to 70% of the center frequency,

fff) 1/3 Octave band: The frequency band that allows more detailed analysis by dividing each octave band into 3 and whose bandwidth is equal to 23% of the center frequency,

ggg) Reverberation time (T): The time elapsed for the sound pressure level to decrease by 60 dB after a sound source operating within a volume becomes silent, being the parameter that determines the acoustic characteristic of a volume depending on the frequency and is also used in the evaluation of sound insulation,

ğğğ) Service equipment: Internal and external technical equipment required for the operation of the building, such as heating, air conditioning, plumbing systems, pumps, generators, elevators, and garage doors,

hhh) Sound reduction improvement index or insulation improvement index (ΔR): The unit used in laboratory measurements to specify the performance of an additional layer used to increase the insulation value of a building element against airborne sounds, showing the difference between the sound reduction indices in layered and non-layered states measured in 1/3 octave bands after being applied to a substrate basic element,

ııı) Limit value: In this Regulation, the highest or lowest level permitted in terms of an insulation or noise indicator,

iii) Sound reduction index (R): Ten times the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the sound power W₁ incident on a building element to the sound power W₂ transmitted through the element, being the unit used to specify the sound reduction performance of the element,

jjj) Sound pressure level (L_p): The value expressed in dB, found by multiplying by 20 the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the sound pressure measured at a certain point in the medium to the reference sound pressure of 20×10-6 Pa or 20 µPa,

kkk) Sound power level (L_w): The value expressed in dB, found by multiplying by 10 the logarithm to the base ten of the ratio of the sound power emitted by the sound source to the reference sound power of 10-12 Watt, which is the faintest audible sound power,

lll) Sound emission value: Sound power levels measured in the laboratory or field according to the relevant standards,

mmm) Spectral level: Unweighted sound pressure levels in each of the octave or 1/3 octave bands of a sound, in other words, belonging to different frequency components of a noise,

nnn) Spectrum adaptation terms (C_tr, C, C_I, C_tr,50-3150, C_50-3150, C_I,50-2500): The terms calculated according to TS EN ISO 717-1 and TS EN ISO 717-2 standards for octave or 1/3 octave bands using a specific standard frequency spectrum curve to obtain single-number insulation indicators,

ooo) Standardized facade level difference (D_2m,nT): The value corrected according to the reverberation time in the receiving room of the difference between the sound pressure level measured 2 meters in front of the facade with the aid of existing traffic noise or a specific sound transmitter source, and the sound pressure level in the receiving room,

ööö) Standardized impact sound pressure level (L’_nT): The spectral value of the impact sound pressure level measured and calculated in the receiving room in field measurements, reduced using a correction term depending on the reverberation time of the receiving room,

ppp) Standardized level difference (D_nT): The spectral value obtained by correcting, according to the reverberation time of the receiving room, the difference between the spatial and temporal averages of the sound pressure levels produced in both rooms by airborne sound generated by one or more sound sources in one of two adjacent rooms,

rrr) Standardized equivalent continuous sound pressure level (L_eq,nT): The equivalent continuous sound pressure level standardized by taking the reference reverberation time as 0.5 s in octave or 1/3 octave bands (called L_A,eq,nT when measured as A-weighted sound level),

sss) Standardized maximum sound pressure level (L_F,max,nT): The value standardized by taking the reference reverberation time as 0.5 s and according to the reverberation time of the room where measurement is performed, of the maximum sound pressure level measured in octave bands using fast response time weighting (called L_AF,max,nT when measured as A-weighted sound level),

şşş) Continuous sound: Sounds whose sound pressure level is constant, fluctuating, or slightly variable within a specific period of time,

ttt) Load-Bearing System: The load-bearing system of the building and all kinds of elements and components related to the load-bearing system,

uuu) Repeatability: The closeness of agreement between the results of measurements of the same measurand carried out under the same measurement method, same observer, same measuring instrument, same location, same conditions of use, and repeated over a short period of time,

üüü) Insulation indicator: Assessment units used to express the sound insulation performances of building elements, which vary according to frequencies, with a single number,

vvv) Building component: Complementary elements such as doors, windows, glass, ventilation units, duct openings, and shutters, which are located on building elements and have different materials and structures,

yyy) Structural element: All of the external walls, curtain walls, roofs, and horizontal and vertical partition elements inside the building, whether load-bearing or not, which form the building envelope and also include building components such as windows and doors on them,

zzz) Floating floor: The floor type where sound insulation is provided by interrupting the connection, horizontally and vertically, between complementary components such as floor covering or the screed layer under the floor covering, and load-bearing or dividing components of the building such as the floor slab and wall body, with a flexible, pressure-resistant, impact sound insulation layer,

shall mean.

CHAPTER TWO

General Principles

Project and licensing procedures

MADDE 5 – (1) In the construction of new buildings, in existing buildings and facilities whose intended use is requested to be partially or completely changed after the entry into force of this Regulation, and in substantial renovation projects, the principles envisaged in this Regulation according to the intended use and spatial characteristics shall be taken into consideration.

(2) If the projects, in addition to other legal regulations, do not comply with the conditions envisaged in this Regulation in terms of precautions against noise, a building permit shall not be granted. In the event that it is detected that production has not been made in accordance with the principles envisaged in this Regulation in newly constructed buildings or independent units in buildings whose intended use has been changed through project modification, an occupancy permit (building utilization certificate) shall not be granted to the building until these deficiencies are corrected.

(3) Regarding matters not defined in this Regulation and requiring clarity, Turkish Standards, and in the absence of these standards, European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Standards shall be taken as basis. In matters not regulated in Turkish or European Standards, internationally accepted documents may also be used.

(4) Administrations authorized to grant building permits, investor organizations, building owners, architects and engineers in charge of design and implementation, implementing contractors and manufacturers, building acoustics specialists taking part in building construction and use, and building assessment and operation officials are charge, authorized, and responsible for the implementation of the provisions of this Regulation, depending on their interest.

(5) For residences with at most four stories excluding the basement and attic, and structures whose total construction area does not exceed 2,000 square meters, excluding the construction area of only one basement, and which do not have a central air conditioning system, the requirement for an acoustic project to be prepared by an acoustics specialist is not sought. In structures and works subject to a permit; structural regulations regarding the insulation of buildings against noise and detailed drawings regarding connection points shall be made in accordance with the architectural acoustics report to be prepared or caused to be prepared by the relevant project author, unless specified to be made by a building acoustics specialist in this Regulation.

(6) Sound insulation and acoustic projects for buildings containing public spaces and including different uses, buildings containing uses requiring special acoustic design such as concert and listening halls, and buildings targeting acoustic performance class A or B shall be prepared by a building acoustics specialist separately from architectural and installation projects. An acoustic performance certificate shall be issued for buildings in acoustic performance class A or B.

(7) Details and drawings regarding sound insulation, along with calculation and/or measurement results, within the scope of the acoustic project or architectural acoustics report to be prepared according to this Regulation, shall be delivered to the relevant administration by the building owner or their legal representatives together with the architectural project and installation projects annexed to the permit application attached to the application petition to obtain a building permit.

Building elements, materials, and components

MADDE 6 – (1) Acoustic performance properties or related parameters of building materials, components, and building elements consisting of one or more layers contributing to acoustic performance shall be declared in accordance with the relevant product standard. Elements, components, and materials contributing to acoustic performance, whose acoustic performance properties or parameters related thereto are not included in product standards, must be subjected to acoustic testing in laboratories with accreditation certificates in accordance with the relevant laboratory measurement standard in ANNEX-1.

(2) Sound-absorbing materials, impact sound-insulating layers, vibration isolators, acoustic louvers, cabins, modular noise barriers, acoustic mastic, profiles, under-door sound seals, duct lining and duct cladding materials, sound attenuators, intermediate elements connecting layers in structural elements, preventing point or linear sound bridges and used at connection joints, and building materials used specifically for sound insulation, tool materials, specially designed systems, windows, doors, joinery, and glass are subject to acoustic performance declaration.

(3) For the sound emission values of all mechanical and electrical equipment and fittings to be used in buildings, the spectral levels declared by the manufacturer and the A-weighted sound power level shall be used. The emission sound power level must be declared together with the standard by which it was measured.

Obligations and responsibilities

MADDE 7 – (1) Acoustic projects and measurements containing details and structural solutions regarding sound insulation in buildings can be carried out by those who belong to the professional group specified in the application conditions of appropriate certificate programs prepared by the Ministry and who are authorized as building acoustics specialists by participating in the training to be organized.

(2) In the event that it is determined that building acoustics specialists abuse their authority or issue false documents, the situation shall be reported to the relevant professional chamber by the administration authorized to grant building permits, and the certificates of those who receive disciplinary punishment as a result of the investigation and inquiry to be conducted about them shall be canceled by the certificate-issuing organization upon notification of the Ministry, never to be issued again.

(3) The Regulation on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise published in the Official Gazette dated 4/6/2010 and numbered 27601 shall be taken as basis for the conditions to be complied with in equipment used outdoors, emission levels for noise sources used indoors, and conditions to be complied with in tools, equipment, and machinery used in industrial facilities.

ÜÇÜNCÜ BÖLÜM

Noise and Insulation Indicators to be Used and Their Implementation

Environmental noise indicators

MADDE 8 – (1) In measuring, calculating, and evaluating noise levels outside buildings, the Regulation on the Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise shall be taken as basis. Measurements are performed according to TS 9315 ISO 1996-1 and TS ISO 1996-2 standards. In insulation calculations to be made for external structural elements, L_eq, L_F,max dB, and frequency-weighted L_den, dBA values in the frequency ranges specified in Article 10 and in 1/3 octave bands shall be used for day and night hours.

Indoor noise indicators

MADDE 9 – (1) In the evaluation of background noise in indoor spaces in buildings, L_Aeq and NR indicators are used. L_Aeq is calculated according to the user’s hours of using the space and for day, evening, night, or 24 hours. NR is determined in octave bands between 63-8000 Hz.

(2) In the evaluation of indoor noise originating from service equipment in buildings, L_Aeq,nT and L_AF,max,nT indicators are used. L_Aeq,nT and L_AF,max,nT values are determined in octave bands between 63-8000 Hz depending on the type of equipment. L_Aeq,nT is used for service equipment producing continuous sound, and L_AF,max,nT is used for service equipment producing intermittent sound. Measurements are carried out at least at 3 different points and in accordance with TS EN ISO 10052 and TS EN ISO 16032.

Sound insulation indicators

MADDE 10 – (1) In evaluating the insulation of external structural elements of buildings against airborne sounds, D_nT,A,tr or D_2m,nT,50 is used. The D_nT,A,tr value is the representation of the D_2m,nT,w value together with the C_tr spectrum adaptation term determined in the range of 100 Hz – 3150 Hz. The D_2m,nT,50 value is the representation of the D_2m,nT,w value together with the C_tr,50-3150 spectrum adaptation term determined in the range of 50 Hz – 3150 Hz.

(2) In evaluating the insulation of partition elements in buildings against airborne sounds, D_nT,A or D_nT,50 is used. The D_nT,A value is the representation of the D_nT,w value together with the C spectrum adaptation term determined in the range of 100 Hz – 3150 Hz. The D_nT,50 value is the representation of the D_nT,w value together with the C spectrum adaptation term determined in the range of 50 Hz – 3150 Hz.

(3) In evaluating the insulation to be made against impact sound of floors in buildings, L’_nT,w or L’_nT,50 indicators are used. The L’_nT,50 value is the representation of the L’_nT,w value together with the C_I,50-2500 spectrum adaptation term determined in the range of 50 Hz – 2500 Hz.

(4) In building types where mechanical systems and service equipment for which an acoustic project is to be prepared are located, in entertainment venues, and in industrial buildings, noise levels are determined through preliminary analyses by a building acoustics specialist. If it is determined that dominant tonal components between 50-100 Hz exist in the noise source or in the noise spectrum transmitted to the receiving space, or if it is determined that the resonance frequencies of lightweight structural elements fall within the range of 50-100 Hz, all insulation measurements and calculations to be made in external structural elements and vertical and horizontal partition elements affected by noise shall start from 50 Hz, and D_2m,nT,50, D_nT,50, L’_nT,50 sound insulation indicators shall be used. For mitigation works, when deemed necessary by the building acoustics specialist, the upper frequency to be investigated can be increased up to 5000 Hz depending on the noise spectrum.

(5) In sound insulation measurements, techniques specified in TS EN ISO 16283-1, TS EN ISO 16283-2, and TS EN ISO 16283-3 standards are used.

DÖRDÜNCÜ BÖLÜM

Limit Values for Acoustic Performance Classes in Buildings

Sound insulation limit values

MADDE 11 – (1) Depending on different building types and functions of spaces, their noisiness degrees if they are noise sources, and their sensitivity to noise if they are receivers, are determined in accordance with ANNEX-2 Table 2.1.

(2) The acoustic performance class that the building must possess is determined in accordance with this Regulation. For subjective evaluations provided by acoustic performance classes in airborne sound insulation and impact sound insulation, ANNEX-2 Table 2.2 is taken into consideration.

(3) In newly constructed buildings, at least acoustic performance class C is provided. In existing buildings, in the case of a change in the intended use, at least class D is provided in the affected independent units, and in the case of substantial renovation, at least acoustic performance class D is provided in the affected structural elements. The sound insulation of the whole structural element, including its transparent components such as windows, is subject to this evaluation. In structural elements containing doors, the sound insulation value provided together with the door is permitted to be at most 10 dB lower than the limit values specified in this Regulation.

(4) The minimum airborne sound insulation requirements to be taken as basis for external structural elements of spaces whose noise sensitivity degrees are determined are included in ANNEX-3 Table 3.1.

(5) The minimum airborne sound insulation requirements to be taken as basis for vertical and horizontal elements separating spaces whose noisiness and sensitivity degrees are determined are included in ANNEX-3 Table 3.2.

(6) The maximum impact sound limit values to be taken as basis for floors separating spaces whose noisiness and sensitivity degrees are determined are included in ANNEX-3 Table 3.3.

(7) Neighborhood relations of adjacent or vertically aligned volumes for frequently encountered building types and spaces are defined, and the relevant limit values are included in ANNEX-3 Table 3.4 and Table 3.5. Table 2.1 is used in determining the insulation requirements for structural elements separating two adjacent or vertically aligned neighboring spaces showing a neighborhood relation not included in these tables, and the values are taken from Table 3.2 and Table 3.3.

(8) In the event that a spatial function not included in ANNEX-2 is in question, the insulation requirements for the structural elements of the space are determined by selecting appropriate values from the tables in the annex in line with the principles specified in this Regulation.

Indoor noise limit values

MADDE 12 – (1) Indoor noise levels permitted depending on the acoustic performance class in buildings are included in ANNEX-4 Table 4.1.

(2) The maximum indoor noise levels permitted, including music sound, in spaces whose primary function is not listening to music, such as restaurants, bars, shopping centers, shops, and game halls where electronically amplified music broadcasting or live music is performed, are included in ANNEX-4 Table 4.1.

(3) In newly constructed buildings, at least class C is provided, and in existing buildings, in case of a change of intended use or substantial renovation, at least class D is provided in the independent units affected by the renovation.

Indoor noise limit values originating from installation and service equipment

MADDE 13 – (1) Noise levels originating from service equipment producing continuous noise cannot exceed the values in ANNEX-5 Table 5.1.

(2) Noise levels originating from service equipment producing intermittent noise cannot exceed the values in ANNEX-5 Table 5.2.

(3) In newly constructed buildings, at least class C is provided, and in existing buildings, in case of a change of intended use or substantial renovation, at least class D is provided in the independent units affected by the renovation.

Limit values for reverberation times and surface absorptions

MADDE 14 – (1) The maximum limit values of reverberation time permitted in various spaces are included in ANNEX-6 Table 6.1. These values are used in calculating the minimum airborne sound insulation values requested from structural elements.

(2) In educational buildings, healthcare facilities, office and administrative buildings, cafeterias and restaurants, all circulation areas, libraries, terminals, public facilities, and sports halls, the weighted sound absorption coefficient (α_w) of the ceiling cladding must provide at least 0.75. The absorptions requested for other surfaces are obtained depending on the reverberation times.

(3) In acoustic projects and reports, in the case that compliance with the reverberation times in ANNEX-6 is demonstrated through calculations, the condition specified in the second paragraph is not sought.

BEŞİNCİ BÖLÜM

Sound Insulation Application Process and Insulation Rules

Limit value determination methods for airborne sounds and impact sounds

MADDE 15 – (1) The process in determining and applying the insulation limit values for airborne and impact sounds specified in this Regulation is included in ANNEX-7.

(2) The minimum airborne sound insulation value to be applied in mechanical rooms and spaces where sound amplifying systems are used is determined through the calculation given in ANNEX-7 in a manner to provide the levels specified in ANNEX-4 Table 4.1.

Insulation designing, calculating, and modeling methods

MADDE 16 – (1) The rules to be applied in designing the desired insulation are included in ANNEX-7.

1. a) If the sound reduction index R and impact sound pressure level L_n values of building elements and components measured in accordance with Article 6 are declared as spectral levels in octave or 1/3 octave bands, these values are used in insulation design and calculations.
2. b) If laboratory-measured measurement results are not available; the sound reduction index R and impact sound pressure level L_n values can be calculated as spectral or weighted levels R_w (C;C_tr) and L_n,w, using scientific methods generally accepted in the literature for direct transmission of sound or software based on these methods.
3. c) The sound insulation performance of building elements is calculated using the relevant parts of TS EN ISO 12354-1, TS EN ISO 12354-2, and TS EN ISO 12354-3 standards, which model sound propagation inside the building by adding to the R and L_n values determined by laboratory measurements or scientific methods the flanking transmissions occurring according to the connection zone characteristics of the building elements.

ç) The building elements to be applied are given in a list in the acoustic project/architectural acoustics report together with sound insulation details and calculated acoustic performance values; application principles are explained.

1. d) For special situations, the desired insulation values are additionally calculated in accordance with the calculation method given in ANNEX-7 depending on the noise sources and internal acoustic requirements of the spaces, and the building element and details are determined according to this value.

(2) Generally accepted scientific methods in the literature can be used to convert R_w (C;C_tr) and L_n,w performance values determined by laboratory measurements or calculations into D_nT,A or D_nT,50 and L’_nT,w or L’_nT,50 values through calculation.

ALTINCI BÖLÜM

Installation and Service Equipment Noise Control Measures

Noise control

MADDE 17 – (1) The rules specified in ANNEX-8 are applied for the purpose of controlling noise originating from installation and service equipment.

Noise control measures

MADDE 18 – (1) At the stage of completing mechanical system installation and commissioning, if requested by the administration, measurements are carried out according to TS EN ISO 10052 and TS EN ISO 16032 standards. In the event that measurement results exceed the limit values, measures are taken in accordance with ANNEX-8.

YEDİNCİ BÖLÜM

Expertise, Assessment, Tests, and Reporting

Assessment criteria for those who will prepare measurements, calculations, reports, and acoustic projects

MADDE 19 – (1) Training conditions, professional competence and experience criteria of those who will perform building acoustics project and measurement services, along with their certification and the procedures and principles regarding the execution of the service, are defined in acoustic certificate programs.

Standards to be used regarding services

MADDE 20 – (1) Standards to be used in calculations and tests to be made in the implementation of this Regulation are included in ANNEX-9.

SEKİZİNCİ BÖLÜM

Auditing and Certification

Auditing

MADDE 21 – (1) In buildings, acoustic tests and reports based on measurements during or after the construction stage are carried out by a building acoustics specialist, and a measurement report is prepared.

Acoustic performance class and certification

MADDE 22 – (1) In buildings for which an acoustic performance certificate will be issued optionally, acoustic tests are carried out by applying the measurement standards listed in ANNEX-9 for sample building elements and spaces to be selected in accordance with the principles explained in ANNEX-10, and the acoustic performance certificate is issued for the entire building by a building acoustics specialist. The acoustic performance certificate covers all of the performance evaluations conducted in terms of sound insulation of building elements inside the building, indoor noise levels, reverberation time, and noise levels of service equipment. A copy of the issued A or B acoustic performance certificate is sent to the Ministry.

DOKUZUNCU BÖLÜM

Final Provisions

Entry into Force

MADDE 23 – (1) This Regulation shall enter into force one year after its date of publication.

Enforcement

MADDE 24 – (1) The Minister of Environment and Urbanization shall enforce the provisions of this Regulation.