Laboratories Sought for Sound Absorption Round Robin

ASTM C 423, Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Absorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method, is one of the most widely-used acoustical measuring standards in North America according to Richard Peppin, a sound-vibration measuring engineer with Scantak, Inc., Silver Spring, Md., and member of Committee E33. Developed by ASTM Committee E33 on Environmental Acoustics, the standard has been the basis of numerous laboratory and field acoustical standards, Peppin said.

Laboratory participation, and comments on a suitable reference specimen, are sought for an extensive round robin being organized by a task group of ASTM Sound Absorption Subcommittee E33.01. The study, initiated by the task group chair, Ron Moulder, chief acoustical scientist, Certainteed, Blue Bell, Pa., will determine the precision of ASTM C 423, and compare the test results from different labs.

Moulder, who conducted the last ASTM-sponsored round robin for C 423 in the ’80s, said the new precision statement will reflect substantial revisions to the standard and changing instrumentation in the lab over the last 20 years.

To participate, contact Ron Moulder, Chief Acoustical Scientist, Certainteed, Blue Bell, Pa. (phone: 610/341-6305). Committee E33 meets April 9-10 in W. Conshohocken, Pa. For meeting or membership details, contact Staff Manager Steve Mawn (phone: 610/832-9726). //

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