Sound Transmission in Condos IBC 1207

[jar546]

For those of you that have condos that seem to be in a constant state of remodeling, how do you handle permits for tile floor replacement?

We have a dilemma because the FBC and IBC both require a sound transmission class of 50 or calculated in accordance with TMS 0302 or determined with ASTM E90. For the most part, we just check that the sound transmission barrier placed under the tile meets a transmission class of 50 or greater.

The problem is that many of the condo associations have their own requirements for sound transmission and often specify a particular brand. We can't do plan review and know the requirements of all the condos. We just require a final inspection and not an 'in-progress' inspection because we feel as though plan review meets 1207 and the HOA should be doing their own inspection.

One thought is to require the permit applicant to have an affidavit signed by them and the HOA/building manager that they have approval to install the product they are applying for under the tile.

Your thoughts? This is actually a big deal in multi-floor condominiums and more than once due to a noise complaint we had to research a permit.

 

[RLGA]

The STC is easy, it’s the IIC that’s typically more difficult achieve with hard floor finishes. But either way—STC or IIC—if it’s a risk mitigation issue for the the jurisdiction, then getting an approval letter from the HOA seems to be the way to go. A jurisdiction’s responsibility ends with the building code and not some arbitrary requirement by an HOA. You could draft (or the city attorney could draft) a standard approval letter for the HOA to sign so the language is consistent and ensures the city is protected should a owner complain to the city that the project’s STC and/or IIC does not comply with HOA requirements. The letter would state that the HOA is responsible for enforcing compliance with any requirement that exceeds the locally adopted building code.

 

[ICE]

We just require a final inspection and not an 'in-progress' inspection because we feel as though plan review meets 1207 and the HOA should be doing their own inspection.

Ultimately the plans will always comply with code. At least that is the goal. To not inspect sound transmission control measures because it is on the plans is wrong. To assume that the HOA has the ability to inspect construction is a stretch. I would assume that an HOA wants no part of that.