Sound absorption testing in the reverberation room

Traceable — not in accredited scope

Random-incidence absorption on a full-size specimen in the reverberation room. Reported per one-third-octave band, with the single-number rating your specifier asked for: αw and absorption class to ISO 11654, or NRC and SAA to ASTM C423.

What we test

Mounting changes the number more than the material does

The same 50 mm absorber mounted directly against a rigid backing (Type A) and mounted with a 200 mm air gap (Type E-200) can differ by several tenths of an absorption coefficient at low frequency. Neither result is wrong. If you publish an αw obtained with an air gap and your customer installs the product flat against concrete, you have a warranty problem, not a laboratory problem. Tell us how the product is actually installed and we will test it that way.

Reverberation room

Room volume
Provided with your quotation
Specimen area
10–12 m² per ISO 354
Mounting options
Type A (direct), Type E-200 (200 mm air gap), Type J (suspended grid)
Frequency range
Provided with your quotation
Room qualification
ISO 354 Annex A
Reported quantities
αs per band, αp, αw + class (ISO 11654), NRC + SAA (ASTM C423)