Product Matrix 252 - 263 Terms & Definitions 264

Acoustic Terms & Definitions

Sabine, Wallace C.: The father of modern acoustics and the developer of the Sabine reverberation equation; RT60 = .049 sec./ft. x Volume/Absorption Surface.

Sound: A vibrational disturbance comprised of alternating compressions and rarefactions of air molecules. The compressions push air together and thereby cause higherthan-normal atmospheric pressure, whereas rarefactions spread air molecules further apart thereby causing lower-than-normal atmospheric pressure. Total sound energy is the potential energy from ambient air pressure and the kinetic energy of moving air molecules.

Sound absorption coefficient (“alpha”): The amount, expressed as a decimal value between 0 and 1 to the nearest .05, of sound energy that is absorbed, or otherwise not reflected, by an acoustic material at a specified frequency.

Sound masking: The process by which the audibility of one sound is diminished by the introduction of another sound. White noise uses equal sound energy at all frequencies and thereby favors higher frequency spectra. Pink noise balances sound energy over a series of octaves and sounds less harsh.

Sound transmission class (STC): A rating system that provides an estimate of the insulation ability of a partition.

Structure-borne noise: The generation of unwanted radiated sound caused by vibrational forces in solid materials.

Wavelength: The distance a sound wave travels from compression to the next compression. The wavelength (or period) of sound at any frequency can be computed by dividing the speed of sound (1087 ft./sec.) by its frequency. At 20Hz, the wavelength of sound is 56 feet long. These long sound waves give low frequency sound (bass) its penetrating ability. Cradle to Cradle Bronze Certified®: All products under the bronze level certification must meet five requirements. Material Health, Material Reutilization, Renewable Energy & Carbon Management, Water Stewardship, and Social Fairness

Declare: Declare labels disclose all intentionally-added ingredients and residuals at or above 100ppm (0.01%) present in the final product by weight. Each ingredient must be reported with a chemical name, CAS number, and percentage or percentage range.

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD): EPD provides information about a product's impact upon the environment, such as global warming potential, smog creation, ozone depletion and water pollution.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified Wood: Wood harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable.

Greentag Level A Certification: Global GreenTag is a robust, trusted and widely recognized ecolabel. Their GreenRate program is a product rating system designed to meet the requirements of the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star® ‘Sustainable Products’ credits. Level A equates to 100% credit points available.

Health Product Declaration® (HPD): The HPD Open Standard is a standardized specification for the accurate, reliable, and consistent reporting of product contents and associated health information for products used in the built environment.

Low VOC: Refers to volatile organic compounds that are not harmful to the environment and humans.

Mindful MATERIALS: Mindful Materials is a free online aggregator of sustainability information for design professionals and manufacturers. It was created as a user-friendly platform that promotes product transparency and optimization information across the industry.

Oeko-Tex®: The testing and certification process on which our standards are based guarantees maximum consumer safety. STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Tex® is one of the world's best-known labels for textiles tested for harmful substances.

PEFC: The Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification is a leading global alliance of national forest certification systems. As an international non-profit, non-governmental organization, PEFC is dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification.

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