Speech privacy can be quantified by the “Speech Privacy Potential,” based on the noise reduction rating of a partition (STC) and the background noise level in the listener’s room (NC).
- Sound Transmission Class (STC): A single number used to rate how well a building element (e.g., wall, floor-ceiling assembly, window, door) attenuates airborne sound with respect to speech.
- Noise Criteria (NC): A single number rating used to describe a continuous background noise in terms of level and spectrum (frequency), typically applied to HVAC equipment noise indoors.
To estimate the level of speech privacy between two rooms, select the STC and NC ratings from the dropdown menu below.
