Standards Norway
P.O. Box 242, 1326 Oslo, Norway
itr@standard.no
Norwegian standard for sound
classification of buildings, NS 8175, is closely connected to technical
regulations for buildings. Latest edition was published in 2008. The standard contains noise and sound
insulation criteria for indoor conditions in buildings, and for outdoor noise
nearby buildings and at outdoor areas around the building. There are four sound
quality classes.
Present focus in technical regulations
and laws in Norway is on universal design and accessibility for all in public
and work buildings. The suitability of the present limit values and relevant
types of criteria for hearing and sight disabled people are reconsidered in NS
8175.
The classification today concerns
dwellings, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, offices, work places and similar.
Updates have been made for open plan teaching environments and open plan
offices. Other types of buildings that do not have specified criteria in the
present standard, e.g. cultural buildings, museums, lobbies, assembly halls
etc., are evaluated concerning accessibility to all. A questionnaire study is
planned in order to survey these other types of buildings, spaces and rooms
that are problematic for hearing and sight disabled. Types of problems in these
spaces are to be registered and used for evaluation the criteria that are
relevant to give in NS 8175.