In Europe, building codes limit bathroom noise

by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

Photo credit: 준섭 윤

The Core77 industrial design website reports that in Europe, there are building code requirements for how noisy a bathroom can be. According to the article, these include requirements for sound dampening of bathtub feet, sound isolation of pipes and noise testing of bathtubs by hitting them with a hammer.

The article says that there are no similar building code requirements in the United States. We have not verified that statement because checking thousands of local building codes would be a daunting task.

Why does quiet in buildings matter? Noise is unwanted and/or harmful sound. Noise disturbing sleep is particularly harmful. In multi-unit apartment or condominium buildings, neighbor noise can be a major problem.

Bathroom noise — toilets flushing or showers running — can also be a problem in hotels. Hotel designs are better now than they used to be. Bathrooms are often located right next to the corridor with pipes located in the wall between the room and the corridor, rather than in the wall between adjacent rooms. But if there is bad piping or inadequate sound insulation, the sounds can still be annoying.

The LEED standards published by the U.S. Green Building Council have acoustic performance standards for various types of buildings. HVAC noise is mentioned, but not plumbing noise. Other LEED standards cover sound transmission from adjoining rooms and reverberation time within a room.

Quieter buildings, as part of a quieter world, will help make a better and healthier world for all.