4.1 Walls, ceilings, and floors in building construction, especially those that are of lightweight construction, and that are designed to reduce or limit sound transmission, can have undesirable sound transmission characteristics if care is not taken to seal joints, voids, and penetrations that typically occur. Unsealed joints, voids, and penetrations will substantially increase the sound transmission characteristics of these types of construction. By sealing them the transmission of sound can be substantially diminished by eliminating “flanking paths.”

1.1 This practice provides information for the use of sealants to reduce sound transmission characteristics of interior walls, ceilings, and floors by proper application of sealants to joints, voids, and penetrations normally found in building construction, which are commonly referred to as “flanking paths.”

1.2 The committee with jurisdiction over this standard is not aware of any comparable standards published by other organizations.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address fire stopping or safing requirements for joints, voids, and penetrations through fire-rated wall, ceiling, and floor assemblies. Additional requirements may be necessary for fire-rated assemblies to meet the applicable building code provisions.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.