Recommended Noise Criterion - NC

The noise in different types of rooms should not exceed the Noise Criterion limits listed below:

Type of Room - Space Type

Recommended NC
Level
NC Curve

Equivalent Sound
Level
dBA

Apartments

25-35

35-45

Assembly Halls

25-30

35-40

Churches

30-35

40-45

Courtrooms

30-40

40-50

Factories

40-65

50-75

- Individual rooms or suites

25-35

35-45

- Meeting or banquet rooms

25-35

35-45

- Service and Support Areas

40-45

45-50

- Halls, corridors, lobbies

35-40

50-55

- Conference rooms

25-30

35-40

- Private

30-35

40-45

- Open-plan areas

35-40

45-50

- Business machines/computers

40-45

50-55

Hotels/Motels

Offices

Hospitals and Clinics

- Private rooms

25-30

35-40

- Operating rooms

25-30

35-40

- Wards

30-35

40-45

- Laboratories

35-40

45-50

- Corridors

30-35

40-45

- Public areas

35-40

45-50

- Lecture and classrooms

25-30

35-40

- Open-plan classrooms

35-40

45-50

Movie motion picture theaters

30-35

40-45

Libraries

35-40

40-50

Legitimate theaters

20-25

30-65

Private Residences

25-35

35-45

Restaurants

40-45

50-55

TV Broadcast studies

15-25

25-35

Recording Studios

15-20

25-30

Concert and recital halls

15-20

25-30

Sport Coliseums

45-55

55-65

Sound broadcasting

15-20

25-30

Schools

Example - Estimating NC - Noise Criterion

The Noise Criterion - NC - of a noise spectrum like

62.5 Hz : 40 dB

125 Hz : 50 dB

250 Hz : 55 dB

500 Hz : 60 dB

1000 Hz : 50 dB

2000 Hz : 55 dB

4000 Hz : 45 dB

8000 Hz : 45 dB

can be estimated to NC = 57 dB as indicated in the diagram below.

Noise Criterion - NC - were established in U.S. for rating indoor noise, noise from air-conditioning equipment
etc. In Europe it is common to use Noise Rating Curves - NR.
The method consists of a set of criteria curves extending from 63 to 8000 Hz, and a tangency rating procedure.
The criteria curves define the limits of octave band spectra that must not be exceeded to meet occupant
acceptance in certain spaces.
The NC rating can be obtained by plotting the octave band levels for a given noise spectrum - the NC curves.
The noise spectrum is specified as having a NC rating same as the lowest NC curve which is not exceeded by
the spectrum.