California IDEX Practice Exam

The minimum published Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating for a partition between two hotel rooms is typically set at 50 dB. This rating indicates that the partition can effectively reduce the transmission of sound between the rooms, which is crucial for guest comfort and privacy in a hotel environment.

An STC rating of 50 dB means that sound energy is significantly diminished, allowing for a more peaceful and quiet experience for guests. In hotel design, managing noise levels is a critical factor, as it directly impacts guest satisfaction and can influence a hotel's reputation.

While some options might provide higher STC ratings, such as 60 dB or 70 dB, these levels generally exceed what is considered necessary for typical hotel configurations, which makes the 50 dB standard a practical choice that balances effectiveness and construction feasibility. Thus, a partition with an STC rating of 50 dB is considered adequate for ensuring reasonable acoustic privacy between hotel rooms.