Agenda 02/26/2019 Item # 6A2Request to Speak under Public Petition
Revision #1 - 2/6/2019
Name: Tom Despard
Address: 7116 Dominica Drive, Naples, FL 34113
Phone: 717-475-1658, Email: tdespard@aol.com
Date of the Board Meeting you wish to speak: February 26, 2019
Please indicate Yes or No:
Is this subject matter under litigation at this time? Not to my knowledge.
Is this subject matter an ongoing Code Enforcement case? Not to my
knowledge.
Note: If either answer is “yes”, the Board will hear the item but will have no
discussion regarding the item after it is presented.
Please explain in detail the reason you are requesting to speak (attach additional
page if necessary):
The critical need for adequate privacy and quality of life by way of noise
protection through sufficient sound dampening and abatement in party walls
and floors for new multifamily dwellings not more than three stories built in
Collier County.
Please explain in detail the action you are asking the Commission to take (attach
additional page if necessary):
• Understand the science involved in sound dampening and abatement
in party walls and floors and how best to provide for noise protection
in new multifamily dwellings not more than three stories built in Collier
County.
• No longer exempt (opt out) but adopt (opt in) appropriate Sections of
the Florida Residential Building Code including SECTION 1207 SOUND
TRANSMISSION to apply to new multifamily dwellings not more than
three stories.
• Research and analyze through an ad hoc committee what additional
specific amendments such as the isolation of studs or furring from
block walls and the use of fiberglass or rock wool insulation to insure
the consistent and enforceable compliance of the required Sound
Transmission Class (STC) ratings in the amended code.
>>> See Attached “Background Information”
6.A.2
Packet Pg. 20 Attachment: Public Petition Request Tom Despard (8002 : Public Petition Tom Despard)
Background Information
Noise Protection Public Petition to the Collier County Commissioners on 2/26/2019
Revision #1 - 2/6/2019
By Tom Despard
Where is Collier County Now?
The Commercial Code provides for noise protection for new multifamily dwellings
more than three stories, but not for new multifamily dwellings not more than three
stories. The result can be lack of privacy, unwanted noise, sleep deprivation,
friction among neighbors, and lower real estate values.
The Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating for the party wall specifications
commonly used in Collier County for multifamily dwellings not more than three
stories - an 8” hollow-core block wall, 2-inch wood furring strips or studs nailed
directly to the block, and half-inch drywall on both sides - is between 30 and 35.
An STC 30 rating permits “Loud speech to be understood fairly well, normal
speech can be heard but not understood.” An STC 35 rating permits “Loud
speech that is audible but not intelligible.”
Where does Collier County Need to Be?
The Collier County Commissioners can and need to mandate noise protection by
adopting appropriate Sections of the Florida Residential Building Code for new
multifamily dwellings not more than three stories which will provide for a minimum
STC of 45 where, “Loud speech is not audible; 90% of statistical population
is not annoyed.” This STC rating will require isolation of the furring or studs from
block walls, fiberglass or rock wool insulation, and possibly painting or sealing the
block all as part of the party wall assembly.
Even an STC 45 rating is too low, so an investigation as to whether or not the
county can mandate an STC 60 rating for multifamily dwellings not more than three
stories where “most sounds are inaudible” needs to be conducted.
End of Attachment
6.A.2
Packet Pg. 21 Attachment: Public Petition Request Tom Despard (8002 : Public Petition Tom Despard)