Life Safety- Whats more important than getting out? __~NOTHING

SOUND MASKING REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECH PRIVICY IN SCIFs AND OTHER SECURE AREAS (STC 45 MINIMUM RATING)

Definition:     SCIF – Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility

It goes without saying that Sound Masking a SCIF is critical to its primary function, “Secrecy”.   The very construction of the SCIF is conducive to sound masking (eg. Permanent Drywall Construction with Expanded Metal and Reflective Coating as required) Frequently overlooked are the SCIF Doors themselves.   Quoting from the DCID:

“The SCIF Perimeter Walls, Doors, Windows and Ceiling, including all opening, shall provide sufficient sound attenuation to preclude inadvertent disclosure of conversation.”

The most overlooked areas of sound masking are the actual SCIF doors.   The following checklist may prove invaluable to you in your planning process.

SCIF Doors – must be solid wood core ( not chip filled) or a specially constructed door filled with sound attenuation material.   In either case the door must have a minimum STC rating of 45.

Sound Sealing Door Gasketing (preferable adjustable), door sets also rated at a minimum of STC 45.

Either routed in the Door bottom or installed on the door face an STC 45 rated automatic door bottom is necessary.

Door Threshold fitted to automatic door bottom for positive seal.

Remember that not matter how effective the Door Gasketing, Automatic Door Bottom or Threshold maybe a low rated door can undermine the entire process ( Ordinary doors not designed for Sound Masking are normally STC 30 or less).