Impact noise or footfall stamping is defined as all noises caused by shocks, impacts, and mechanical stresses within a building. The majority of impact noise affects horizontal partitions. They are transmitted structurally and are caused by
footsteps and falling and dragging objects. The solution for reducing stamping noise transmission is the construction of a technological package con- sisting of layers of materials with different physical and mechanical characteristics capable of dissipating the en- ergy caused by impacts. The construction method of the floating screed system consists of decoupling the fin- ishing screed and flooring from the adjoining structures by means of a layer of elastic material placed below the screed supporting the flooring, and along the perimeter of the room. By interposing the resilient layer, a “basin” containing the supporting screed is created, in which it is free to float, not being rigidly constrained to the later- al structures. This creates an oscillating system that absorbs and dissipates the sound energy caused by the impact.

In the case of acoustic insulation, underscreed insulation is not enough. A “Flooring System” is required, within which every element of the structure must be aware of the other elements present and all must work in unison to achieve the desired result. Within the “Flooring System”, the horizontal structures fall into two categories: STRUCTURES FOR UNDERSCREED ACOUSTIC INSULATION and STRUCTURES FOR UNDERFLOOR ACOUSTIC INSULATION.