The Continental House Hard Surface Flooring Policy lets residents install any type of flooring anywhere in their unit — provided the completed installation demonstrates a specified noise-reduction level verified by acoustic testing.
"Establish a policy that allows residents to install any type of flooring anywhere in their home, as long as the completed installation demonstrates a specified noise reduction level." Hard Surface Flooring Policy (Revised 2018) — Policy Purpose
The HOA names a single vendor as the approved acoustic consultant for Continental House:
"The Owner shall refer to hard surface flooring specifications as a guide for hard surface flooring replacement, repair, and/or new installation. The Association's vendor, Censeo (206-866-9020) shall perform the acoustical sound testing at the owner's expense." Unit Remodel Policy (Revised) — Requirement 14
The prior 2015 version of the Unit Remodel Policy named Sparling (206-667-0555) as the Association's vendor; the revised policy supersedes that with Censeo. The Standard Specification for hard-surface underlayment was prepared by Michael Yantis Associates.
Testing is measured as Field Impact Isolation Class (FIIC) — ASTM E1007 field impact-sound testing performed in place. Two different thresholds apply depending on whether the install is a replacement or a new installation:
"Replacement of hard flooring installations shall demonstrate compliance with an FIIC Rating of 55. New hard flooring installations shall demonstrate compliance with an FIIC Rating of 62. To account for test anomalies, the Board may grant a waiver for up to 3 dB difference between the measured levels and the criterion." Hard Surface Flooring Policy (Revised 2018) — Noise Compliance
Repair Replacement of less than 50% of the surface area of an existing installation in the residence's entry, kitchen, or bathroom. No acoustic testing required; Board may inspect at its discretion.
Replacement The replacement of an existing hard-surface installation in an entry, kitchen, or bathroom only. Underlayment must meet the Standard Specification and FIIC 55.
New Install New installations or replacements of hard-surface flooring materials in areas outside of the entry, kitchen, or bathroom, where not originally installed by the Developer, or over areas without hard-surface flooring in the residence below. Must meet FIIC 62 plus additional procedural requirements below.
Deposit An amount equal to 150% of the cost of sound testing by a Board-approved Acoustic Consultant, or $1,000 — whichever is more. Held by the Association; refunded once the installation passes testing.
The policy is performance-based, not prescriptive — no specific brands, species, or products are required. You may choose any flooring material and any underlayment, provided the finished installation meets the FIIC rating.
Hard-surface flooring — the policy defines allowed materials broadly:
"Any of a number of hard surface flooring materials, including but not limited to wood, tile, stone, granite, cement, or linoleum. All hard surface flooring, whether nailed, floating, or cemented to the sub-floor qualifies under this policy." Hard Surface Flooring Policy (Revised 2018) — Definition: "Hard Surface Flooring"
Underlayment / sound-attenuating material — also open-ended, with examples:
"Any of a number of products such as foam, cork, and fluid coatings designed to dampen the transmission of impact noise between residences to a predetermined level." Hard Surface Flooring Policy (Revised 2018) — Definition: "Underlayment"
Exception — replacements in entry, kitchen, or bathroom: underlayment must also meet or exceed the Michael Yantis Associates "Standard Specification":
"If the requested approval is for a replacement, the installation must use an underlayment which meets or exceeds the Association's attached 'Standard Specification' and which meets or exceeds the minimum FIIC ratings below." Hard Surface Flooring Policy (Revised 2018) — Policy Elements
The Standard Specification is defined as:
"A combination of documents prepared by Michael Yantis Associates which demonstrates the minimum hard surface flooring installation criteria for replacement of an existing hard-surface installation in an entry, kitchen or bathroom." Hard Surface Flooring Policy (Revised 2018) — Definition: "Standard Specification"
The governing documents reference the Yantis Associates Standard Specification as "attached," but the actual specification document is not included in the Mar 14 docset Paul provided. If Unit 606's project involves a replacement in the entry, kitchen, or bathroom, request the Standard Specification directly from CWD Group (or confirm Censeo / PALS already has a copy on file).
For a new installation in areas outside entry/kitchen/bath (e.g., living room, bedrooms), the Yantis spec does not apply — the installation only needs to meet FIIC 62.
For a new installation, the owner must complete all of the following before work begins:
Once the flooring is installed, the owner must engage the acoustic consultant to perform testing:
"Following new installations of hard surface flooring, the Owner shall engage an Acoustic Consultant to conduct acoustic tests to verify that the installation is compliant with the established criteria. All Acoustical Consultant fees shall be paid by the Owner." Hard Surface Flooring Policy (Revised 2018)
The owner submits the consultant's test results to the Board. If the installation fails the minimum FIIC rating, the owner is responsible for correcting the deficiencies and retesting at their own expense.
Pre-installation and post-installation inspections are required on all hard-surface flooring installations to confirm that only Board-approved changes were made.
The policy gives the Board significant enforcement authority:
Censeo should already be familiar with Continental House's protocol (they're the named vendor in the current policy). For this project, the package the Board expects is:
When requesting a quote from Censeo, confirm whether Unit 606's project is classified as a replacement (FIIC 55, no deposit or neighbor-permission requirement) or a new installation (FIIC 62, deposit, neighbor permission, owner's agreement). That distinction drives cost, timeline, and which pre-installation paperwork is needed. Also confirm whether the Board wants the test report submitted directly by Censeo, or routed through the owner.