Office Acoustics

 | Acoustical, Newsletters

A question we are frequently asked by Project Managers is how can we improve the acoustical privacy between offices and work stations?

The level of acoustical privacy is defined as the amount of conversation that can be heard and understood between adjacent offices or work stations.

Before we can improve the acoustical privacy we must understand that there are three factors that control the acoustical environment:

– Noise Source
– Type of Partition Between Work Areas
– Level of Background Noise

To improve the acoustical environment in the work place we must determine how these factors relate to one another for each project.

The first factor is the noise source. How loud is the office machinery, the person talking on the telephone next door or the activity that occurs in the adjacent cubicle? This allows us to determine how much noise must be blocked from transmitting from one work station to another.

Next what is the type of partition/barrier/wall that exists between adjacent offices or work stations. Is it a full height wall or a 59” office partition? The partition type determines how much sound will be blocked.

Finally, what is the background noise level in the office. Background noise, as its name implies, is the quietest level of noise heard in an office on a continuous basis. These sounds may include heating or cooling systems, computer and printer fans, the buzz of fluorescent lights, and even traffic noise.

We have found Background Noise to be the most critical variable in this equation. Background noise varies within a building from cubicle to cubicle, office to office, and floor to floor. When you are near core mechanical shafts, where there often are support offices, the background noise heard is usually low frequency, rumbly, duct noise. When you are further away from the core along the duct run, where there are often perimeter offices, the background noise heard is usually the turbulence noise of air traveling through the diffuser.

The challenge is to identify an acceptable level of acoustical noise within the office layout and design.

The acoustical privacy between offices and work stations can be improved by various methods. Each method provides different levels of speech privacy, depending on your needs.

– Gypsum board Ceilings and/or Full Height Wall Partitions for Critical Spaces
– Partitions that Extend into the Plenum for Areas Requiring Confidential Speech Privacy
– Highly Absorptive Open Plan Office Partitions and Sound Masking for Normal Speech Privacy

The first diagram shows how the conversation in Room A can be heard above the background noise level in Room B. The characteristics of this partition type cannot reduce the conversation level below the level of background noise in Room B.

spr293a

In the second diagram, the acoustical privacy level has been improved. Now the characteristics of this partition type can reduce the conversation level below the background noise level. The conversation can no longer be heard in Room B.

spr293b

In future issues we will expand on Speech Privacy and Sound Masking.

(c) Thorburn Associates 1993

A question we are frequently asked by Project Managers is how can we improve the acoustical privacy between offices and work stations? The level of acoustical privacy is defined as the amount of conversation that can be heard and understood between adjacent offices or work stations. Before we can improve the acoustical privacy we must… Read more »

New Acoustical Product at AIA National Convention ’92!

 | Acoustical, Newsletters

While attending the recent AIA ’92 National Convention in Boston we took the opportunity to search the trade floor for new building materials with acoustical benefits.  The following summarizes our finds:

Among the more promising displays were acoustical wall and finish materials that would provide a durable interior finish while helping solve acoustical concerns.  Pyrok Inc. introduced a new acoustical wall and ceiling finish material that can be sprayed onto a ceiling, wall or open plenum.  This new product will allow interior designs developed around open ceiling grids, or exposed ducts and beams, to have a cost effective acoustical treatment.  The spray on material is relatively smooth when finished, has appearance of a concealed spine acoustical tile material, and can be installed for approximately the same price.  One advantage of the Pyrok material is that it is pigmented thus eliminating visible flaking.  A second advantage is the ability for freeform coverage of surfaces and constructions without the visible seams common of concealed spline materials.  There is also a fire proof version available at a higher price.

Laticrete International, a manufacturer of a thin and thick set tile mortar system, was showing their new product systems.  For a long time they have had a thin set mortar system that reduces fort-fall noise and other impact noise when compared to standard mortar systems.

Fabric & Architecture Magazine was giving away free issues.  This magazine is a good source for fabric finish ideas. This magazine is a good source for fabric finish ideas.  Fabric finishes, drapes, etc. are excellent acoustical finish materials.  Fabri finishes allow the interior designer to develop a finish system which they feel meets the aesthetic design requirements for the project.  At the same time, the light weight nature of the material allows the acoustical consultant to develop the acoustical room finish requirements in a cost effective manner with out infringing on the design requirements.

Porcelain Enamel Institute was displaying a product that would make a very durable wall finish material for “think tanks” and other rooms where the client wants “white boards” for walls.  The disadvantage of the material is that it is a very hard, acoustically reflective surface, and may cause problems if the other room finishes are not carefully selected.

The AIA ’93 Convention will be held in Chicago.  Hope to see you there!  If you would like to find out more about these products, please contact us.

(c) Thorburn Associates 1992

While attending the recent AIA ’92 National Convention in Boston we took the opportunity to search the trade floor for new building materials with acoustical benefits.  The following summarizes our finds: Among the more promising displays were acoustical wall and finish materials that would provide a durable interior finish while helping solve acoustical concerns.  Pyrok… Read more »

Acoustics and ADA

 | Acoustical, Newsletters, Technology

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has stirred up much controversy over the past year. This article will provide some practical guidelines for the public accommodations portion of these requirements. The new ADA hearing assistance requirements are not really new for Californians since the 1988 UBC, with the California Title 24 Amendment, has required hearing assistance systems.

The following summaries should help unravel the confusion surrounding these requirements.

Title 24 Section 611 (f) requires:

* Assembly areas with permanently installed public address systems provide assistive listening systems for people with hearing impairments.
* Exceptions: 1.This does not apply to systems used exclusively for paging, or background music, or a combination of these two uses. 2. Public and private schools are exempt from the requirements of this section.

The number of personal receivers required is based upon the capacity of the assembly area as follows:

Capacity # Receivers
1 to 99 0
100 to 200 8
201 to 300 12
301 to 400 16
401 to 500 20
over 500 20 + 1 for each additional 100 seats

ADA Section III-7.5180 Assembly Areas requires:

  • Fixed seating assembly areas that accommodate 50 or more people OR have audio-amplification systems must have a permanently installed assistive learning system.
  • Other assembly areas (not covered in above) must have a permanent system OR an adequate number of electrical outlets or other wiring to support a portable system.
  • A special sign indicating the availability of the system is required.
  • The minimum number of receivers must be equal to 4% of the total number of seats, but never less than two.

Because facilities will always be required to implement the “strictest” of the two codes we recommend the following as a guideline when designing audio-amplification requirements:

Capacity # Receivers
1 to 49 2
50 to 74 3
75 to 99 4
100 to 200 8
201 to 300 12
301 to 400 16
401 to 500 20
over 500 20 + 1 for each additional 100 seats

The bottom line, as put by the America Speech-Language-Hearings Association’s response to the ADA was:

“Ask people about their needs, show respect and sensitivity, use what works (not necessarily what is most expensive), and use your resources creatively and effectively.”

From a design perspective, any time an audio system that is used for speech reinforcement or audio playback is part of your contract documents, an assistive listening system should be part of the design.

(c) Thorburn Associates 1992

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has stirred up much controversy over the past year. This article will provide some practical guidelines for the public accommodations portion of these requirements. The new ADA hearing assistance requirements are not really new for Californians since the 1988 UBC, with the California Title 24 Amendment, has required hearing… Read more »