ASTM E1374-18e1

Standard Guide for Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended for the use of architects, engineers, office managers, and others interested in designing, specifying, or operating office environments.  
4.2 It is not intended to be applied to other environments, for example, open plan schools.  
4.3 While this guide attempts to clarify the many interacting variables that influence acoustical performance, it is not intended to supplant the experience and judgment of experts in the field of acoustics. Competent technical advice should be sought for success in the design of offices, including comparisons of test results carried out according to ASTM standards.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide discusses the principles and interactions that affect the acoustical performance of open and closed offices. It describes the application and use of the relevant series of ASTM standards.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2017
• ICS: 91.120.20 - Acoustics in building. Sound insulation
• Technical Committee: E33 - Building and Environmental Acoustics
• Drafting Committee: E33.02 - Speech Privacy

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1374-18 - Standard Guide for Open Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2018
• Refers: ASTM E90-23 - Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM E336-19a - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2019
• Refers: ASTM E1179-13(2019) - Standard Specification for Sound Sources Used for Testing Open Office Components and Systems
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM E1110-06(2019) - Standard Classification for Determination of Articulation Class
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2019
• Refers: ASTM E336-19 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM E336-17a - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM E2638-10(2017) - Standard Test Method for Objective Measurement of the Speech Privacy Provided by a Closed Room
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017
• Refers: ASTM E336-17 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2017
• Refers: ASTM E90-09(2016) - Standard Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2016
• Refers: ASTM E336-16a - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2016
• Refers: ASTM E1007-16 - Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies and Associated Support Structures
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2016
• Refers: ASTM E336-16 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2016
• Refers: ASTM E336-15 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM E1007-14 - Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies and Associated Support Structures
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2014

Overview

ASTM E1374-18e1: Standard Guide for Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and improving acoustical performance in office environments. Developed by ASTM International, this guide is essential for architects, engineers, office managers, and facility planners involved in designing or managing both open-plan and closed office spaces. The guide addresses variables such as sound transmission, speech privacy, noise control, and the effect of architectural features and component layout, supporting optimal acoustic comfort and productivity in the workplace.

Key Topics

• Principles and Interactions in Office Acoustics: The guide describes how different building components such as ceilings, partitions, furnishings, and layouts interact to impact office acoustics.
• Sound Transmission and Absorption: A focus on managing sound transmission loss, sound absorption, and controlling reverberation times using appropriate construction materials and methods.
• Speech Privacy: Guidance on achieving suitable levels of speech intelligibility and privacy in open and closed offices, including the use of sound masking systems.
• Noise Control: Strategies for minimizing noise distractions, including occupant density, office layout, and the isolation of noisy equipment or activities.
• Component Testing and Measurement: Outlines ASTM test methods for assessing the performance of office acoustical components, including measures like STC (Sound Transmission Class), NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient), and Articulation Class (AC).
• Flanking Transmission Mitigation: Discussion of airborne and structure-borne sound paths and methods for reducing unwanted sound transfers between spaces.

Applications

ASTM E1374-18e1 is a valuable reference when:

• Designing New Office Spaces: Ensuring that architectural features and materials meet targeted acoustical performance goals.
• Renovating Existing Offices: Applying standardized approaches for improving speech privacy, minimizing distractions, and optimizing sound quality.
• Specifying Office Components: Selecting ceiling systems, partitions, barriers, and sound masking technologies suited to space function and occupant needs.
• Performance Verification: Using referenced ASTM test methods to measure the effectiveness of installed acoustical solutions in mock-ups or completed office spaces.
• Addressing Different Office Types: Tailoring acoustic strategies for open-plan, collaborative, private, meeting, and conference rooms.

Key benefits of applying this standard include improved occupant concentration, reduced distraction, enhanced speech privacy, and greater overall satisfaction in the work environment.

Related Standards

ASTM E1374-18e1 references a number of related ASTM standards crucial for office acoustics, including:

• ASTM E90: Measurement of airborne sound transmission loss of building elements.
• ASTM E336: Field measurement of airborne sound attenuation between rooms.
• ASTM E795: Mounting test specimens for absorption tests.
• ASTM E1007: Field measurement of impact sound transmission through floor-ceiling assemblies.
• ASTM E1110/E1111: Determination of articulation class and interzone attenuation for open office components.
• ASTM E1130: Measurement of speech privacy in open plan spaces.
• ASTM E1179: Specification for sound sources for testing open office components.
• ASTM E1414: Measurement of airborne sound attenuation between rooms sharing a ceiling plenum.
• ASTM E1573: Measurement of masking sound levels.
• ASTM E2638: Objective measurement of speech privacy in closed rooms.
• ASTM E2964: Measurement of the normalized insertion loss of doors.
• ASTM C423: Sound absorption and sound absorption coefficients by the reverberation room method.

Adhering to ASTM E1374-18e1 and its related standards helps ensure compliance with internationally recognized principles for office acoustics, supporting quality, consistency, and occupant well-being in workplace environments.

Keywords: office acoustics, speech privacy, noise control, ASTM E1374, sound masking, open-plan office, sound absorption, office design, building standards

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
´1
Designation: E1374 − 18
Standard Guide for
Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1374; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
ε NOTE—Title editorially corrected in February 2018.
INTRODUCTION
Office environments include open and closed spaces with varying acoustical performance
requirements depending on space function and occupant needs. Sound control tools and methods are
identified which combine to provide appropriate amounts of speech privacy, freedom from distraction
and acoustic comfort whether in focus, private, collaborative or other office areas.
1. Scope E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne
Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and
1.1 This guide discusses the principles and interactions that
Elements
affect the acoustical performance of open and closed offices. It
E336 Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound
describes the application and use of the relevant series of
Attenuation between Rooms in Buildings
ASTM standards.
E795 Practices for Mounting Test Specimens During Sound
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Absorption Tests
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
E1007 Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-
and are not considered standard.
Ceiling Assemblies and Associated Support Structures
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the E1110 Classification for Determination ofArticulation Class
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
E1111 Test Method for Measuring the InterzoneAttenuation
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- of Open Office Components
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
E1130 Test Method for Objective Measurement of Speech
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Privacy in Open Plan Spaces Using Articulation Index
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
E1179 Specification for Sound Sources Used for Testing
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Open Office Components and Systems
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
E1414 Test Method for Airborne Sound Attenuation Be-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- tween Rooms Sharing a Common Ceiling Plenum
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
E1573 Test Method for Measurement and Reporting of
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. MaskingSoundLevelsUsingA-WeightedandOne-Third-
Octave-Band Sound Pressure Levels
2. Referenced Documents
E2638 Test Method for Objective Measurement of the
Speech Privacy Provided by a Closed Room
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E2964 Test Method for Measurement of the Normalized
C423 Test Method for SoundAbsorption and SoundAbsorp-
Insertion Loss of Doors
tion Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method
3. Summary of Guide
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E33 on Building and
3.1 Acoustical Performance—Acoustics in open and closed
EnvironmentalAcousticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE33.02on
office spaces must be considered during the design stage in
Speech Privacy.
order to provide occupants with an appropriate degree of
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2018. Published February 2018. Originally
speech intelligibility and speech privacy while minimizing
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as E1374 – 06 (2011).
DOI: 10.1520/E1374-18E01.
noise distraction as appropriate for the space usage. Speech
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
privacy and distraction are controlled by the ratio of intruding
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
voice level to background sound. In the open plan, a degree of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. speech privacy, noise control and comfort can be achieved if
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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E1374 − 18
componentselectionandinteractionareunderstood.Asuccess- 5.1.3 The strengthened spread of sound due to reflections
ful open plan office is the result of careful coordination of from office surfaces such as the ceiling, furniture panels, light
many components, including those which influence the trans- fixtures, walls, and windows.
missionofsound,suchastheceiling,furnitureandfurnishings, 5.1.4 The level and spectrum of background sound at the
flooring, wall treatments and lighting; the heating, ventilating listener’seargeneratedbysourcesotherthanspeech.Toensure
and air-conditioning system which limits maximum back- predictablelevelsofspeechprivacywhereinsufficientlevelsof
ground noise levels and the sound masking system which continuousminimumbackgroundsoundexist,electronicsound
controls minimum background sound levels. (See Section 6.) masking systems offer the best means of raising the ambient
In closed plan offices, many of the same considerations are sound level in a tunable (optimized) manner.
taken into account with the important addition of partition
5.2 Density—Occupant density affects both the number and
construction methods.
proximity of people in a given space. Higher density results in
both greater noise and distraction from increased quantity of
3.2 This guide delineates the role and interaction of these
conversation and activity.
components and the application of relevant ASTM Standards.
5.3 Layout—The open office layout must consider needs for
4. Significance and Use
isolation and concentration or collaboration and ease of com-
munication between workstations as appropriate. Where the
4.1 This guide is intended for the use of architects,
need for concentration is of higher importance, the layout can
engineers, office managers, and others interested in designing,
be designed to assist in minimizing noise intrusion. For
specifying, or operating office environments.
example,individualworkstationsshouldbepositionedrelative
4.2 It is not intended to be applied to other environments,
to columns, walls, and each other to avoid uninterrupted sound
for example, open plan schools.
paths between contiguous work stations. Occupant orientation
is also important, because there is a significant difference in the
4.3 While this guide attempts to clarify the many interacting
sound level when a talker faces a listener versus the talker
variables that influence acoustical performance, it is not
facing away from the listener, of the order of 9 dBA. In a
intended to supplant the experience and judgment of experts in
closed plan space, door openings on either side of a corridor
the field of acoustics. Competent technical advice should be
should be staggered.
sought for success in the design of offices, including compari-
sons of test results carried out according to ASTM standards.
5.4 Undivided Workspaces—Collaborative open office de-
sign has all but eliminated vertical barriers in order to foster
5. General Office Acoustical Considerations
communication and interaction between coworkers. For job
functions requiring freedom from distraction in the open plan,
5.1 Signal to Noise Ratio—Noise intrusion and the level of
it may be achieved with the inclusion of appropriate sound
acoustical privacy between work spaces, in either open or
barriers. In open spaces with workstation partitions below
closed plan, is determined by the degree to which the sounds
seated head height, acoustical performance may be improved
from a nearby work space exceed the background sound levels.
by the addition of acoustical absorption and sound masking,
It is essential that both the spread of sound from voices and
but an expectation of speech privacy or significant noise
other sources and the background sound are carefully con-
isolation is unrealistic in this circumstance.
trolled. The following attributes apply regardless of the source
of the intruding sound.
5.5 Intrusive Noises—Distraction caused by raised voices or
5.1.1 The sound source amplitude, directivity, and orienta- noisy equipment may not be sufficiently controlled by open
office constructions. Spaces requiring increased speech privacy
tion.
and noise isolation such as conference rooms should be
5.1.2 The total attenuation of the sound due to a combina-
designed using appropriately higher sound isolation criteria.
tion of distance and shielding by intervening barriers and
Noise generating devices and occupant functions should be
attenuation due to sound absorptive surfaces.
located in isolated enclosed rooms or areas to minimize noise
5.1.2.1 Absorption—In the open plan office, the goal is to
intrusion into other work spaces. For example, speaker phones
maximize attenuation with distance in order to improve sound
and call centers can generate high sound levels. These should
isolation. This may require a highly absorptive ceiling, some
be contained in special work areas affording adequate noise
absorption on the floor, and careful treatment of some vertical
isolation from the surrounding spaces. Care should be exer-
surfaces. Where the highest level of sound attenuation is
cised in eliminating or minimizing the noise generation as-
required, the ideal is to approach the conditions of the
pects. Open office etiquette guidelines should be established
outdoors, where there are no reflecting surfaces. In both open
and enforced.
and closed spaces, absorption reduces sound reflection and
reverberation which contributes to acoustic comfort.
5.6 Component Testing—ASTM test methods exist for test-
5.1.2.2 Sound Barriers—Sounds passing through, over or ing components and systems for open plan offices. These
around a physical barrier will be reduced in level. Barriers, includemeasuringtheattenuationbetweenworkstationsbythe
suchaswalls,windows,doorsandworkstationpartitionsarean ceiling path, the effect of barriers such as furniture panels, the
essential part of both open and closed plan acoustical design. effect of flanking or reflections from vertical surfaces (see Test
Theacousticalperformanceofeachwilldependontheirdesign Method E1111), measurement of masking sound in the open
and construction. office (see Test Method E1573), and the determination of the
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E1374 − 18
articulation class (see Classification E1110) that is a single 6.1.4 Lighting—Light fixtures must be chosen with care.
number rating of system component performance.Articulation Flat lensed fixtures reflect sound and therefore should be
class does not account for the effect of masking sound. minimized and (if used) not located directly above dividers in
open office areas. Suspended light fixtures are an ideal choice,
5.7 Objective Measurement of Speech Privacy—Test
as they allow for a higher percentage of acoustic material to be
Method E1130 describes a method of objectively measuring
used in the ceiling, do not degrade the ceiling sound attenua-
the speech privacy in open plan offices, using the articulation
tion and provide the opportunity to use open plenum systems
index (AI). Test Method E2638 describes a method of objec-
such as baffles and clouds.
tively measuring the speech privacy in enclosed rooms, using
6.1.5 Air Distribution System—When a contiguous plenum
the speech privacy class (SPC). AI and SPC results are
exists above a ceiling system, it is often used as a return air
applicable only between the two measurement positions and
plenum. The return air grilles in the ceiling can create
cannot be used to generalize over wide areas as there are many
significant flanking sound paths that can allow sound transmis-
factors which will affect the speech privacy levels from one
sion between rooms through the ceiling and plenum.Air return
location to the next.
baffles(or“boots”)canhelptomaintaintheacousticalintegrity
of the ceiling system.
6. Components of Open Office and Closed Office
6.1.6 Isolation Strategy—When rooms are enclosed, in part
Acoustical Environment
to provide speech privacy, care must be taken to consider the
6.1 Ceiling Systems, Open Plenum Systems, and Integrated
isolation strategy in terms of wall assemblies, plenum barriers,
Devices:
ceiling systems, the prevention of noise flanking paths and the
6.1.1 General Goals—Acoustical ceiling finishes for open-
control of the minimum continuous background sound level
planandclosedofficesshouldbeselectedtoachievethechosen
using sound masking.
office acoustics design requirements, including maximum lim-
6.2 Sound Barriers:
its for reverberation times. Ceiling finish material options can
6.2.1 Sound generated within an open or closed work space
include suspended acoustic tile ceiling systems, baffles,
that is transmitted into adjacent work spaces can cause distrac-
banners, and clouds. Acoustical ceiling finishes for open-plan
tions and reduce speech privacy. Barriers can be used to
offices are additionally chosen to reduce noise levels generated
attenuate sound transmission between open-plan offices and
by activities, and to improve speech privacy between work
between open and closed offices. The selection and layout of
stations by reducing direct and reflected sou
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