Standard Guide for Measurement of Masking Sound in Open Offices (Withdrawn 2002)

SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes the measurement of masking sound in an open office environment. The objectives of the measurements are to determine the uniformity of masking sound both in time and from position to position, and how closely the masking sound matches a spectrum specified by others. The masking sound will usually be associated with a masking system, however, in certain positions and frequency ranges, heating, ventilating, or air conditioning equipment (HVAC) may affect the masking sound spectrum.  
1.2 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

Status
Withdrawn
Publication Date
09-Jul-1998
Withdrawal Date
09-Jan-2002
Current Stage
Ref Project

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ASTM E1041-85(1998) - Standard Guide for Measurement of Masking Sound in Open Offices (Withdrawn 2002)
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1041 – 85 (Reapproved 1998) An American National Standard
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Masking Sound in Open Offices
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1041; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This guide is one of a set of standards for evaluating the performance of acoustical components in
an open office. It is intended to allow evaluation of certain characteristics of masking sound in an open
office space. Other methods in this set cover sound attenuation between work stations provided by
partial height space dividers and by acoustical ceiling systems.
1. Scope tion from activity noise. Masking sound may be produced by
masking systems, HVAC systems, or other sources.
1.1 This guide describes the measurement of masking sound
3.2.2 masking system—the electronic equipment used to
in an open office environment. The objectives of the measure-
generate and distribute masking sound throughout a space.
ments are to determine the uniformity of masking sound both
3.2.3 spatial uniformity—a condition where the one-third
in time and from position to position, and how closely the
octave band sound pressure levels at different positions
masking sound matches a spectrum specified by others. The
throughout a space do not vary significantly from the arith-
masking sound will usually be associated with a masking
metic mean sound pressure level. The amount of allowable
system, however, in certain positions and frequency ranges,
variation is specified by others such as a consultant or designer.
heating, ventilating, or air conditioning equipment (HVAC)
3.2.4 temporal uniformity— at a given position, a condition
may affect the masking sound spectrum.
where the average sound pressure level measured in a one-third
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
octave band over a short time interval does not differ signifi-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
cantly from the average sound pressure level in that band
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
measured over a long time interval. The amount of allowable
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
variation is specified by others such as a consultant or designer.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4. Summary of Guide
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 The procedure for evaluating temporal uniformity is to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
measure the range and mean of sound pressure levels encoun-
C 634 Terminology Relating to Environmental Acoustics
tered over a time interval in a series of one-third octave bands
2.2 ANSI Standards:
at one or more locations.
S1.11 Specification for Octave, Half-Octave and One-Third
3 4.2 The procedure for evaluating spatial uniformity is to
Octave Band Filter Sets
measure the range and mean of sound pressure levels in
S1.4 Specification for Sound Level Meters
one-third octave bands encountered at locations throughout the
3. Terminology
space and calculate the local standard deviation. For furnished
spaces, the measurement locations are typical open office work
3.1 Definitions—The acoustical terminology used in this
stations. For unfurnished spaces, the measurement locations
guide is consistent wherever possible with Terminology C 634.
are located along one or more straight line traverses. In order
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard—Other
to minimize differences in measured values due to nearby
terms required for this guide are as follows:
reflecting surfaces, the one-third octave band sound pressure
3.2.1 masking sound—sound within an office space that
levels assigned to a particular location is itself an average of
reduces the intelligibility of intruding speech and the distrac-
four measurements taken at four positions.
4.2.1 At each microphone location the sound pressure level
1 is measured at four microphone positions (for example, the
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E-33 on Environ-
four points of a compass). These four values are used to
mental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.02 on Open
Plan Spaces.
calculate the local standard deviation.
Current edition approved Jan. 25, 1985. Published March 1985.
4.3 In order to evaluate how closely the masking sound
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
matches a specified spectrum, the mean or range of data
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036. acquired for evaluating spatial uniformity may be compared to
E 1041
the specified spectrum. system shall not be adjusted to a higher sound level.
7.3 If the intent is to evaluate the performance of the
5. Significance and Use
masking system alone, then the ambient sound pressure level in
5.1 In an open office, the degree of speech privacy between
each one-third octave band for each measurement shall be at
work stations depends, in part, upon the masking of speech
least 10 dB lower than the sound pressure level of the test
provided by background sound and usually requires a masking
signal. This may require that the sound pressure levels of the
system for adequate privacy. The spectrum shape and overall
masking system be temporarily raised above the design level to
sound level produced by a masking system must be correctly
provide the test signal. In no event shall calculations be made
adjusted. In order to provide consistent acoustical privacy it is
to eliminate the effects of background noise.
desirable that the masking sound not vary appreciably from
7.4 If the intent is to evaluate the performance of the
position to position or not vary over short periods of time.
masking sound generated only by the HVAC system and other
5.1.1 It is not clear to what extent one-third octave band
building noise sources, the masking system must be switched
sound pressure levels may differ from position to position or
off.
vary with time and be characterized as acceptable or unaccept-
7.5 The measurement frequency bandwidths shall be one-
able. One purpose of this guide is to encourage the measure-
third octave. The overall frequency response of the filters for
ment of data to allow development of such criteria (see Note
each test band shall conform to ANSI Specification S 1.11 for
1).
Class III filters.
7.6 The minimum frequency range for all tests shall be
NOTE 1—Although only one-third octave band sound pressure levels
contiguous one-third octave bands with center frequencies
are allowed under this standard, the user of this standard is encouraged to
from 100 to 8000 Hz. One-third octave bands beyond this
also make A-weighted measurements for possible future justification for
using A-weighted values in a revised standard.
range may be investigated if desired.
7.7 Test data may be acquired on-site or tape recorded for
5.2 Another purpose of this guide is to provide a means of
later analysis.
evaluating the performance of a masking system as installed in
7.8 A random incidence microphone shall be used, that is,
an open office space. This guide could be used for the
one that has its flatest frequency response for sounds arriving
following:
at random angles.
5.2.1 To compare the relative performance of different
masking systems.
8. Measurement of Temporal Distribution
5.2.2 To evaluate how well the masking sound generated by
8.1 At least one microphone location shall be selected
a masking system meets a specified spectrum and to what
subject to the following conditions:
degree the masking sound differs from position to position or
8.1.1 The measurement locations shall be at ear-height for a
varies with time.
seated person in the open office environment, that is the
6. Test Space
microphone shall be located 1.2 m (4 ft) above the flo
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