Standard Guide for Open Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards

SCOPE
1.1 This guide discusses the acoustical principles and interactions that affect the acoustical environment and acoustical privacy in the open office. In this context, it describes the application and use of the series of ASTM standards that apply to the open office.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The SI units in parentheses are provided for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

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09-Apr-2002
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:E1374–02
Standard Guide for
1
Open Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1374; 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
There are no full height partitions in an open-plan office to block sound transmission between
adjacent work stations. Instead, partial height barriers, a sound absorbing ceiling and absorption on
vertical surfaces are used to provide sound attenuation between individuals. These, in combination
with work station layout and appropriate levels of broad band masking sound are used to obtain
acceptable degrees of acoustical privacy.
1. Scope E 1376 Test Method for Measuring the Interzone Attenua-
tion of Sound Reflected by Wall Finishes and Furniture
1.1 This guide discusses the acoustical principles and inter-
2
Panels
actions that affect the acoustical environment and acoustical
E 1414 Test Method for Airborne Sound Attenuation Be-
privacy in the open office. In this context, it describes the
2
tween Rooms Sharing a Common Ceiling and Plenum
application and use of the series ofASTM standards that apply
E 1573 TestMethodforEvaluatingMaskingSoundinOpen
to the open office.
Offices Using A-Weighted and One-Third Octave Band
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
2
Sound Pressure Levels
as standard. The SI units in parentheses are provided for
information only.
3. Summary of Guide
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Acoustical Privacy—The attenuation of sound between
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
neighboring work stations in an open-plan office is typically
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
much less than that potentially available between closed-plan
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
offices. Nevertheless, a degree of acoustical privacy can be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
achieved if component selection and interaction are under-
2. Referenced Documents stood. A successful open plan office is the result of careful
coordination of the several components, ceiling, wall treat-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ments, furniture and furnishings, heating, ventilating and
E 1110 Classification for Determination of Articulation
2
air-conditioning system, and masking sound system. (See
Class
Section 7.)
E 1111 Test Method for Measuring InterzoneAttenuation of
2
3.1.1 This guide delineates the role and interaction of the
Ceiling Systems
several components and the application of the relevant ASTM
E 1130 Test Method for Objective Measurement of Speech
2
Standards.
Privacy in Open Offices Using Articulation Index
E 1179 Specification for Sound Sources Used for Testing
4. Significance and Use
2
Open Office Components and Systems
4.1 This guide is intended for the use of architects, engi-
E 1375 Test Method for Measuring the Interzone Attenua-
2 neers, office managers, and others interested in designing,
tion of Furniture Panels Used as Acoustical Barriers
specifying, or operating open offices.
4.2 It is not intended to be applied to other than office
1
environments, for example, open plan schools.
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onEnvironmental
Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.02on Open Plan
4.3 While this guide attempts to clarify the many interacting
Spaces.
variables that influence office privacy, it is not intended to
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published June 2002. Originally
e1 supplant the experience and judgment of experts in the field of
published as E 1374 – 90. Last previous edition E 1374 – 93(1998) .
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06. acoustics. Competent technical advice should be sought for
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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E1374
success in the design of open offices, including comparisons of annunciators). Large typing pools or word processing centers
test results carried out according to ASTM standards. can generate A-weighted sound levels up to 80 dB. These
activities should be contained in special work areas affording
5. General Open Office Acoustical Considerations
adequate noise isolation from the surrounding open plan
5.1 Introduction—Attenuation with Distance—In almost
spaces.
anyenclosedspace,thereissomereductionofsoundlevelwith
5.8 Undivided Workspaces—Acoustical comfort may be
distance. In many typical spaces, this decrease of sound level
impr
...

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