ASTM E1111/E1111M-14

Standard Test Method for Measuring the Interzone Attenuation of Open Office Components

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Providing speech privacy in open-plan spaces depends upon many factors, the most significant of which are the following:  (1) the shadow zone of part-height space dividers and the diffraction of sound from the edges of space dividers; (2) the primary sound reflective properties of the ceiling system; (3) the level of masking sound present in the space; and (4) the distance between speaker and listener. Guide E1374 provides additional detail on the factors contributing to speech privacy in open-plan spaces.  
5.2 In this test method the third factor, masking sound, is eliminated and the fourth factor, the distance between speaker and listener, is standardized for all specimen types. For the measurement of ceiling systems, the first factor, the shadow zone, is also standardized for each divider height used. Experience has indicated that results obtained by this test method may not fairly represent the speech privacy that may be achievable with non-flat ceiling systems. For the measurement of furniture panels used as acoustical barriers, the second of these factors, the sound reflectance of the ceiling, is standardized. For the measurement of reflective and absorptive vertical surfaces used as wall finishings or furniture panels, the first and second factors are standardized and all paths between the speaker and listener reflecting only off of the ceiling are eliminated.  
5.3 This test method provides standardized techniques to assess the contribution of specific components of an open-plan space. The test method specifies an acoustical testing environment for each component type that isolates its contribution from the contribution of other components, which may in actual open-plan environments contribute significantly to the overall speech privacy.  
5.4 The significance of test results obtained by this test method must also be considered with regard to the attainable measurement accuracy. The attainment of speech privacy in the presence of masking sound is cri...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the interzone attenuation for three components of open-plan spaces:  
1.1.1 Ceiling systems when used in conjunction with partial-height space dividers. This arrangement is commonly used in offices to achieve speech privacy between work zones in the absence of full-height partitions. This test method is applicable to any ceiling configuration, including, for example, a pattern of sound-reflective panels in an otherwise sound-absorptive ceiling. This test method generally requires use of a fixed space divider height of 1.50 m [5 ft]. In recognition of trends toward alternate divider heights in open office environments, measurements with an alternate divider height may be conducted in accordance with this standard.  
1.1.2 Furniture panels used as acoustical barriers in open-plan spaces to provide speech privacy or sound isolation between working positions.  
1.1.3 Vertical panels, including wall finishes such as sound-absorbent panels, and furniture panels or screens which may reflect sound. It may not be applicable to such items as window finishes or furniture other than panels if these differ significantly from flat wall panels.  
1.1.4 The combination of results from the various components of an open-plan office is beyond the scope of this standard.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.  
1.3 Unless otherwise qualified, all dimensions specified in this test method shall be understood to have a tolerance of ±6 mm (±1/4 in.) The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.4 This standard does not purpor...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Aug-2014
• ICS: 91.060.30 - Ceilings. Floors. Stairs
• Technical Committee: E33 - Building and Environmental Acoustics
• Drafting Committee: E33.02 - Speech Privacy

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: E1111/E1111M − 14
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Interzone Attenuation of Open Office
1
Components
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1111/E1111M; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This test method describes the measurement and evaluation of acoustical performance of
components affecting speech privacy in open-plan spaces. The maximum privacy theoretically
availableatnormalworkingdistancesinopen-planspaces,withpartialheightspacedividers(screens),
isinsufficientwithouttheassistanceofrelativelyelevatedbackgroundmaskingsoundlevels.Thus,the
provision of adequate speech privacy in open-plan offices and schools is one of the most difficult tasks
in the architectural acoustics field. This test method provides a means of objectively measuring the
relevant acoustical characteristics of three major components of open-plan spaces, the ceiling system,
furniture panels used as acoustical barriers, and wall finishes which attenuate reflected sound.
Furniture panels may be tested for their capacity as an acoustical barrier and/or the degree to which
they may reduce reflected sound.
1. Scope 1.1.4 The combination of results from the various compo-
nents of an open-plan office is beyond the scope of this
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the inter-
standard.
zone attenuation for three components of open-plan spaces:
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
1.1.1 Ceiling systems when used in conjunction with
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
partial-height space dividers. This arrangement is commonly
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
used in offices to achieve speech privacy between work zones
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
in the absence of full-height partitions. This test method is
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
applicable to any ceiling configuration, including, for example,
with the standard.
a pattern of sound-reflective panels in an otherwise sound-
absorptive ceiling. This test method generally requires use of a
1.3 Unless otherwise qualified, all dimensions specified in
fixed space divider height of 1.50 m [5 ft]. In recognition of
this test method shall be understood to have a tolerance of 66
1
trends toward alternate divider heights in open office
mm (6 ⁄4 in.) The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
environments, measurements with an alternate divider height
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
may be conducted in accordance with this standard.
for information only.
1.1.2 Furniture panels used as acoustical barriers in open-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
plan spaces to provide speech privacy or sound isolation
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
between working positions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.1.3 Vertical panels, including wall finishes such as sound-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
absorbent panels, and furniture panels or screens which may
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
reflectsound.Itmaynotbeapplicabletosuchitemsaswindow
finishes or furniture other than panels if these differ signifi- 2. Referenced Documents
cantly from flat wall panels. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C423 Test Method for SoundAbsorption and SoundAbsorp-
tion Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onBuilding
and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
2
E33.02 on Speech Privacy. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2014. Published January 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1111 – 07. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1111_E1111M-14. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1111/E1111M − 14
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental 4.1.1 For testing a ceiling system, a standard space divider
Acoustics is positioned with such dimensions and construction that sound
E795 Practices for Mounting Test Specimens During Sound generated on one side can reach a measuring point on the other
A
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E1111 − 07 E1111/E1111M − 14
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Interzone Attenuation of Open Office
1
Components
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1111;E1111/E1111M; 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.
INTRODUCTION
This test method describes the measurement and evaluation of acoustical performance of
components affecting speech privacy in open-plan spaces. The maximum privacy theoretically
available at normal working distances in open-plan spaces, with partial height space dividers (screens),
is insufficient without the assistance of relatively elevated background masking sound levels. Thus, the
provision of adequate speech privacy in open-plan offices and schools is one of the most difficult tasks
in the architectural acoustics field. This test method provides a means of objectively measuring the
relevant acoustical characteristics of three major components of open-plan spaces, the ceiling system,
furniture panels used as acoustical barriers, and wall finishes which attenuate reflected sound.
Furniture panels may be tested for their capacity as an acoustical barrier and/or the degree to which
they may reduce reflected sound.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the interzone attenuation for three components of open-plan spaces:
1.1.1 Ceiling systems when used in conjunction with partial-height space dividers. This arrangement is commonly used in
offices to achieve speech privacy between work zones in the absence of full-height partitions. This test method is applicable to any
ceiling configuration, including, for example, a pattern of sound-reflective panels in an otherwise sound-absorptive ceiling. This
test method generally requires use of a fixed space divider height of 1.50 m (60 in).[5 ft]. In recognition of trends toward alternate
divider heights in open office environments, measurements with an alternate divider height may be conducted in accordance with
this standard.
1.1.2 Furniture panels used as acoustical barriers in open-plan spaces to provide speech privacy or sound isolation between
working positions.
1.1.3 Vertical panels, including wall finishes such as sound-absorbent panels, and furniture panels or screens which may reflect
sound. It may not be applicable to such items as window finishes or furniture other than panels if these differ significantly from
flat wall panels.
1.1.4 The combination of results from the various components of an open-plan office is beyond the scope of this standard.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.
1.3 Unless otherwise qualified, all dimensions specified in this test method shall be understood to have a tolerance of 66 mm
1
(6 ⁄4 in.) The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
information only.
1.4 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.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.02
on Speech Privacy.
Current edition approved April 1, 2007Sept. 1, 2014. Published April 2007January 2015. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20052007 as
E1111 – 05.E1111 – 07. DOI: 10.1520/E1111-07.10.1520/E1111_E1111M-14.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E1111/E1111M − 14
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C423 Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Absorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E795 Practices for Mounting Test Specimens During Sound Absorption Tests
E1110 Classification fo
...