ASTM E1130-16

Standard Test Method for Objective Measurement of Speech Privacy in Open Plan Spaces Using Articulation Index

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The speech privacy between locations in an open plan space is determined by the degree to which intruding speech sounds exceed the ambient sound pressure levels at the listener's ear; a classic signal-to-noise ratio situation.  
5.2 The sound pressure levels at the listener's ear from intruding speech depend upon:  
5.2.1 The individual vocal effort and orientation of the talker,  
5.2.2 The attenuation of speech signals due to distance or intervening barriers, and  
5.2.3 The reinforcement of speech signals due to reflections from surfaces such as the ceiling, furniture panels, light fixtures, walls, or windows.  
5.3 The ambient sound levels within a space often must be increased in order to mask intruding speech using an electronic sound masking system. However, in certain locations and in specific frequency ranges, the building mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) equipment, and the heating, ventilating, or air conditioning equipment (HVAC) may increase ambient sound levels or add tonal noise components that may require mitigation before tuning the masking sound.  
5.4 The primary purpose of this test method is to assess the speech privacy for an average speech spectrum using the standard Articulation Index method. This requires measurement of the relevant acoustical characteristics discussed in 5.2 and 5.3 for a pair of locations and calculation of the Articulation Index using an average speech spectrum. The average speech spectrum is for male talkers speaking with normal voice effort. In specific cases such as designated quiet work zones for ‘focused work’ where administrative measures have been taken to reduce speech levels, a ‘casual’ voice spectrum should be used to calculate speech privacy, whereas in designated group work zones for ‘collaborative work’ where lively discussion is expected, a ‘raised’ voice spectrum should be used to calculate speech privacy.  
5.5 The Articulation Index ranges from a low value of 0.00, where speech is gener...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes a means of objectively assessing speech privacy between locations in open plan spaces. This test method relies upon acoustical measurements, published information on speech levels, and standard methods for assessing speech communication. This test method does not measure the performance of individual open plan components which affect speech privacy; but rather, it assesses the privacy which results from a particular configuration of components (1, 2).2  
1.2 This test method is intended to be a field test for the assessment of speech privacy in actual open plan spaces. However, this test method could be used in mock-up spaces and in environments arranged to simulate an open plan space.  
1.3 This test method is suitable for use in many open plan spaces including traditional open offices, focus areas, and collaboration spaces. In addition to office buildings, these types of spaces will also be found in healthcare buildings, institutional spaces, schools, etc. It is not directly applicable for measuring the speech privacy between open plan and enclosed spaces or between fully enclosed spaces.  
1.4 This test method relies upon the Articulation Index, which objectively predicts the intelligibility of speech. While both the Articulation Index and this test method can be expected to reliably predict speech privacy, neither predicts the specific effective speech privacy afforded to particular individual occupants.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.  
1.6 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Nov-2016
• ICS: 17.140.01 - Acoustic measurements and noise abatement in general
• 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: E1130 − 16
Standard Test Method for
Objective Measurement of Speech Privacy in Open Plan
1
Spaces Using Articulation Index
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1130; 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 is one of a series of test methods for assessing speech privacy in buildings. This specific
standard is designed to assess the speech privacy between locations in open plan spaces, where
occupants are separated only by partial-height partitions and furnishings. Another test method deals
with assessing speech privacy for closed rooms. A related test method deals with the laboratory
measurement of interzone attenuation for open plan components intended to provide speech privacy,
such as partial height space dividers, ceiling systems and wall finishes.
1. Scope expected to reliably predict speech privacy, neither predicts the
specific effective speech privacy afforded to particular indi-
1.1 This test method describes a means of objectively
vidual occupants.
assessing speech privacy between locations in open plan
spaces. This test method relies upon acoustical measurements, 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
published information on speech levels, and standard methods standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for informa-
forassessingspeechcommunication.Thistestmethoddoesnot tion only.
measure the performance of individual open plan components
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
which affect speech privacy; but rather, it assesses the privacy
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
whichresultsfromaparticularconfigurationofcomponents (1,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
2
2).
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.2 This test method is intended to be a field test for the
assessment of speech privacy in actual open plan spaces.
2. Referenced Documents
However, this test method could be used in mock-up spaces
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and in environments arranged to simulate an open plan space.
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
1.3 This test method is suitable for use in many open plan
Acoustics
spaces including traditional open offices, focus areas, and
E1179 Specification for Sound Sources Used for Testing
collaborationspaces.Inadditiontoofficebuildings,thesetypes
Open Office Components and Systems
of spaces will also be found in healthcare buildings, institu-
4
2.2 ANSI Standards:
tional spaces, schools, etc. It is not directly applicable for
ANSI/ASA S1.4-2014/PART 1/IEC 61672:1-2013 Specifi-
measuring the speech privacy between open plan and enclosed
cation for Sound Level Meters
spaces or between fully enclosed spaces.
ANSI/ASA S1.6-1984 (R2011) Preferred Frequencies, Fre-
1.4 This test method relies upon the Articulation Index,
quency Levels, and Band Numbers for Acoustical Mea-
which objectively predicts the intelligibility of speech. While
surements
both the Articulation Index and this test method can be
ANSI/ASA S1.11-2014/Part 1/IEC 61260:1-2014 Specifica-
tion for Octave-Band, and Fractional-Octave-Band Ana-
log and Digital Filters
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onBuilding
and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
3
E33.02 on Speech Privacy. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2016. Published December 2016. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as E1130 – 08. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1130-16. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
this test method. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1130 − 16
A,B
TABLE 1 Speech Peaks for Males
3. Terminology
One-Third One-Third One-Third
3.1 Definitions:
Octave-Band Octave-Band Octave-Band
One-Third
Sound Pressure Sound Pressure Sound Pressure
3.1.1 The acoustical terminology used in this test method is
Octave-Band
Levels of Levels of Levels of
consistent with Terminology C634. Of special impo
...

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: E1130 − 08 E1130 − 16
Standard Test Method for
Objective Measurement of Speech Privacy in Open Plan
1
Spaces Using Articulation Index
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1130; 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 is one of a series of test methods for evaluatingassessing speech privacy in buildings. It This
specific standard is designed to measureassess the degree of speech privacy between locations in open
plan spaces, where occupants are separated only by partial-height partitions and furnishings. Another
proposed test method deals with assessing speech privacy for closed rooms. A related test method
deals with the laboratory measurement of interzone attenuation for open plan components intended to
provide speech privacy, such as partial height space dividers, ceiling systems and wall finishes.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a means of measuring objectively assessing speech privacy objectively between locations in open
plan spaces. This test method relies upon acoustical measurements, published information on speech levels, and standard methods
for assessing speech communication. This test method does not measure the performance of individual open plan components
which affect speech privacy; but rather, it measuresassesses the privacy which results from a particular configuration of
2
components (1, 2).
1.2 This test method is intended to be a field test for the measurementassessment of speech privacy in actual open plan spaces.
However, this test method could be used in an environment mock-up spaces and in environments arranged to simulate an open plan
space.
1.3 This test method is suitable for use in many open plan spaces such asincluding traditional open plan offices, healthcare
spaces,offices, focus areas, and collaboration spaces. In addition to office buildings, these types of spaces will also be found in
healthcare buildings, institutional spaces, schools, etc. It is not directly applicable for measuring the speech privacy between open
plan and enclosed spaces or between fully enclosed spaces.
1.4 This test method relies upon the Articulation Index, which objectively predicts the intelligibility of speech. While both the
Articulation Index and this test method can be expected to reliably predict average speech privacy, neither predicts the specific
degree of effective speech privacy afforded to particular open plan individual occupants.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E1179 Specification for Sound Sources Used for Testing Open Office Components and Systems
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 Sept. 1, 2008Nov. 15, 2016. Published September 2008December 2016. Originally approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 20022008
ε1
as E1130 – 02E1130 – 08. . DOI: 10.1520/E1130-08.10.1520/E1130-16.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this test method.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1130 − 16
4
2.2 ANSI Standards:
S1.4ANSI/ASA S1.4-2014/PART 1/IEC 61672:1-2013 Specification for Sound Level Meters
S1.6ANSI/ASA S1.6-1984 (R2011) Preferred Frequencies, Frequency Levels, and Band Numbers for Acoustical Measurements
S1.11ANSI/ASA S1.11-2014/Part 1/IEC 61260:1-2014 Specificatio
...