Standard Test Method for Evaluating Masking Sound in Open Offices Using A-Weighted and One-Third Octave Band Sound Pressure Levels

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Speech privacy in an open office is dependent on many factors (see Guide E 1374 for a discussion on open office acoustical considerations). One of these factors is the masking sound in the office. Without masking sound in the open office, confidential speech privacy is not possible at normal voice levels. The four critical acoustical parameters of masking sound are its spatial uniformity, temporal uniformity, spectrum shape, and level. The measurement and determination of these parameters are addressed in this test method.
The results from this test method can be used to determine if the masking sound meets a particular specification.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method specifies the procedures that can be used to evaluate the spatial and temporal uniformity of masking sound in open offices using A-weighted sound levels. It also specifies the procedure for evaluating the masking sound spectrum and level using one-third octave band sound pressure levels.
1.2 The results of this test method can be used to determine if the masking sound meets a particular specification for spatial and temporal uniformity if that specification is written in terms of A-weighted sound levels and if the masking sound meets a particular spectrum shape and level in the office area.
1.3 This test method must not be used to evaluate the acoustical environment in an office space. It is intended only to evaluate the masking sound in an office. This test method, for instance, does not evaluate the low frequency rumble  noise found in some offices.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: E1573 − 09
Standard Test Method for
Evaluating Masking Sound in Open Offices Using
A-Weighted and One-Third Octave Band Sound Pressure
1
Levels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1573; 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 is one of a set of standards for evaluating the acoustical performance of
components or systems in an open office. The other standards in this set deal with the measurement
of the sound attenuation between work stations provided by partial height space dividers, vertical
surfaces, and acoustical ceiling systems; speech privacy; and the evaluation of masking sound.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method specifies the procedures that can be 2.1 ASTM Standards:
used to evaluate the spatial and temporal uniformity of C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
masking sound in open offices usingA-weighted sound levels. Acoustics
Italsospecifiestheprocedureforevaluatingthemaskingsound E1374 Guide for Open Office Acoustics and Applicable
spectrum and level using one-third octave band sound pressure ASTM Standards
3
levels.
2.2 ANSI Standards:
S1.11 –2004 Specification for Octave-Band and Fractional-
1.2 The results of this test method can be used to determine
Octave Band Analog and Digital Filters
if the masking sound meets a particular specification for spatial
S1.43 –1997 (R 2007) Specifications for integrating averag-
and temporal uniformity if that specification is written in terms
ing sound level meters
of A-weighted sound levels and if the masking sound meets a
IEC61672 –2002Electroacoustics-SoundLevelmeters-part
particular spectrum shape and level in the office area.
1: specifications
1.3 This test method must not be used to evaluate the
acoustical environment in an office space. It is intended only to
3. Terminology
evaluate the masking sound in an office. This test method, for
3.1 Definitions—The acoustical terminology used in this
instance, does not evaluate the low frequency rumble noise
test method is consistent with the definitions in Terminology
found in some offices.
C634.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.1 masking sound—sound within an office that reduces
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the intelligibility of intruding speech and the distraction from
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
activity noise. Masking sound may be produced by a masking
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1 2
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onBuilding For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
E33.02 on Speech Privacy. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E1573–02. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/E1573-09. 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 ----------------------
E1573 − 09
sound system, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning 6.5 The office space shall be unoccupied during the tests.
(HVAC) sources, or other sources.
7. Test Signal
3.2.2 masking sound system—the electronic equipment and
7.1 The test signal used for this evaluation may be any of
loudspeakersusedtogenerate,distribute,andproducemasking
the following:
sound throughout an office space.
7.1.1 The sound due to the HVAC system, the masking
3.2.3 spatial uniformity—a condition where the sound pres-
sound system, and any other noise sources,
sure levels throughout a defined space do not vary significantly
7.1.2 The sound due to the masking sound system alone, or
from the arithmetic mean sound pressure level. The amount of
7.1.3 The sound due to the HVAC system alone.
allowable variation is specified by others such as a consultant,
7.2 If the intent is to evaluate the performance of the
designer, or owner.
combination of sounds from the masking sound system, sound
3.2.4 temporal uniformity—at a given position, a condition
sources asso
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1573–02 Designation:E1573–09
Standard Test Method for
Evaluating Masking Sound in Open Offices Using
A-Weighted and One-Third Octave Band Sound Pressure
1
Levels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1573; 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 is one of a set of standards for evaluating the acoustical performance of
components or systems in an open office. The other standards in this set deal with the measurement
of the sound attenuation between work stations provided by partial height space dividers, vertical
surfaces, and acoustical ceiling systems; speech privacy; and the evaluation of masking sound.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method specifies the procedures that can be used to evaluate the spatial and temporal uniformity of masking sound
in open offices usingA-weighted sound levels. It also specifies the procedure for evaluating the masking sound spectrum and level
using one-third octave band sound pressure levels.
1.2 The results of this test method can be used to determine if the masking sound meets a particular specification for spatial and
temporal uniformity if that specification is written in terms ofA-weighted sound levels and if the masking sound meets a particular
spectrum shape and level in the office area.
1.3 This test method must not be used to evaluate the acoustical environment in an office space. It is intended only to evaluate
the masking sound in an office. This test method, for instance, does not evaluate the low frequency rumble noise found in some
offices.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C 634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics
E 1374 Guide for Open Office Acoustics and Applicable ASTM Standards
3
2.2 ANSI Standards:
S1.11 –2004 Specification for Octave-Band and Fractional-Octave Band Analog and Digital Filters
S1.4Specification for Sound Level Meters S1.43 –1997 (R 2007) Specifications for integrating averaging sound level meters
IEC 61672 –2002 Electroacoustics- Sound Level meters-part 1: specifications
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—The acoustical terminology used in this test method is consistent with the definitions in Terminology C 634.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 masking sound—sound within an office that reduces the intelligibility of intruding speech and the distraction from activity
noise. Masking sound may be produced by a masking sound system, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) sources,
or other sources.
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 Open Plan Spaces.
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published June 2002. Originally published as E1573–93. Last previous edition E1573–98.
Current edition approved April 1, 2009. Published April 2009. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E 1573–02.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 04.06.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 WestW. 43rd St., 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 ----------------------
E1573–09
3.2.2 masking sound system—the electronic equipment and loudspeakers used to generate, distribute, and produce masking
sound throughout an office space.
3.2.3 spatial uniformity—a condition where the sound pressure levels throughout a defined space do not vary significantly from
the arithmetic mean sound pressure level. The amount of allowable variation is specified by others such as a consultant, designer,
or owner.
3.2.4 temporal uniformity—at a given position, a c
...

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