ISO 20189:2018

Acoustics — Screens, furniture and single objects intended for interior use — Rating of sound absorption and sound reduction of elements based on laboratory measurements

This document specifies how screens, furniture and single objects intended for interior use are assessed with regard to sound absorption and specifies the evaluation of sound attenuation for floor screens. It also specifies under which circumstances various interior products for offices, schools and other public spaces are considered as plane absorbers or as discrete single objects. A product considered as a single object and intended for interior use is measured according to ISO 354 and evaluated by its equivalent sound absorption area or object sound absorption coefficient in octave bands. This document defines interior products and single objects and it comprises additional information regarding measurements and assessment of single objects. The sound absorption as specified in this document can be used to calculate: a) reverberation time characteristics in rooms; b) room acoustic parameters using ray tracing software.

Acoustique — Meubles, écrans et objets uniques destinés à usage intérieur — Note de l'absorption acoustique et de réduction acoustique des éléments basée sur des mesures en laboratoire

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Nov-2018
• ICS: 91.120.20 - Acoustics in building. Sound insulation
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 43/SC 2 - Building acoustics
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 43/SC 2 - Building acoustics
• Current Stage: 9093 - International Standard confirmed
• Due Date: 24-Oct-2024
• Completion Date: 24-Oct-2024

Standards Content (Sample)

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20189
First edition
2018-11
Acoustics — Screens, furniture and
single objects intended for interior
use — Rating of sound absorption and
sound reduction of elements based on
laboratory measurements
Acoustique — Meubles, écrans et objets uniques destinés à usage
intérieur — Note de l'absorption acoustique et de réduction
acoustique des éléments basée sur des mesures en laboratoire
Reference number
©
ISO 2018
© ISO 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Methods to measure and evaluate various interior acoustic products .3
4.1 Single objects . 3
4.1.1 General. 3
4.1.2 Single object sound absorption . 3
4.2 Desk screens . 4
4.3 Floor screens. 4
4.3.1 General. 4
4.3.2 Floor screen sound absorption . 4
4.3.3 Floor screen sound attenuation . 4
4.3.4 Floor screen sound insulation . 4
4.4 Furniture ensembles . 5
4.4.1 General. 5
4.4.2 Furniture ensembles sound absorption . 5
2 5
4.5 Single objects that are tightly connected to form a surface greater than or equal to 10 m
4.6 Other single objects . 5
5 Statement of results . 5
5.1 Results for sound absorption . 5
5.2 Results for floor screen sound attenuation . 5
5.3 Results for sound insulation . 6
5.4 Other information to be reported . 6
Annex A (normative) Presentation of equivalent sound absorption area . 7
Annex B (normative) Examples for the deduction of object sound absorption coefficient, α .9
obj
Annex C (normative) Presentation of floor screen sound attenuation .14
Annex D (normative) Presentation of screen sound insulation .15
Annex E (normative) Mounting conditions in the laboratory .17
Annex F (informative) Guidelines on suitable values for sound insulation for different
screen heights .27
Bibliography .28
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, Subcommittee SC 2, Building
acoustics.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved

Introduction
The interior design industry is progressing rapidly, and the acoustic characteristics of products have
become an important technical aspect in the design of new products. Currently, interior design products
are generally not well defined in terms of their acoustic characteristics, often leading to confusing and
misleading product specifications and marketing materials. Further, it is often unclear how a product’s
reported acoustic characteristics are to be applied to determine its acoustic impact in a furnished room.
This document is intended to clarify the acoustic characteristics, and their application, for various
interior design products. This is accomplished by a standardized test methodology for the measurement
of sound absorption, and defining when an interior product is to be considered as a single object.
This document is intended to facilitate the measurement and evaluation procedure for any interior
product currently on the market. By using it, different interior design products can be compared to
each other in an equal manner. Additionally, product acoustic characteristics evaluated according to
this document can be applied for room acoustic modelling and calculations.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 20189:2018(E)
Acoustics — Screens, furniture and single objects intended
for interior use — Rating of sound absorption and sound
reduction of elements based on laboratory measurements
1 Scope
This document specifies how screens, furniture and single objects intended for interior use are assessed
with regard to sound absorption and specifies the evaluation of sound attenuation for floor screens. It
also specifies under which circumstances various interior products for offices, schools and other public
spaces are considered as plane absorbers or as discrete single objects. A product considered as a single
object and intended for interior use is measured according to ISO 354 and evaluated by its equivalent
sound absorption area or object sound absorption coefficient in octave bands. This document defines
interior products and single objects and it comprises additional information regarding measurements
and assessment of single objects.
The sound absorption as specified in this document can be used to calculate:
a) reverberation time characteristics in rooms;
b) room acoustic parameters using ray tracing software.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 354:2003, Acoustics — Measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room
ISO 717-1:2013, Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements — Part 1:
Airborne sound insulation
ISO 10053, Acoustics — Measurement of office screen sound attenuation under specific laboratory
conditions
ISO 10140-2, Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements — Part 2:
Measurement of airborne sound insulation
ISO 11654:1997, Acoustics — Sound absorbers for use in buildings — Rating of sound absorption
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
interior acoustic product
object aimed for insertion loss and/or absorption of indoor sound
3.2
single object
interior acoustic product (3.1) with a defined size and normally mounted by itself, i.e. at some distance
to the nearest other single object
Note 1 to entry: Single objects are sometimes mounted tightly together to form an array or a large homogeneous
surface. Single objects do not have the same acoustic performance when considered in larger groups.
3.3
desk screen
single object (3.2) intended to be mounted vertically on the side of a table top
3.4
floor screen
single object (3.2) intended to stand vertically on the floor
3.5
furniture ensemble
setup of furniture and screens, connected sofas, or any other combination considered as a single
object (3.2)
3.6
equivalent sound absorption area per single object
A
obj
frequency-dependent value for the equivalent sound absorption area
Note 1 to entry: Measurements are carried out according to ISO 354. When the test specimen comprises several
identical single objects, A is found by dividing A (equivalent sound absorption area of the test specimen as
obj T
defined in ISO 354) by the number of single objects.
Note 2 to entry: It is used to describe a single object’s ability to absorb sound.
Note 3 to entry: The unit is absorption area in m .
3.7
practical sound absorption coefficient
α
p
frequency-dependent value of the sound absorption coefficient which is based on measurements o
...

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 20189
First edition
2018-11
Acoustics — Screens, furniture and
single objects intended for interior
use — Rating of sound absorption and
sound reduction of elements based on
laboratory measurements
Acoustique — Meubles, écrans et objets uniques destinés à usage
intérieur — Note de l'absorption acoustique et de réduction
acoustique des éléments basée sur des mesures en laboratoire
Reference number
©
ISO 2018
© ISO 2018
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Methods to measure and evaluate various interior acoustic products .3
4.1 Single objects . 3
4.1.1 General. 3
4.1.2 Single object sound absorption . 3
4.2 Desk screens . 4
4.3 Floor screens. 4
4.3.1 General. 4
4.3.2 Floor screen sound absorption . 4
4.3.3 Floor screen sound attenuation . 4
4.3.4 Floor screen sound insulation . 4
4.4 Furniture ensembles . 5
4.4.1 General. 5
4.4.2 Furniture ensembles sound absorption . 5
2 5
4.5 Single objects that are tightly connected to form a surface greater than or equal to 10 m
4.6 Other single objects . 5
5 Statement of results . 5
5.1 Results for sound absorption . 5
5.2 Results for floor screen sound attenuation . 5
5.3 Results for sound insulation . 6
5.4 Other information to be reported . 6
Annex A (normative) Presentation of equivalent sound absorption area . 7
Annex B (normative) Examples for the deduction of object sound absorption coefficient, α .9
obj
Annex C (normative) Presentation of floor screen sound attenuation .14
Annex D (normative) Presentation of screen sound insulation .15
Annex E (normative) Mounting conditions in the laboratory .17
Annex F (informative) Guidelines on suitable values for sound insulation for different
screen heights .27
Bibliography .28
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation on the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following
URL: www .iso .org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, Subcommittee SC 2, Building
acoustics.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2018 – All rights reserved

Introduction
The interior design industry is progressing rapidly, and the acoustic characteristics of products have
become an important technical aspect in the design of new products. Currently, interior design products
are generally not well defined in terms of their acoustic characteristics, often leading to confusing and
misleading product specifications and marketing materials. Further, it is often unclear how a product’s
reported acoustic characteristics are to be applied to determine its acoustic impact in a furnished room.
This document is intended to clarify the acoustic characteristics, and their application, for various
interior design products. This is accomplished by a standardized test methodology for the measurement
of sound absorption, and defining when an interior product is to be considered as a single object.
This document is intended to facilitate the measurement and evaluation procedure for any interior
product currently on the market. By using it, different interior design products can be compared to
each other in an equal manner. Additionally, product acoustic characteristics evaluated according to
this document can be applied for room acoustic modelling and calculations.
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 20189:2018(E)
Acoustics — Screens, furniture and single objects intended
for interior use — Rating of sound absorption and sound
reduction of elements based on laboratory measurements
1 Scope
This document specifies how screens, furniture and single objects intended for interior use are assessed
with regard to sound absorption and specifies the evaluation of sound attenuation for floor screens. It
also specifies under which circumstances various interior products for offices, schools and other public
spaces are considered as plane absorbers or as discrete single objects. A product considered as a single
object and intended for interior use is measured according to ISO 354 and evaluated by its equivalent
sound absorption area or object sound absorption coefficient in octave bands. This document defines
interior products and single objects and it comprises additional information regarding measurements
and assessment of single objects.
The sound absorption as specified in this document can be used to calculate:
a) reverberation time characteristics in rooms;
b) room acoustic parameters using ray tracing software.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 354:2003, Acoustics — Measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room
ISO 717-1:2013, Acoustics — Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements — Part 1:
Airborne sound insulation
ISO 10053, Acoustics — Measurement of office screen sound attenuation under specific laboratory
conditions
ISO 10140-2, Acoustics — Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements — Part 2:
Measurement of airborne sound insulation
ISO 11654:1997, Acoustics — Sound absorbers for use in buildings — Rating of sound absorption
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
3.1
interior acoustic product
object aimed for insertion loss and/or absorption of indoor sound
3.2
single object
interior acoustic product (3.1) with a defined size and normally mounted by itself, i.e. at some distance
to the nearest other single object
Note 1 to entry: Single objects are sometimes mounted tightly together to form an array or a large homogeneous
surface. Single objects do not have the same acoustic performance when considered in larger groups.
3.3
desk screen
single object (3.2) intended to be mounted vertically on the side of a table top
3.4
floor screen
single object (3.2) intended to stand vertically on the floor
3.5
furniture ensemble
setup of furniture and screens, connected sofas, or any other combination considered as a single
object (3.2)
3.6
equivalent sound absorption area per single object
A
obj
frequency-dependent value for the equivalent sound absorption area
Note 1 to entry: Measurements are carried out according to ISO 354. When the test specimen comprises several
identical single objects, A is found by dividing A (equivalent sound absorption area of the test specimen as
obj T
defined in ISO 354) by the number of single objects.
Note 2 to entry: It is used to describe a single object’s ability to absorb sound.
Note 3 to entry: The unit is absorption area in m .
3.7
practical sound absorption coefficient
α
p
frequency-dependent value of the sound absorption coefficient which is based on measurements o
...