Office acoustics, for calm work

Office acoustics

The unfairly neglected acoustics in your office

In relation to workplace ergonomics, the first thing that comes into our mind is the well-adjusted chair, the proper height of the monitor, the optimal light conditions, or the temperature of the room. However, the unfairly neglected noise reduction is also an important part of it. Acoustic design provides a solution here.

Less sick leave, better performance.

Scientific experiments demonstrated that the precondition of effective work is an environment which is free of echoes, reverberated sounds and excessive noises.

Open-plan offices and cubicles – decreasing effectiveness?

With the hope of reaching greater productivity, the original purpose of the modern, open office structures is to help the interaction and cooperation among colleagues.
It seems however that in practice the opposite occurs.

Another study pointed out the risks of the open-plan offices from the noise pollution point of view: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26366940
It was also confirmed by the research of Cornell University in which 40 office workers had to work during three hours at the noise level equals to the average noise level of an open-plan office. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11055149

As a result of it the adrenaline level of the participants decreased, they solved fewer tasks and were far less motivated than in a quiet, acoustically treated office environment.

Acoustics in the office

When we think of an open-plan office, a huge space appears in front of our eyes, in which desks and chairs are placed in various ways. Besides these there is almost no other furniture.

In this spacious room people are talking, making phone calls, phones are ringing, printers and copy machines are working, perhaps air cleaning, air conditioning machines are also operating.

Office acoustic regulations

From acoustic point of view, it is important that materials used in office buildings are mainly concrete and glass which have excellent sound reflection properties thus they amplify even further the unwanted sounds.

Based on office acoustic regulations the level of 45-55 dB is recommended for regular office activity. If this value is higher the effectiveness of workers decreases.

The noise level of an open-plan office oscillates above 60-65 dB on average. When two people are talking to each other from one meter distance in normal voice level it equals to roughly 60 dB.

Noise reduction is an important element of the workplace ergonomics – acoustics

It is clear by now that working in a noisy environment is not advantageous, neither for the employee nor for the employer.

Besides the already broadly used elements of office ergonomics like the conventional and widely accepted seat comfort, sound insulation and absorption is in fact increasingly emphasised.

By treating the acoustics of the room, we may obtain work efficiency.

In open-plan offices colleagues can only work efficiently if optimal acoustic accessories are installed. The most important task is the proper acoustic treatment of the grouped workstations, the meeting room and the communication areas.

To achieve this, the adequate selection and proper positioning of sound absorbing units is essential in an office environment. Sound absorbing panels kill or filter the unwanted echoes, knocking and excessive sounds of the working environment.

Room acoustics – also for waiting rooms, restaurants

Acoustic treatment can increase effectiveness in many working environments and also provide well-being for the employees, customers, and guests alike.

In addition to offices and meeting rooms, noise reduction and speech comprehension is vital in waiting rooms, concert halls, studio rooms and restaurants as well. With the acoustic treatment we can significantly improve the communication conditions, concentration ability, performance, moreover, stress can be reduced.

Perfect Acoustic is the solution for your company

The speciality of Perfect Acoustic is the room acoustics, the noise reduction in a working environment.

• We can define the exact parameters by on site acoustic measurement.
• Thereafter, as part of acoustic planning, we draw up a list of tools by which the acoustic issues and acoustic imperfections can be eliminated based on the measured values and the parameters of the given room.
• The improvement of room acoustic is achieved with acoustic panels. Upon measurement, we can tell exactly at which point of the office what type of panel should be placed in order to reach the expected result.
• Acoustic panels can be prepared in different colours and patterns, even with unique photos on them (e.g. a company logo). Depending on the type of panel, they can be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall.
• The panels are made of quality materials, covered with imitation leather or acoustic velvet, with sophisticated finishing based on the customer’s requirement that suits the style of the working environment.

Open-plan offices have many benefits. It improves cooperation and communication between colleagues, develops the workplace community, which promotes the birth of thoughts and creative ideas. However, continuous background noise has several negative effects on our body. The rustling of office machines, talking to colleagues or the ringing and vibration of telephones, as well as external noises, also adversely affect memory. It is more difficult for us to store information in our memory. No matter how much we focus on the tasks at hand, we cannot rule out the events and sounds taking place around us. With the use of appropriate materials developed specifically for acoustic purposes, noise reduction and ideal acoustic conditions of the office can be successfully solved. High-quality, efficient sound-absorbing acoustic elements have a flexible structure and high density, so they can be a perfect solution for improving the acoustics of offices.

Tips for noise reduction in offices:

1.It is important not to ignore the ceiling surfaces! Be sure to place acoustic elements in these areas as well.
2.Vertical sound-absorbing panels on wall surfaces are extremely effective.
3. Noise can also be reduced with room dividers.
4. It is recommended to place acoustic curtains in front of the windows.
5. The noise reduction of office wheelchairs can be solved with a floor mat.
6. Sound-absorbing ceiling dividers can be used to prevent the propagation of noise.
7. Step noises can be eliminated with a carpet.
8. If possible, do not place the individual workbenches and booths too close to each other.
9. Soundproof rooms are required for important meetings.
10. Soundproofed windows and doors also help to overcome noise issues.

G.H.

Written by: Róbert Polgár