Office acoustics is a term referring to the level of noise within a workplace. ‘Noise’ is used loosely to represent any sound that may have an impact on employee health, comfort or productivity. There are three main factors to take into account -

• The source of any noise, such as office equipment or employees talking on the phone in close proximity to one another.
• The kind of barriers in place between workstations - generally walls, partitions or the use of acoustic screens / dividers.
• The level of background noise.

The aim is not to create a silent environment, as this can be equally detrimental. A study found ambient noise or background noise to be good for creativity, whereas extreme quiet was better for focused work. In most offices, striking that balance between noise and silence provides the best possible working environment.

The three main areas where a significant difference can be made to office acoustics are floors, walls and ceiling.

The correct ceiling type, suspended baffles, acoustic rafts, timber slats, suspended or drop ceiling tiles all absorb noise, reduce reverberation, and prevent sound from travelling to adjacent areas. Acuphon's    acoustic screens, meeting pods, dividers or even partition wall systems act as barriers to prevent noise from passing through to other areas in a similar way to a full wall. In addition our range of acoustic acusorb® Designer  or fabric covered acoustic panels absorb unwanted reflective noise.  Carpeted floors with an acoustic underlay treatment will reduce foot-fall noise, effectively ending it before it begins.

When tackling the complex area of office acoustics e.g. as part of an office refurbishment project, it is important to bear in mind that ceilings, walls and flooring need to be addressed as a cohesive whole - one improvement will not necessarily work well in isolation, and retrofitting further solutions  at a later date will add unnecessary install costs.

Similarly, the position of workstations within the office environment needs to be given careful consideration. Placing employees directly in each other’s line of sight allows noise to travel in a direct path, effectively maximising noise. Correct spacing of workstations is also crucial as muffled sounds cause less distraction - ‘hearing’ is not the same as understanding in this context. ' Speech Privacy ' is also an important consideration as being overheard by colleagues can be inhibiting and counter productive. AcuPhon's Acoustic Meeting Pods are a perfect solution for this.