ASTM E1111-02

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Designation:E 1111 – 02
Standard Test Method for
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Measuring the Interzone Attenuation of Ceiling Systems
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1111; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method is one of a series for the measurement and evaluation of acoustical parameters
affecting speech privacy in open-plan spaces. The maximum privacy theoretically available at normal
working distances in open-plan spaces, with partial height space dividers (screens), is insufficient to
cope with normal speech without the assistance of relatively elevated background masking sound
levels. Thus, the provision of adequate speech privacy in open-plan offices and schools is one of the
most difficult tasks in the architectural acoustics field. This test method provides a means of
objectively measuring the relevant acoustical characteristics of one component in the open-plan space,
the ceiling system.
1. Scope 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
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safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This test method is intended to provide measurements
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of the sound reflective characteristics of ceiling systems when
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
used in conjunction with partial-height space dividers. This
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
arrangement is commonly used in offices and schools to
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
achieve speech privacy between work zones in the absence of
standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for
full-height partitions. This test method is applicable to any
information only.
ceiling configuration, including, for example, a pattern of
sound-reflective panels in an otherwise sound-absorptive ceil-
2. Referenced Documents
ing. This test method, as specified, is primarily restricted to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
measurements with a fixed space divider height of 1.50 m (60
C 423 Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Ab-
in.), a ceiling height of nominally 2.70 m (108 in.), a source
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sorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method
height of 1.20 m (48 in.), and microphone positions at 1.20 m
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C 634 Terminology Relating to Environmental Acoustics
(48in.)height.Inrecognitionoftrendstowardalternatedivider
E 1110 Classification for Determination of Articulation
heights in open office environments, measurements with an
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Class
alternate divider height may be conducted in accordance with
E 1179 Specification for Sound Sources Used for Testing
this standard.
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Open Office Components and Systems
1.2 Laboratory Accreditation—A procedure for accrediting
2.2 ANSI Standards:
a laboratory for purposes of this test method is given inAnnex
S1.6 Preferred Frequencies and Band Numbers for Acous-
A1.
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tical Measurements
S1.11 SpecificationforOctaveBandandFractional-Octave-
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Band Analog and Digital Filters
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on S1.12 Specification for Laboratory Standard Microphones
EnvironmentalAcousticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE33.02on
Open Plan Spaces.
3. Terminology
Current edition approved April 10, 2002. Published May 2002. Originally
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3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
published as E 1111 – 86. Last previous edition E 1111 – 92(1996) .
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This test method is similar to a procedure developed by the U.S. Government
General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, designated 8PBS-C.2,
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Test Method for the Sufficient Verification of Speech-Privacy Potential Based on Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
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Objective Measurements including Methods for the Rating of Functional Interzone Available from theAmerican National Standards Institute, 11W. 42nd St., 13th
Attenuation and NC-Background.’ August 1972. Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1111–02
3.1.1 nominal reference level—for a one-third octave-band, 5. Significance and Use
the arithmetic mean of sound pressure levels measured be-
5.1 The substitution of moveable part-height space dividers
tween the source point and the space divider at specified
for fixed full-height partitions between work zones in open-
positions.
plan offices and schools may introduce problems of inadequate
3.1.2 interzone attenuation—at a specified position, for a
speech privacy or distraction between z
...