ASTM E1111-05

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Designation: E 1111 – 05
Standard Test Method for
Measuring the Interzone Attenuation of Open Office
1
Components
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 describes the measurement and evaluation of acoustical performance of
components affecting speech privacy in open-plan spaces. The maximum privacy theoretically
availableatnormalworkingdistancesinopen-planspaces,withpartialheightspacedividers(screens),
isinsufficientwithouttheassistanceofrelativelyelevatedbackgroundmaskingsoundlevels.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 three major components of open-plan spaces, the ceiling system,
furniture panels used as acoustical barriers, and wall finishes which attenuate reflected sound.
Furniture panels may be tested for their capacity as an acoustical barrier and/or the degree to which
they may reduce reflected sound.
1. Scope 1.1.4 The combination of results from the various compo-
nents of an open-plan office is beyond the scope of this
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the inter-
standard.
zone attenuation for three components of open-plan spaces:
1.2 Unless otherwise qualified, all dimensions specified in
1.1.1 Ceiling systems when used in conjunction with
this test method shall be understood to have a tolerance of 66
partial-height space dividers. This arrangement is commonly
1
mm (6 ⁄4 in.) The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
used in offices to achieve speech privacy between work zones
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
in the absence of full-height partitions. This test method is
for information only.
applicable to any ceiling configuration, including, for example,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
a pattern of sound-reflective panels in an otherwise sound-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
absorptive ceiling. This test method generally requires use of a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
fixed space divider height of 1.50 m (60 in). In recognition of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
trends toward alternate divider heights in open office environ-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ments, measurements with an alternate divider height may be
conducted in accordance with this standard.
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.2 Furniture panels used as acoustical barriers in open-
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
plan spaces to provide speech privacy or sound isolation
C 423 Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Ab-
between working positions.
sorption Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method
1.1.3 Vertical panels, including wall finishes such as sound-
C 634 Terminology Relating to Environmental Acoustics
absorbent panels, and furniture panels or screens which may
E 795 Practice for Mounting Test Specimens During Sound
reflectsound.Itmaynotbeapplicabletosuchitemsaswindow
Absorption Tests
finishes or furniture other than panels if these differ signifi-
E 1110 Classification for Determination of Articulation
cantly from flat wall panels.
Class
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on
2
EnvironmentalAcousticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE33.02on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Open Plan Spaces. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
approved in 1986. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as E 1111 – 02. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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E1111–05
FIG. 1 Ceiling Test Configuration, Elevation
(speaker is horizontal for other tests)
E 1179 Specification for Sound Sources Used for Testing 3.2.4 nominal interzone attenuation—for a one-third
Open Office Components and Systems octave-band,ataspecifiedpoint,thearithmeticmeaninterzone
E 1374 Guide for Open Office Acoustics and Applicable attenuation calculated using the interzone attenuation for the
ASTM Standards point in question and for two adjacent positions 0.30 m (1 ft)
2.2 ANSI Standards:
...