ASTM_E_1111_-_E_1111M_-_14.pdf

Designation:E1111/E1111M14Standard Test Method forMeasuring the Interzone Attenuation of Open OfficeComponents1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1111/E1111M;the number immediately following the designation indicates the yearof 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()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis test method describes the measurement and evaluation of acoustical performance ofcomponents affecting speech privacy in open-plan spaces.The maximum privacy theoreticallyavailable at normal working distances in open-plan spaces,with partial height space dividers(screens),is insufficient without the assistance of relatively elevated background masking sound levels.Thus,theprovision of adequate speech privacy in open-plan offices and schools is one of the most difficult tasksin the architectural acoustics field.This test method provides a means of objectively measuring therelevant 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 whichthey may reduce reflected sound.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the inter-zone attenuation for three components of open-plan spaces:1.1.1 Ceiling systems when used in conjunction withpartial-height space dividers.This arrangement is commonlyused in offices to achieve speech privacy between work zonesin the absence of full-height partitions.This test method isapplicable to any ceiling configuration,including,for example,a pattern of sound-reflective panels in an otherwise sound-absorptive ceiling.This test method generally requires use of afixed space divider height of 1.50 m 5 ft.In recognition oftrends toward alternate divider heights in open officeenvironments,measurements with an alternate divider heightmay be conducted in accordance with this standard.1.1.2 Furniture panels used as acoustical barriers in open-plan spaces to provide speech privacy or sound isolationbetween working positions.1.1.3 Vertical panels,including wall finishes such as sound-absorbent panels,and furniture panels or screens which mayreflect sound.It may not be applicable to such items as windowfinishes or furniture other than panels if these differ signifi-cantly from flat wall panels.1.1.4 The combination of results from the various compo-nents of an open-plan office is beyond the scope of thisstandard.1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound unitsare to be regarded separately as standard.The values stated ineach system may not be exact equivalents;therefore,eachsystem shall be used independently of the other.Combiningvalues from the two systems may result in non-conformancewith the standard.1.3 Unless otherwise qualified,all dimensions specified inthis test method shall be understood to have a tolerance of 66mm(614in.)The values stated in SI units are to be regardedas the standard.The values given in parentheses are providedfor information only.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2C423 Test Method for SoundAbsorption and SoundAbsorp-tion Coefficients by the Reverberation Room Method1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E33 on Buildingand Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeE33.02 on Speech Privacy.Current edition approved Sept.1,2014.Published January 2015.Originallyapproved in 1986.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as E1111 07.DOI:10.1520/E1111_E1111M-14.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 C634 Terminology Relating to Building and EnvironmentalAcousticsE795 Practices for Mounting Test Specimens During SoundAbsorption TestsE1110 Classification for Determination of Articulation ClassE1179 Specification for Sound Sources Used for TestingOpen Office Components and SystemsE1374 Guide for Open Office Acoustics and ApplicableASTM Standards2.2 ANSI Standards:S1.4 Specification for Sound Level Meters3S1.6 Preferred Frequencies and Band Numbers for Acousti-cal Measurements3S1.11 Specification for Octave Band and Fractional-Octave-Band Analog and Digital Filters33.Terminology3.1 The following terms used in this test method