Acoustic Solutions for Office Buildings

BS 8233: 1999 'Sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings – Code of practice' contains guidance on noise control within a variety of buildings including offices. This includes recommended levels for the sound insulation performance of internal partitions, as well as internal ambient noise levels.

BS 8233 states that in cellular office layouts the minimum acceptable sound insulation between two offices is approximately Dw = 38dB, where Dw is the weighted level difference between rooms. Where privacy is an important factor this is increased to approximately Dw = 48 dB, although where indoor ambient noise levels are low it may be necessary to increase the level of sound insulation still further. Guidance is also provided with regards to noise control within open plan offices, including the use of low, acoustically absorbent ceilings.

Further guidance is contained within the BCO guide ‘Best Practice in the Specification for Offices’ and the BCO 'Office Fit-Out Guide'. However, depending on the intended use of a particular building clients will often have more specific requirements.

Indoor Ambient Noise Levels in Spaces When They Are Unoccupied
Criterion

Typical Situations

Design Range
LAeq, T dB
Good Reasonable
Reasonable conditions for study & work requiring concentration cellular office 40

50
meeting room, executive office 35 40

 

Riverside ExchangeHRS Services has considerable experience in the provision of both consultancy and testing for new office developments. Recent work includes compliance testing of two new headquarter-style office buildings forming part of the new Riverside Exchange development in Sheffield (bottom right). This included indoor ambient noise measurements, measurements of mechanical services noise, sound insulation testing and lift vibration measurements.

HRS has also been involved in sound insulation testing of the newly built offices at St. Omar barracks, Aldershot (top right).

 

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Acoustic solutions for office buildings

Sound insulation testing of the newly built offices at St. Omar barracks, Aldershot

Acoustics for Healthcare Premises

Pre-completion testing at new oncology & haemotology unit, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull