Open Office Noise Management and Acoustic Design 

Open Office is an innovative office layout that maximizes collaboration among team members and optimizes space utilization. This open structure facilitates the free flow of ideas and enhances communication among employees. However, noise issues are an unavoidable factor. When phone calls, conversations between colleagues, and keyboard sounds mix, it can lead to decreased concentration. Therefore, to fully leverage the advantages of an open office, noise management strategies must also be considered.

It is essential to implement acoustic design based on the international standard ISO 3382-3:2022 to address noise issues in the workplace environment. This can maximize work efficiency and significantly enhance employee satisfaction. In this article, we will present methods for optimizing the acoustic design of open offices using the ISO 3382-3:2022 standards and effective ways to apply this in practice.

What is ISO 3382-3:2022?

ISO 3382-3:2022 is an international standard for effectively measuring and evaluating the acoustic environment of open-plan offices. This standard allows for a clear analysis of noise issues in open offices and presents innovative design criteria to address these problems. As a result, it provides opportunities to enhance employees' focus and productivity.

Main Evaluation Indicators

ISO 3382-3:2022 uses the following acoustic indicators to measure noise diffusion and clarity in office spaces.

1. SPL (Speech Level Reduction, dB) – Indicates how much conversation noise is reduced at a specific distance
2. DL2 (Speech Level Decay per Distance Doubling, dB) – Indicates how much the sound pressure level decreases when the distance is doubled.
3. RC (Room Criteria, dB) – A standard for evaluating indoor background noise levels
4. STI (Speech Transmission Index, 0~1) – Measures conversation clarity to evaluate the level of speech information transmission

By utilizing these indicators, it is possible to quantify the degree of noise diffusion in the office and the clarity of conversations, allowing for a more systematic acoustic design.

Considerations for Acoustic Design in Open Offices

1) Reduction of reflected sound through the use of sound-absorbing materials

Open offices often have few walls or are made up of glass walls, making it easy for sound to reflect. To prevent this, sound-absorbing materials should be properly placed.

• Ceiling: Use sound-absorbing panels (recommended high-performance panels with NRC of 0.8 or higher)
• Wall: Use of materials that allow air to pass through or finishing materials with sound-absorbing properties
• Furniture: Introduction of fabric or sound-absorbing partitions made of breathable materials

2) Space partitioning and layout adjustment for noise reduction

You need to distinguish between areas in the office where conversation noise is concentrated and areas that need to be quiet.

• The phone and video conferencing space uses standalone booths with sound-absorbing materials.
• Physically partitioning the work concentration area and the collaboration area to disperse noise
• Designed to prevent conversations from spreading beyond a certain distance by considering the arrangement of desks

3) Background Noise Management and the Use of Sound Masking (White Noise)

In very quiet environments, small noises tend to be heard more loudly. To address this, it is important to maintain an appropriate level of background noise.

• Utilization of natural background noise such as fan noise from the air conditioning system
• Implementing a sound masking system to neutralize unwanted noise

4) Enhanced Sound Insulation Performance​

In addition to sound absorption, sound insulation design is also important to reduce noise transmission between office spaces.

• Partition and wall soundproofing: Minimize noise intrusion between spaces using high-density fiberboard, soundproof panels, etc.
• Soundproofing of doors and glass walls: Blocking conversation noise through soundproofing between door gaps or glass walls
• Ceiling soundproofing: Applying sound-absorbing ceiling panels and soundproof sheets together to reduce inter-floor noise

4) Choosing flooring materials with excellent sound absorption performance

You must also consider the sound reflected from the floor.

• Use sound-absorbing flooring materials such as carpet tiles with cushioning
• Recommendation for elastic flooring that can reduce noise compared to hard flooring (tiles, concrete)

Summary

If the noise problem in open offices is not addressed, employees' concentration may decrease and fatigue levels may increase. Utilizing the ISO 3382-3:2022 standards for acoustic design is one of the effective ways to optimize the open office environment, so it may be worth considering.

If a company is considering relocating its office or designing a new building, failing to incorporate acoustic design early on may result in higher costs after completion. At Tonex, we provide acoustic consulting that meets global standards and can also propose optimal solutions based on ISO 3382-3:2022.

If you want a better work environment, please contact us right now! 🚀