SPEECH LEVEL REDUCTION OF OFFICE FURNITURE AND OFFICE PODS (ISO 23351-1)
Products to be tested
Examples of products to be tested are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Products to be tested may include semi-open workstations or furniture groups, or enclosed office pods designed for one or more people.
FINAS Accreditation
The laboratory is FINAS accredited for this test method.
The full scope of the laboratory’s FINAS accreditation is described here: https://akustiikka.turkuamk.fi/en/accreditation/
Note: FINAS accreditation applies only to results provided in the form of a signed test report.
Test method
Speech level reduction is determined in a reverberation room according to ISO 23351-1 which was developed with our input from Turku University of Applied Sciences. The standard is based on sound power level measurements according to ISO 3741.
The resulting value, speech level reduction DS,A, indicates how many decibels the furniture reduces the A-weighted sound level of normal speech propagating outward from the furniture when the speaker is inside it.
Typical values
For open office furniture, values are typically in the range of 0 … 5 dB DS,A.
For enclosed office pods, values are typically in the range of 15 … 30 dB DS,A.
Classification limits for office pods are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Classification of speech level reduction according to ISO 23351-1.
Ventilation noise in office pods
In some countries or tenders, target levels are specified for ventilation noise.
The sound pressure level inside enclosed office pods can be measured separately if needed, according to ISO 11200.
The sound power level of ventilation noise emitted from the pod can be measured according to ISO 3741. The report presents a calculated sound pressure level at various distances from the product, depending on the absorption area of the final installation room. This can be compared to the specified target level.
Delivery and Location
The laboratory is located at Joukahaisenkatu 7, 20520 Turku. Instructions for deliveries can be found here.