Like many other spaces being not closed (open spaces, large open offices), i.e. spaces designed to accommodate more than 5 people without complete separations between the workplaces, an open plan office is a workspace in which various activities can be carried out: telephone, paperwork, etc. Specific equipments must be envisaged to ensure no interference between workstations being generally close.
If the level of performance associated with the acoustic ambience is "efficient", then brief conversations in low voices in the local are not sources of annoyance to others, speech discretion (status obtained when an effort is required to understand the content of a conversation emitted from a nearby workstation) is limited, impact noise in adjacent lanes are poorly heard, outside noise and equipment noise contribute to a moderate background noise, without causing discomfort: the performance level is appropriate primarily for tasks requiring limited concentration.
If the level of performance associated with the acoustic environment is "very efficient", then there is no need to raise your voice to a brief exchange of words between adjacent workstations (thus the discretion between work positions with more distance is relatively good), low voice conversations in the room are not sources of discomfort, equipment noise and outside noise are audible, without causing discomfort or fatigue: an open space, even at this level, is suitable only for tasks requiring a moderate concentration, occasionally higher.
Many open plan offices do not have sufficient acoustic characteristics to limit the propagation of noise emitted at a given workplace towards adjacent workstations, notably if no obstacle opposes enough:action is then required in terms of sound insulation in buildings.
ITS will participate in the improvement of acoustic comfort of an open plan office in the neighborhood of Mâcon (France, Burgundy region, Saône et Loire county).
Given the noise nuisance experienced by the occupants, it was decided to install soundproofing screen walls having a high acoustic absorption namely for medium and high frequencies.
Those soundproofing screen walls are acoustical treatment equipment with an absorbing lining based on a high density mineral wool and on an appropriate facing (cloth) for cleaning with a damp cloth, on base legs or with wheels, eventually arranging glass surfaces to provide visibility to the surrounding areas.
The dimensions are selected according to the constraints and objectives related to each project.
No doubt that the implementation of this soundproofing equipments will improve the acoustic comfort of this open plan office, and will enhance the decoration for better working conditions in this open plan office.