Provide a balance between acoustical and aesthetic value.

With the current trends toward a more open and collaborative work environment, noise and privacy issues may be a concern.

Noise is a productivity issue as well as a safety issue. Even low-level noise often results in higher levels of stress and lower task motivation.

Noise Reduction Tips

• Use taller partitions
  - Recommended 52" to 75" to help block noise (taller only provides limited benefits)
• Ceiling tile
  - Install a highly absorptive ceiling tile, the best tiles have a .95 NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient)
• Telephone Positioning
  - Place phones so workers do not face each other when talking, consider facing opposite walls
• Noisy Equipment
  - Locate in remote areas,do not put equipment against a hard wall or in a corner as the sound will reflect back
• Invest in a Sound Masking System
  - Increases background sound, speakers installed in the ceiling broadcast a uniform sound which peaks in the speech pattern
• Carpeting
  - Absorbs very little office noise - only foot falls
• Keep Panels Uncluttered
  - Putting notes, etc on panels can reduce acoustic quality
• Heating and Ventilating Systems
  - May require major alterations to the building system