What is ISO 23351-1 about?
ISO 23351 is an International Standard that discusses acoustics. ISO 23351 focuses on speech level reduction measurement in furniture ensembles and enclosures. ISO 23351-1 is an international standard for measuring future ensembles and enclosures using a laboratory method.
ISO 23351-1 is the first part of a multi-series that specifies a laboratory method to facilitate the comparison of various furniture ensembles and enclosures concerning their ability to reduce the speech level of the occupant speaking inside the product.
Under ISO 23351-1 the sound levels are measured with and without the product. In the first case, the test signal is produced inside the product in the occupant’s position whereas in the other case the test signal is produced in an empty room in the absence of the product.
The level reduction obtained under ISO 23351-1 is independent of the environment because it is based on repeated sound power level measurements.
Note 1: Under ISO 2335-1 single components that are used in workstations such as a screen, a storage unit, a table, a luminaire, a cupboard, a bookshelf, etc. are not covered.
Note2: ISO 23351-1 applies to all furniture ensembles and enclosures which are used for improving speech privacy when the occupant speaks inside the product.
Note3: ISO 23351-1 is not intended for a single component that is used in workstations, such as a screen, a storage unit, a table, a luminaire, a cupboard, a bookshelf, a standard chair, a wall absorber, or a ceiling absorber.
Who is ISO 23351-1 for?
ISO 23351-1 on measurement of speech level reduction is relevant to:
- Acousticians
- Manufacturers of furniture ensembles such as workstations, working pods and meeting pods
- Product designers
- Design engineers
Why should you use ISO 23351-1?
In today’s scenario, a large number of occupants work in open-plan offices and activity-based offices where they easily get distracted by surrounding speech. In addition, many communications require speech privacy, which is difficult to achieve in an occupied office without moving to a place providing enhanced sound isolation to the surrounding spaces.
The speech level reduction describes how much the A-weighted sound power level of occupant’s speech is reduced when the speaking occupant moves inside the product. The speech level reduction is a standardized technical value which can be used to compare the acoustical effect of different products in regard of their abilities to reduce the A-weighted sound power level of speech.
Laboratory method under ISO 23351-1 assesses this speech level reduction of the occupant.
ISO 23351-1 provides guidance to reduce surrounding sound and improve speech privacy in furniture ensembles and enclosures.
ISO 23351-1 provides comparison of various furniture ensembles and enclosures on the basis of their ability to reduce the speech level of the occupant speaking inside the product which is helps in choosing the right furniture ensemble and enclosure as per your work environment. It enables ranking of alternative products.
