We just commissioned a 90k square foot project for a great client. In the days just before occupancy, we had the great opportunity to tour a prospective client through the space. All of the furniture was inplace. It looked and sounded great.  With the sound masking up and running, our small group spread out and got the feeling for how much conversation could be heard from one workstation to another and at what distance conversations could be overheard.

Then we turned the system off!

What an eye opener for our prospective client! Where they once could talk without being overheard, we could now hear every word. Private office conversations were easy to hear from corridors and workstation to workstation privacy was non-existent.

Don’t worry client.We turned the system back on before we left!

ADI Workplace Acoustics is quoted in the Fall Edition of Design & Construction Report:

Page 9 - "Discovering Social Networking Opportunities"

 This article comes on the heels of the first Denver - Design & Construction Network event in Denver that drew 150 attendees!

ADI Workplace Acoustics is an active sponsor of CoreNet's Rocky Mountain Chapter. We encourage you to register and attend the Denver Learning Event on November 20th.  There will be great content and terrific opportunities to network.  Follow the link below to register:

http://rockymtn.corenetglobal.org/CORENETGLOBAL/RockyMountain/Home/

Full program information is included in the PDF linked below:

Learning Event Program Flyer

When evaluating pricing, qualifications and approach for the design and installation of a sound masking system, there are several key points to compare.  You should ask follow up questions from each provider to ensure that you know what you are getting and that you are getting what you want and need:

Speaker type:  Make sure that your proposals define the type of speakers that will be used.  You will find two basic types: plenum based speakers (indirect field) or down ward facing speakers (direct field).  It is our opinion that with a few exceptions, direct field speakers do not provide the uniformity required for a high quality sound masking system (see earlier entry below).

Speaker Count:  Sufficient speakers need to be provided to create uniform sound coverage through out the space.  Ask for the number of speakers, speaker spacing and confirm the coverage area from each respondent.   This can make a big difference in price and performance.

System Type:  There are several basic types of sound masking systems.  Make sure you know which type you are getting: 

Centrally Controlled systems provide an equipment rack in a single place within a building or space.  The system requires power at this location only and all wiring to the speakers is low voltage. 

Distributed Systems utilize powered speakers each containing a small sound masking generator and amplifier within the speaker housing.  These systems usually require access through the ceiling to make adjustments or changes.  They also require power sources above the ceiling.  When comparing pricing, make sure that the price includes electrical work to install the necessary power supplies.

Networked Systems provide sound masking through a system that is similar to a computer network.  They use CAT 5 or CAT 3 cable instead of low voltage speaker wire.  Signals are sent from a central computer to network nodes located through out the plenum.  These nodes will require power.  Check pricing on electrical work.  The nodes then feed signals to speakers.  See write up below on comparing networked systems to central systems.

Installation:  It is critical to evaluate who will be installing the sound masking system.  Are you dealing with a turn-key provider that will be responsible for the entire process of speaker and wire installation as well as the critical testing and tuning?  Or are you dealing with a sales representative that will outsource the installation to a third party.

Ask who will be tuning the system.  The proper tuning of a sound masking system will determine its effectiveness.  Ask them to describe their tuning process and what tools they will use.  You may get a few blank stares from some of the providers.  But you will be able to determine the vendors that understand the critical details of the system commissioning.

Choosing a sound masking system:

When investigating the purchase of a sound masking system, you will be introduced to several different concepts. 

One of the most important characteristics of a quality sound masking system is uniformity.  As people circulate through the workplace, the sound masking should be uniform.  Differences in volume or spectrum will draw attention.  Sound masking should be unobtrusive and blend into the background.

There are several manufacturers in the market today that are using systems with a network backbone.  They are designed like a computer network.  They use a central computer to send information to network nodes that then distribute the signal to sound masking and paging speakers.

The computer allows small groups of speakers to be changed remotely to allow differing volume levels and spectrum adjustments.  The manufacturers of these systems use terms such as “separate and independent configuration” and “on-demand control”.

After initial commissioning, the Facility Manager will have the controls and as changes are made, the system will become less uniform.  With each change, the system will drift away from its intended purpose of masking conversational distractions.

We strongly feel that networked systems provide Complexity without Benefit.

The systems also require electrical connections located through out the treated area to power the network equipment and the speakers.

Centrally controlled low voltage systems require a single electrical connection at an equipment rack.  All wiring from the rack to the speakers is conducted through low voltage plenum rated cable.

Centrally controlled systems provide the ability to deliver highly zoned sound masking and paging with a stable and reliable platform.  Once commissioned, they run trouble free for years.

By all means, compare systems and compare prices.  Then take a look at the organization and ask several key questions:

• Who will install the system?
• Who will commission and tune the system?
• Who will be responsible for service calls?

Many times, large manufacturer’s representatives subcontract installation and service to data cabling firms.  Look for suppliers with in-house personnel and expertise in sound masking and acoustics.

A National Trade Publication has recognized ADI Workplace Acoustics for its expertise:

http://www.systemscontractor.com/article/29030.aspx

We are currently working with several clients that are planning office projects in buildings with raised access floors. 

The use of under-floor HVAC systems provides an efficient delivery method for conditioned air.  One side effect of the system is that they provide very little background sound.  The resulting low background sound allows speech to be clearly understood at significant distances.  This has a highly negative impact on workplace productivity and workplace satisfaction.

We have had terrific success in providing sound masking from below raised access floor systems.  In fact we just walked a new client through a few of our projects last week and they were very impressed.

The advantages for delivering the masking signal from below:

Because the sound transmission loss of the concrete floor tiles is far greater than acoustical ceiling tiles, uniformity of sound from under the floor is much greater than from above.  This leaves users unable to identify speaker locations.

Sound is less affected by location of panel systems and walls than with speakers located above the ceiling.  This allows future reconfigurations to be performed more cost effectively.

Speakers and wire are concealed beneath the floor allowing freedom to use creative ceiling treatments.

ADI Workplace Acoustics has direct experience in the design, installation and commissioning of under-floor sound masking systems.   Our unique design build process allows us to install the system after the floor is installed.  We work around other building trades adapting the speaker layout to other building systems and features.

Acoustics is an often missed element in the design of these facilities.  More efficient HVAC systems, along with fewer barriers and lower panels, lead to poor speech privacy.  The downside of neglecting the acoustics is a lower operational performance for the occupants. 

GSA published a study of 12 recently completed hi-performance buildings:

"For the lower-performing buildings, the study found that occupant satisfaction is undermined by poor acoustics, lighting and maintenance problems.  A low level of ambient noise, a lack of sound masking and a perceived lack of privacy make acoustic quality worse."

https://www2.corenetglobal.org/dotCMS/kcoAsset?assetInode=4820555

I did a post occupancy walk through this week with a client that just relocated to new space.   We moved their sound masking and paging system to the new and larger space.

We phased our work to match the construction of the new space.  We went into the old space after hours and pulled the sound masking speakers from above the plenum and moved them to the new building for installation.  We timed the removal of the speakers to be as late as possible so that the occupants would not be without sound masking any longer than necessary.

As I walked through the new space with the client, she told me what a change it was in the old space to have the sound masking removed.  After having it for some time, they grew accustomed to not hearing conversations in the surrounding areas.  After the system was taken out, she could hear “everything”.  Many employees also inquired as to why it had gotten so noisy.  She is now happy to be in the new space with the sound masking back in action.

We enjoy the work that we do.  It is very rewarding to get such strong feedback from our clients.

A recent study commisioned by the General Services Administration (GSA) looked at the performance of 12 LEED certified buildings.

CoreNet Global's The Leader, January / February 2009:

"For the lower-performing buildings, the study found that occupant satisfaction is undermined by poor acoustics, lighting and maintenance problems.  A low level of ambient noise, a lack of sound masking and a perceived lack of privacy make acoustic quality worse."

https://www2.corenetglobal.org/dotCMS/kcoAsset?assetInode=4820555

Acoustics is an often missed element in the design of these facilities.  More efficient HVAC systems, along with fewer barriers and lower panels, lead to poor speech privacy.  The downside of neglecting the acoustics is a lower operational performance for the occupants.

The solutions are proven and easy to implement.  We just completed a large underfloor sound masking installation.  The results are outstanding.

Steve Johnson of ADI Workplace Acoustics is quoted in the Wall Street Journal:

Sound masking comes in several varieties.  The biggest difference in systems is the speaker location.  Some systems use speakers that point down into the workplace (direct-field).  These systems will provide improved privacy in the area but they will not provide uniform sound coverage.  They are also very noticeable (especially to tall people) as one walks around the space.  Downward facing speakers also must be placed around lights, HVAC components and other ceiling features.

Plenum speakers are located above the acoustical ceiling and are pointed up.  The sound bounces around above the ceiling and filters down through the ceiling uniformly.

We think this works better and is more acceptable to the occupants of the office.  We have removed several direct-field systems and replaced them with plenum based systems.

Of course in areas without acoustical ceilings, the sound can be delivered from attractive speakers (also pointed up) suspended from the structure.  We also frequently locate speakers under raised access floor.

There are other  key differences in systems.  Give us call and we can make it easy to understand.

We are frequently asked what products do you sell?  Are you a factory representative?

We are talking with many companies trying to improve their productivity and reduce real estate costs.

Think about how many square feet per person you have in your current space.  Workplace leaders are saying "get that space down below 100 sf/employee!" You may not be able to get that low. 

But there are ways to move in the right direction.

The biggest anchor that keeps companies from moving out of offices in to open work environments is speech privacy.  Sound masking can make this transition much more successful.

We have direct experience in delivering good privacy in the open office.  Take a look in the "Reading Room" (see tab above) for some articles on the details: