BS ISO 22955:2021 - Acoustic Quality of Open Office Spaces

In today's fast-paced work environment, open office spaces have become increasingly popular due to their ability to foster collaboration and communication. However, one of the significant challenges that come with open office designs is managing the acoustic environment to ensure a productive and comfortable workspace. The BS ISO 22955:2021 standard provides comprehensive guidelines to enhance the acoustic quality of open office spaces, ensuring that they are conducive to both individual and collaborative work.

Overview of BS ISO 22955:2021

The BS ISO 22955:2021 standard, titled "Acoustics. Acoustic quality of open office spaces," is a crucial document for architects, interior designers, facility managers, and business owners who aim to optimize the acoustic environment of open-plan offices. Released on May 6, 2021, this standard is a part of the ISO series that focuses on acoustics, providing a structured approach to assessing and improving sound quality in open office settings.

Key Features

• Standard Number: BS ISO 22955:2021
• Pages: 48
• ISBN: 978 0 580 51970 3
• Status: Standard

Why Acoustic Quality Matters in Open Office Spaces

Open office spaces are designed to break down barriers and encourage interaction among employees. However, without proper acoustic management, these spaces can become noisy and distracting, leading to decreased productivity and increased stress levels. The BS ISO 22955:2021 standard addresses these issues by providing guidelines that help create a balanced acoustic environment, where sound levels are controlled, and speech privacy is maintained.

Benefits of Implementing BS ISO 22955:2021

Implementing the guidelines from the BS ISO 22955:2021 standard can lead to numerous benefits, including:

• Improved Productivity: By reducing noise distractions, employees can focus better on their tasks, leading to higher efficiency and output.
• Enhanced Communication: Proper acoustic design ensures that conversations are clear and intelligible, facilitating better communication among team members.
• Increased Employee Satisfaction: A comfortable acoustic environment contributes to overall employee well-being, reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction.
• Better Speech Privacy: The standard provides strategies to maintain speech privacy, which is crucial for confidential discussions and sensitive information.

Comprehensive Guidelines for Acoustic Design

The BS ISO 22955:2021 standard offers a detailed framework for assessing and improving the acoustic quality of open office spaces. It covers various aspects of acoustic design, including:

Sound Absorption and Insulation

Effective sound absorption and insulation are critical components of acoustic design. The standard provides guidelines on selecting materials and designing layouts that minimize sound transmission and reverberation, creating a quieter and more focused work environment.

Spatial Layout and Zoning

Proper spatial layout and zoning are essential for managing sound levels in open office spaces. The standard suggests strategies for arranging workstations, meeting areas, and collaborative zones to optimize acoustic performance and minimize noise interference.

Use of Acoustic Elements

The integration of acoustic elements such as panels, ceilings, and flooring can significantly enhance the sound quality of open office spaces. The standard provides recommendations on the selection and placement of these elements to achieve the desired acoustic outcomes.

Who Should Use BS ISO 22955:2021?

The BS ISO 22955:2021 standard is an invaluable resource for a wide range of professionals involved in the design, management, and operation of open office spaces, including:

• Architects and Interior Designers: To incorporate effective acoustic solutions into their designs.
• Facility Managers: To ensure that office spaces meet acoustic quality standards and provide a comfortable work environment.
• Business Owners and HR Professionals: To enhance employee productivity and satisfaction by improving the acoustic environment.

Conclusion

The BS ISO 22955:2021 standard is a comprehensive guide that addresses the challenges of acoustic management in open office spaces. By following its guidelines, organizations can create work environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also acoustically optimized for productivity and comfort. Whether you are designing a new office space or looking to improve an existing one, this standard provides the insights and strategies needed to achieve superior acoustic quality.

BS ISO 22955:2021

This standard BS ISO 22955:2021 Acoustics. Acoustic quality of open office spaces is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.140 Noise with respect to human beings
• 91.120.20 Acoustics in building. Sound insulation

This document provides technical guidance to achieve acoustic quality of open office spaces to support dialogue and formal commitment between the various stakeholders involved in the planning, design, construction or layout of open-plan workspaces: end customers, project owners, prescribers, consultants, etc.

It is applicable to all open-plan offices in which the following activities are performed:

1. Space type 1: activity not known yet – vacant floor plate;

2. Space type 2: activity mainly focusing on outside of the room communication (by telephone/audio/video);

3. Space type 3: activity mainly based on collaboration between people at the nearest workstations;

4. Space type 4: activity based on a small amount of collaborative work;

5. Space type 5: activity that can involve receiving public;

6. Space type 6: combining activities within the same space.

More specifically, this document applies to refitting projects of existing business sites (renovation and/or change or add activities) and layout projects for new spaces and spaces delivered unfurnished.

It covers both the activities and the operations of the following stakeholders:

1. end customers: diagnosis, survey, expression of needs in keeping with their knowledge in the area of acoustics;

2. project owners: drafting contract specifications;

3. project management companies (architects, acousticians, ergonomists, economists and consulting engineers): indicating the performance of acoustic solutions and the layout principles used to achieve the result expressed in the specifications;

4. building traders: reaching a clear and verifiable target with respect to the choices of materials and implementation;

5. Building developer: promoting indoor environmental quality, including acoustic comfort, in estate operations in order to use it as a competitive element;

6. specialists in occupational health, safety and quality;

7. expert assessments and consultancy.