Acoustics
Architectural acoustics affects the way we hear sounds in enclosed spaces. Bad acoustics affect our well-being, work efficiency and, as a result, also our health. The most prevalent annoyance sources in office interiors are the unacceptable noise levels and the speech incomprehensibility.
How does bothersome noise affect us?
67% decrease in work accuracy
48% drop in concentration
54% Discomfort due to noise from calls and phones
Source:
Evidence Space, Improving employee productivity by reducing noise, British Gypsum, Coventry, 2015 SP Banbury & DC Berry (2005) Office noise and employee concentration: Identifying causes of disruption and potential improvements, Ergonomics 48:1, 25-37, 2005
Echo
It is an acoustic wave that is reflected off an obstacle (smooth surface). The individual reflections reach the listener at certain intervals. If the interval between the two sound reflections is 50 ms or more, it can be heard clearly as two separate sounds. This is the echo phenomenon, which is always considered an acoustic defect of the room.
Reverberation
A physical phenomenon involving the gradual decay of sound in a room after it has been sustained. It is caused by multiple reflections of sound waves (echoes) off hard surfaces within a room where the sound source is located. Reverberation is the result of several echoes overlapping each other.
In most rooms, reverberation is an undesirable phenomenon that should be kept to a minimum. The main problem with excessive reverberation is poor speech intelligibility.
Sound damping - an acoustic adaptation of the interior, the purpose of which is to reduce the reflection of sound waves off hard surfaces inside a room, through the use of sound-absorbing, decorative materials (curtains, carpets, acoustic wall panels).
Soft, porous materials are best sound absorbers. Hard and smooth materials absorb sound very poorly.
The sound absorption properties of a material are expressed by the absorption coefficient α (alpha). Alpha (α) ranges from 0 to 1.00 (where 0 is total reflection and 1 is complete absorption).
WHEN THERE IS AN ECHO Fluffo Soft
Soundproofing - sound insulation. Action aiming to minimize the level of outside noise penetrating into the room and blocking sound from transmitting out of it. Soundproofing is closely related to the building structure and the correct acoustic insulation of the walls.
WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NEIGHBOUR Fluffo Izo
