Standard Test Method for Objective Measurement of Speech Privacy in Open Offices Using Articulation Index

1.1 This test method describes a means of measuring speech privacy objectively between locations in open offices. This test method relies upon acoustical measurements, published information on speech levels, and standard methods for assessing speech communication. This test method does not measure the performance of individual open office components which affect speech privacy; it measures the privacy which results from a particular configuration of components (1, 2).

1.2 This test method is intended to be a field test for the measurement of speech privacy in actual open offices. However, this test method could be used in an environment arranged to simulate an open office.

1.3 This test method could be adapted for use in other open plan spaces such as open plan schools. It could also be adapted for measuring the speech privacy between open plan and enclosed spaces or between fully enclosed spaces.

1.4 This test method relies upon the Articulation Index which predicts the intelligibility of speech for a group of talkers and listeners. While both the Articulation Index and this test method can be expected to reliably predict average speech privacy, neither predicts the specific degree of speech privacy afforded to particular open office occupants.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.