Getting tough to think in the office? Distracting Noise and a lack of acoustical privacy are among the top office complaints today. Solving these problems is a challenge. Controlling noise from the outside is practically impossible and expecting colleagues to keep the noise low is as close as asking for a personality change.

The research of Lorraine E Maxwell on “Noise in the office workspace” shows excess noise at the office can lead to lower job satisfaction, decrease in employee productivity, low morale and fatigue. Studies have shown that noise levels in a big open office space can reach up to 65 decibels which is pretty close to blare at a rock concert. Clearly, noise in the office is a bigger problem than it is recognized.

One biggest problem an office faces is an open workplace. An open plan workplace is one of the most popular designs for offices due to the huge advantages it presents, which is why challenges related to acoustic problems are overlooked. What employers are not realising is that these noise challenges are leading to loss of productivity. The phone conversations, discussions, chattering, high decibel printer scanners working right next to the workstation leads to poor concentration and lower productivity.

Existing Structure can Incorporate the Following Cost-effective Acoustic Solutions

Well, if one already has an open plan office or an office structure that needs noise proofing then the following solutions can help reduce noise pollution. Incorporating the following small acoustic solutions to an existing design will reduce workplace noise at large.

1. Acoustic Stretch Fabric System

An interruption in a meeting room due to constant chattering noises from outside is susceptible to an unproductive outcome. Renovating and converting an open office might prove expensive, a simple solution like the Acoustic stretch fabric system can be a beautiful deterrent to the unwanted sound problem. A removable superior acoustic fabric that can be hung or stuck to a wall to effectively convert the wall into a sound resistor can prove out to be a solution. They are multipurpose as apart from adding style to the walls, can be used as pin boards in meeting rooms. People who need short-term focus time can make use of such portable acoustic solution to create a soundproof zone.

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2. Acoustic Panels

Consider using acoustic panels on the ceiling to absorb ambient vibrations in an open plan office. Apart from treating sound vibrations, they come with designer finishing options that add to the beatification of the office space.

These are effective in large spaces. There are wide ranges of acoustic panels that are made with non-toxic, eco-friendly recyclable products. They are used for external application for walls and baffles too.

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3. Spray On Acoustic Insulation

As the name suggests, a spray-applied product can be smeared on different types of surface. It is one of the best options for noise reduction to an existing place. It can be used on different surfaces to obtain excellent noise reduction via reverberation control and transmission loss.

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4. Acoustic Door and Window Sealing Systems

Windows and doors are used in office space to block noise but they alone are generally seen to be poor barriers of noise. Even a 4 mm glass door will do very little to insulate against noise, either open or closed.

Door seals reduce the gap between the doors and wall and can act as a barrier to noise. One may also opt for an acoustically designed door for the same.

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5. BioFoam Drywall Noise Barrier

One of the thinnest acoustic wall products that have a very high noise barring property. It is an excellent option for improving existing wall and ceiling noise control. Ideal for meeting rooms, boardrooms, and office division walls.

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External Noise

Most offices are located in the community area that are exposed to constant commercial noise like noisy vehicles, hocking, loud music from a nearby pub or eatery etc. If one manages to find an office in a quiet place, at one point in time or other, would have been the victim of city densification. They too would have faced the nuisance from a construction whether be a construction of a building or road for a neighbour office remodelling. Another category of office location is, in or near an industrial area of a factory. This category is the worst as the noise from the factory and machinery will be a constant disruption to the office, therefore, it is very important that while designing a workplace, one incorporates noise-masking systems and builds a smart acoustic designed office to eliminate the ill effects of noise.

1. Sound Absorption Panel System

These panels are made of aluminium embedded with a high-density noise absorber with an option for a custom printed design that is often the logo or advertisement of the product. The flexibility due to easy clip system along with the flexibility to change and print the fabric makes it one of the most chosen material by architects and interior designers. Their other advantages like the custom size, easy to ship, and reassemble makes it a preferred acoustic insulation solution.

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2. White Batts Insulation

An acoustic solution such as white batts insulation can be used during the construction. They are incorporated into the building to reduce noise and vibration coming from external sources, noise transmission from other rooms, foot-stomping sound from the above floor and others.

They are widely used in plant rooms, storage tanks, process equipment, and acoustic baffles. As over time, they are unaffected by rot, mold or insect attack. Available in various weight and size dimensions.

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As per the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 (The Noise EPP), all construction sites have mandatory requirement to control noise from construction activities. The fine for such a violation can be up to $4,000. Construction owners can make use of the above mentioned solutions to avoid the risk of being fined.

Select the right acoustic solution for a productive workplace. Find different brands of sound masking systems, acoustically absorptive materials, smart and systematic acoustic design at www.projectlink.com.au.

Explore the wide range of about smart acoustic designs and solution from premium suppliers like BOSCH, Reckli, Acoustica, Raven, and others directly onProjectLink.com.au now!

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