Designing Zones for Optimal Performance
I visited a large multinational corporation situated on the 24th floor of a towering skyscraper. The reception area was adjacent to a vast open working space from where I could hear the chaotic sounds of telephonic discussions and interpersonal conversations. I was later asked to wait in the lounge executive area, which offered a complete contrast. In the quiet, I could distinctly hear and understand discussions taking place inside the adjacent conference room, and I inadvertently overheard snatches of conversation that appeared confidential!
What the organization needed was a sound masking system. Sound masking systems are a solution to mask or cover the sound within a space. Interestingly, this is achieved by actively generating and adding some ambient noise to the environment. The sound masking system creates a sound similar to the A/C fan at a frequency that matches that of human speech. While speech from nearby sources remains clear, the extra noise serves to make human speech from further away less clear and therefore, less distracting.
Places that require quiet for focus or relaxation, like healthcare facilities, spas, and libraries, as well as noisy environments like call centres, retail stores, and courtrooms, can all benefit from sound masking systems.
Imagine the noise of the cutlery, plates, and conversations from other tables intruding into important luncheon business discussions. This happened to me in a 5-star restaurant in Mumbai which I have never visited since.
In workplaces, reduced noise fatigue has the added benefit of improved health of employees as well as increased productivity. Noise fatigue can drain energy levels whereas a quiet environment helps prevent that. Fewer noise distractions help employees concentrate more leading to increased productivity and better efficiency.
The system can help protect speech privacy. Sensitive boardroom conversations will remain within boardrooms and not inadvertently overheard.
A good sound masking system is only as good as its sound spectrum, sound levels, zoning, and uniformity of sound. The sound spectrum is usually adjusted to the frequency of human speech and dictates the degree to which speech privacy can be maintained. An important aspect of a sound masking system is that the emitter will emanate a sound from this spectrum. Initially, when you enter the space, you will hear this sound just like you would hear the sound from a fan or an HVAC system. However, after a few minutes, you will stop noticing this sound.
In many spaces where sound masking is deployed, the occupants initially complain of this sound distraction from the emitters as they are unused to it. This may result in complaints directed to HR managers. However, organizations that successfully traverse the first week, go on to use sound masking forever. Acclimatization typically occurs within a brief period. Once the occupants get used to the sound masking system, they find working without it quite discomforting.
The sound level of a sound masking system is ideally supposed to be around 48 dBa. To put this into perspective, a normal office conversation is about 60 dB and the sound of your HVAC at about 40-38 dB. Maintaining the uniformity and consistency of this sound is very important. A scientific approach in designing the various zones such as open workspaces, cabins, conference areas and corridors, is important to truly benefit from the deployment.
Sachin K Jain, a leading technology architect in the ELV industry, throws light on the role of sound masking technology in enhancing productivity and employee well-being in busy, noisy workspaces. With his extensive experience in the Audio-Video, Electronic Security Surveillance, Smart Automation, IoT, Lighting, Data-Voice, IBMS and Life Safety (PA & Fire Alarms) space, Sachin is keenly interested in uncovering and enabling technology applications that contribute to efficient and safe work environments.
Sound masking – the science of creating an environment that is free of unwanted sounds – is a solution that has a range of benefits. A quieter workplace means greater speech privacy and lesser noise stress, which in turn helps foster beTer concentration and higher productivity among employees. Sachin K Jain uses his life experiences to drive home the point.