Working on the computer requires a high level of concentration. If you are unable to concentrate properly at work because of the noise, this creates stress. You can find out here how you can optimize the acoustics in the office.
- Acoustics in the office – often a challenge
- How high can the noise level be in the office?
- Acoustics in the office – what can I do if there is a loud background noise in the office
- Which furniture can help create a more pleasant noise level in the office?
- Conclusion
Acoustics in the office – often a challenge
Acoustics in the workplace often represent a major challenge. Office acoustics are still neglected in many open-plan offices and there is a lot of exposure to constant noise. Today, the majority of employees work in offices, which is why much more attention should be paid to acoustics in the office. Many people who work in the office find unwanted noise or even noise annoying. Noise is therefore a disruptive factor that can affect both work performance and the well-being of employees. Every investment in room acoustics in the office is an investment in the health, satisfaction and performance of employees. If it is comparatively quiet in the office, employees can also work more concentrated. It is therefore worthwhile to carefully plan the room acoustics in the office before furnishing the office or to improve the acoustics in the office afterwards.
Which furniture can help create a more pleasant noise level in the office?
It makes sense to prevent noise from spreading. Partitions or special partition systems are a good way to provide individual privacy protection. There are special attachments for the office desk that can serve as a partition. You can also set up furniture such as cupboards and shelves between the individual workstations to provide privacy and noise protection. Filled cabinets such as bookshelves and filing cabinets are also suitable for this purpose. If the furniture is well filled, it absorbs sound particularly well. There is even special acoustic furniture that can help improve the acoustics in open-plan offices.
What absorbs sound in the office?
You can also improve the acoustics in the office by decorating the room with fabrics or plants. curtains and artificial plants They also absorb loud noises and improve the room atmosphere.
If your focus is not purely on the acoustic advantages, but rather the design of the room divider is the main focus for you, that would be one Partition wall in wood look an elegant alternative.
But you can do even more. Pay attention to the correct layout in the open-plan office. If possible, separate rooms in which concentrated work is required from rooms such as lounges, training rooms and conference rooms. Set up dedicated zones for meetings and breaks. If there are teams or employees in your company who need to communicate regularly, place their workstations as close together as possible. The aim of optimal office acoustics is to protect employees from conversations that do not concern them personally.
How high can the noise level be in the office?
There is basically no legal regulation that specifies the maximum noise level can be. We use the sound pressure level as a measure of loudness. We specify this in decibels (dB). When we perceive noises, they are actually just vibrations of air pressure hitting our eardrums. These stimuli are converted into information in the brain. The energy of the vibration determines, among other things, whether we perceive a sound as loud or quiet. If concentration is required in the office, the sound pressure level should ideally be between 30 and 40 dB. Values between 40 and 45 dB are considered OK. If the values are higher, this can disrupt concentration. Conversations in particular are perceived as disturbing. During a normal conversation, a person reaches between 40 and 60 dB. In addition, the brain automatically wants to follow conversations and recognize connections. Here concentration is weakened in several ways.
When planning the acoustics in the office, particular attention should be paid to the attenuation of conversations. Plan the office acoustics so that a value of 50 dB is preferably not exceeded.
Acoustics in the office – what can I do if there is a loud background noise in the office?
If you want to reduce the noise in the workplace, you have options, regardless of whether you are using it for the first time Set up office If you want to or use existing furniture, various options are open. The first step is to check whether the high noise level is related to your office equipment. If printers, computers and other devices are particularly loud, they can be replaced with quiet models. Low-noise work equipment can be recognized, for example, by the Blue Angel environmental label.
If the background noise at work bothers you, but you don't want to undertake major renovation work to improve the acoustics in the workplace, there are a few things that can help quickly and cheaply. Train your tolerance for noise. Try to block out disturbing noises. With a little practice, you may find many noises less annoying. Alternatively, you can block out the noise by creating a background noise yourself. Listen to your favorite music or the sounds of rain on headphones if it helps you concentrate better and is allowed in your company. Perhaps there is the option for you to work from home all or part of the time. With the right ones office furniture like one Desk and one Office chair create a functional workspace at home.
If none of this is possible, talk to your superiors about acoustic protection in the office. The acoustics in the workplace can be optimized through various measures. Setting up rules in an open-plan office requires comparatively little effort. For example, it can be agreed with all employees that the smartphone can only vibrate and not ring. Another measure could be the introduction of headsets. Such measures require little effort but have a big impact.
Conclusion: What to do if it's too loud in the office?
If you want to improve the room acoustics in the office, then make sure there is sufficient distance between the individual workstations when planning an open-plan office. Set up specific zones for phone calls or conversations in general, and use absorbent materials when decorating your office. If you are looking for a pure sound absorber for your office, acoustic partitions are the perfect choice. In general, it is advisable to use room dividers in your office. This divides the room into visual areas. These are suitable for this, for example Office organization important high cabinets and shelves. In addition, special partition systems can provide privacy and acoustic protection in the office. It's best to ask your employees Open plan office rules which help to keep the noise level in the workplace low.