BS EN ISO 3382-3-2022 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS EN ISO 3382-3:2022 — Acoustics — Measurement of room acoustic parameters — Part 3: Open plan offices. This standard specifies reproducible in‑situ measurement procedures, required apparatus and spatial coverage, data evaluation methods and test report formats to characterise the spatial attenuation of speech and related single‑number quantities in unoccupied open‑plan offices.

Abstract

This document defines methods to measure room acoustic parameters for unoccupied open‑plan offices, with emphasis on spatial decay of speech rather than temporal decay. It provides procedures for measuring single‑number descriptors such as speech level at a reference distance, spatial decay rate, distraction distance, and the newly introduced comfort distance, together with guidance on instrumentation, measurement geometry, use of an omnidirectional source, STI determination and reporting.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: International edition published January 2022 (ISO edition). National/adopted editions (EN/BS) published in early 2022 (EN/BS publication listings show February/March 2022).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO); adopted as EN ISO through CEN and published as BS EN ISO by BSI where applicable (national adoptions may use prefixes such as STB/BS/EN).
• ICS / categories: 91.120.20 (Acoustics — room acoustics / building acoustics).
• Edition / version: Edition 2 (2022), replaces ISO 3382‑3:2012 (previous edition).
• Number of pages: ISO edition: 17 pages; national/BS/EN publications may have different pagination (BS listing shows 26 pages).

Scope

Specifies measurement procedures and reporting for determining room acoustic performance of unoccupied open‑plan offices, including required apparatus, measurement paths and coverage, data processing methods and presentation of results. The standard targets assessment of spatial attenuation of speech (single‑number values such as spatial decay rate, speech level at 4 m, distraction distance and comfort distance) and includes provisions for STI evaluation in accordance with IEC 60268‑16. It applies to open working areas in offices and similar open spaces (libraries, wards, some classrooms) where speech privacy and distraction are design concerns.

Key topics and requirements

• Measurement in unoccupied open‑plan offices with defined source and receiver paths and spatial coverage to capture representative spatial decay.
• Use of calibrated instrumentation and an omnidirectional sound source for reproducibility.
• Determination of single‑number quantities: spatial decay rate of speech (D2,S), A‑weighted speech level at 4 m (Lp,A,S,4m), distraction distance (rD), and comfort distance (rC).
• Allowance for both conventional spatial‑decay procedures and an impulse‑response method (Annex B) for data acquisition.
• Speech Transmission Index (STI) specified to be determined per IEC 60268‑16 (with gender weighting factors referenced in the standard).
• Required content and format of the test report plus informative guidance on precision and uncertainty (Clause 6 and Annex D in the standard).

Typical use and users

Used by acoustic consultants and test laboratories to assess and verify speech privacy and distraction in open‑plan offices; by architects and interior designers to inform layout, materials and furniture selection; by workplace planners and facility managers when specifying or evaluating sound masking and partitioning strategies; by HVAC designers and building services engineers concerned with background noise and masking; and by researchers studying open‑plan office acoustics. Typical applications include commissioning acoustic treatments, sizing/validation of sound masking systems, documenting acoustic performance for tenders and compliance checks.

Related standards

ISO 3382 series (Part 1, Part 2), IEC 60268‑16 (Speech Transmission Index), and instrumentation/calibration standards such as IEC 60942, IEC 61260 and IEC 61672‑1 are commonly referenced alongside ISO 3382‑3 for full test and reporting conformity.

Keywords

acoustics; open‑plan office; room acoustic parameters; spatial decay of speech; distraction distance; comfort distance; speech transmission index (STI); measurement procedure; sound masking; speech privacy.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 3382‑3:2022 (adopted as EN ISO / BS EN ISO where applicable) is an international standard that specifies measurement methods and reporting for room acoustic parameters in unoccupied open‑plan offices, focusing on spatial attenuation of speech.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers required equipment and calibration, measurement geometry and coverage, data acquisition methods (including an impulse‑response option), calculation of single‑number results (e.g., spatial decay rate, speech level at 4 m, distraction and comfort distances), STI evaluation and the required contents of a test report.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Acoustic consultants and test labs, architects, workplace and facilities planners, building services/HVAC engineers, manufacturers of acoustic treatments and researchers working on office acoustics and speech privacy.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current — the 2022 second edition (ISO 3382‑3:2022) replaces the 2012 edition (ISO 3382‑3:2012). National/EN/BS adoptions were published in early 2022.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 3382 is a multi‑part series covering measurement of room acoustic parameters: Part 1 (performance spaces), Part 2 (rooms other than performance spaces, temporal decay focus) and Part 3 (open‑plan offices, spatial decay focus).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Open‑plan office, spatial decay, distraction distance, comfort distance, speech transmission index (STI), measurement procedure, room acoustic parameters, sound masking, speech privacy.