What should you do as an acoustician to achieve Room Acoustic Comfort™?
In many of the commonly occurring types of rooms that we talk about here, a sound-absorbing ceiling is a practical aid for achieving Room Acoustic Comfort™. The ceiling’s sound-absorbing properties are described in sound absorption classes (A-E) in an international standard. Class A is the highest level of sound absorption.
The ceiling’s effect on different acoustic descriptors:
Reverberation time: The sound-absorbing ceiling will interact with the sound-dispersing (scattering) furnishings in the room. The more sound-dispersing (scattering) objects there are, the greater the benefit of the ceiling. In a sparsely furnished room, the reverberation time can be long as the sound energy lingers between sound-reflecting walls.
Sound level: The sound level that is constantly generated in the room will, on the other hand, be effectively dealt with by the ceiling and be less dependent on sound-dispersing (scattering) objects. A sound absorption class A product provides the most effective decrease of the sound level.
Speech clarity: Suspended ceilings have a positive effect on speech clarity by reducing the reverberation in the room. An effective, sound-absorbing ceiling contributes to a good relation between early and late sound reflections in such a way as to benefit speech clarity.
Remember:
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The ceiling’s sound absorbing properties are described in sound absorption classes (A-E) in an international standard
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Class A is the highest level of sound absorption
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Effective, sound-absorbing ceilings (Sound absorption class A) affect reverberation time, sound level, speech clarity and spatial decay, thus creating good room acoustic comfort |