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9 December 2011 Stuart Hodas Spaceworks Architectural Interiors Fort Point Station PO Box 51573 Boston, MA 02205 By e-mail: [email protected] Subject:

Airborne Sound Transmission Tests of Moveable Walls Pearson Education – 501 Boylston St, 6th Floor Boston, MA Acentech Project No. 621612/621613

Dear Stuart: On Wednesday, 5 October 2011, we visited the sixth floor of 501 Boylston Street to perform airborne sound transmission tests of the recent Spaceworks Architectural Interiors (SAI) moveable wall installation. This report documents our observations and measurements of your Starwall Finesse product, and discusses its use for sound privacy in office settings.

Observations of Measured Partitions We conducted sound isolation tests of Starwall Finesse, which is a moveable wall product. We tested an office-to-office partition and an office-to-corridor partition, which are constructed as follows. Office-to-Office Partition • • •

½” thick markerboard paneling on both sides of the wall 2” thick insulation Continuous 3” wide track on top of the carpet and at the underside of a suspended acoustical tile ceiling

Office-to-Corridor Partition • • •

Double-glazed window with two ¼” tempered glass lites and a 2-1/2” airspace. Continuous 3” wide track on top of the carpet (except at the door) and at the underside of a suspended acoustical tile ceiling Pocket door installed in the 2-1/2” airspace of the double-glazing.

The locations of the office-to-office and office-to-corridor partitions are shown in Figure 1 on the following page. The construction in the adjacent office (Huddle 6019) is similar and is shown in Photo 1 on the following page. The floor area of Huddle 6021 is approximately 70 square feet, and the ceiling height is 8 feet, 6 inches. The lay-in acoustical ceiling is Armstrong Dune, which is a mineral fiber product with a ceiling attenuation class (CAC) rating of 35. Due to time constraints the configuration of the return air ductwork was not confirmed, but sound transfer via the ductwork appeared to be negligible.

Architectural Acoustics

Audiovisual and Sound System Design

IT Infrastructure

Noise and Vibration Control

Environmental and Industrial Acoustics

Stuart Hodas 9 December 2011 Page 2

Office-to-Office Partition

Office-to to-Corridor Partition

Photo 1

Figure 1

Measurement Results We measured the sound isolation of tthe office-to-office partition, of the office-to-corridor corridor partition with the door as installed, and of the office-to-corridor partition with simulated door gaskets. The measured ASTC ratings ranged between ASTC 22 and ASTC 29,, and are presented below in Table 1. The tests are presented in greater detail in the attached test reports. Table 1 – Measured ASTC Ratings Moveable Wall Type

Moveable Wall Location

ASTC performance

Office-to-Office Partition

Room 6022 to Room 6021

ASTC 29

Office-to-Corridor Partition

Open Office 6018 to Room 6021 (door (doors as installed)

ASTC 22

Open Office 6018 to Room 6021 (doors gaps filled)

ASTC 25

Discussion ASTC versus STC The he results reported here are Apparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC) ratings rather than Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings ratings. It is important to understand that these two ratings differ. This is because the STC measurements are performed in a laboratory under ideal conditions where the tested partitions are inserted in a hole in a concrete wall so that flanking noise transmission (noise passing through the constructions surrounding the panels) panels is not physically possible, whereas ASTC measurements are performed in the field and the tested partitions often cannot be installed with as much precision (due in part to irregularities in the th surrounding construction) and therefor therefore include the effects of flanking noise,, such as through a common ceiling plenum.

Stuart Hodas 9 December 2011 Page 3

well-built constructions are typically lower than laboratory As a result, field ASTC ratings of well STC ratings by at least 5 points.. But more importantly, the field ield performance of a construction is controlled by the element of the assembly that provides the least sound attenuation (such as a door, ceiling tile, etc.); therefore,, the discrepancy between ASTC and STC can be even greater, greater particularly inn cases where flanking noise is significant significant. This significant difference in laboratory and field results occurs often when moveable partitions terminate at the underside of a mineral fiber acoustical tile ceiling; it is not unusual for the partition to test 10 to 15 points lower than the STC rating. For example, iff the office-to-office partition were tested in a laboratory, we expect that it would achieve an STC rating of approximately 40 to 42 based on available field test data. Potential Improvements We expect that Starwall Finesse partitions will perform at least several decibels better if the weakest paths are addressed,, such as through upgrading the glass and perimeter gaskets at doors. do The sound nd isolation between rooms may be further improved if composite lay-in in ceilings with an acoustical rating of CAC 40 are selected selected, and lined ‘boots’ are used to connect return air grilles to the plenum (where applicable) applicable), although we recognize that these design decisions are beyond your control. With partitions that stop at the underside of a lay lay-in in ceiling and with doors containing only modest gaskets (e.g., non-adjustable, adjustable, self adhesive type), w we estimate from the field measurements that Starwall Finesse will provide a level of sound isolation that is comparable to a permanent (and equal height) gypsum board partition; this is due to the fact that the lay-in lay ceiling plenum will likely be the contro controlling lling factor between offices, and the doors will likely be the controlling factor between an office and an open office area.

Conclusion Starwall Finesse is a high quality moveable wall product that was installed effectively and provides a level of sound isolation that is at the upper end of those that we have tested thus far. Of particular interest were the tight tight-fitting fitting doors and partition heads, which already provide a better than average seal; we understand that further improvements to the door gaskets gasket are coming soon, which may increase rease the door’s ASTC rating to be consistent with or exceed our “door gaps filled” test results. In combination with an electronic sound masking system (when necessary), we would expect Starwall Finesse to provide sound privacy that is suitably free of distractions for ‘typical’ use (i.e., presuming that the occupants are not unusually sensitive to intruding sounds and that the talkers speak at normal voice levels).

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Stuart Hodas 9 December 2011 Page 4

617-499-8025; 8025; Tom: 617617 This concludes our report. Please do not hesitate to call us (Alicia: 617 499-8043) with any questions. Sincerely, ACENTECH INCORPORATED

Alicia J. Wagner Consultant in Acoustics Enclosed:

Thomas J. McGraw Senior Consultant

Room 6022 22 to Room 6021 ((office-to-office partition)) ASTC Measurement Report Open Office 6018 to Room 6021 ((office-to-corridor partition)) with door as installed ASTC Measurement Report Open Office 6018 to Room 6021 ((office-to-corridor partition)) with simulated door gaskets ASTC Measurement Report

Airborne Sound Insulation Measurement Report

Pearson Modular Offices - Room 6022 to Room 6021 Date of measurement: 10/5/2011 Consultant: AJW/TJM Acentech Project: 621597

Third-Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz) Average Source Room Sound Pressure Levels Average Receiving Room Sound Pressure Levels Ambient Sound Level Reverberation Times Absorption Effects Apparent Transmission Loss

Description of construction:

1/2" markerboard panel, 2" insulation, 1/2" markerboard panel; 3" track at top of carpet and at underside of ACT ceiling.

100

125

160

200

250

315

400

500

630

800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000

107

101

104

104

108

105

108

106

107

106

104

103

102

104

102

99

99

89

89

89

82

89

81

82

79

76

74

73

69

66

68

69

61

59

25 34 0.10 0.16 6.1 4.2

11

7

Aparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC)

30 0.16 4.2

10

23 21 16 13 11 9 8 8 8 8 8 9 10 9 0.28 0.37 0.29 0.29 0.35 0.39 0.46 0.45 0.52 0.52 0.50 0.53 0.49 0.41 1.6 0.4 1.4 1.4 0.6 0.2 -0.5 -0.4 -1.1 -1.1 -0.9 -1.2 -0.8 -0.1

20

19

22

24

26

30

32

32

35

37

36

34

38

41

29 90

Apparent Transmission Loss

Description of Source Room:

Modular office - two gypsum board walls, one markerboard wall, one glazed wall with door, carpeted floor, and ACT ceiling.

80

ASTC 29 Contour

70

Modular office - one gypsum board wall, two markerboard walls, one glazed wall with door, carpeted floor, and ACT ceiling.

Aparent Transmission Loss (dB)

Description of Receiver Room: 60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Third-octave Band Center Frequency (Hz)

The test procedure was based on ASTM Standard E336-05. This page alone is not a complete test report; please see the accompanying report for other details associated with these test results.

Airborne Sound Insulation Measurement Report

Pearson Modular Offices - Open Office 6018 to Room 6021 Date of measurement: 10/5/2011 Consultant: AJW/TJM Acentech Project: 621597

Third-Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz)

Description of construction:

1/4" glass, 2-1/2" air space, 1/4" glass; 3" track at top of carpet and at underside of ACT ceiling - gypsum board soffit junction. Partition contains door.

100

125

160

200

250

315

400

500

630

800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000

Average Source Room Sound Pressure Levels

92

93

98

97

95

94

96

95

95

93

91

89

89

91

89

85

86

Average Receiving Room Sound Pressure Levels

76

77

77

75

79

75

77

78

76

73

70

67

65

64

61

56

59

Ambient Sound Level Reverberation Times Absorption Effects Apparent Transmission Loss

25 34 0.10 0.16 6.2 4.3

9

11

Aparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC)

30 0.16 4.3

16

23 21 16 13 11 9 8 8 8 8 8 9 10 9 0.28 0.37 0.29 0.29 0.35 0.39 0.46 0.45 0.52 0.52 0.50 0.53 0.49 0.41 1.7 0.6 1.6 1.6 0.8 0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.9 -0.9 -0.8 -1.0 -0.7 0.1

21

16

17

17

16

19

21

21

23

26

27

29

30

27

22 90

Apparent Transmission Loss

Description of Source Room:

Open office area - hard walls, exposed deck ceiling, carpeted floor. Desks/cubicles throughout.

80

ASTC 22 Contour

70

Modular office - one gypsum board wall, two markerboard walls, one glazed wall with door, carpeted floor, and ACT ceiling.

Aparent Transmission Loss (dB)

Description of Receiver Room: 60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Third-octave Band Center Frequency (Hz)

The test procedure was based on ASTM Standard E336-05. This page alone is not a complete test report; please see the accompanying report for other details associated with these test results.

Airborne Sound Insulation Measurement Report

Pearson Modular Offices - Open Office 6018 to Room 6021 (filled-in gaps at door) Date of measurement: 10/5/2011 Consultant: AJW/TJM Acentech Project: 621597

Third-Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz)

Description of construction:

1/4" glass, 2-1/2" air space, 1/4" glass; 3" track at top of carpet and at underside of ACT ceiling - gypsum board soffit junction. Partition contains door - coats used to fill-in gaps between door and surrounding partition.

100

125

160

200

250

315

400

500

630

800 1000 1250 1600 2000 2500 3150 4000

Average Source Room Sound Pressure Levels

92

93

98

97

95

94

96

95

95

93

91

89

89

91

89

85

86

Average Receiving Room Sound Pressure Levels

76

76

75

74

77

73

75

77

74

71

67

60

60

59

58

55

58

Ambient Sound Level Reverberation Times Absorption Effects Apparent Transmission Loss

25 34 0.10 0.16 6.2 4.3

10

12

Aparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC)

30 0.16 4.3

18

23 21 16 13 11 9 8 8 8 8 8 9 10 9 0.28 0.37 0.29 0.29 0.35 0.39 0.46 0.45 0.52 0.52 0.50 0.53 0.49 0.41 1.7 0.6 1.6 1.6 0.8 0.3 -0.4 -0.3 -0.9 -0.9 -0.8 -1.0 -0.7 0.1

21

17

19

20

18

21

23

24

30

31

32

31

31

27

25 90

Apparent Transmission Loss

Description of Source Room:

Open office area - hard walls, exposed deck ceiling, carpeted floor. Desks/cubicles throughout.

80

ASTC 25 Contour

70

Modular office - one gypsum board wall, two markerboard walls, one glazed wall with door, carpeted floor, and ACT ceiling.

Aparent Transmission Loss (dB)

Description of Receiver Room: 60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Third-octave Band Center Frequency (Hz)

The test procedure was based on ASTM Standard E336-05. This page alone is not a complete test report; please see the accompanying report for other details associated with these test results.