Outlook for the ISO 22955: Acoustic quality of open plan offices

Abstract

The ISO 22955 standard " Acoustic quality of open plan offices " was published in may 2021. It aims to provide principles, descriptors, and measurement methods to characterize acoustics, which are easy to use and correspond to the perception of the acoustical environment by the occupants of the spaces. The scope of the standard is the acoustics of open-plan offices and, more specifically, cognitive effects of noise, i.e. acoustic comfort and noise disturbance in association with the activity. After more than a year of use of the standard, this document proposes to take stock of it and to identify potential paths of reflection for a possible future revision. Among the points of discussion considered, are the consequences of the evolution of office work, activities and concepts in the tertiary sector (flex office, co-working, teleworking, etc.), and their implication on acoustic quality. Another fundamental matter is the relevance of the indicators used in the standard and the associated required values.