Boost office acoustics with pods rated Class A per ISO 23351

Office pods rated Class A per ISO – tl;dr

• ISO 23351-1:2020 measures the amount of speech reduction a given office booth delivers. Its core test rates a booth A+, A, B, C, or D depending on how many decibels of speech is insulated by the product. Office booths rated A and higher offer the best speech privacy according to the method.

• The ISO standard is stringent because speech reduction capacity is indeed the ultimate measure of a booth’s efficacy. The presence of intelligible speech is highly distracting, hindering both concentration and overall well-being in a workspace. Conversely, inadequate speech privacy poses a significant security risk. Therefore, confining speech within a speech-private booth offers a dual benefit: it minimizes distractions and enhances focus while also mitigating security concerns, providing a comprehensive solution to the dilemma.

• HushFree booths are rated Class A per ISO 23351-1:2020. They guarantee speech privacy, giving users the assurance of discretion while simultaneously reducing the amount of intelligible speech on the broad office floor. Their two-way acoustics benefit make the office more effective and peaceful overall.

Recap: what is ISO 23351-1:2020?

ISO 23351-1:2020 is a new international furniture standard that measures the acoustic performance of office work pods. More specifically, it measures the amount of speech reduction a given booth provides.

The ISO 23351-1:2020 standard is a milestone for us office pod makers. It is the first framework to compare the speech reduction capacity of different pods. Wonderful for our team in particular because we can now prove the effectiveness of our hushFree line of pods, rated A, ensuring speech privacy. And we can’t forget the other half of speech privacy in a pod, which is reduced intelligible speech on the office floor. Simply, when speech is properly insulated by a pod, it is too prevented from reaching and disrupting the office at large. Indeed, the dual acoustics benefit of a Class A pod is really worth a look

– explains Dariusz Hofschneider, Senior Product Manager, Hushoffice.

The ISO 23351 test calculates speech level reduction provided by a pod.

How? Speech is made and measured in an empty room, then made within the pod, and measured (from outside the pod in the same room). The difference between these Measurements is used to calculate the pod’s “speech level reduction” denoted as D_S,A, in decibels.

ISO 23351 reveals whether or not a pod guarantees speech privacy.

As you can see from the below ISO chart, an office pod must reduce at least 25 decibels of noise to guarantee speech privacy in an office.

Class	Speech level reduction (DS,A)	Speech privacy guaranteed?
A	30-33 decibels/dB	Yes
B	25-30 decibels/dB	Yes
C	20-25 decibels/dB	Depends on background noise level
D	15-20 decibels/dB	Depends on background noise level
unclassified	< 15 decibels/dB	No

HushFree pods are rated Class A, ensuring speech privacy.

HushFree is our team’s new line of (officially!) Class A work and team meeting pods. The line comprises three booths: hushFree.S for one person, hushFree.M for four people, and hushFree.L for 4-6 people depending on its configuration. All three are Class A, making your office more secure.

Class A office pods like those in our hushFree line insulate, or dampen, 30-33 decibels of the user’s sound – phone conversations, video calls, and so on. What this means in reality is that, since speech is roughly 60 decibels, only 30 decibels of speech made in such a Class A pod can be heard from outside it. For reference, 30 decibels is roughly the volume of a whisper or, in other words, unintelligible in most environments. And in fact, your typical office space maintains a volume within the 45-60 decibel range, so that 30 decibel whisper of sound is most often totally masked by the office’s background hum and, therefore, protected from eavesdropping. Your speech privacy is perfectly secured

– offers Dariusz Hofschneider, Senior Product Manager, Hushoffice.

Employees using a Class A pod enjoy absolute discretion. At the same time, peers on the floor enjoy a more focused, unbroken atmosphere, with each Class A pod functioning as a devoted, sound-insulated space containing the most common sources of intelligible speech: meetings, calls, and group work.

Speech made in a Class A pod is protected. Even on an atypically quiet office floor.

This is due to those extra 3 dB of insulation Class A pods provide compared to Class B pods. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, not linear, those 3 dB of extra sound-reduction actually halve the volume, making the difference between assured confidentiality and lingering security concerns.

Speech reduction is the ultimate measure of an office pod’s effectiveness.

Intelligible speech is greatly distracting, disruptive to both focus and well-being. At the same time, lacking speech privacy, the other side of the dilemma, is a security risk. So containing speech in a Class A booth gives a dual benefit.

• As many as 72% of office workers are dissatisfied with speech privacy in their workplace. Indeed, lack of speech privacy is the number one complaint among cubicle workers and open-plan employees.

• Intelligible speech is scientifically proven to be one of the most destructive sources of noise in the office. Work environments with excessive background speech are the most disadvantageous and least pleasant for employees.

• Open-plan office noise is shown to cause a 25% increase in negative mood and 34% increase in physiological stress.

Investments in privacy pay off immediately and long-term.

Office private booths give a team certain discretion. This dependability is needed for day-to-day ease, as employees navigate highly concentrative tasks or confidential matters.

Productivity, uninterrupted…

Reduced distractions from overhearing others’ conversations allow employees to focus better on their tasks, leading to more efficiency. Speech privacy also creates a quieter, more conducive work environment, where employees can think through complex, demanding tasks without interruption.

Candid communication…

Teammates with confidence that their discussions are private feel more comfortable talking over sensitive matters. This leads to improved collaboration and problem-solving.

A matter of morale…

Work environments with adequate speech privacy demonstrate organizational commitment to employee comfort and privacy. This can contribute to higher job satisfaction, improved morale, and reduced stress levels among staff.

Attracting (and keeping) new talent…

A workplace that prioritizes speech privacy is more attractive to both current employees and potential recruits. Employees are more likely to stay with an organization that respects their needs.

Protect sensitive information…

Improved speech privacy reduces the risk of inadvertent disclosure of sensitive or confidential information, such as proprietary business data, customer details, or strategic plans. Speech-private pods can therefore protect an organization from related legal, financial, or reputational harm.

Client confidence…

Confidentiality is essential for building trust with clients. Enhanced speech privacy demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding client information. This can strengthen relationships and improve the organization’s reputation.

Check the new hushFree line of Class A pods. Private. Comfortable. Convenient.

HushFree pods are best in class, acoustically: Class A. They are also designed for the best user comfort, with adjustable lighting and ventilation. Their quiet, peaceful, fine-tunable environment is well-suited for any task.

The hushFree.S one-person Class “A” work booth

HushFree.S is a compact, fully appointed work pod for one. With controllable ventilation and supportive furniture — an ergonomic sit-stand desk for convenient working — ease of use is its attribute. Its extra LED light strips illuminate the user’s face for better communication during video meetings.

The hushFree.M fully appointed, 4-person A-rated meeting pod.

An effortlessly mobile team booth, hushFree.M is the workspace teams need to get together and focus totally. This comfortable booth can be ordered empty or with a ready-made meeting table and two 2-seater sofas.

The hushFree.L large conference cabin seating 4-6 people (depending on its configuration).

HushFree.L is a large, acoustic booth that can be furnished into a perfect break room, recreation area, or conference hub — it can be ordered unfurnished or with a combination of sofas and tables. Adjustable lighting lets employees set the right tone for the moment in this big, multi-purpose booth.

Learn more about the hushFree line of Class A pods and booths here.

Class A office pods – summarized

• ISO 23351-1:2020 measures the amount of speech reduction a given office booth delivers. Its core test rates a booth A+, A, B, C, or D depending on how many decibels of speech is insulated by the product. Office booths rated A and higher offer the best speech privacy according to the method.

• The ISO standard is stringent because speech reduction capacity is indeed the ultimate measure of a booth’s efficacy. The presence of intelligible speech is highly distracting, hindering both concentration and overall well-being in a workspace. Conversely, inadequate speech privacy poses a significant security risk. Therefore, confining speech within a speech-private booth offers a dual benefit: it minimizes distractions and enhances focus while also mitigating security concerns, providing a comprehensive solution to the dilemma.

• HushFree booths are rated Class A per ISO 23351-1:2020. They guarantee speech privacy, giving users the assurance of discretion while simultaneously reducing the amount of intelligible speech on the broad office floor. Their two-way acoustics benefit make the office more effective and peaceful overall.

Class A acoustic pods – frequently asked questions

What is the ISO 23351-1:2020 standard?

At its core, ISO 23351-1:2020 introduces a new metric known as “speech level reduction,” indicated as D_S,A (decibels/dB). This metric quantifies the effectiveness of office booths and cabins in attenuating speech. Notably, this is the first ISO standard tailored specifically to address the acoustic performance of such furniture. It is, as such, a significant advancement in ensuring optimal speech privacy and sound management within office spaces.

How do office booths and pods boost speech privacy?

Office booths and pods provide a private space where conversations remain confidential and shielded from the ears of nearby employees. Users of these booths and pods can concentrate fully on their tasks without concern about being overheard. This heightened sense of privacy allows individuals to perform their work more effectively. Furthermore, by containing intelligible speech within their confines, booths and pods contribute to a quieter and more conducive open office environment for all employees, fostering improved productivity and focus across the workspace.

Do office pods guarantee speech privacy?

Pods and booths rated A+, A, or B per ISO 23351-1:2020 ensure speech privacy. For reference on what a privacy booth looks like, consider the hushFree line of A-rated booths.