ISO 17624:2004

Overview

ISO 17624:2004 - "Acoustics - Guidelines for noise control in offices and workrooms by means of acoustical screens" provides guidance on the effectiveness, acoustic performance and operational requirements of acoustical screens used for noise control. The standard defines what should be agreed between supplier/manufacturer and user and applies to free‑standing screens, screens integrated into furniture, portable/removable workshop screens, and fixed partitions that leave more than 10% connecting area open. It excludes thick multi‑layer cabinet walls (>0.2 m) and suspended banners/baffles.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Types of acoustical screens covered: free‑standing, furniture‑integrated, portable/removable, partial room partitions and walls of partial enclosures.
• Performance metrics: insertion loss (Di), A‑weighted insertion sound pressure level difference (DpA), in‑situ sound attenuation, free‑field screen sound attenuation and sound reduction index (R).
• Basic principles:
  • Absorption close to the source - reduces radiated sound power and yields insertion loss.
  • Screening (blocking) effect - diffracted/direct sound reduction depends on geometry and distances.
  • Decoupling - partial separation of sound fields on both sides of the screen.
  • Absorption away from the source - reduces reverberant/diffuse sound levels in rooms with low background absorption.
• Design considerations: screen dimensions, placement relative to source and receiver, edge/perimeter absorption, and combined effects with room acoustical claddings.
• Planning and verification: requirements for sound absorption, sound insulation and in‑situ measurement of sound attenuation; guidance on information exchange between user and supplier (specifying room, source, receiver positions, and required acoustic data).
• Typical performance: acoustical screens in offices and workrooms commonly provide up to about 10 dB A‑weighted attenuation, depending on installation and room conditions.

Applications and Users

Who benefits from ISO 17624:

• Acoustical consultants and engineers specifying noise control measures in offices, service areas, exhibition spaces and workshops.
• Architects and interior designers integrating screens into layouts for privacy and acoustic control.
• Screen manufacturers and suppliers to define product requirements, testing and user information.
• Facility managers, occupational hygienists and office planners choosing and locating screens to reduce noise exposure and improve speech privacy.

Practical uses include reducing direct noise at individual workstations, partitioning open offices for speech privacy, shielding machinery in workshops, and combining screens with absorptive claddings for improved room acoustic control.

Related Standards (applicable)

ISO 17624 refers to and complements other acoustics standards for measurements and ratings, such as:

• ISO 11821 (in‑situ attenuation of removable screens)
• ISO 354 (sound absorption in reverberation rooms)
• ISO 140‑3 and ISO 717‑1 (sound insulation and rating)
• ISO 11654, ISO 9053 (absorption properties and airflow resistance)

Keywords: ISO 17624:2004, acoustical screens, noise control in offices, office acoustics, insertion loss, sound attenuation, screening effect, workroom noise control.