FIS Acoustic Classification Scheme for Configurable Meeting Pods
This classification scheme has been introduced by FIS to address a need for configurable meeting pods to be classified for acoustic performance
Why is this scheme required and what sized pods does this relate to?
This scheme has been developed by acoustic consultancy Sandy Brown, Cundall Johnston & Partners LLP and The University of Salford to classify the airborne sound insulation of pods and align it with ISO 23351-1:2020 Acoustics — Measurement of speech level reduction of furniture ensembles and enclosures — Part 1: Laboratory method, which is used for smaller single occupancy pods, such as phone booths.
Larger meeting room pods are marketed as flexible solutions to provide acoustic privacy. However, ISO 23351-1:2020 states that the pod should not occupy more than 5% of the volume of reverberation test chamber. For most test chambers, this limits the maximum pod size to about 11m3, leaving this emerging sector to use inconsistent parameters when making marketing claims.
The classification certificates will indicate to an acoustician that there is deep data behind the classification allowing the acoustician to have a reliable dataset to use within their assessments.
The growth of meeting pods since the pandemic reflects the needs of people and businesses with its inherent flexibility and sound insulation properties, however because the testing standards haven’t caught up with the market claims as wide as SoundProof have been used leaving clients and acousticians at a loss on how to compare and calculate their effectiveness in an acoustic model. This scheme which is aligned to the recognised test standard for smaller pods allows that comparison and ensures that more granular test evidence is available to those who need it.
Classification Process
The process of classification for the FIS Classification of Configurable Meeting Pods:
- Classification is carried out by either Cundall or Sandy Brown and verified by the other.
- The most robust assessments are based on laboratory test data, followed by site test data (or both, where possible).
- Where no test data is available, then a desktop assessment will be undertaken to predict the performance.
- Multiple arrangements of the pods can be assessed under the scheme.
FIS Acoustic Classification Scheme for Configurable Meeting Pods
The acoustic classification of meeting pods aims to classify the performance based on airborne sound insulation values (Rw) of the five elements (four walls and a ceiling). This would be supplemented by any site test data where available (eg, DnT,w).
The product information referenced below has been produced by Sandy Brown and Cundall LLP.
Suppliers that have products classified through the scheme are:
As Acousticians we need to know that we can rely of data being supplied by manufacturers. By having a scheme that allows us to compare pods tested to ISO 23351 to others is an extremely valuable resource, giving us the confidence to advise our clients on a more comprehensive range than previously available.
Next steps…
If you are a contractor or specifier, it is easy – simply include “Acoustic claims for meeting pods should be classified through the FIS Scheme”.
If you are a manufacturer/supplier and want to find out more about getting your meeting pods classified email: info@thefis.org and request a copy of the FIS Acoustic Classification of Configurable Meeting Pods. Whilst the scheme is open to all suppliers and manufacturers, payment terms differ for members and non-members (see payment T&Cs). The scheme exists to support integrity in our supply chain.
Enquiries received will be responded with a copy of the Classification Scheme document which details the information required.
Organisations will be asked to confirm the number of configurations that they want classified, they will be invoiced dependant on the number of configurations and their status as a member.
Data will be requested in accordance with the scheme details and will be passed to Cundall and Sandy Brown who will decide who will classify and who will verify.
Once verified, raw data from the certificate will be added to the FIS website and a certificate passed to the manufacturer/supplier.