This document specifies a laboratory method to facilitate the comparison of furniture ensembles and enclosures with respect to their ability to reduce the speech level of the occupant speaking inside the product.

In this method, the sound power level is measured in two scenarios: 1) without the product, and 2) with the product. During scenario 1), the test signal is produced by the sound source in an empty room while the product is absent. During scenario 2), the test signal is produced by the sound source inside the product in the occupant's position. Level reduction is the difference of the sound power levels measured in the two scenarios in 1/1-octave frequency bands from 125 Hz to 8 000 Hz. Speech level reduction is a single-number quantity that expresses the corresponding reduction in A-weighted sound power level of standard speech within the entire frequency range from 125 Hz to 8 000 Hz.

The method is applicable for entire furniture ensembles or enclosures, which form a unity that serves one or several occupants, and which are also used to provide improved speech privacy.

This method is not intended for single components used in workstations, such as a screen, a storage unit, a table, a luminaire, a cupboard, a bookshelf, a standard chair, a wall absorber or a ceiling absorber.