With the growing use of acoustically rated office pods and booths, an important safety question arises: can occupants still hear critical emergency alerts while inside? As part of a recent project, BSE investigated this issue.
Working on an office refurbishment in Brisbane, our Acoustics team carried out specialist testing to support the design of the fire alarm and Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS). Particular attention was given to the acoustically rated four person booths and single person pods, since they are not fitted with internal alarm or EWIS speakers and rely entirely on the base building system.
Measured noise levels and speech intelligibility outcomes showed that the alarm and EWIS systems met the requirements of AS 1670.4–2004 in the open office area directly beneath the ceiling speaker. However, the levels fell well short of compliance inside the sealed booths and pods, with BSE confirming clear non-compliance. Qualitative observations from the project team also noted that alarms were near-inaudible inside the booths, competing with the background ventilation noise of the pods themselves.
Our Acoustics team notes that the AS 1670.4–2004 requirements could still potentially be achieved if alarm and EWIS speaker levels in the open office were raised to between 105dB(A) and 110dB(A). However, this would require system modification and further acoustic testing to verify, with the risk that increased noise levels in the open office may become uncomfortably loud and reduce overall speech intelligibility. The project team chose to proceed with an alternative solution, incorporating visual indicator technology such as flashing strobe lights to ensure occupants inside the pods and booths receive adequate warning.
The industry is also rapidly evolving in its understanding of occupant warning requirements for acoustically rated pods and booths. Some manufacturers are now developing systems that integrate EWIS speakers, fire sprinklers, and other safety measures from the outset, helping to resolve these emerging challenges.
This project demonstrates BSE’s industry-leading experience in the design and commissioning of PA and EWIS speaker systems. Our work ensures compliance with AS 1670.4 and IEC 60268-16 while also delivering broader outcomes for speech intelligibility and acoustic performance.
Our Acoustics team has applied this expertise across major projects including international airport terminals and large-scale office fit-outs. With certified instrumentation and extensive technical knowledge, BSE provides speech intelligibility testing and PA/EWIS system commissioning for commercial, office, retail, and facilities projects throughout Australia.
Jacob McGrath, our Acoustics project lead said: “BSE’s Acoustics team is dedicated to bringing value to projects through the conferring of acoustic wisdom and upskilling, ensuring that the project team are understanding of the acoustic design directions, the levels of acoustic performance that will be delivered to the end users, and the coordination that is required between disciplines to realise these amazing acoustic outcomes.”