Tall Office Partition Systems - Facts to consider Before Buying

Under some conditions, a tall partition system that extends from the ground to the ceiling is desirable to control the noise within an office environment. There are particular issues that ought to be addressed before buying such a partition system.

One issue is fire safety. A tall system that blocks the exit signs, fire extinguishers, sprinkler system or audible alarm noise could be deemed unsafe by the neighborhood fire marshall. This might require its removal or modification to meet the neighborhood fire codes, per the Fire Marshalls demands.

One assumption that's dangerous, is convinced that you understand your ceiling height. You might think you know the ceiling height, but a careful measurement is required. Ceilings tend to sag in unsupported areas, and could vary by an inch or even more in various places. You should measure the distance from the floor to the ceiling, exactly where the panels will meet up with the ceiling, to be certain that the panels will fit. In cases where you have a typical "drop ceiling" the height can be adjusted upward, by twisting the support wires holding the ceiling framework. In the case of a solid ceiling, you don't have this option. The panels must be slightly shorter compared to the ceiling height, or they'll not fit.

Then there is the issue of air flow. Office environments will usually have some sort of ventilation provided by the air conditioner or heater, or maybe just windows. Enclosing a proposed office by using a floor to ceiling partition system could impede the airflow to that section and require venting. Venting by way of low and high vents can accommodate some minor degree of convection. As heat rises, it can flow out of your propose office through the high vents and thus develop a slightly lower air pressure at the bottom, where cooler air can flow in to the proposed office through the reduced vent. A reliable panel manufacturer will be able to provide the vents, built into the panel system to support airflow into each office.

Lighting is another concern. Panel systems are normally opaque, so that they block light. If an office has its own lighting then your problem is mainly solved. However, in case a propose office does not have lighting, then some sort of window arrangement built into the panel system will be had a need to provide some light in that office. It is just a good idea to take advantage of natural lighting that comes through skylights, or windows facing outside. If a partition system has built in windows in strategic locations that accommodate the use of outside natural lighting, then this may reduce amount of time where the electric lights are fired up throughout the day, thus reducing your energy consumption.

One justification that tall partition systems are employed is to supremely control the noise. Short panel systems are not so able to this, as sound travels as a "wave", and goes over the very best of the panel systems and travels throughout the office, until absorbed by soft treatments, such as for example carpet, drapes, or other absorbing structures. However, sound waves can transfer through a panel system too. The materials used in the panel is of concern to those seeking maximum noise reduction. Think about this: Sound travels most efficiently through dense, hard mediums. Thus, sound travels better (and faster) through water, than air. Hard mediums can transfer sound much better than soft mediums. Another exemplory case of this is considering ballistic plastics. A glass surface is hardly bullet resistant since it is hard, and brittle. It cannot withstand the kinetic energy of a bullet, because it cannot flex enough to soak up the energy without breaking. Polycarbonate is really a type of clear flexible plastic. Polycarbonate is more bullet resistant than glass, since it is more flexible, and will absorb the impact bette, without breaking. For that matter, Kevlar fabric is bullet resistant largely due to it's mix of great flexibility and high tensile strength.

Now let's make contact with the sound issue. Panels that are created from hard materials will transmit sound from one side to another, better that panels made from softer materials. Softer materials are harder for sound to transfer through. They absorb better, and transmit less efficiently. Shear weight is another plus, for the better sound acoustic rated panels. Considering the issue of sound travelling from one side of a panel to the other side, a heavier weight panel will resist this transfer better than a light one.

If you want to maximally control and reduce the noise within an office, then your solution is to locate a panel which has a somewhat "soft and heavy" internal structure. This can insure that sound will be absorbed, and not transfer over the panel core, in any great degree. The resistance of sound travelling in one side of a panel to another side is called "sound blocking", which differs from sound absorption. Typical fiberglass cored panels, are good for sound absorption, but if the fiberglass is housed in a hard perforated shell, or surface, the sound blocking will undoubtedly be compromised. 1/2" Thick sound rated boards, are soft enough to soak up sound, flexible enough to prevent sound transfer, and heavy enough to block sound transfer. This type of construction could work better for noisy offices than a hard shelled, fiberglass cored panel. Sound absorption is not the only factor.

Additional hints  to be considered is the connection system for the panels. Many manufacturers provide connectors that must be fastened with screws or bolts from below and above the panel system. If the panels go to the ceiling, then it may be impossible to fasten the connectors. If tools are needed, you could find yourself needing a complete 12" of space above the panels, to accommodate the usage of a phillips screwdriver for an average fastener system comprising screws. Some manufacturers may only require an inch or so to find the connectors in place. That is ideal. The tiny gap at the top could easily be filled in by using upholstery foam, cut to the correct width and height. This can be a good idea to check with the maker of the panel system, and ask how the connectors are installed, and how much room is needed to accommodate the utilization of tools (if required) to connect the panel system together.