Sound isolation and speech privacy observations of modular wall construction in healthcare environments

A recent trend in healthcare spaces is emerging where exam room walls are stopping at or just above the ceiling. There are a number of reasons for doing this, including cost, large floor-to-floor heights, desire for prefabricated constructions, and the need for plenum flexibility for building services. The speech privacy at these locations is critically dependent on the noise reduction of the wall, door, and ceiling constructions as well as the sound masking system. Sound masking systems, long delivered directly from manufacturers or their representatives, are now being repackaged and sold by furniture vendors. Measurements and observations from the field will be presented. Locations where sound masking is not recommended and where upgraded construction is required will be discussed.