Acoustical Ceilings

If it’s been a while since you shopped for lay-in, acoustical ceiling tile, today’s choices might surprise you. The current crop is more sound-absorbent, light-reflectant, and a whole lot more stylish than ever before.

To determine whether you need an acoustical ceiling it helps to know a little bit about how they work. Acoustical ceiling tiles and panels absorb sound that bounces around within a space. They also block sound from passing through the ceiling plenum into the space below. Used correctly, they help deaden the talking, laughing, ringing phones, mechanical noise, and other background sounds which, if excessive, can cause people to raise their voices in order to be clearly understood by the person they’re talking to and, worse, distract people from their tasks.

Acoustical ceiling tiles are not all created equal. Check the manufacturer’s literature for the product’s Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) which will tell you how much sound that product absorbs. NRC is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0 to 1.0. The higher the number, the more absorptive the tile. A product with an NRC of .95, for example, absorbs 95 percent of the sound striking its surface and reflects the other 5 percent back into the space. How absorptive a tile you need depends on the type and size of space you’re dealing with and the kind of work done there. A higher NRC tile is recommended for spaces where a higher level of intelligibility and lower background sound levels are important.

Growing use of indirect lighting in offices is driving manufacturers to improve the light reflectance (LR) of their acoustical ceiling tiles, which can result in fewer light fixtures used, greater energy efficiency, and lower lifecycle costs. A tile’s LR value is measured in percentages. USG’s Mars ClimaPlus acoustical ceiling panel has what USG claims is the highest LR in the industry, .92, meaning it reflects 92 percent of the light hitting it back into the work area.

By Dana Dubbs (from Facilities Design & Management)

Great Q & A from Today’s Facility Manager (TFM)

Ergonomic Devices

Q When dealing with OSHA-related ergonomic issues, how do you help people in need without starting a widespread "monkey see, monkey do" in terms of ergonomic devices?

A The standards proposed by OSHA and placed into effect on January 16, 2001 were repealed by the Bush administration. However, many facility managers are still concerned about ergonomics. Those taking the proactive approach should be forewarned that communication and education are critical to this process.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) result when there is a mismatch between the physical capacity of workers and the physical demands of their jobs. Each year, 1.8 million workers in the U.S. report work-related MSDs such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and back injuries. About 600,000 MSDs are serious enough to result in workers having to take time off to recover.

The solution to these injuries lies with ergonomics, the science of fitting the job to the worker. The goal of an ergonomics program is to reduce work-related MSDs developed by workers when a major part of their jobs involves reaching, bending over, lifting heavy objects, using continuous force, working with vibrating equipment, and/or doing repetitive motions.

Employers can prevent MSD hazards by properly designing the job or workstation and selecting the appropriate tools or equipment for that job. This is where communication and education come into play. It does not matter how well-designed the work space is or how much money was spent to equip the area with the latest user-friendly ergonomic accessories; if the employees do not use the tools correctly, the problems will not disappear. If information is provided to everyone on how to configure their work areas properly (placing the monitor properly, adjusting the work chair and armrests to the appropriate height), they may not really need new devices.