Noise is a common issue in workplaces, particularly in open-plan offices. Here, overlapping phone calls and conversations often disrupt concentration and slow productivity. As a result, many organisations seek soundproofing solutions to improve accuracy and communication.
Acoustic partitions offer a practical way to improve noise control. They absorb and reduce sound transfer between working zones, help maintain privacy in meeting rooms and HR spaces, and support teams that require quiet surroundings for detailed tasks. They can be installed with minimal disruption and offer a clear pathway to a more productive workplace.
This guide explains how acoustic partitioning works and outlines key design and planning steps to help you develop a practical soundproof office plan.
How Noise Affects Productivity in Modern Offices
Noise affects productivity in modern offices when sound levels approach levels of intrusive everyday noise, such as a busy street or a crowded restaurant. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that if staff regularly have to raise their voices to hold an everyday conversation at about two metres apart, employers may have a workplace noise problem that needs attention [1].
In open plan offices, this can occur when phone calls, shared discussions, and circulation routes all contribute to a steady background level.
HSE also notes that loud noise at work can cause temporary or permanent hearing damage, and may lead to tinnitus, which can disturb sleep and make it harder for people to follow conversations. Noise can interfere with communications and make warnings harder to hear, reducing awareness of what is happening nearby and increasing safety risks. These factors all affect how reliably staff can concentrate, listen, and respond during day-to-day tasks. Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, employers must assess noise risks and take steps to eliminate or reduce exposure where practicable [2].
What Acoustic Partitions Are & Where They Work Best
Acoustic partitions are internal walls and screens designed to control how sound moves through an office. They use materials that absorb sound and reduce sound transfer between areas so that conversations, calls, and focused work can take place in more suitable conditions.
In a soundproof office strategy, acoustic partitions help define noisy and quiet zones, support confidential discussions, and give you a structure that can be adapted as teams, technology, and workspace needs change.
Different systems support different priorities:
- Acoustic glass partitions allow natural light to pass through while helping to limit sound between meeting rooms, director’s offices, and client areas.
- Solid acoustic stud partitions feature dense cores and insulation to provide greater privacy for HR rooms, call areas, and confidential workspaces.
- Demountable partitions, desk screens, and acoustic pods support flexible layouts, localised noise control, and semi-private spaces in open-plan offices where teams still need regular access to shared facilities.
These options are often combined to create a balanced layout that supports both collaboration and focused work.
Planning a Soundproof Office with Acoustic Partitions
Planning a soundproof office begins with understanding how sound behaves in the space and how different teams use each area. This allows you to introduce acoustic partitions where they will have the greatest impact on productivity and privacy.
A structured approach often includes:
Assessing Noise Sources & Sensitive Areas
Identify where noise is generated and where it has the greatest impact. Typical open-plan offices register around 45-60 dB, below the 80 dB threshold for potential hearing damage, but still high enough to affect stress and concentration. Research reported by the British Safety Council found that typical office noise increased negative mood by 25% and sweat response by 34%. These insights help you prioritise call zones, shared desks, and reception points for acoustic partitioning and layout changes [3].
Zoning the Office Layout for Focus, Collaboration, & Privacy
Review which teams work closely together, which tasks require high concentration, and where clients are welcomed into the building. Use this information to place quiet workstations, shared desks, and client-facing rooms in locations that reflect their acoustic needs. Acoustic partitions can then be used to provide each zone with an appropriate level of privacy and separation, while broader changes are coordinated through our office fit out and refurb service.
Combining Partitions with Complementary Acoustic Measures
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Guide B4 provides guidance on predicting, assessing, and controlling noise and vibration from building services to ensure designers meet acceptable noise limits in occupied rooms [4]. It covers familiar noise sources such as fans, chillers, and waterflow systems, and includes example data to support early design decisions. Suspended ceilings can support this approach.
Why Professional Acoustic Installation Matters
A soundproof office performs best when acoustic design and installation are carried out with care. Acoustic partitions require accurate detailing to prevent sound from passing through gaps at junctions, around doors, or above ceiling lines. Professional installation ensures each system meets its specified acoustic rating and complies with relevant building and fire regulations. Further guidance on compliant solutions is available through our fire protection service.
First Floors provides coordinated acoustic solutions that integrate partitions, glass fronts, suspended ceilings, and office layouts into a single, planned scheme. This supports quieter work zones, confidential meeting spaces, and well-presented client areas within a single fit-out.
Call 01789 764172 or schedule a consultation to plan a soundproof office solution that supports long-term performance.
External Sources
[1] The Health and Safety Executive (HSE): https://www.hse.gov.uk/noise/advice-overview.htm
[2] GOV.UK, Legislation “Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005”: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1643/contents
[3] British Safety Council: https://www.britsafe.org/safety-management/2023/managing-office-noise-post-pandemic
[4] The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Guide B4: https://www.cibsejournal.com/general/peace-of-mind-cibse-guide-b4/