Under some conditions, a tall partition system that extends from the ground to the ceiling is desirable to control the noise in an office environment. There are certain issues that ought to be addressed before buying this type of 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 local fire marshall. This might require its removal or modification to meet up the neighborhood fire codes, per the Fire Marshalls demands. One assumption that is dangerous, is convinced that you understand your ceiling height. You might think you know the ceiling height, but a careful measurement is necessary. Ceilings have a tendency to sag in unsupported areas, and may vary by an inch or even more in various places. It is important to measure the distance from the ground to the ceiling, exactly where the panels will meet the ceiling, to be sure that the panels will fit. In cases where you have a typical drop ceiling the height could be adjusted upward, by twisting the support wires holding the ceiling framework. Regarding a solid ceiling, you do not 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 most likely have some sort of ventilation supplied 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 level of convection. As hot air rises, it can flow out of the propose office through the high vents and thus create a slightly lower air pressure in the bottom, where cooler air can flow in to the proposed office through the low vent. A competent panel manufacturer will be able to provide the vents, included in 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 lighting then your problem is mainly solved. However, if a propose office doesn't have lighting, then some type of window arrangement built into the panel system will be needed to provide some light in that office. This is a good idea to take advantage of natural lighting that comes through skylights, or windows facing outside. In case a partition system has generated in windows in strategic locations that accommodate the application of outside natural lighting, then this may reduce period of time where in fact the electric lights are turned on during the day, thus cutting your energy consumption. One good reason that tall partition systems are used is to supremely control the noise. Short panel systems are not so able to this, as sound travels as a wave, and simply goes over the top of the panel systems and travels throughout the office, until absorbed by soft treatments, such as carpet, drapes, or other absorbing structures. However, sound waves can transfer through a panel system too. The materials used inside a panel is of concern to those seeking maximum noise reduction. Think about https://suspendedceilingsberkshire.uk/best-suspended-ceilings-berkshire/ : Sound travels most efficiently through dense, hard mediums. Thus, sound travels better (and faster) through water, than air. Hard mediums can transfer sound better than soft mediums. Another example 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 absorb the power without breaking. Polycarbonate is really a type of clear flexible plastic. Polycarbonate is more bullet resistant than glass, since it is more flexible, and can absorb the impact bette, without breaking. For that matter, Kevlar fabric is bullet resistant largely because of it's mix of great flexibility and high tensile strength. Now let's make contact with the sound issue. Panels that are made from hard materials will transmit sound in one side to another, more efficiently that panels created 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 decrease the noise within an office, then your solution is to locate a panel that has a somewhat soft and heavy internal structure. This can insure that sound will be absorbed, and not transfer over the panel core, in virtually any great degree. The resistance of sound travelling from 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 be compromised. 1/2 Thick sound rated boards, are soft enough to soak up sound, flexible enough to avoid sound transfer, and heavy enough to block sound transfer. This sort of construction can work better for noisy offices than a hard shelled, fiberglass cored panel. Sound absorption is not the only factor. The final issue to be considered may be the connection system for the panels. Many manufacturers provide connectors that must definitely be fastened with screws or bolts from below and above the panel system. If the panels visit the ceiling, then it might be impossible to fasten the connectors. If tools are needed, you could find yourself needing a full 12 of space above the panels, to support the usage of a phillips screwdriver for a typical fastener system comprising screws. Some manufacturers may only require an inch or so to obtain the connectors in place. That is ideal. The tiny gap at the very top could easily be filled in by using upholstery foam, cut to the appropriate width and height. It is just a good idea to check with the maker of the panel system, and have how the connectors are installed, and how much room is needed to accommodate the usage of tools (if required) to connect the panel system together.
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