Acoustic Engineering & Consultancy
We measure what a space is actually doing, work out why, and engineer a change that can be verified. This is Novico's strongest area of current practice.
Novico project photography: measurement set-up in a meeting room under assessment.
What the work covers
Field acoustic testing and measurement
Reverberation time assessment
Speech privacy and sound privacy assessment
Design recommendations and remedial specification
Sound insulation assessment (airborne, between spaces)
Background noise criterion assessment
Acoustic troubleshooting and diagnosis
Post-installation verification
Our Acoustic Testing & Consultancy Process
Measure. Diagnose. Recommend. Improve. Verify.
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Measure
Field measurement of insulation, reverberation and background noise under agreed, repeatable conditions.
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Diagnose
Interpret the data to identify the dominant mechanism — partition performance, flanking, finishes or background level.
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Recommend
Set out practical engineering options with the trade-offs between cost, disruption and expected outcome.
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Verify
Re-measure after implementation so the improvement is demonstrated rather than assumed.
Recognised measurement standards
Other criteria, such as background noise levels, are assessed against the criterion agreed for the project.
Field measurement of airborne sound insulation between rooms.
Measurement of reverberation time in ordinary rooms.
Acoustic engineering questions
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It is a structured measurement and assessment exercise. Selected spaces are tested against defined criteria — typically sound insulation between rooms, reverberation time and background noise level — and each space is evaluated against the target. The output is a set of findings with engineering recommendations.
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For field sound insulation we work to ISO 16283-1, and for reverberation time in ordinary rooms we work to ISO 3382-2. Other criteria, such as background noise levels, are assessed against the criterion agreed for the project.
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It depends on the number of spaces and the tests required. Access, occupancy and background noise conditions usually drive the schedule more than the measurement itself, so we agree a testing window with the site team in advance.
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For most insulation and reverberation measurements the space needs to be quiet and free of activity, because occupant noise affects the result. We plan testing outside working hours where necessary.
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A report setting out the method, measured results, comparison against the criteria, pass or fail evaluation where applicable, and engineering recommendations. Where verification is part of the scope, we re-measure after implementation.
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Yes, and it is usually cheaper. Reviewing partition build-ups, service penetrations and room finishes during design avoids remedial work later.
Have a technical problem to solve?
Tell us what you are trying to achieve. We will tell you whether it is something we can measure, model or engineer — and how we would approach it.