Facility Services Experts Share Insights
Sounds affect people in many different ways. A song that energizes one person drains another. Background music may be comforting or annoying. Some noises are so unsettling that they make us want to run for cover.
When it comes to facilities management, guessing what sounds occupants and visitors may or may not like is an exercise in futility. That’s why the best approach to sound is to minimize it.
The Impacts of Sound
People are in your facility for a purpose, whether they are working, holding meetings, studying or shopping. Noise gets in the way of this. In fact, a Radius Global Market Research study showed that noise negatively impacts concentration levels, productivity and creativity for 69% of employees.
Quality of work also takes a hit. Consider a study published by the British Journal of Psychology that asked workers to perform two tasks – the first in a quiet environment, the second with background noise. The accuracy of work decreased by almost 67% for the second task.
It’s worth noting that these studies took place prior to COVID-19. In today’s post-isolation days – with so many people used to working remotely, and shopping and socializing online instead of in person – being around noises they can’t control might produce more detrimental effects. Many people find it more difficult to work onsite now than before. Even if they can tune some noises out, they must work harder to complete tasks because so much energy is spent on ignoring the sounds.
Then there are loud, excessive noises that no one can tune out, such as ongoing building works and equipment noises. These can put people’s bodies through unnecessary stress responses, increasing heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels.
How to Minimize Noise
Facility services providers are responsible for helping create spaces that are as free of noise intrusions as possible so occupants can focus on the job at hand. This means making sure ceiling air vents don’t rattle, equipment doesn’t clang, vacuums aren’t humming, and hammers aren’t banging away.
Facility services teams should think of themselves as guests in their occupants’ environment, where respect for their audio privacy is paramount. After-hours cleaning is a good way to help deliver a distraction-free environment. When that’s not possible, and cleaning and repairs need to be done in occupied areas, make every effort to notify occupants in advance and accommodate their needs.
Alarms are another big source of noise pollution. Preventative maintenance can help minimize the chances of them going off. Proactively look for signs of failing electrical equipment. Take regular readings during daily rounds so you can identify potential issues and schedule fixes before they become problems.
In addition to the above, the CDC suggests these ways to reduce loud noises:
- Purchase low-noise tools and machinery
- Maintain tools and equipment routinely (such as lubricate gears)
- Isolate the noise source in an insulated room or enclosure
- Place a barrier between the noise source and the employee or occupant
- Isolate people from the source in a room or booth (such as sound wall or windows)
For more tips on how to provide a more quiet, welcoming environment for tenants, students, and visitors, reach out to TeamUG2.