TM
Knowledge Base Article
Qt Quiet TechnologyTM
System Planning and Layout Guide
These instructions will assist in planning the installation of a Qt Quiet TechnologyTM sound masking
system. The system may be installed into virtually any space, no matter the area’s size, use, or
materials present.
System Zoning
Begin by establishing the requirements for the space while keeping the following in mind:
• Open areas and private offices require separate zones to reach recommended volume levels.
• Areas with different ceiling heights or types may require their own zones.
• Paging and music may require that additional zones be created.
• Whether or not network connectivity is required.
• Adjustable emitters can decrease volume by 3, 6, or 9 dB to create a micro-zone within a
zone. This is useful for areas with multiple acoustical materials.
Emitter Coverage for Large Open Areas
This section shows the recommended grid layout for large open spaces like open offices, lobbies/
waiting rooms, and libraries.
Generally: All contiguous areas within a common open area should have coverage.
Exception: Open areas subdivided by use may benefit from separate zones (ie. a pharmacy
waiting area or sales call center next to the billing department).
Notes on planning an open office layout:
• Space emitters on a square grid (see Figure 1) according to Table 1.
• The ideal distance an emitter should be installed from a wall is equal to one half the
emitter spacing distance (D).
• Emitters should not be closer than 2 feet or farther than 6 feet from vertical walls.
• Spacing should be consistent throughout the open area and no less than 8 feet
spacing is recommended.
Ceiling Height
Emitter Spacing, D
8 ft
8 ft
8.5 ft
10 ft
9 ft
10 ft
10 ft
10 ft
12+ ft
12 ft
Table 1
D
D
Figure 1
Note: Emitter placement may be adjusted up to 2 feet in any direction if the pre-planned
locations interfere with existing ceiling elements, such as HVAC diffusers, lighting, sprinkler
heads, etc.
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Creating the open office layout:
Step 1: Divide the room into a set of rectangular areas (see
Figure 2).
Area 2
Area 1
Figure 2
Step 2: For the first area, center the grid as described
in Table 1 so that the rows of emitters closest to
opposite walls are approximately the same distance
from each wall (see Figure 3).
Area 2
Area 1
Figure 3
Step 3: Repeat the grid centering for each additional area,
making the grid as continuous as possible from
space to space (see Figure 4).
Area 2
Area 1
Figure 4
Last row of
emitters
Step 4: If spacing between the last row of emitters and
an adjacent wall is more than 6 feet away, further
adjustment will be necessary (see Figure 5).
Area 2
D
D
D
Figure 5
There are 2 options:
If the next row would be placed at a wall
(ie. the distance to the wall is approximately
equal to D), add another row and shift
it 2 feet away from the wall, making the
distance between the last two rows D
minus 2 feet (D - 2’) (see Figure 6).
Shift each of the last several rows up to 2
feet to achieve the appropriate distance
between the last row of emitters and the
wall (see Figure 7).
Area 2
D
Figure 6
D
Area 2
D
D
D-2
D
D-2
D-2
Figure 7
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Emitter Coverage for Hallways
Space emitters in hallways according to the recommended grid spacing (see Table 1), with emitters
at each end of the hallway. Emitters may be placed up to 6 feet from end walls and should be
centered down the hallway.
Hallway zoning depends on the level of privacy required.
• Hallways are most frequently zoned as part of the open office area.
• If confidentiality is required for adjacent private offices, consider making the hallway its own
zone. This way, sound masking in the hallway can be set at a higher volume to provide the
most privacy.
office
office
office
office
10’
hallway
Emitter Coverage for Private Spaces
The table below shows the recommended numbers of emitters for smaller private spaces like
private offices, conference rooms, and patient rooms. For enclosed areas larger than 500 square
feet, refer to the guidelines for open spaces.
Note: When installing sound masking in conference or training rooms, particularly those over
300 square feet, consider whether the background masking sound may prevent individuals from
communicating effectively.
Enclosed Area (sq. ft.)
Number of Emitters
Up to 180
2
180 - 260
3
260 - 340
4
340 - 420
5
420 - 500
6
Recommended Layout
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Determining the Correct Control Module
Once the emitters are drawn out for the space, determine which control module will best be suited
to fulfill the space’s requirements.
There are three control modules in the Qt Quiet TechnologyTM family of products:
Qt 100TM
• Single zone
• Up to 120 emitters
• 1 auxiliary audio input for paging or music
Qt 200TM
• Two zones
• Up to 240 emitters (120 per zone)
• 1 auxiliary audio input for paging or music
Qt 600TM
• Six zones
• Up to 720 emitters (120 per zone)
• 2 auxiliary audio input for paging and/or music
• Network connectivity
To help you determine the best control module for the space, remember these requirements:
• Large open areas and smaller private areas require separate zones.
• Any area requiring different background sound levels or paging/music capacity will require
its own zone.
• If network connectivity is required, choose a networked control module.
• While a single control unit may accomodate multiple floors, some customers find it easier to
have one control module per floor.
Creating the wiring diagram:
• When wiring open areas: Follow a serpentine pattern and keep in mind the 4-channel system
(see Figure 8). Avoid having emitters of the same channel next to one another (count 1-2-3-4,
1-2-3-4, etc. and avoid having 1’s next to other 1’s, etc.).
• When wiring private areas: Connect all emitters in a room before moving to the next area.
• Avoid using custom cables beyond the home run cable (first cable of a run).
• Avoid using splitters. This may cause troubleshooting difficulties should issues arise during
installation.
• A single cable run should be no longer than 1,000 feet and contain no more than 60 emitters.
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Sample Wiring Diagram (best viewed in color):
Figure 8
Privacy Index
Installing a Qt Quiet TechnologyTM sound masking system will generally achieve Normal Speech
Privacy - a privacy index of 80% or greater as defined by ASTM Standard E1130-08 - between
adjacent workplaces in an open plan workspace. A Qt Quiet TechnologyTM system will generally
achieve Confidential Speech Privacy - a privacy index of 95% or greater as defined by ASTM
Standard E1130-08 - in most conventional, fully enclosed offices or between closed offices and
adjacent hallway spaces.
Questions?
Contact a Cambridge Sound Management representative at [email protected] or
call (800) 219-8199.
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