How soundproof is an office pod?
Updated 2026-10-17 by the Fermann Acoustics team, Dubai
Fermann pods are rated Class B under ISO 23351-1, meaning a 25 to 30 dB reduction in speech, and their wall panels have a design value of Rw + Ctr 30 dB. In practice, a normal voice of about 60 dB inside is heard outside at around 30 to 35 dB, similar to a quiet library. That keeps calls private and stops them disturbing nearby desks.
What 30 dB means
Decibels are logarithmic. A 10 dB drop sounds roughly half as loud, so a 30 dB reduction makes speech sound about one eighth as loud to people outside. Conversation that would carry across an open-plan floor becomes a murmur next to the pod.
Panel figures and pod figures are different
Rw + Ctr describes how much sound a panel blocks in laboratory conditions. A whole pod also has a door, glass, vents and seals, which all let some sound through. The international standard for whole pods is ISO 23351-1, which measures speech level reduction and grades pods from Class A (at least 30 dB) to Class E. Fermann pods are rated Class B, a reduction of 25 to 30 dB, in testing by TÜV SÜD. When comparing suppliers, ask which figure you are being shown and for the test report behind it.
Sound inside the pod matters too
A quiet pod with hard walls sounds boxy and tiring on calls. Fermann pods are lined with PET acoustic panels that bring the reverberation time down to about 0.25 seconds, so voices stay clear for the people inside and for whoever is on the other end of a video call.
What pods do not do
Pods are not sealed recording studios. Very loud sources such as drums or amplified instruments will still be heard outside, and low-frequency sound passes more easily than speech. For music practice they work well with acoustic instruments at normal playing levels.
Related questions
What is ISO 23351-1?
ISO 23351-1 is the international standard for measuring how much a pod or furniture enclosure reduces speech sound. Results are graded A to E, with class A meaning a speech level reduction of 30 dB or more.
Will people outside hear my call?
Normal conversation inside a closed Fermann pod is reduced to roughly the level of a quiet library outside, so colleagues may notice that someone is talking but will not follow the words.
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Send us your floor plan or tell us how many people need quiet space. We reply with a recommended layout and a written quote in AED.