The standard, published by the German Institute for Standardization, regulates acoustic requirements and planning guidelines to ensure optimal audibility, especially with regard to communication.

The aim of DIN 18041 is to achieve better speech intelligibility in any situation by means of acoustic measures such as wall sound absorbers or mobile noise barriers in offices. The optimisation of room acoustics also contributes to the promotion of occupational health.

This legal requirement for offices applies to rooms with a maximum volume of approximately 5,000 m 3. The standard distinguishes between two uses that require audibility. First of all, over medium and long distances, e.g. classrooms in schools, group rooms in nurseries, conference rooms, court and board rooms, seminar rooms, lecture theatres, meeting rooms and rooms in retirement homes; and also, over short distances, such as in living rooms, dining rooms, canteens and changing rooms in schools and nurseries, exhibition halls, lobbies, reception rooms and offices.

In terms of inclusion, the needs of people with hearing loss must be considered from the beginning of the planning process for any construction. Not only are typical meeting rooms used for communication, but communication takes place wherever people meet, be it in hallways, canteens, and so on. The standard considers the current state of knowledge on audibility and inclusion and thus contributes to the promotion of health in the workplace.