Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Scamp® System?
How does the Scamp® System work?
Where can the Scamp® System be installed?
How effective is the Scamp® System?
Is the Scamp® System an economical investment?
What other functions does the Scamp® System provide?
How do I purchase a Scamp® System?
What do these acoustical terms really mean?
How Can Scamp Systems Help With HIPAA Compliance?
Other Common Questions
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What is the Scamp® System?
What is the Scamp® Sound Masking System?
The Scamp® System is an acoustical treatment for office-type facilities. Physically, the Scamp® System is a network of "units", installed in the ceiling, that contain patented electronics and a proprietary speaker housed in an acoustical enclosure. While similar in concept to what many people know as "white noise" systems, the Scamp® System is generations beyond that technology.
What does Scamp® stand for?
The name Scamp® is an acronym which stands for Self-Contained Audio Masking Product.
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How does the Scamp® System work?
Is the Scamp® System an insulation product? Does it go inside the walls?
No. The Scamp® System is not a physical sound barrier. It is an electronic device that produces an unobtrusive sound that interferes with your ability to hear distracting or private conversations. It is installed above the ceiling tile and is therefore invisible to the occupants.
What is the difference between Scamp® Sound Masking and white noise?
White noise was a technology used in earlier masking systems. Scamp® Systems do not use white noise. Instead, the Scamp® System generates a unique spectrum that has been specifically designed to improve speech privacy. White noise is a sound with an irritating "hissing" quality that is produced when all frequencies across a broad range are played simultaneously. The Scamp® sound masking system produces mid-frequency sound in the range of speech and is often compared to the more comfortable sound of soft airflow.
Does the Scamp® System work by playing music?
No. The Scamp® System masks conversations with an engineered, low volume, ambient sound. Music is not effective for use as a masking system for two reasons. First, music contains information (variation, patterns, words) and is therefore itself a distraction. Second, music does not provide a spectrum that is conducive to effective masking of conversations and noises.
How does Scamp® sound masking work?
Office noises can be heard over a distance because the background sound level is often too low. The Scamp® System increases the background sound to the point where unwanted noise falls below the ambient sound level within a reasonable distance.
Does the Scamp® System work by noise cancellation?
No. In fact, cancellation would be an inappropriate method for dealing with office noise and is technically impossible in office-type environments. Cancellation only works when the listener and noise source are stationary relative to eachother and when the noise is constant and in the low frequency range. In the extreme, cancellation would eliminate all communication in the office by removing all voice and sound transmission.
Can you hear the Scamp masking sound?
Yes. The Scamp masking sound is audible, if you listen for it. However, Scamp has been engineered to be as inconspicuous as possible. First, it contains no information such as variations or patterns, which can be consciously or subconsciously distracting. Second, the system is tuned to minimize any variation in the sound volume across the space so that the masking does not draw attention to itself as you move through the office. Finally, Scamp offers a Programmable Timer which includes the STEPS feature. This feature slowly increases the volume of the masking sound over a 15-day period, so that occupants in retrofit installations can acclimatize to the new ambient sound.
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Where can the Scamp® System be installed?
I only need masking in one area of my building. Will that work?
No. Masking must be installed throughout an area, including in private offices. Treatment of individual spaces within a larger open area (or individual private offices) is not recommended nor is it effective. The presence of the Scamp® masking sound in one area and not in others will draw attention to the sound when occupants move through the area. This will prevent the sound from becoming an accepted characteristic of the environment. Partial masking installations can only occur when there is a physical break between two areas, such as a wall, doorway, or corridor.
Is the Scamp® System only used in open office plans?
No. Scamp® Systems should be installed in both open and closed office plans to reduce distraction and improve privacy. Often the main leakage of sound from one office to the next is through the ceiling. This is best treated through the application of the Scamp® System. Scamp® Systems can effectively add to the STC (sound transmission class) of the walls between closed offices. Scamp® Systems are very effective when used in combination with floor to ceiling wall systems in private office areas.
Are Scamp® Systems difficult to install in existing spaces?
No. The Scamp® system is easily retrofitted to existing spaces. Scamp® installers can work unobtrusively to install the system with minimal disruption of employees. Alternatively, arrangements can be made for after-hours installation.
Can I treat just the noisy areas of my office?
No. First, it is inappropriate to treat individual areas in an office since the presence of the masking sound in some areas and not in others draws attention to masking sound (which prevents the system from becoming a natural characteristic of the space). Second, Scamp® Systems are intended for use in areas with too little noise. In overly quiet spaces individual sounds and conversations can be heard over long distances. In overly noisy areas (50+ dbA), Scamp® Systems will not aid significantly in improving the acoustic environment.
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How effective is the Scamp® System?
Will I be able to hear my neighbor after the Scamp® System is installed?
Yes/No. While you will undoubtedly still be able to hear your neighbor's voice, you may be able to understand less of his or her conversation if all of the appropriate acoustic treatments have been incorporated into the design of the office. Generally, the expectations is that you will achieve a good level of privacy within a radius of approximately 15-20 feet (5-7 m) or approximately 2 workstations.
Is the Scamp® System the sole solution to acoustics problems in my office?
No. The Scamp® sound masking system is intended to be used in conjunction with appropriate acoustic treatments for the ceiling, floor, lighting, and furniture. It is, however, a necessary element of the acoustic office environment and it maximizes the benefits of your investment in your office.
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Is the Scamp® System an economical investment?
Is the Scamp® System expensive?
No. The system is not expensive, relative to the cost of other acoustic treatments and relative to the benefits of reduced construction costs and productivity improvements. (see calculator sheet) In fact, the Scamp® System is likely one of the smallest investments you will make into your office and one that will continue to provide benefits throughout the extended life-cycle of the system.
If I buy a Scamp® System can I eliminate or reduce walls, ceilings, plenum barriers, etc?
Yes/No. In many cases there is the opportunity to reduce construction requirements of other elements in the office when a Scamp® System is installed. The nature of these reductions varies depending upon the situation and should be discussed with a Scamp® representative. (for a summary of the cost factors to consider and a worksheet click here). It is vital that you discuss any construction plans with a Scamp® representative.
Can I relocate and reuse the Scamp® System?
Yes. The system can be expanded or relocated with ease.
What is the expected life of the system?
Scamp® Systems have a ten-year replacement warranty on its products, however many systems function well beyond 20 years.
Is the system expensive to operate and maintain?
No. The Scamp® system is extremely economical to operate. A 15,000 ft2 (1500 m2) installation consumes the same energy as an emergency Exit light. There are no maintenance agreements required for the system.
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What other functions does the Scamp® System provide?
Can the Scamp® System be used as a paging and music system?
Yes. The Scamp® System provides exceptional paging and music broadcast quality due to the even distribution of its speakers throughout the office. Since Scamp® units are self-amplified, the amplifier requirements for paging and music are minimized.
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How do I purchase a Scamp® System?
Who do I contact to enquire about Scamp® Systems?
Scamp® Systems are sold through an international network of distributors. These distributors are best equipped to answer your questions for your local market. You can find contact information for these distributors in the Distributor Listing.
If you prefer, or if you cannot find the appropriate distributor to call, you can contact us directly. Click here for contact information.
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What do these acoustical terms really mean?
What do these acoustical terms really mean?
Some acoustical terms can be very confusing, especially when their true technical definitions are adhered to. The following definitions are explanatory rather than technically precise, but should make the general meaning of the terms clear. For the technical definition of these terms, the reader can refer to an organization such as ANSI.
Absorption – Occurs when a material reduces the energy of sound reflected off of it.
Articulation Index (AI) – A measurement of the intelligibility of speech. The Articulation Index is rated from 0.00 (no intelligibility) to 1.00 (perfect intelligibility). The range is broken into four qualitative privacy categories including Confidential (0.00 to 0.05), Normal (0.05 to 0.20), Marginal (0.20 to 0.30), and None (0.30 to 1.00).
A-Weighted Sound Level (dBA) – A standardized measure of the sound pressure level that approximates the level perceived by the human ear. The A-Weighted Sound Level de-emphasizes high and low frequencies since these are poorly perceived by the ear.
Background Noise – The noise present in an environment other than the desired or foreground sound. Also referred to as Ambient Noise, it is the combination of all sounds generated near and far. The ambient noise level can also be defined as the noise level in an area that is exceeded 90% of the time.
Decibel (dB) – The measurement unit for sound pressure level (volume).
Equivalent A-Weighted Sound Level (Leq) – The equivalent constant sound level for a varying sound level measured over a period of time. Otherwise referred to as the equivalent average sound level.
Dynamic Range – The variation in sound levels over time or the difference between the loudest and quietest sounds measured over a period of time.
Frequency – The number of cycles of sound waves per second.
Hertz (Hz) – The number of cycles of sound waves per second. Hertz is the measurement unit for frequency.
Impact Insulation Class (IC) – A measurement of the impact sound insulating characteristics of a floor or ceiling treatment.
Loudness – A human’s subjective perception of the volume of sound. A 10dB increase in sound energy is generally perceived as a doubling in loudness.
Masking – The effect of reducing or eliminating the ability to hear a sound due to the presence of a masking sound.
Noise – Any unwanted sound.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) – A measure of acoustical absorption calculated at specific mid-range frequencies. Commonly used to rate acoustical ceiling performance.
Octave Band – Bands of frequency into which audible sound is divided for frequency analysis. One-third octave bands further divide each octave into three segments.
Reverberation – The persistence of a sound in a space, due to many reflections of the sound from the surfaces in the space, once the sound source has been stopped. Reverberation can be compared to a multitude of indistinguishable echoes within a space.
Room Criteria (RC) – A quantitative and qualitative assessment of noise. The numerical component is the average of the sound pressure levels at the 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz octave bands, while the qualitative component classifies the noise as containing Rumble (R), Hiss (H), Vibration (V), or as being Neutral (N). The RC curves approximate the balanced spectrum found acceptable by most people.
Sound Level – A measure of the sound pressure level using specific weightings that emphasize certain frequencies. Weightings include designations such as A, B, and C.
Sound Level Meter – A device used to measure sound levels. Meters consist of a microphone, amplifier, output meter, and frequency-weighting protocols.
Sound Pressure Level (SPL) – A measurement of the magnitude or volume of sound. It is measured in decibels (dB).
Sound Transmission Class (STC) – A classification of the sound insulating properties of a material or structure. Commonly used to rate office walls and furniture partitions.
Transmission Loss (TL) – A measure of the sound insulation properties of a material or structure expressed as the number of decibels a sound is reduced in passing from one side to another.
Spectrum – The composition of a sound expressed in frequency and amplitude (volume).
Sound Absorption Coefficient – The fraction of incident sound power absorbed or otherwise not reflected from a surface.
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How Can Scamp Systems Help With HIPAA Compliance?
Does HIPAA have anything to say about speech privacy?
Yes. HIPAA requires that healthcare organizations provide reasonable safeguards for the protection of oral communications.
How can the Scamp System help with HIPAA compliance?
Scamp Sound Masking is an effective, low-cost and easily installed system that helps to cover up conversations. The system makes it more difficult for others to overhear private, health-related conversations.
Where can I find out more about HIPAA's requirements for the protection of oral communications?
We invite you to contact us to discuss the regulatory requirements and the benefits of using the Scamp System.
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Other Common Questions
Who do I approach in my organization to recommend/inquire about Scamp® Systems?
If you feel that the environment in which you work is not conducive to top performance due to the intrusion of noise or a lack of privacy you can approach the facility manager for your space to suggest the potential need for the Scamp® Sound Masking System. Alternatively, you can speak with your department manager about your concerns.
Can I use my airflow system to provide masking?
No. While airflow systems can sometimes generate a sound that appears similar to the Scamp® masking sound it is inadequate in many ways. First, the airflow sound is intermittent. This makes it distracting in itself and provides only intermittent masking. Second, the sound produced by airflow systems is not the correct spectrum, resulting in poor masking even when it is on. Third, airflow sound contains machine noise generated by the HVAC system which is distracting. In fact, many organizations say that one of the side benefits of the Scamp® System is to reduce the irritation and disruptions caused by airflow noise.
Can I adjust or turn off the system?
No. The Scamp® System works so well because its masking sound eventually becomes a natural characteristic of the space to its occupants. If the volume of the system is adjusted frequently or the system is turned on and off the system will call attention to itself and could become a distraction itself. In addition, the Scamp® System is fine tuned professionally by the Scamp® installation staff, who will always be available to revisit your site if changes to the masking levels are required. Finally, the Scamp® System offers a timer unit that can be programmed to adjust the level of the masking sound to match the changing level of activity throughout the day. The timer adjusts adjust the masking levels gradually and imperceptibly.
Why don't you have an audio file on your site with a sample of the Scamp® Sound Masking sound?
We have not included an audio file of the Scamp® sound on our site because we cannot ensure the quality of the playback. Most PC speakers would poorly reproduce the Scamp® masking sound. If you would like to hear the Scamp® System in operation, the best option is to have a representative visit with a demonstration unit or to visit an existing installation.
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