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Which of the following should be the first priority for noise reduction between rooms in a medical office?
Acoustic panels
All walls should extend to the underside of structure
All of these
Batt insulation
The correct answer is: All walls should extend to the underside of structure
The first priority for noise reduction between rooms in a medical office is ensuring that all walls extend to the underside of the structure. This approach creates a full barrier, minimizing the passage of sound between spaces. When walls reach the structural ceiling, it prevents sound from traveling through pathways that might otherwise be left open, such as gaps that occur when walls terminate below the ceiling. This is particularly important in medical settings, where privacy and minimizing noise can significantly affect patient comfort and confidentiality. Although acoustic panels, batt insulation, and other strategies can contribute to overall sound reduction, they serve more as supplementary measures. Acoustic panels are effective in absorbing sound within a room, while batt insulation can help reduce sound transmission through wall cavities when installed correctly. However, these approaches are not substitutes for the integrity of the wall structure itself. In summary, fully extending walls to the ceiling provides a more robust solution against noise transmission, making it the most critical first step in achieving effective sound reduction in a medical office environment.