ISO 2603 - Fixed Booths For Simultaneous Interpretation - EnG
ISO 2603 - Fixed Booths For Simultaneous Interpretation - EnG
interpretation
General characteristics and equipment
Foreword
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the
member bodies for voting. Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at
least 75% of the member bodies casting a vote.
International Standard ISO 2603 was prepared by ISO/TC43, Acoustics, Subcommittee SC2,
Building acoustics.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 2603:1983).
ISO 2603 was first issued in 1974; it was revised in 1983 and extended in scope to cover
facilities for more than six languages. It is based on facilities built since then and evaluated
by the Technical Committee of the International Association of Conference Interpreters
(AIIC) and the Joint Service Interpretation-Conferences (JSIC) of the European Commission
(EU). The present edition aims to bring the text into line with modern practice and
technology as well as to clarify and simplify it for the user.
Annex A of this International Standard is for information only.
Introduction
b) efficient two-way communication between the booths and the conference hall;
Existing facilities, built in compliance with ISO 2603-1983 are still acceptable.
1. Scope
This International Standard lays down basic specifications to be considered when initial
plans are prepared for building or renovating built-in booths for simultaneous interpretation
in new or existing buildings.
NOTE 1: Mobile booths for simultaneous interpretation are specified in ISO 4043,
In designing new buildings, booths should be optimally integrated into the structure so that
the conference room and the booths constitute a well-balanced unit. Design should also
provide daylight for the conference hall and booths.
The requirements of clauses 4 and 5 apply to booths with built-in equipment, as defined in
3.1, and booths with portable equipment, as defined in 3.2.
NOTE 2: Clause 12 gives indications concerning the use of public address systems in
conjunction with simultaneous interpretation systems.
2. Normative references
The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
were valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this
International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most
recent editions of the standards indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers
of currently valid International Standards.
ISO 3382:1997, Acoustics - Measurement of the reverberation time of rooms with reference to
other acoustical parameters.
3. Definitions
For the purposes of this International Standard, the following definitions apply:
3.1 booth with built-in equipment: booth intended for simultaneous interpretation
containing built-in interpretation equipment
3.2 booth with portable equipment: booth intended for simultaneous interpretation, but not
containing built-in interpretation equipment (see 3.4)
3.4 interpreter's control panel: panel containing all controls for listening and speaking.
NOTE The panel is normally a built-in fixture in the booth; if mounted on its own free-
standing box, it is known as a console (the usual form for portable equipment).
4. Structural and design requirements for booths
Booths shall be located away from any outside sources of disturbance, such as: kitchens,
public passages, halls, etc. (see 4.4).
4.2.1 General
Booths shall be located at the back and/or sides of the hall, making sure there is good
visual contact between all booths and with the control booth. They shall be raised no
further above the floor of the hall than is necessary for a clear view (see 4.7) of all
proceedings in the hall, i.e. all participants, lecturers, the chairman, etc., as well as all visual
aids (projection screen, etc.). The view from the booths into the hall shall not be obstructed
by persons standing. Thus, the booth floor should be at least 1,00 m above the hall floor
assuming a level floor. Steep viewing angles shall be avoided (particularly with regard to
projection screens). In larger halls the furthest distance from booth to rostrum, projection
screen, etc. shall not exceed 30 m (see 4.6).
The booths shall be grouped to facilitate visual contact (see 4.7) as well as cabling between
them.
The sound control booth shall be placed close to the interpreters' booths to facilitate
access and visual communication between them and provide the operator with a clear view
of all proceedings, speakers, projection screen, etc. The operator shall have safe, quick and
easy access both to the booths and to the hall.
4.3 Doors
Doors shall provide satisfactory acoustic insulation (see 4.8) and operate silently. They shall
not interconnect booths through side-walls. An observation port-hole (no less than 0,20 m x
0,22 m) in the booth door and/or a light outside the door, indicating an active microphone
within, are recommended.
The booths shall have easy access through a separate entrance from outside the hall, to
avoid the interpreters disturbing the meeting when coming and going. The access corridor
to the booths shall be at least 1,50 m wide to allow for safe and quick passage. Stairs, if any,
shall be safe and easy to negotiate, bearing in mind emergencies, disabled persons, the
need for quick distribution of documents (often on trolleys) and the transport of equipment.
Emergency exits shall be readily accessible and escape routes clearly marked. There shall
be rapid access from the booths to the hall.
4.5.1 General
Each booth shall be wide enough to accommodate the required number of interpreters
seated comfortably side by side, each with sufficient table space to work conveniently on
several documents spread alongside each other. The booth shall be high and deep enough
to provide sufficient volume of air to enable adequate temperature control and draught-
free air renewal (see 4.9) as well as sufficient space for the occupants to enter and leave
without disturbing one another.
The size of a booth is governed by the need to provide sufficient work space and air volume
per interpreter. The minimum number of interpreters per booth being two, the following
minimum dimensions are required:
- width : 2,50 m
- depth : 2,40 m
- height : 2,30 m
NOTE 1 Where feasible, additional height can be an advantage for draught and temperature
control.
For conference halls with up to six booths, one or more should be 3,20 m wide (to cover the
need for the continuous presence of three interpreters).
For conference halls with more than 6 booths, all booths shall be at least 3,20 m wide.
NOTE 2 There is a growing trend for conferences using six or more languages. For a number
of languages, this means at least three interpreters working on a booth; hence the need for
so many booths to be at least 3,20 wide.
To avoid resonance effects, the three dimensions of the booth should be different from one
another and, to avoid standing waves, the two side walls should not be exactly parallel.
4.6 Visibility
A direct view of the entire conference room, including the projection screen, is essential
(see 4.2.1). In very large halls, where the rostrum or projection screen is more than 30 m
away, visual support may be used, either in the form of one or more enlarged video display
screens, or of video/data display panels in or immediately outside the booth.
4.7 Windows
Front windows shall be across the full width of the booth. The height of the pane shall be at
least 1,20 m from the working surface upwards. Its lower edge shall be level with the
working surface of the table, or lower (see figure 1).
Side windows, of at least the same height, shall be provided and shall extend from the front
window for a length of 1,10 m along the partition between booths.
To ensure an unobstructed maximum range of view from the booths, vertical supports shall
be avoided.
Front and side windows shall consist of untinted anti-glare glass satisfying the sound
insulation requirements (see 4.8 and ISO 140-4). Panes shall be mounted in such a way as to
avoid vibration, glare from hall lighting and mirror effects from inside the booth.
NOTE In the present state of glass technology, good results are obtained by using one
vertical pane of laminated glass of adequate thickness in combination with work-lighting in
the form of overhead spotlights.
Depending on the type of work lighting used (see 5.2), front panes may have to be slightly
inclined.
4.8 Acoustics
The booths shall open onto an area not normally used by delegates, members of staff or
the public. It shall not be adjacent to any noise source. Floors and walls in booths and
corridors hall in any case be covered with sound-absorbent material.
NOTE Fabric, of sufficient thickness, on walls and perforated ceiling panels (see note in 4.9)
have produced good results. It is recommended to use material with a weighted absorption
coefficient (according ISO 11654) of a w < 0,6.
Where flooring is hollow, care should be taken to prevent sounding-box effects from
footsteps.
The following values shall apply (including air ducts, cable ducts, etc.):
- hall/booth : R'w = 48 dB
- booth/booth : R'w = 43 dB
- booth/corridor : R'w = 41 dB
Air ducts (see 4.9) shall be properly sound-proofed to prevent noise transmission from
booth to booth. The A-weighted sound pressure level generated by the air-conditioning
system (see 4.9), lighting (see 5.2) and other sound sources shall not exceed 35 dB.
Reverberation time (see ISO 3382) inside the booth shall be between 0,3 s and 0,5 s
measured in the octave bands from 125 Hz to 4000 Hz (booth unoccupied).
Air renewal shall be seven times per hour and the carbon dioxide concentration shall not
exceed 0,1 %. The temperature shall be controllable between 18C and 22C by means of an
individual regulator in each booth. Relative humidity shall be between 45% and 65%.
Air velocity shall not exceed 0,2 m/s. Air inlets and outlets shall be placed in such a way
that interpreters are not exposed to draughts.
NOTE Good results have been obtained by introducing the air through a perforated ceiling
and extracting it through vents at the rear of the booth, in the floor or the rear wall.
Air ducts shall not transmit sound from booth to booth or from other sources (see 4.8). They
shall not pass through walls separating booths. To comply with acoustic requirements,
noise-generating appliances such as expansion chambers, fireshutters, etc. shall be located
outside the booths.
Ducts suitable for looping control cables and associated connectors from booth to booth
shall be provided. After insertion of cables, the openings shall maintain the sound insulation
values of the walls they cross.
Access to ducts should be made easy and should not require the use of special tools.
5. Booth interior
5.1 General
5.2 Lighting
The lighting in the booth shall be independent of that in the hall, as the latter may have to
be darkened for the projection of films or slides.
The booths shall be provided with two different lighting systems: one for work and the other
for general purposes.
The work light source, which shall be non-fluorescent, is that lighting the working surface.
Other lighting is required for various general purposes, for which a switch should be
available by the booth door. Dimmer switches, for both systems, should be within reach of
the interpreter working. No light source shall cause reflections on booth windows. Both
systems, including dimmers and transformers shall be free of magnetic interference and
audible noise.
The working surface available to each interpreter (see 4.5.1 and 5.4) shall have an individual
adjustable compact table lamp or overhead light source of a least 300 lx, connected to a
low voltage circuit. Its switch, within easy reach of the interpreter, should give continuous
intensity control over a range from 100 lx to 350 lx, or else provide two levels: one, in the
range between 100 lx and 200 lx and the other, between 300 lx and 350 lx (all values to be
achieved at working surface level).
Table lamps and the range of tilt of their reflectors shall be so designed as to avoid glare in
adjacent working positions or into the hall. The combined work-lighting shall provide
coverage of the required intensity over the whole working surface of the booth. All light
sources shall generate as little heat as possible and be of a suitable colour.
A spare mains outlet with two sockets shall be provided on each side wall. Connections for
data transmission are desirable.
5.3 Colours
The colour scheme in the booth shall be appropriate for the restricted working space. Matt
finishes should be used for all surfaces and equipment in the booth.
See figure 1.
The working surface shall be firm enough for use as a writing table and for studying
documents, reference books, etc..
It shall be horizontal and covered with shock-absorbent material to deaden noise that
would otherwise be picked up by the microphones. The underneath surface shall have a
smooth finish.
a) position: at the front of the booth across the full width, affording the seated interpreter an
unobstructed view of the proceedings in the hall, care being taken to avoid transmission of
vibration through booth walls;
c) useable depth (i.e. clear of equipment, fixtures, etc.): 0,45 m in relation to the interpreters'
angle of vision into the hall;
d) leg room: minimum depth 0,45 m, minimum height 0,66 m and should not be obstructed
by working surface supports.
Document storage:
- shelving or trays for documents should not be placed under the working surface, but
should be located towards the rear of the booth, within easy reach of the interpreter;
5.5 Seating
For each interpreter and technician, there shall be a comfortable chair with the following
characteristics:
- five legs;
- adjustable height;
- adjustable back-rest;
- arm-rests;
6.1 Toilets
It is desirable to provide an interpreter's room near the booths, which interpreters and
operators may use when not on immediate duty. It shall be sufficiently large to
accommodate at least as many persons as there are working positions in the booths. It
should have a private entrance and daylight.
It is preferable to divide this room into two areas serving the following purposes:
- cloakroom or coat-rack;
7.1. General
The full specifications (numerical data included) for this purpose are given in IEC 60914. The
following outline is given as a general indication, but equipment used should always
comply with the latest version of IEC 60914.
The overall system (comprising microphone input at the speaker's position, amplifier stages,
level controls, output terminals and interpreters' control panel for headphones), shall
correctly reproduce audio-frequencies between 125 Hz and 12500 Hz. A gradual roll-off at
the lower end of the frequency response is recommended in order to improve speech
intelligibility.
Cross-talk from other channels (at the terminals for the interpreter's headphones) is to be
avoided.
Level control of the floor channel should be manual. When automatic level control is used,
compressor-limiters shall conform to IEC 60914.
8.1 General
There shall be one control panel/console for each interpreter, containing individual controls
for listening and speaking, including the relevant indicators. However, where there is no
alternative, dual control consoles may be used by no more than two interpreters per booth,
each interpreter having a full set of controls.
The control panel (see 3.4) may be on a free-standing console, but is normally fitted into the
working surface at a convenient ergonomic angle (see IEC 60914) without obstructing the
view of the room. It should be mounted in the interpreter's direct line of vision into the hall,
leaving at least 0,45 m clear to the edge of the table in front of the interpreter (see 5.4), so as
not to encroach on the available work space.
NOTE 1 If consoles are installed for permanent use, they should be sunk appropriately in the
working surface.
NOTE 2 For fitted control panels, the height above the working surface should not exceed
0,10 m.
8.2 Controls
The status of all selector controls and switches shall be clearly recognisable.
On each control panel, controls shall be arranged according to ergonomic criteria into
distinct areas as follows:
- a volume control,
- monitoring loudspeaker with volume control and channel selector (if requested);
- a muting device, whereby the channel is not returned to the floor channel, but
which switches off the microphone indicator light;
- the outgoing channel selection device and relevant displays and indicators;
- call-line key.
9. Functions of controls
Incoming channel selectors shall enable direct selection of any channel, without delay.
These shall cause no mechanical or electrical noise. No short-circuiting shall occur between
two channels when operating these controls.
Incoming channel pre-selection shall be provided for at least one incoming language
channel and the original channel.
Interpretation systems with more than eight language channels (plus one floor channel)
shall provide for pre-selection of at least two incoming channels and the original channel.
9.3 Volume control
For adjusting listening levels, potentiometers with logarithmic progression shall be used
which are audibly effective throughout their full range. Potentiometers shall be of high
quality.
A stepless bass control shall be provided to attenuate lower frequencies. A stepless treble
control shall also be provided to enhance higher frequencies. Bass and treble controls
should be independent of each other throughout their respective ranges.
For each interpreter work position, one headphone/headset connector socket is required,
to the left of each work position, suitably fitted under the free-edge of the working surface,
so that connector leads/cables to the control panel/console pass under the table and do
not get in the way of the working interpreter or trail on the floor.
NOTE For the left-handed, it us useful to provide a second socket to the right of at least one
work position per booth.
Where portable equipment is to be used (see 3.2), the connector lead/cable should be
fitted with a plug to connect with the headphone/headset socket in the console.
This loudspeaker shall normally reproduce the floor channel and shall be muted
automatically as soon as one of the microphones in that booth is activated; it shall have its
own volume control and channel selector, if included, which should be independent of the
incoming channel selector for the headphones.
A self-releasing muting key to cut out the booth channel only, without switching back to the
floor channel, shall be provided to allow the interpreter to cough or to clear his/her throat.
Pressing of this key shall extinguish the "microphone ON" indicator light.
When the interpreter's microphone is OFF, the floor channel shall be automatically linked to
the outgoing channel concerned.
In addition to the assigned channel, each control panel shall have provision for selecting at
least two other outgoing channels, independently of other panels in the same booth. The
channel selected shall be clearly indicated, close to the selector, giving channel numbers
and languages in intelligible form, i.e. alphanumerically.
As a warning that another microphone is active on a given channel, when a second one is
activated on the same channel, the "microphone ON" indicators should flash on the control
panels/consoles concerned.
In the event of breakdown (for example a delegate starting to speak without a microphone
or other emergency), interpreters should be able to warn the chairman and/or lecturer and
technician discreetly via a special audio-link.
Where this link is operated from the control panel, a special key shall activate it, regardless
of the microphone switch position.
The following colours shall be used for indicator lights or light-emitting diodes (LEDs):
Colour Function
red microphone ON
outgoing channel
red
engaged (busy/live)
yellow/amber/green for all other functions
One set of headphones per interpreter shall be provided. Headphones shall have the
following characteristics:
a) two earphones per set. Health requirements should be borne in mind when choosing the
material and shape of headphones (earphones with earpieces inserted into the ear, or which
fully enclose the ear are not acceptable). Where foam padding is provided, for hygienic
reasons, it should be replaceable and the headphones wearable without it.
c) mass: < 100 g for headphones, < 200 g for headsets, excluding the cable and connector;
e) headband: adjustable in length and sufficiently flexible to adapt to individual ear pressure
requirements. It should not provoke perspiration;
f) connection to the socket at table edge by a lead approximately 1,50 m long and
terminating in a non-locking plug (see 9.5).
NOTE Where free-standing consoles are used, the lead length should be adapted
accordingly (see 9.5).
11. Booth microphones
There shall be one microphone for each interpreter. The directional characteristics of
microphones shall be such that the interpreter can speak into it at a convenient distance
while in a comfortable position. Microphones shall be mounted so as to avoid transmission
of noises of mechanical origin. Headset combinations may be used, but do not suit all
interpreters.
12. The use of public address systems in conjunction with simultaneous interpretation
systems
Acoustic feedback and echoes in the hall may impair simultaneous interpretation and, in
extreme cases, block the memory processes and/or damage hearing.
Moreover, part of each audience depends on headphone reception, which may be drowned
by loudspeakers when operated at their normal level. Indeed some public address systems,
which are not compatible, will cause interference. Therefore, every precaution shall be
taken both, in the design and the volume control of the public address system, to avoid
echo and feed-back from loudspeakers to microphones in the hall.
When the use of speech reinforcement cannot be avoided (for example, the majority of
participants listening to conference proceedings in the original language), public address
systems should be operated at their lowest level.
- have separate volume controls allowing individual level adjustment for each system,
independently, so that lowering the public address level does not reduce the signal
strength available to interpreters.
Level controls of the two systems should be located close to each other to enable both
levels to be monitored in the same room, preferably by the same operator.
Annex A
(informative)
Bibliography
[1] ISO 717-1:1996, Acoustics - Rating of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements -
Part 1: Airborne sound insulation.
[2] ISO 4043:1998, Mobile booths for simultaneous interpretation - General characteristics and
equipment.
[3] ISO 11654:1997, Acoustics - Sound absorbers for use in buildings - Rating of sound
absorption.