When people work with information on an electronic device, they can unwittingly transmit plain text information as well as interference radiation. This text can be intercepted and read by unauthorized persons, leading to a loss of confidentiality.

Low-radiation or radiation-proof rooms are defined as the structural upgrading (shielding) of a room in order to prevent the propagation of compromising radiation to the outside. These rooms prevent high-frequency radiation from computers, printers and the peripherals connected to them. Compromising radiation must be distinguished from electromagnetic compatibility, which merely involves the mutual influence of electromagnetic fields between devices. The limit values for electromagnetic compatibility are generally not sufficient to prevent compromising radiation.

Due to the almost endless variety of rooms, including windows, built-in bathrooms and telecommunications equipment, which must function without interference in corresponding rooms, the room shielding system is particularly suitable for these applications.

Architectural room shielding

The ARCtec-flex shielding system is mainly used in rooms that are subject to the zone model (further information can be found here on the website of Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security).

This is a shielding system in which all components are integrated into the existing room architecture, thus maintaining the natural atmosphere of a room. In addition to the surface shielding, all components such as windows, doors, ventilation, cables, etc. are provided with appropriate shields. This shielding is hardly visible to the outside world, giving architects and planners the greatest possible freedom. The surface shielding is usually carried out using a 0.2mm thick copper foil. For example, the shielding system can have any conventional floor and wall covering applied to it. Depending on requirements, air conditioning, electronic installation and media technology can be integrated into them too. Detailed information on all components of such a system can be found in the ARCtec-flex system data sheets.

With architectural room shielding systems, guaranteed shielding attenuation values of > 80 dB to 10 GHz (according to IEEE 299) can be achieved in rooms. Architectural screening systems can be integrated in new buildings and existing rooms.

Shielded cabins / modular shielding

Shielded cabins made of copper or sheet steel modules are used to meet the highest safety and electromagnetic shielding requirements. This guarantees shielding attenuation values of > 100 dB.

The options for architectural design are clearly limited here. These cabins are implemented as a room within the room, which means that it is not possible to include windows. The choice of doors, wall and floor coverings is also limited. These systems are particularly widely used in high-security zones in the public administration sector.

As protection against eavesdropping on spoken conversations, an acoustic insulation and a special foil is installed on the windows for protection against lip reading.