providing a sound learning environment
In order to ensure a sound learning environment for children to succeed in education it is vitally important that all new school designs and school refurbishment designs take into account acoustics and noise control. Acoustics in schools is a very specialist area and usually requires a noise consultant to be on the school design team. Sound Acoustics Ltd can advise you of the implications of school acoustics on the design and help you to meet the mandatory requirements to satisfy Building Control and the client.
The development of schools is controlled under the Building Regulations. This means that new schools, extensions and significant refurbishments will have to comply with the Requirements of Part E of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2000 (as amended). Requirement E4 states:
“Each room or other space in a school building shall be designed and constructed in such a way that it has the acoustic conditions and the insulation against disturbance by noise appropriate to its intended use.”
Section 0.12 of Approved Document E states:
“In the Secretary of State’s view the normal way of satisfying Requirement E4 will be to meet the values for sound insulation, reverberation time and indoor ambient noise which are given in Section 1 of Building Bulletin 93 ‘The Acoustic Design of Schools’, produced by the DfES and published by the Stationary Office (ISBN 0 11 271105 7).”
We can carry out school noise surveys, provide recommendations, comment on proposals and advise the school design team all with a view to satisfying Requirement E4 and the criteria given in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) ‘The Acoustic Design of Schools’. We can confirm where the school design is compliant and suggest alternative constructions where necessary or where cost savings can be made.
We can prepare a report to demonstrate compliance to Building Control (such a report is a necessary requirement of BB93). Our reports will typically look at the following: