Building Regulations And Building Bulletin 93 Acoustic Design Of Schools

Good acoustics within learning environments are very important as they can prevent avoidable distractions from occurring and will positively impact the pupils learning potential. Low ambient noise levels are even more essential with the requirements of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001. Acoustic standards of the new schools are to be achieved under the Building Regulations and Building Bulletin 93- Acoustic Design of Schools.

The acoustics of schools is traditionally very poor, as most were constructed prior to any regulations controlling passage of sound. School buildings were not included within the scope of Part E of the Building Regulations until 2003. Even though acoustics were recognised as an issue before 2003, it

The appropriate noise levels and reverberation times will be identified for the various room types in the schools, taking into account the activities undertaken and the end users, including users with special educational needs, for each room type. Special consideration will also be given to areas such as music and sports facilities as the design criteria will be much more advanced for these areas. One of the key principles of acoustic design is to separate the quiet and noisy spaces by distance wherever possible, known as acoustic zoning. The form and shape of rooms, including the acoustic properties of their surfaces will also be designed. The design of acoustic structure will also be carried out, this includes the design of acoustic walls, floors and partitions to provide adequate acoustic separation between different spaces. Adequate façade sound insulation should also be provided whilst maintaining the required ventilation provision, which is particularly important in classrooms and science laboratories as identified in Building Bulletin 101, this means that the acoustic performance of doors, windows and ventilation openings will also be