Acoustics for Education

There has been much research in recent years concerning acoustics within classrooms, and its effects on both teachers and students. Several studies have noted a link between noise and academic achievement, and in particular children's reading skills and their ability to process auditory information.

It is therefore in the best interests of the school to make classroom acoustics a high priority for the education of the children, as well as for the health and well being of their staff. A recent addition to Approved Document E has been the inclusion of a requirement stipulating that acoustics shall be incorporated into the design of schools.

Building Bulletin 93 Acoustic Design of Schools, A Design Guide (BB93) provides a regulatory framework for the acoustic design of schools in support of Approved Document E. Compliance with The Building Regulations is demonstrated by submitting specific details to the relevant Building Control Body, the majority of which are contained within a specialist BB93 report from an acoustics consultant. It is now common practice that BB93 compliance testing is also contained within a school’s building contract to confirm that the construction achieves its design intent.  HRS offer a complete design and testing provision in support of achieving compliance with BB93. Whatever the project, be it a school, college or university HRS can provide a sound solution.   

HRS has recently been involved in the provision of design advice for the new post-16 vocational skills centre at Lees Brook Community Sports College in Derby. Work included an assessment of the required sound insulation of the external building façade and of internal partitions, the control of reverberation within teaching spaces and common areas, and assessment of the potential impacts associated with plant noise and rain noise.

Other recent work has included sound insulation testing at Lincoln College’s new Performing Arts Centre (top right). Logos for various bodies

Acoustics - Flagship Projects

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Acoustic solutions for office buildings

Sound insulation testing of the newly built offices at St. Omar barracks, Aldershot

Acoustics for Healthcare Premises

Pre-completion testing at new oncology & haemotology unit, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull