Sound in the learningenvironmentNumerous studies have proven thatnoise in schools has a major effect onteaching and learning. Speechintelligibility research in the USindicates that pupils fail to hear everyfourth word because of noise andreverberation in the classroom, whilstanother study discovered that teachersform a disproportionate percentage ofvoice clinic patients due to the constantneed to raise their voices.

Nuisance noise in educationalenvironments can arise from bothinternal and external sources. This caninclude the proximity of the building to aroad or railway, impact sound generatedfrom footfall and low frequency noisefrom ventilation systems.

Consideration is also required for areaswhich have low noise tolerance levels,for example libraries and study rooms.To avoid disruption once the rooms arein use, the acoustic performance ofthese noise sensitive spaces shouldbe preserved.

BB93To help improve the acoustic conditionswithin schools, a set of designstandards, Building Bulletin 93 (BB93),came into force in 2003. To meet theregulations and recommendations, thethree basic acoustic criteria that shouldbe addressed are: reverberation times,sound absorption and sound insulation,whether between or within spaces.

BB93 is a mandatory requirement for allnew school developments and a designtarget for higher education andrefurbishments. Governed by theBuilding Regulations, BB93 provides aguide for architects, building controlbodies, building services, engineers,clients and others involved in thedesign of school buildings.

Type of room Activitynoise

(Sourceroom)

Noisetolerance

(Receivingroom)

Upper limit forindoor ambient

noise level,dB LAeq,30min

MinimumDnT(Tmf,max),w

betweensimilar

rooms (dB)

Maximum impactsound pressure

levelL’nT(Tmf,max),w

(dB)

Tmf

(seconds)

Nursery school playrooms High Low 35 55 65 < 0.6

Nursery school quiet rooms Low Low 35 40 60 < 0.6Primary school: classrooms, class bases, general teaching areas,small group rooms Average Low 35 45 60 < 0.6

Secondary school: classrooms, general teaching areas, seminarrooms, tutorial rooms, language laboratories Average Low 35 45 60 < 0.8

Open-plan

Teaching areas Average Medium 40 40 60 < 0.8

Resource areas Average Medium 40 40 60 < 1.0

Music

Music classroom Very high Low 35 55 55 < 1.0

Small practice/group room Very high Very low 30 60 55 0.6 – 1.2

Performance/recital room Very high Very low 30 60 55 1.0 – 1.5

Recording studio Very high Very low 30 60 55 0.6 – 1.2

Control room for recording High Low 35 55 55 < 0.5

Lecture rooms

Small (fewer than 50 people) Average Low 35 45 60 < 0.8

Large (more than 50 people) Average Very low 30 50 55 < 1.0Classrooms designed specifically for use by hearing impairedpupils (including speech therapy rooms) Average Very low 30 50 55 < 0.4

Study room (individual study, withdrawal, remedial work, teacherpreparation) Low Low 35 40 60 < 0.8

Libraries

Quiet study areas Low Low 35 40 60 < 1.0

Resource areas Average Medium 40 40 60 < 1.0

Science laboratories Average Medium 40 40 65 < 0.8

Drama studios High Very low 30 55 55 < 1.0

Design and Technology

Resistant materials, CADCAM areas High Very low 30 55 55 < 1.0

Electronics/control, textiles, food, graphics, design/resource areas Average Medium 40 40 60 < 0.8

Art rooms Average Medium 40 40 60 < 0.8Assembly halls, multi-purpose halls (drama, PE, audio-visualpresentations, assembly, occasional music) High Low 35 55 60 0.8 – 1.2

Audio-visual, video conference rooms Average Low 35 45 60 < 0.8

Atria, circulation spaces used by pupils Average Medium 45 40 65 < 1.5

Indoor sports hall High Medium 45 40 65 < 1.5

Dance studio High Medium 40 50 60 < 1.2

Gymnasium High Medium 40 50 65 < 1.5

Swimming pool High High 50 45 65 < 2.0

Interviewing/counselling/medical rooms Low Low 35 40 60 < 0.8

Dining rooms High High 45 45 65 < 1.0

Ancillary spaces (advisory levels)

Kitchens High High 50 45 65 < 1.5

Offices, staff rooms Average Medium 40 40 65 < 1.0

Corridors, stairwells Average– High High 45 35 – 45 65 See

separate tableCoats and changing areas High High 45 45 65 < 1.5

Toilets Average High 50 35 65 < 1.5

Summary of BB93 room-specific criteriaThe table below summarises the requirements for maximum indoor ambient levels, LAeq, 30min (from building services and theenvironment outside the school premises), average reverberation time between 500Hz and 2kHz, Tmf, and the maximum impactsound pressure level transmitted into a room, L’nT(Tmf,max),w.

For sound insulation between rooms, the activity level and tolerance are given. If sound insulation between rooms of the sametype is being considered, use the column headed “minimum DnT(Tmf,max),w between similar rooms” in the table below.

Corridors Stairwells

Method A Class C absorber to area of floor or greaterClass D absorber to area equal to stair treads, upper

surface of intermediate and top landings, or a Class Cabsorber to 50% of this area or greater

Method B(applies to all frequencies between 250Hz and 4Hz)

Sum of surface area x absorption coefficient> 0.2m2 for entrance halls and > 0.25m2 for corridors,

per cubic metre of volumeNot appropriate

Criteria for corridors, foyers & stairwells

Controlling impact sound

Classrooms in a two-storey block at the new Priory Community Schoolwere situated directly above music rooms and an assembly hall.

As such, the high noise levels generated from the music rooms andassembly hall needed to be attenuated.

CMS Acoustics recommended and supplied Regupol 7210C, a highdensity rubber-bound underscreed isolation solution. Regupol 7210Cminimised sound transfer between rooms at Priory Community School,ensuring that lessons remained undisturbed.

Regupol 4515 range

Comprising of Regupol 4515 Multi and Regupol 4515Eco, the Regupol 4515 range of acoustic underlays offersa high performance solution of up to 23dB ΔLw toattenuate impact sound on all subfloors. Quick and easyto install, the Regupol 4515 range is suitable for use innew builds and refurbishments.

Regupol 4515 Multi, a market leading system, is the onlyacoustic underlay to deliver acoustic performance withany floor finish. Manufactured from a polyurethanefoam/cork compound, it offers long term and high qualityperformance without ageing or collapsing.

Made from a rubber/cork compound, Regupol 4515 Ecooffers a lower cost alternative to Regupol 4515 Multi,meeting BB93 requirements where hardwood andlaminate floor finishes are being used.

Benefits• Quick and easy to install• Offers long term performance without collapse

or ‘bottoming out’ under high point loads• Resistant to ageing and deformation• Reduces construction heights• Suitable for use with any floor finish including

ceramic/stone tiles

Regupol 7210C

Regupol 7210C is a cost effective rubber-boundunderscreed product which is compatible with all types offloor screed. Quick and easy to install, it is simply fitted byturning up the material at the edges, with no need forseparate perimeter strips.

The material undergoes minimal creep and will not‘bottom out’ or collapse, even under high loadingconditions. Resistant to ageing and deformation, Regupol7210C is ideal for the educational environment as itprovides impact sound insulation of up to 46dB LnTw.

CMS Acoustics also offers Regupol E48, a recycledrubber crumb underscreed material, with a dimpledsurface on one side for enhanced performance.

Benefits• Excellent impact and airborne acoustic performance• Offers long term performance without collapse

or ‘bottoming out’ under high point loads• Minimal creep, even under high loads• Quick and easy to install. No need for separate

perimeter strips• Resistant to ageing and deformation

Impact sound can become an issue in schools incorporating more than one storey as it can penetrate the areas below.As such, attention must be given to the effects of footfall on areas such as stairs and those above corridors andclassrooms. Acoustic underlays and underscreed isolation systems can be used to effectively control impact sound inthese areas.

Priory Community School

Absorbing sound

Vertiface Composition

Adhering directly onto interior walls, VertifaceComposition is an attractive, high density polyestermaterial that helps improve listening conditions byabsorbing sound produced within a room and reducingthe transmission of noise from outside.

The level of reverberation reduction is dependent on thematerial thickness and the extent of coverage. Availablein 12mm, 16mm or 22mm thicknesses, VertifaceComposition delivers a maximum noise reductioncoefficient of 0.4 for 12mm material, assisting withcompliance of BB93 guidelines. Class A soundabsorption is achieved when 16mm or 22mm thicknessesare used in conjunction with battens.

Benefits• Non-toxic, non-irritant, recyclable and environmentally

friendly material• Offers a cushioned surface for impact protection• Can be used as a pinboard• Resistant to fading or staining• Available in rolls or panels• High flammability classification

- BS476 parts 6 & 7 Class 1/Class 0

SuperPhon Acoustic Wall Panels

CMS SuperPhon interior panels are acousticallyabsorbent fabric covered panels of a compositeconstruction.

The panels reduce noise by impeding the transmission ofsound through an element of the structure and byabsorption of sound at the surface to achieve a noiseabsorption coefficient of up to 1.07. When mounted onbattens, CMS SuperPhon provides Class A soundabsorption.

The standard covering is an acoustically transparentwoven textile fabric, however, bespoke panels of aspecific size, thickness, shape or facing fabric can bemanufactured upon request. This effective reverberationcontrol can be achieved without changing the existinginterior environment.

Benefits• High quality decorative finish• Excellent acoustic and thermal insulation• Flexible design characteristics• Easy to handle, install, and clean• Cost effective sound control• High flammability classification

- BS476 parts 6 & 7 Class 1/Class 0

CMS Acoustics offers a range of solutions, including acoustic wall coverings and bespoke panels, to directly absorbsound and reduce reverberation levels. The selection of the most appropriate system will depend on the application andenvironmental demands.

Ryton ComprehensiveTo prevent the potential for damage from the impact of balls used in sports activity, a renderingsystem was installed on top of a sound absorbing layer in the new sports hall at RytonComprehensive, Tyne & Wear. As this inadvertently compromised acoustic performance,Gateshead Council had to source another treatment to minimise reverberation levels whilstprotecting the wall surfaces within the sports hall.

CMS Acoustics recommended Vertiface Composition to resolve these acoustic issues. As aresult, 350m2 of the chosen ‘butter’ colour material was installed onto the upper half of the sportshall walls.

Since installing Vertiface Composition, teachers and pupils at the school have been able tocontinue sports activity without suffering intolerable levels of reverberation.

call 01925 577 711 www.cmsacoustics.co.uk

Reducing reverberation

QuietStone

As a rigid, hardwearing cladding material, QuietStoneprovides an ideal reverberation solution for educationalenvironments. Easily installed as both a wall and ceilingtreatment, QuietStone controls noise levels by directlyabsorbing sound.

With the appearance and texture of pumice stone,QuietStone offers an absorption coefficient of up to 1.08when measured to BS3638 (Random Incidence SoundAbsorption Coefficient), which is better than many softmaterials. When installed correctly, QuietStone deliverssound insulation equivalent to a solid wall.

Benefits• Can be vacuumed, scrubbed and washed with

detergents or even bacterio-cides without damage• When used as a wall it will take fixings for shelves,

speakers and lights etc• As an acoustic ceiling solution it will fit into a standard

suspended ceiling• Excellent acoustic properties• Class 0 fire rating

Melamine Foam

CMS Melamine is a highly adaptable, fire resistantacoustic foam. Providing effective sound absorption,the acoustic performance can be enhanced further bymaximising the surface area.

Supplied as either panels or alternative designs, thelightweight foam is quick and easy to install, eliminatingthe need for highly engineered support mechanisms.

CMS Melamine can be suspended from ceilings, applieddirectly to walls and shaped to individual requirements.A range of painted surfaces or fabric finishes are availableto provide an aesthetically pleasing and improvedlistening environment.

Benefits• Available in panels, cubes or custom shapes• Wide variety of colours and choice of finishes• Lightweight, easy to handle and install• Suitable for high temperature applications• Fibre and dust free• Available with self adhesive backing and

Class O foil facing

Treating ceilings is a common method of sound control in school environments as the products are placed out of thereach of pupils. This can be achieved using acoustic cladding or foam. Such products are intended for use in locationsrequiring extremely high levels of acoustic absorption, and can also make a significant contribution to the thermalresistance of buildings when incorporated into the roof construction.

Autism.westmidlandsThe specialist environment of Autism.westmidlands school required backgroundnoise levels to be addressed, to avoid causing stress and anxiety for the autisticpupils. The dining hall was identified as a problem area as its concrete designintensified reverberation noise caused by metal knives and forks.

To reduce reverberated noise in this area of the school, CMS Acoustics providedits Melamine foam with self adhesive backing. The 2.5m x 1.25m x 30mm thicksheets were easily installed on the entire 44m2 of the dining hall ceiling.

Since the installation of the acoustic foam, background and vocal noise has beenreduced in the dining hall by up to 40 per cent and has ultimately helped to createa better environment for the pupils.

John Madejski AcademySpecialising in PE and sport, the John Madejski Academy requiredreverberation times to be reduced in the sports hall to improve thesound quality. However, high usage of the hall meant an acousticsolution had to be identified that would not be damaged by sportsactivities.

As a result, CMS Acoustics recommended and supplied Kinetics WaveBaffles to absorb airborne sound.

The high performance, curved acoustic panels were suspended fromthe ceiling in the sports hall and have effectively reduced reverberationtimes without compromising the space available for lessons.

Controlling airborne sound

Kinetics Wave Baffles

Kinetics Wave Baffles are a cost effective method forreducing reverberation times in large open spaces.Designed for horizontal suspension in a wave-like form atceiling level, the baffles consist of a fibreglass blanketencapsulated in a sewn cloth fabric.

Two types of wave baffle are available to improveacoustics and reduce noise in high cubic volume areas.The baffles have either a woven scrim backer (Type SE)or a heat sealed vinyl covering on both sides (Type HB).When face finished on each side, both types of wavebaffles can be hung vertically as an acoustic banner.

Benefits• Produced in custom sizes• Available in a variety of finishes• Can be suspended as horizontal ‘clouds’ or vertical

baffles• Grommet or suspension hardware is located at the

perimeter as required• Can be engineered to create the desired amount of

vertical drop between suspension points

Kinetics Ovation Reflection Panels

Designed for use in large spaces requiring superioracoustics, Kinetics Ovation Reflector Panels have abowed surface comprising a plywood core with a fibrereinforced gel coat. The panels can be positioned todirect sound to an audience in lecture halls, performingarts areas and music rehearsal rooms.

Available in a range of colours and finishes to match theinterior design, the curved panels can be ceilingsuspended, wall mounted or built on a retractable frame,allowing horizontal to vertical orientation of the reflector.

Benefits• Position can be adjusted for optimal acoustic

performance• Choose from a range of finishes and colours• Also available in laminate or hardwood veneer finishes

on a plywood core board• Custom sized to fit the space• Can be mounted onto ceilings or walls

High performance treatments for interior walls and ceilings can be used to control airborne sound in large spaces withhigh ceilings, such as music rehearsal rooms, assembly halls, gymnasiums and swimming pools. CMS Acousticsoffers a broad selection of solutions to improve the acoustic quality of these spaces whilst providing an aestheticallypleasing finish.

call 01925 577 711 www.cmsacoustics.co.uk