Schools - ADE:2003 (E4) and DfES BB93
The Building Regulations 2000 Approved Document E "Resistance to the Passage of Sound” was substantially expanded in scope in July 2003 to include acoustics within schools.
According to Requirement E4 of the Approved Document, "Acoustic Conditions in Schools”, all new school buildings are controlled under the Building Regulations and this requirement covers the sound insulation, reverberation time and indoor ambient noise levels. The normal way of satisfying Requirement E4 will be to meet the appropriate criteria given in Section 1 of the DfES publication Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) "Acoustic Design of Schools".
Using the results of a detailed environmental noise survey, the sound insulation requirements of the various external building elements including; windows roof and ventilation openings will be assessed and outline specifications provided to ensure that suitable measures are introduced into the building design to ensure adequate resistance against noise ingress.
The latest versions of Insul and BASTIAN modelling software are used to assess the airborne and impact sound insulation performance of the separating structures. This will including direct and indirect (flanking) transmission paths and will take into consideration the general level of noise encountered within the source rooms and the tolerance of students within adjacent receiving rooms to the level of transmitted noise. Outline specifications are then provided for walls and floors and junctions to ensure that suitable measures are incorporated into the constructional design to ensure adequate acoustic separation between horizontally and vertically conjoin spaces.
Acoustically absorptive finishes usually need to be introduced to room surfaces in order to maintain reverberant conditions appropriate to differing requirements such as speech communication, music and performance. Detailed assessments are carried out using BRE software with the results being used to select appropriate proprietary treatments.
Paragon Acoustic Consultants is able to demonstrate compliance to the Building Control Body (BCB) that Requirement E4 would be satisfied at an early stage of the project prior to construction. This is achieved by following the guidance contained in Section 1 of BB93 by submittal of detailed reports that contain necessary material specifications and acoustical assessments.
In cases where the BCB or the client may require additional evidence of compliance, Paragon Acoustic Consultants can undertake a comprehensive range of representative tests and provide a detailed proof of results report.
According to Requirement E4 of the Approved Document, "Acoustic Conditions in Schools”, all new school buildings are controlled under the Building Regulations and this requirement covers the sound insulation, reverberation time and indoor ambient noise levels. The normal way of satisfying Requirement E4 will be to meet the appropriate criteria given in Section 1 of the DfES publication Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) "Acoustic Design of Schools".
Using the results of a detailed environmental noise survey, the sound insulation requirements of the various external building elements including; windows roof and ventilation openings will be assessed and outline specifications provided to ensure that suitable measures are introduced into the building design to ensure adequate resistance against noise ingress.
The latest versions of Insul and BASTIAN modelling software are used to assess the airborne and impact sound insulation performance of the separating structures. This will including direct and indirect (flanking) transmission paths and will take into consideration the general level of noise encountered within the source rooms and the tolerance of students within adjacent receiving rooms to the level of transmitted noise. Outline specifications are then provided for walls and floors and junctions to ensure that suitable measures are incorporated into the constructional design to ensure adequate acoustic separation between horizontally and vertically conjoin spaces.
Acoustically absorptive finishes usually need to be introduced to room surfaces in order to maintain reverberant conditions appropriate to differing requirements such as speech communication, music and performance. Detailed assessments are carried out using BRE software with the results being used to select appropriate proprietary treatments.
Paragon Acoustic Consultants is able to demonstrate compliance to the Building Control Body (BCB) that Requirement E4 would be satisfied at an early stage of the project prior to construction. This is achieved by following the guidance contained in Section 1 of BB93 by submittal of detailed reports that contain necessary material specifications and acoustical assessments.
In cases where the BCB or the client may require additional evidence of compliance, Paragon Acoustic Consultants can undertake a comprehensive range of representative tests and provide a detailed proof of results report.
Woodley House, 65-73 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley, Reading, RG5 3JP
Telephone 0118 9448 444 Email: enquiries@paragonacoustics.com
