Noise at schools and universities has attracted the attention of acoustic scientists and audiologists. Increasing evidence shows that excessive noise and poor acoustics are widespread in educational settings and can harm the teaching environment.
Poor acoustic conditions reduce speech intelligibility in classrooms and affect students’ attention and academic performance.
Some of our clients include the Department of Education and Science, the National University of Ireland, Gonzaga College (Sandford) and Atlantic Language School (Galway City).
The Irish Department of Education provides guidance on school acoustics and advice on acoustic conditions in schools. To assess an existing or proposed school, we lean on the Department of Education Technical Guidance Document, SDG 02-05-03, titled ‘Acoustic Performance in New Primary & Post Primary School Buildings’. To download a copy of SDG 02-05-03, please click here.
The Irish Department of Education specifications had many similarities to guidance provided in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), which was first issued by UK government departments in 2003. BB93 then went through an update in 2014. However, it did not contain design guidance. Design guidance has since been provided in a publication dated Nov 2015 titled ‘Acoustics of Schools: a design guide’, which can be downloaded here.
We understand that the purpose of SDG 02-05-03 is to set out acoustic requirements to assist in the construction of schools that will:
(a) facilitate clear communication of speech between teacher and student and between students,
and
(b) do not interfere with study activities.
We can assist you with achieving such standards.
To download a copy of SDG 02-05-03, please click here.