A noisier urban environment is increasing the importance of good acoustics in schools. In addition, pressure on space in our towns and cities is leading to more buildings being developed as multi-use, combining residential, educational and commercial environments in one unit.
“Excessive and unwanted noise is known to have a detrimental effect on academic performance in the learning environment”, comments Paul Barrett, Product Manager at ROCKWOOL Ltd. “ROCKWOOL has created this new CPD, focusing on the increasing issues surrounding acoustics in school buildings, to help make sure architects are aware of the issues and understand how stone wool insulation can provide a range of solutions that will last the lifetime of the building.”
Over the last 40 years, research has proved that poor acoustics can lower pupils’ academic performance, compromise classroom control, affect the health of teachers and classroom assistants and disadvantage children with special needs, especially those with hearing difficulties. In 2003, the Department of Education and Skills, introduced acoustic performance standards for new schools under the Building Regulations, Building Bulletin 93 (BB93).
In meeting the acoustic requirements of BB93, the choice of insulation material has a major impact. ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation is renowned for its excellent acoustic properties. Fully tested to meet the rigorous demands of today’s legislation, stone wool insulation solutions are proven to reduce ambient, impact and reverberation noise in educational buildings.
ROCKWOOL can provide a number of different bespoke acoustic solutions, including flat roof insulation with HARDROCK® Multi-Fix, external wall insulation, using the REDArt® system, internal partitions with ROCKWOOL FLEXI®, and internal floor solutions with ROCKWOOL FLEXI® and ROCKFLOOR® to combat impact noise. ROCKWOOL fire protection products also reduce flanking transmission, one of the most prevalent noise concerns in schools. Flanking transfer comprises of sound that is transmitted indirectly via paths such as external wall cavities, voids above partitions, ceilings and internal corridors, or where there are problems of excessive reverberation within the rooms themselves.
The launch of ROCKWOOL’s new CPD on acoustics in schools coincides with the recent launch of ROCKWOOL’s acoustic calculator. This free online tool has been designed to provide a simple, reliable and effective way of working out the acoustic performance of insulation installed in walls, floors and roofs.
