As students return to school, classrooms once again become active spaces for instruction, discussion, and collaboration. While back-to-school preparations often focus on students gathering supplies, organizing backpacks, and packing lunches, the acoustic environment of the classroom comes back into focus. The acoustics of classrooms can have a major impact on learning and are influenced by several elements such as reverberation time, noise from mechanical equipment, and isolation from adjacent spaces. Don’t let poor classroom acoustics ruin the new school year; read on to learn how to optimize the learning environment.
One of the primary standards used when evaluating classroom acoustics is ANSI/ASA S12.60, Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools. This standard provides guidelines for core learning spaces with regard to background sound levels from HVAC equipment and exterior sources, reverberation times, and sound isolation. Locally, the School District of Philadelphia has incorporated the guidelines from this document in their school design requirements. Other national organizations, including the US Green Building Council, have also adopted some or all of these guidelines to inform acoustical design for initiatives like LEED for Schools.
The finishes in a classroom can make or break the learning environment. Controlling a classroom’s reverberation time is important as excessive reverberation causes sound to persist after a teacher or student speaks. This reflected sound overlaps with subsequent words reducing speech intelligibility and making communication more challenging. So how do you combat this? Acoustically absorptive ceilings and wall treatments typically allow the design to meet the requirements. Selecting the correct ceiling finishes with an appropriate noise reduction coefficient (NRC) can drastically shape a classroom’s environment for the better.
Not only are the finishes in the classroom important, but the walls and floor/ceilings separating them can’t be overlooked. Poor performing partitions can allow conversations and activities from neighboring rooms to interfere with instruction and distract students. Partitions designed to achieve high sound transmission class (STC) ratings should be incorporated to reduce sound intrusion into classrooms. This is not only needed between adjacent classrooms, but also at other high sound adjacencies such as music rooms, cafeterias, gymnasia, and mechanical rooms.
Lastly, don’t forget about the mechanical systems! Acoustic problems are not limited to just the architectural elements. Mechanical noise from fan coil units, heat pumps, and other building equipment can negatively affect the learning environment. When mechanical systems generate excessive sound, they can mask speech and make it more difficult for students to hear and understand instruction. Higher background sound levels can also contribute to distractions and increased vocal effort for teachers. To achieve appropriate noise criteria (NC) ratings, proper design, equipment selection, and incorporation of acoustic elements in mechanical systems are needed to help control sound, creating a quieter environment that supports clear communication and more effective learning.
A well-designed classroom should consider each of the aspects above to create an environment that promotes healthy and productive learning. Not only can you thank a teacher for your success, but you can also thank your local acoustician for making the classroom sound great!