NDCS gets it wrong on school acoustics

Martin Jones of Pace Consult says the National Deaf Children's Society has got it wrong with its call for government to enforce legislation and build new schools in line with BB93 regulations.

We shouldn't be lobbying the government to enforce its own standards.

What we need is simply a change to the guidance already available to better protect the acoustic designs that are BB93 compliant.

In contrast with the mandatory on-site sound testing for residential dwellings (Document E, 2003), BB93 only 'strongly recommends' that it is carried out.

The consequence?.

Potentially poor reverberation times and inadequate sound insulation, conditions which will only be revealed once the new school is occupied.

The problem doesn't lie in school design.

The design may well demonstrate compliance with BB93 standards but subsequently be compromised due to value engineering, specification substitution and our old foes product quality control and construction supervision.

While best practice is to retain an acoustic consultant to conduct site inspections, provide snagging reports during critical phases and commit to on-site testing pre-completion, it is not mandatory.

Although BREEAM points are available for a commitment to post construction testing, which is helping to encourage the delivery of a better standard of building than those projects left at design stage.

Revisions to BB93 are being discussed currently which in our opinion should see the removal of 'strongly recommended' from the completion test clause.

Only then will a safeguard be created which ensures that the billions of pounds being invested in education will not be wasted by the creation of poor learning conditions.

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