The end of 2014 heralded some important changes for all those involved in the design and construction of schools. The recently revised BB93 now has performance standards for both new and existing school buildings.
Acoustic design of schools: performance standards, Building Bulletin 93, December 2014 has been published by The Department for Education and supersedes Section 1 of ‘Building Bulletin 93’ (BB93) “The Acoustic Design of Schools”, published in 2003.
The 2003 version set out the acoustic performance standards to be applied to new schools for compliance with Part E4 of the Building Regulations which states:-
“Each room or other space in a school building shall be designed and constructed in such a way that it has the acoustic conditions and insulation against disturbance by noise appropriate to its intended use.”
The 2014 version has been revised to include minimum performance standards for alterations to teaching areas in existing schools or refurbishments, in addition to standards for new schools.
Compliance with the appropriate performance standards in Section 1 of BB93:2014 is the normal way of satisfying Requirement E4 of the Building Regulations, the School Premises Regulations and the Independent School Standards.