Soprema : Getting Acoustics Right in an Educational Setting
May 2025

Winning construction bids in the education sector is a tough business, and any marginal gains you can demonstrate during the process, count. One such area is in acoustics.

Let’s look at the issues surrounding noise in educational settings, what’s required from a regulatory perspective and how to navigate your way to the right sound insulation solutions.

As Professor John Erdreich, Scientific Counsel in Acoustics said:

“We would never teach reading in a classroom without lights. Why then would we teach in ‘acoustic darkness’? Speaking to a class, especially of younger children, in a room with poor acoustics, is akin to turning out the light.”

Effective acoustic insulation in schools improves clarity of speech, reduces background noise, and enhances overall acoustic comfort significantly, impacting student concentration, understanding, comprehension and communication, directly.
Impact of noise on student learning

Interestingly, there is a mounting body of evidence that shows the negative impact that noise pollution in schools can have on the development and academic performance of pupils. Highlighting the critical need for effective sound management solutions in schools.

Unwanted sound in an educational setting can come from several sources, including traffic from roads, rail and aircraft, sound from surrounding classrooms and nearby buildings, and impact noise from rain.

However, one of the most significant problems is uncontrolled reverberation, which is caused by sound waves reflecting off surfaces. The greater the number of hard surfaces in a space, the worse the reverberation can be.
Regulatory requirements for UK school acoustics

In the UK, the acoustic conditions for new and existing schools are controlled through Requirement E4 within Part E of the Building Regulations, the School Premises Regulations 2012 and Independent Schools Standards 2013.

These apply differently depending on the type of building. For example, Part E does not cover standalone nursery buildings (those that are not part of a primary school), whereas the School Premises Regulations and Independent School Standards do.

To comply with Part E, schools should achieve the acoustic performance standards outlined in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), the guide for acoustic design published by the Department for Education. For each type of teaching and activity space within a school, BB93 sets limits for measures such as the level of ambient noise and reverberation times.

While these are generally set at a relatively low level to ensure a comfortable environment, the permitted levels for more sensitive areas are lower. For example, teaching spaces designed for ‘students with special hearing and communication needs’ have a lower limit for both ambient noise and reverberation times.

It is also worth noting that while these pieces of legislation do not apply to colleges and universities, the guidance laid out in BB93 provides a useful reference for acoustic best practice and many higher education facilities use BB93 as a design standard.

Early engagement with acoustic design product experts ensures compliance with building regulations and acoustic standards, whilst balancing acoustic and aesthetic requirements all value engineered within budget, construction timeline and future maintenance constraints.
Achieving optimal acoustic standards in educational buildings

Creating the ideal acoustic environment in educational settings involves a considered combination of soundproofing (sound insulation) and reverberation control. Both elements are crucial for a conducive learning atmosphere. Here’s how you can achieve these acoustic standards:
Soundproofing solutions

Effective soundproofing, or sound insulation, is essential for reducing the transmission of noise through walls, ceilings and floors. A variety of SOPREMA products are available to create robust sound barriers using high-density materials that provide noise reduction solutions for classrooms, as well as thermic insulation.
Airborne noise

To protect against external noise and sound from neighbouring spaces, products like our TECSOUND acoustic membrane can be used. This membrane, combined with acoustic insulation provides a barrier against unwanted noise.
Floor impact noise

Installing specialised products like SOPREMA’s Velaphone or TECSOUND GEO ranges under the floor to reduce impact noise and airborne sound transmission between the floors of the building. Additionally, disconnection strips can be fitted beneath partition walls to break the acoustic bridge between the wall and floor, further improving soundproofing.
Reverberation control

Managing reverberation involves absorbing and diffusing the sound waves to prevent uncontrolled reflection within the space. Acoustic panels like our PUREKUSTIK and FIBROKUSTIK panels can be installed on the walls and/or ceiling. These panels come in various shapes and sizes, not only serving an acoustic function but also adding to the aesthetic appeal of the room. Generally, they can be integrated with other interior design elements.

To assist with acoustic calculations, our reverberation calculator is a simple and highly practical tool that will help you to meet the criteria set by BB93 in any educational facility.

It's clear, acoustics is a key component of the design and construction of educational facilities. Our strong reputation in both contact noise reduction and airborne noise reduction often delivers additional operational benefits. Moreover, the extensive network of SOPREMA installers supports education construction framework requirements by promoting local employment and business engagement on projects.

Partnering with us is a commitment to creating spaces where students and staff can thrive. Together, we can transform educational facilities into havens of learning, where every word is heard clearly, and every idea resonates.

Access more information on our acoustics via our website or contact us today.