BB93 (Building Bulletin '93) has had a significant impact on the design of new education buildings, and refurbishment work to existing schools and classrooms.

BB93 Guidelines - building regulations for schools
The importance of good acoustics in schools was recognised as early as 1975 with BB51 'Acoustics in Education Buildings'; and with constructional standards within BB87 taken as the mode for acoustics in Schools requirements were rarely enforced, remaining simply as recommendations.

BB93, in unison with current Building Regulations, was brought into force to recognise supported research that teaching and learning are acoustically demanding activities, particularly for those with Special Educational Needs. (Relevant requirements of the 'Disability Discrimination Act' are included in Section 1 of BB93.)

The overall aim of BB93 is to:

• provide a regulatory framework for the acoustic design of schools in support of the Building Regulations

To achieve good acoustics in the classroom which is also industry compliant is a complex and boundless task …
There are many problems and factors to take into consideration:

• noise transfer between rooms
• reverberant classrooms
• internal ambient noise levels

Each of these can be affected by external noise sources, such as road, air and train traffic, and impact sound from footfall above.

Amadeus Acoustic Solutions have created tailored solutions for both new and existing schools, providing project assistance to ensure compliance and meaningful acoustic design.

Following this last point, co-authors and independent acoustic consultants, Adrian James BSc ARCS Sphys MIOA, Andy Thompson Bmus (Hons) (Tonmeister) MIOA and Ian Rees BSc (Hons) AMIOA, have written 'School Music Rooms - Designing Beyond BB93'. This concise, easy-to-read and thought-provoking document highlights the main point of discussion about providing acoustic design that is not only BB93 compliant but also suitable for the individual needs of the musician or performer, which vary according to their individual discipline.

To find out how Amadeus can be of help to you for BB93 compliance or to read School Music Rooms – Designing Beyond BB93 please click on the relevant PDF.

To download Building Bulletin 93 'Acoustic Design of Schools' please follow on screen instruction from the following link: www.teachernet.gov.uk/acoustics