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Adequate soundproofing of learning environments is a critical step towards creating a safe and calm atmosphere for students. Extensive research has pointed out the significant gains in Teaching and Learning to be found in isolating the classroom from other environments, such as corridors and playgrounds. Studies suggest that children base their behaviour strongly on environmental factors – poorly-insulated classrooms can lead to increased off-task and disruptive behaviour. Anyone who's stood in a classroom will appreciate the sheer volume of noise generated by thirty children in a confined space. School soundproofing standards revolve around Building Bulletin 93 (typically abbreviated to BB93). The Bulletin focuses on three main areas: 1. Sufficient sonic isolation of classroom environments. 2. Separation of areas by isolating sound within areas. 3. Lowering of echoes ('reverberation'), which can impede speech intelligibility. This last aim is of paramount importance for all students, including those with hearing and speech difficulties, as well as those who may feel intimidated by a large, echoing space. BB93 details extremely precise specifications for maximum and minimum noise environments in various different learning environments – including outdoor spaces – as well as measurements of reverberation periods (the length of echoes) and suggestions for the maximum tolerated noise in each. A school recording studio, for example, cannot tolerate as much ambient noise as can a nursery school playroom. Achieving the stipulations of BB93 is no small task, and requires specialist acoustic expertise to plan and fit. Various products – from sprung flooring to specific ceiling and wall panelling – work in conjunction with one another to meet the three primary aims. As well as generic soundproofing materials, most soundproofing specialists will also be able to suggest individually-selected products to meet specific requirements. For example, a music room may require extraordinarily heavy-duty wall panelling. Some of the more recently popular soundproofing products include ambient noise reduction panels. Fitted discreetly, so as not to interfere with a building's visual aesthetic, these panels help to decrease the undercurrent of ambient noise generated by large numbers of people. In schools, these tend to be fitted in corridors and other inter-classroom passages. Students who experience a calm, quiet and safe environment in between lessons arrive more appropriately tuned to learn. Those who experience hectic, noisy or unsafe environments between lessons quite appreciably continue with similar behaviours once in the classroom. Teachers are forever concerned that their next class may arrive from a poorly-taught lesson, a fight in the corridor, or drama in the playground. Effective soundproofing is one essential way to reduce the negative impact these sorts of environments can have on Teaching and Learning.
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