The Irish Department of education provide guidance on school acoustics which sets out guidance on acoustic conditions in schools. To assess either and existing or proposed school, we lean on guidance provided in the Department of Educations Technical Guidance Document TGD-021-5, Acoustic Performance in Schools.
While the Irish Department of Educations specifications had many similarities to guidance provided in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), which was first issued by UK government departments in 2003. BB93 then went through an update in 2014, however it did not contain design guidance. Design guidance has since been provided in a publication dated Nov 2015 titled ‘Acoustics of Schools: a design guide’, which can be downloaded here.
The Irish Department of education provide guidance on school acoustics which sets out guidance on acoustic conditions in schools. To assess either and existing or proposed school, we lean on guidance provided in the Department of Educations Technical Guidance Document TGD-021-5, Acoustic Performance in Schools.
While the Irish Department of Educations specifications had many similarities to guidance provided in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93), which was first issued by UK government departments in 2003. BB93 then went through an update in 2014, however it did not contain design guidance. Design guidance has since been provided in a publication dated Nov 2015 titled ‘Acoustics of Schools: a design guide’, which can be downloaded here.
Poor sound insulation between adjoining properties is a cause of many complaints throughout the country. It may make everyday sounds of ordinary living for example; children playing intolerable. It is a particular problem in premises originally constructed as single household dwellings, which have been converted into self, contained flats. Unfortunately following the common law cases of Southwark v Mills, Baxter v Camden LBC and Vella vs LB Lambeth it was found that a lack of sound insulation between premises leading to noise nuisance cannot be remedied under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These cases found that it is not reasonable to expect neighbours to behave especially quietly because sound insulation between their properties is poor. Subsequently normal, everyday noise will not constitute a statutory nuisance. As a result of these cases statutory action cannot be taken by the Environmental Protection and Monitoring Team of Plymouth City Council to require the provision of sound insulation in such cases. If however, normal everyday noise is undertaken in an unreasonable way for example musical instruments loudly playing for long periods of time the Environmental Protection and Monitoring Team may be able to help.
If you need assistance with sound insulation testing in accordance with the 2014 Technical Guidance Document E issued by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government we would be delighted to help.
Using calibrated Bruel & Kjaer Building Acoustics equipment for airborne and impact noise, we can accurately measure sound insulation on your behalf.
To download a current copy of the TGD-E 2014, please click here.
