Letters:Layout 1 01/07/2009 16:35 Page 12
letters
W
hile there may be initial concern such a substantial commitment alone
that PfS is being given so much could just be too much. We'll have to
to take on, with already wait and see with a touch of optimism.
overstretched budgets, that they may
face difficulties managing yet another
capital programme, they have shown
with already
overstretched
budgets they may
face difficulties
strong performance on the BSF
secondary schools programme so that is
a promising sign that it could work quite
well. Let's not forget, though, that little
progress has been demonstrated on the
lopment,
Richard Nelson,
director Busines
s Deve
Primary Capital Programme yet, so adding Watkins Gray International.
There have been calls for the introduction of mandatory site testing to identify those
schools which fail to perform acoustically.
W
HILE IT IS excellent that Kevin points out, “Organising the acoustics of from design stage will help ensure that
McCloud is backing the National teaching spaces to help the hard of the right solutions, and in particular the
Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) hearing is a precise science and more can critical acoustic products in the overall
‘Sounds Good’ campaign, the irony is that be done to make the learning life easier Grand Design, actually make it into the
it’s often the grand designs that cause for those affected. The technologies final build.
school acoustics to fail, argues DAVID exist: hearing loops can be put in;
HOLDER, CMS Acoustic Solutions. materials science for ceiling boards,
When bidding for Building Schools for insulation and cladding is advanced; a lot
At St Nicholas Priory Junior School in Norfolk,
the Future (BSF) or Academy projects, of solutions can be retrofitted even.”
acoustic wall panels improved the acoustics in the
dining room, eliminating the cacophony of sound
design teams will pull out all the stops Ultimately, working with acoustic
associated with such spaces
to win with inspiring and innovative consultants and product manufacturers
(Photo: CMS Acoustics).
learning environments. However, when it
comes to start on-site, these visions are
frequently scaled down to deliver the
project within budget – often at the
expense of acoustics.
In the very least acoustic
specifications are value engineered at the
last minute, or worst case, removed
completely. The outcome being what the
NDCS has uncovered – only 21% of local
authorities surveyed in England could
confirm they have new schools that are
BB93 compliant.
That’s why I agree with the NDCS;
mandatory site testing should be
introduced to identify those schools
which fail to perform acoustically before
it is too late. However, design teams and
contractors should be encouraged to
think about acoustics much earlier, by
properly costing out the materials at
design stage. As well as making bids more
accurate, it will also facilitate value
engineering at a much earlier point and
help to better protect the integrity of
the acoustic design.
Moreover, as Kevin McCloud rightly
12 edbmagazine.co.uk
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