Tip 4
AIDING CONCENTRATION In educational sites, good acoustic performance is about more than just a quiet life. The Department
of Education ‘Acoustic design of schools: performance standards - Building Bulletin 93’, published in February 2015 in conjunction with the Institute of Acoustics, explains that effective control of noise in the classroom is an essential requirement. The guidelines to be met in school buildings are outlined in Requirement E4 of the Building Regulations, the School Premises Regulations, and the Independent School Standards.
About 85% of pupils with a permanent hearing impairment are now educated in mainstream schools, in response to the move towards inclusive schooling. Effective acoustic conditions are essential for these children. The guidelines point out, however, that good acoustic levels are also necessary for the wider school population. Pupils who will benefit from good acoustic design include those with speech, language and communication difficulties, children for whom English is not the first language, those with visual impairments, pupils with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) or those with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as those with auditory processing disorders or difficulties.
Effective choice of flooring provides valuable opportunities to improve the acoustic performance of different zones throughout the school. Altro Wood Safety Comfort flooring options have the added benefit of slip resistance, making them particularly suitable for classrooms and school corridors.
Tip 5
ACTION FOR HEARING IMPAIRMENT
Action On Hearing Loss estimates that more than 11 million people in the UK have some form of hearing loss (one in six of the population). The levels of hearing loss are particularly high among residents of care homes, with more than 70% of those over 70 years of age having a degree of hearing impairment. For those experiencing problems with hearing, levels of noise in the immediate surroundings have a major impact. Hard surfaces, and floor materials such as lino and tiles, provide poor acoustics, making hearing more difficult for those with impairment, and causing problems for those with hearing aids. Background noise, from speech and the movement of equipment, also create challenges.
Acoustic flooring ranges provide an ideal option, creating welcoming spaces that enhance the experiences of people with hearing impairment. In addition to suppressing noise, these flooring finishes have important hygiene advantages over carpet, and are available with slip resistance properties to enhance safety for those with limited mobility.
In conclusion, today’s buildings need to work harder than ever, and decisions around interior design need to satisfy the dual imperatives of comfort and practicality. When it comes to specifying flooring, it pays to think more inventively, to enhance the experience of those using the space.
www.altro.co.uk twitter.com/TContractFloors REFURBISHMENT | 33
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52