ACOUSTICS
A Princess Royal Hospital operating theatre, zoned away from quieter, more sensitive spaces.
CPW and James Large
CPW is an international M&E consultancy with over 300 staff based across 13 offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Derby, Huntingdon, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, and Solihull, as well as Poland and India. The acoustics team, headed by Jon Willmott MIOA CEng, works on a wide range of projects. Its extensive experience in acoustics, noise, and vibration, includes the delivery of acoustic design for projects ranging from masterplans and new-builds to individual studios and concert halls. James Large is a senior acoustic consultant at CPW. As part of his role, he works closely with clients in a broad range of sectors to provide expertise in environmental acoustics, internal and external 3D modelling, architectural acoustics, electro-acoustics, building services, and vibration. James has led the acoustic design on a range of major projects, including the Theatre and Day Case Conversion – Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, Headington Hill Buildings – Oxford Brookes University, Heartlands Hospital – Haematology & Oncology Decarbonisation, and Highcroft Adult Inpatient Unit, for Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust.
working patterns post-COVID have resulted in a reduced need for administrative workspaces. As a result, change of use is becoming more and more common. However, the acoustic requirements may be vastly different, so we must ensure that these considerations are addressed at an early stage of the project to ensure the best outcomes for patients and staff. Modern Methods of Construction may not be viable due to the inherited limitations of the existing building. Listed building status may result in the retention of single glazing, or old treatment rooms may be repurposed for videoconferencing and remote consultation. At CPW we appraise existing spaces to develop practical solutions that allow staff to carry out their important work. Early engagement of acoustic consultants in both new- build and refurbishments ensures that both sustainability standards and local authority requirements are met, while creating a calm and privacy-conscious acoustic environment, avoiding the need to re-design for acoustics at a later stage, which can be both costly and time- consuming.
Acoustics under the microscope CPW was involved in one such project at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, part of the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust. The theatre and day case conversion works involved the refurbishment and extension of the existing building to provide new operating theatres and recovery wards. The area of the building being refurbished was not originally intended for such use, and rooms were located directly below the roof void without a structural floor for partitions to be constructed up to. This raised significant challenges around noise transfer between rooms via ceilings and the ventilation systems within the roof void, bypassing separating walls. A combination of enhanced ceilings, void barriers, duct lagging, and cross-talk attenuation, were used to mitigate noise transfer that would not typically be present within a new hospital, where full-height partitions and solid concrete floor slabs provide robust forms of noise control. Existing hospitals commonly have significant limitations upon space, and on this project it was necessary to construct a new extension using minimal structural mass, to include new recovery rooms and a building services plant room located directly above the recovery rooms. Good departmental zoning in new-builds would normally avoid this kind of adjacency – to reduce the risk of elevated noise within the patient rooms, as well
58 Health Estate Journal February 2025
as minimise design complexity. However, for the theatre and day case conversion works this was not an option. A mass barrier plasterboard ceiling was introduced below the lightweight structural floor, and above the room-facing modular ceiling and services zone. A plasterboard mass barrier ceiling is an effective way to improve the acoustic performance of a floor without introducing significant mass to the structure, but leads to complications with services zones and the construction of partitions, particularly any supports for moveable walls.
By employing good acoustic design, CPW developed solutions within the constraints and limitations of the existing building. Through this design, noise levels were controlled within recovery rooms and wards, with the aim of reducing disruption and stress, and thus promoting rest and relaxation. This more calming environment improved sleeping conditions, allowing patients to recover faster and more effectively.
The impact of volume control When in hospital, patients are not only incredibly vulnerable, but often need to share intimate details, often in a public environment. By addressing the acoustics of the space, we were able to provide increased privacy control, giving patients greater confidentiality and dignity, and reduced anxiety around being overheard or disrupting others. Addressing noise disruption paves the way for clearer communication, allowing staff to convey important information, especially during critical moments, reducing the likelihood of errors. This means patients can be treated more efficiently. By managing noise more effectively, staff can better concentrate on their job, with less stress and enhanced job satisfaction. Through these positive effects, quality acoustic design can boost the operational efficiency of departments, improving the quality of work, and enhancing staff and patient welfare. Although they may not always be a primary consideration, acoustics can play an important role in creating a positive healing environment in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. By reducing noise pollution, enhancing communication, and improving overall comfort, thoughtful acoustic design can have a profound impact on both patient outcomes and staff performance. Hospitals that prioritise acoustics in their design will foster environments that are more conducive to healing, safety, and satisfaction for everyone within their walls – and what better time to address this noise issue than while we are
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