ACOUSTICS


of clothing, and personal items within the space that diffused and absorbed sound.


Noise of doors closing Two other particular areas noted as a concern, but outside the focus of our discussions, were to find a way to reduce the very loud and sudden noise of doors closing, and providing sound insulation between the ground floor and the floor above to reduce the transfer of sound between the levels. Noise from a floor above can be particularly worrying, as there is no visual link or other contextual information on the sound heard. The addition of sound absorption


Ecophon Super G B offers direct-fix impact-resistant sound absorption.


health needs in the UK – to help solve challenges with noise in a specialised inpatient mental health facility following a conversation with us at this year’s Design in Mental Health Conference. Poor sound environments had led to an increase in levels of frustration and annoyance for many users of the space. Noise was affecting their rest, sleep, and mood. Both staff and patients listed noise as a major area of concern. After some initial conversations, it was decided that it would not be possible to carry out acoustic testing, as this would be too noisy and too intrusive. Instead, computerised calculations based on room data were undertaken, accompanied by a visual walk-around to assess the main acoustic challenges, and discussions with people both residing and working in the spaces.


A lack of control In discussions, a major irritation was around lack of control. There was no way to control the noise, or to escape from it. This is particularly worrying for people when they are feeling tired, unwell, trying to sleep, or attempting to concentrate. People found it more difficult to concentrate in areas where others were talking, or if there was shouting, or in communal areas where the television was on. This is in keeping with other research, which shows that we find noise from people talking in a language we understand to be most intrusive. Generally, the materials and furnishings


used throughout the building were designed to be hard-wearing, smooth, and resilient, but this made them acoustically reflective, and caused reverberation and echo. Sound levels raised quickly, even with only a few people using a space. Ceilings were high in corridor areas, and the shape meant that sound propagated through the space, so that it was clearly heard over a long distance, and the hard


THE NETWORK | NOVEMBER 2022


finishes and parallel walls reflected sound. The space included a designated quiet


room; however, this was adjacent to a communal area, and television and talking could be frequently heard. No aspect of its design or furnishing promoted ‘quiet’. Some staff felt bedrooms to be ‘echoey’ and acoustically uncomfortable. This varied from room to room, however, depending on the quantity and distribution


benefited users by reducing the sound propagation and reverberation, which helped to calm the space, and reduce levels of anxiety. The room acoustic section of the HTM standard on acoustics in healthcare environments (HTM 08-01) asks for ‘an area of sound absorption equivalent to 80% of the floor area to be covered with a Class C sound absorber or above to reduce reverberation’. Alternatively, when a higher class of absorber (Class A or B) is used, these are more efficient, so a calculation is undertaken to show the quantity of absorption required. This absorption is usually added to the ceiling.


Remedial work We were also aware that as this was


Sensory refuges between stimulating spaces, such as small quiet corridors between activity spaces, and the addition of pods or quiet rooms, can be really helpful to people who are hypersensitive to the sound environment, or those wanting a space to aid concentration


In some areas ceiling penetrations restricted the quantity of sound absorption. 27


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