acoustics


Ecophon, added: “It’s important to consider the overall space – how large it is, what shape it is, and what materials have been used. Then you need to consider how that affects the sound environment and ask can anything be changed. “You also need to consider the


people using a building. “We are all affected by noise, but


As well as affecting patients; noise can also have a detrimental impact on staff as patient care teams need to be able to understand and quickly respond to auditory signals


in a good acoustic environment, i.e. a room with sound-absorbing surfaces, at night-time, when background noise tends to be lower, making noise disturbances more noticeable. As well as affecting patients; noise


can also have a detrimental impact on staff as patient care teams need to be able to understand and quickly respond to auditory signals, for example conversations, medical equipment, and alarms. In addition, the speech recognition


systems now commonly used in healthcare environments rely heavily on appropriate speech signals to operate.


Taking precautions The best defence against noise is to ensure that proper precautions are taken at the design stage and during the construction, or redevelopment, of a building. “As there are many acoustic design


factors that need to be considered, it is highly recommended that specifiers liaise with a reputable manufacturer early in the design process to ensure the correct acoustic solution is specified for each area of the building,” said Sexton. One of the most-effective ways to


provide sound absorption is to install acoustic ceiling tiles or boards to control reverberation. Sexton said: “Noise from a room may


pass through the dividing element and the surrounding structure, so it is vital that optimum acoustic solutions are specified and detailed to ensure you get maximum performance.” Among the guidance on the subject,


the US Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association (CISCA) has published the document, Acoustics in Healthcare Environments1. The white paper acts as a free tool


for architects, interior designers, and other design professionals worldwide,


healthcaredm.co.uk 29


giving an introduction to acoustical issues commonly confronted on healthcare projects.


Finishing touches The document calls for the appointment of an acoustical engineer and ‘appropriate finish selection’, advising: “Site design can have a major impact on acoustics in healthcare settings. “Determining what spaces will be


adjacent to each other and how the space should be laid out takes careful consideration of how specific areas are going to be used, the level of privacy needed, and the desired background noise level, among other factors.” A spokesman for manufacturer,


many users of healthcare spaces have additional requirements, such as babies, elderly people, people with hearing loss, and those with dementia, who are sensitive to sound, and determine their requirements from the room acoustics.


The right solution “Finally, ask is it a space where quiet will benefit the users, or where privacy is key, or maybe it is a space designed to be more interactive. Then ask whether the room design and finishes can help promote this purpose. “From this you should be able to


establish the type of products required. Generally, these will either absorb sound, stopping it reflecting; or reflect sound, stopping it transmitting to an adjacent space.” John Spicer, technical sales manager


at Armstrong Ceilings, adds: “It is almost impossible to add sound absorption to low-level surfaces within hospital spaces because of the strict cleaning regimes and the need for imperforate and seamless surfaces to aid cleaning and create a durable, practical space. ➤


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