School Acoustics

School Acoustics

Noise reverberation problem in hall solved with application of SonaSpray acoustic decorative ceiling finish

Sevenoaks Prep. School

Sevenoaks Preparatory School is an Independent, Primary School in Godden Green, Sevenoaks.

In 2005, work was completed on a new school hall.  This was intended to be used for sports lessons, assemblies, school, drama productions etc.  It soon became apparent that due to poor school acoustics, the new hall was unfit for purpose.

With poor school acoustics, a teacher’s job can be made even more difficult than normal.  Having to shout above a noisy class with reverberation levels this high, can lead to raised stress levels and in some cases, tinnitus.

Fortunately there is something that can be done about poor school acoustics.  Sevenoaks School got in touch with an acoustic consultancy company called Sound Foundation Limited.  After thorough acoustic calculations, they recommend a product called SonaSpray from Oscar Acoustics.  Sound Foundation Limited and Oscar Acoustics’ technical department worked together throughout the project.  The main objectives were to not only control the schools acoustics problem, but to do this without compromising the halls feature ceiling.  Being a spray applied acoustic finish, SonaSpray follows the original lines and shape of any soffit, blending in or even restoring tired surfaces.  This makes it the ultimate acoustic product when loss of ceiling height is not a favourable option.

Sound Foundation Limited and Oscar Acoustics concluded in their calculations that 19mm of SonaSpray K-13 Special in white, applied to the corrugated steel soffit was ample to bring the schools acoustic problem well within regulations.  The go ahead was promptly given by the school bursar and booked for the school summer holidays to minimise disruption.

Oscar Acoustics expertly trained operatives completed the spray process in just one week, making the hall available to use for summer play scheme activities.

The results - superb school building acoustics with minimum disruption.

Oxford New College

New College is one of the largest Oxford colleges, with some 400 undergraduates and nearly 200 graduates. It is, as all Oxford colleges, an autonomous, self-governing institution.

The College occupies a very attractive site near the centre of Oxford. The front quadrangle, dining hall, chapel and cloisters were built within a few years of the College's foundation; this was the first time that an entire scheme had been built in this way, and it formed a model for later colleges.

The main dining hall in the original wing of the building had always suffered from poor school acoustics, with escalating noise levels when fully occupied.  This meant that meal times were unnecessarily stressful and potentially damaging to the hearing of all those in attendance, including the serving staff.

The college committee decided that the schools acoustic issue had to be addressed, but finding a product that would be in keeping with the centuries old building would prove to be a little more difficult.

There were a couple of points that were extremely important to them other than the schools acoustics.

1) It had to be a material that didn’t look out of place in amongst the centuries old stone walls and aging oak beams.

2) Special care had to be taken not to damage in any way the floor which in the centre, had tiles dating back 500 years.

Both these problems were easily overcome by experts in school acoustics, Oscar Acoustics.  Sonacoustic Elite was presented to Oxford New Colleges’ committee.  They particularly liked this product because Sonacoustic appears as normal flat white acoustic plaster.  Pigments can be added to achieve pastel colours but on this occasion this was not necessary.

Sonacoustic is a composite of 20mm of high density acoustic board sprayed with 2 coats of white acoustic plaster like finish that allows noise through to be absorbed by the acoustic board.
Thick polythene sheeting was laid to protect the floor and a thinner polythene masking to protect overspray on the beams and walls.  The access tower was moved around on large sheets of hard board for extra floor protection.

The results - superb school acoustics with minimum disruption.