Acoustic design of schools: performance standards (Building bulletin 93)

Summary

England’s school acoustic guidance covers halls and gyms as well as classrooms, with distinct criteria for new buildings and refurbishment.

Key findings

• Sections 0.1–0.3 explain the relationship to Building Regulations Requirement E4, School Premises Regulations and Independent School Standards. School premises are also subject to the Equality Act.
• Table 6, page 34, gives mid-frequency reverberation-time ranges for assembly or multipurpose halls of 0.8–1.2 seconds for new build and 0.8–1.5 seconds for refurbishment; gymnasium/activity studios have upper limits of 1.5 and 2.0 seconds respectively. Section 1.5.1, page 32, specifies finished rooms, furnished for normal use but unoccupied.
• The performance standards address room acoustics. Section 0.1 directs readers to the separate IOA/ANC school design guide for supporting design considerations.

Limits

These are acoustic design criteria, not measured listening outcomes or an assistive-listening technology requirement. Applicability depends on the type of space and work, as explained in section 0.3. Month and year are printed on the cover.

Read the original

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8170d3e5274a2e8ab54012/BB93_February_2015.pdf

Link checked 13 October 2026. We link to the original and do not host copies.

Cited in

• What works in school auditoriums, gyms and assembly halls?Partly answered
• How much do room acoustics and distance limit listening without a system, and what follows for choosing one?Partly answered

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