Schools - mandatory acoustic testing
October 2009
Source: Building
In a Ministerial Statement, Vernon Coker Minister for State for Schools has announced that acoustic testing for schools will become a contractual requirement for all new schools built under the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Furthermore, any Local Authorities who have already constructed schools with BSF funding will need to provide proof that the most recent schools comply with acoustic performance standards before any further funding is released.
The National Deaf Children's Society carried out a survey early this year and found that only 1 in 5 Local Authorities could demonstrate new school building compliance with acoustic performance standards.
All Building Control bodies in England will be reminded to ensure proper process is followed for use of alternative performance standards. It is anticipated that guidance contained in BB93 will go to public consultation during 2010.
