SAS International provides innovative acoustic solution for Archway School in Stroud

Archway School in Stroud demanded an excellent acoustic solution for an additional facilities project. Multi-disciplinary practice B3 Burgess specified acoustic attenuators for the scheme from SAS International to work within the two-storey block’s open plan, naturally ventilated space.

Acoustic levels were a key consideration for this new build scheme, which comprises technology and entrance blocks totalling 2,715 square metres for the provision of ICT suites, offices and a recording studio. For the project, a sound attenuation rating of RW3/RW5 was stipulated.

The SAS International metalwork solution involved the design and installation of different types of acoustic attenuators. The acoustic characteristics of open plan spaces do not follow normal rules for regular proportioned rooms therefore a totally different approach was required to meet acoustic demands. SAS International worked closely with B3 Burgess to achieve this.

For the ground floor space the attenuators were placed horizontally across the tops of classroom partitions, underneath balustrading. On the first floor cross-talk attenuators feature a double ‘V’ shaped design to accommodate a pitched rib deck soffit joining both sides of the partition.

In other areas on the first floor a single-side soffit cladding panel on one side of the ‘V’ has also been used. All merge out on to the atrium and creating a clean integration between horizontal and vertical planes, and on the first floor a neat and aesthetic finish against the pitch of the building’s roof.

The SAS International acoustic attenuation solution for Archway School represents a series of acoustic baffles suspended vertically to provide acoustic absorption. They can be manufactured for all applications from commercial offices to large open atria. In this project they were used in conjunction with metal bulkheads as a means of linking the appropriate building elements.

Eliminating sound reflection from walls is particularly important for productive educational environments and acoustic wall panels are now commonly being used in halls and open atrium spaces, as well as classroom environments.

Perforations and acoustic pads can be used to ensure good sound absorption and reduce reverberation – combinations of plain sound reflecting tiles and perforated sound absorbing panels can be used to create the preferred acoustic environment, as is the case in this installation.

Since July 2003 the acoustic design of new school buildings in England and Wales has been subject to the legal requirements of the Building Regulations. Building Bulletin 93: Acoustic Design of Schools (BB93) specifies the acoustic criteria that must be met under these regulations.

Specifications include background noise levels (indoor ambient noise levels); airborne and impact sound insulation between spaces, reverberation times, sound absorption in circulation spaces; and a high speech intelligibility criteria for open plan spaces. Sound attenuation helps the reduction in intensity of a sound signal.

The SAS International’s architectural metalwork solutions provide a durable option for educational establishments and offer a sustainable solution in terms of whole life cycle costs and reducing maintenance costs by being resilient to accidental or malicious damage.

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