Project Insight

Education

Client: Wates Construction
Location: Hartford High School, Northwich
Sector: Education
Service: Acoustic Consultancy
Background

Stroma Built Environment was appointed to provide acoustic consultancy services for the proposed expansion of Hartford High School. The scheme involved the construction of a new three-storey secondary school building. The acoustic design was reviewed with regard to satisfying the acoustic design of schools: Performance Standards Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) design requirements. The scheme contains several new teaching facilities, as well as teaching space intended specifically for students with special hearing and communication needs.

Project

A number of aspects regarding the acoustic design were reviewed to meet the BB93 design requirements (the minimum performance standards for the acoustics of school buildings) and demonstrating compliance with Building Regulations. Aspects such as planning, façade performance, sound insulation, rain noise, reverberation, internal/external M&E were all assessed. Pre-completion testing comprising sound insulation, reverberation, and ambient testing was carried out when the building was complete to demonstrate compliance with BB93.

Outcome

A number of acoustic issues were uncovered during testing, with remedial work proposed on the spot that corrected the problems effectively and efficiently. Re-tests were then carried out on the same day to achieve the passes needed by the client without any further costs incurred. The client expressed that they were very happy that the knowledge and expertise of the engineers allowed the on-site problems to be rectified quickly, which in turn eliminated significant future problems.

“Can I pass on my thanks to both engineers who did the preliminary and final tests at our site. They were both extremely helpful and knowledgeable when discussing your works.”

Ray Jacques, Project Manager – Wates Construction