This article outlines the rationale and steps leading to the approval of the first American standard for acceptable acoustics in a classroom setting. The performance criteria for evaluating conformance with the standard are presented, as is a brief overview of the design criteria that can be used in formulation and construction of classrooms with good acoustics. Finally, although the development of a standard is a noteworthy achievement, there are many challenges that must be overcome.
KEYWORDS
Development - working group - challenges - performance criteria - design criteria
REFERENCES
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1 Knudsen V O, Harris C M. Acoustical Designing in Architecture, 1950. Melville, NY; Republished by Acoustical Society of America Publications 1980: 296
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2
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association .
Guidelines for acoustics in educational environments.
ASHA.
1995;
37(suppl)
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3 Berglund B, Lindvall T, Schwella D Guidelines for Community Noise. Geneva; World Health Organization (WHO) 1995
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4 Acoustic Guide-Selection of Acoustic Quality in Buildings. Stockholm, Sweden; Swedish Council for Building Research 1996
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5 American National Standards Institute .Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools. ANSI S12.60-2002 Melville, NY; Acoustical Society of America
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6 Pearsons K, Bennett R S, Fidell S. Speech levels in various noise environments. EPA-600/1-77-02. Washington, DC; Office of Health and Ecological Effects, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1976
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7 Condition of America's Schools .GAO/HEHS-95-61. Report No. B-259307 Washington, DC; U.S. General Accounting Office, Health, Education, Human Services Division Feb 1995
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8 Condition of America's Public School Facilities: 1999 .National Center for Education Statistics, NCES 2000-32. Washington, DC; U.S. Department of Education June, 2000
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9 Statistical Abstract of the United States .Data for school districts and students for the year 2000, for schools, for the years 1998 and 1999. Washington, DC; U.S. Census Bureau 2001
Louis C Sutherland
27803 Longhill Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes
CA 90275-3908
Email: lou-sutherland@juno.com