Acoustics — the science of sound and its behavior in different environments — plays a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere of healthcare facilities.
In these settings, the balance between minimizing unwanted noise and enhancing necessary communication is vital for both patient well-being and staff performance. Proper acoustic design focuses on controlling sound transmission, reducing noise levels, and ensuring speech clarity, all of which contribute to a more supportive and efficient environment.
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1) General
The design and construction should address acoustic aspects of the work environment. The major design issues to be considered include:
- Workplaces should be designed to minimize the occupant’s exposure to noise; noisy machines and activities should be remote or isolated from other work areas.
- Noisy equipment should be acoustically enclosed where practicable
- Noisy work areas such as workshops should have acoustically absorbent ceilings to reduce the amount of noise other staff working nearby are exposed to
- Noise levels of equipment should be an integral part of equipment selection /purchasing procedures
- Consideration should be given to the impact of ultrasonic noise generation.
- Specialist advice from a qualified Acoustic Engineer is recommended.
2) Recommended Provisions
The Engineering Services and the building components should be selected to achieve an acceptable noise level. Unless other requirements are stated in other parts of these Guidelines, the ambient sound levels should not exceed those stated by local regulatory authorities.
Notes:
a) BNL and RT denote the background noise level and reverberation time, respectively.
Notes:
a) NRC value should be adjusted, if the headroom and area of the room exceed the typical values suggested above.
b) For audiology testing room, acoustic treatment on ceiling solely is not enough. Acoustic wall panels are needed.
Typical Wall Types
Typical dry wall types capable of achieving the above ratings are listed below; these are not mandatory and are subject to correct detailing and construction.
Type 1 – STC Rating – 35
Standard grade plasterboard 13 mm thick (minimum mass); 8.5 g/ m2 each side of 92 mm steel studs.
Type 2 – STC Rating – 40
Two options are available:
Two layers of 13 mm thick standard grade plasterboard one side of 92 mm steel studs, one layer of 13 mm thick standard grade plasterboard on the other side.
One layer 13 mm thick standard grade plasterboard on each side of 92 mm steel stud. Cavity infill of:
- 60 mm (500 g/ m2 ) polyester.
- 50 mm (10 kg /m3) glasswool.
Type 3 – STC Rating – 45
Two layers of 13 mm thick standard grade plasterboard on one side of 92 mm steel studs, one layer of 13 mm thick standard grade plasterboard on the other side. Cavity infill of:
- 60 mm (500 g/m2) polyester.
- 50 mm (10 kg/ m3) glasswool, or
- Light or heavy Masonry.
Type 4 – STC Rating – 50
Two layers of 13 mm thick standard grade plasterboard each side of 92 mm steel studs. Cavity fill of:
- 70 mm (600 g/m2) polyester
- 75 mm (10 kg/ m3) glasswool.
Type 5 – STC Rating – 55
Staggered stud system using two layers thickness of standard grade plasterboard each side of 92 mm studs and 92 mm tracks. Cavity infill of:
- 70 mm (600 g/m2) polyester
- 75 mm (10kg/ m3) glasswool.
Where a high degree of impact / abrasion resistance is required, such as in Hospital corridors, a 9 mm thick fibrous cement sheeting may be substituted for 13 mm thick standard grade plasterboard. The acoustical performance for 9 mm fibrous cement sheet approximates that of 16 mm thick fire grade plasterboard.
The maximum sound rating achievable for partition construction to the underside of a continuous plasterboard ceiling is STC 40. If a layer of 75 mm thick polyester or glass wool 2400 mm wide is provided over the ceiling on the partition below, a sound rating of STC 45 is achievable. Partitions with sound ratings above STC 45 must be constructed full height from
floor slab to underside of floor slab.