Comparison of environmental and acoustic factors in occupied school classrooms for 11e16 year old students

Mydlarz, CA; Conetta, R; Connolly, D; Cox, TJ; Dockrell, DJ; Shield, BM

Abstract

This paper analyses and compares environmental and acoustic measurements taken from 12 contrasting
schools in England. The 203 classrooms measured ranged in age, style (open plan, semi-open plan and
cellular) and external noise levels. The occupied environmental measures were: CO2 count, relative
humidity, temperature and light intensity. The occupied acoustic measures taken were: LAeq, L1, L10 and
L90. In addition, ventilation strategy, room dimensions and student numbers were also recorded. Lesson
averages were compared to remove fluctuations observed in some parameters during lessons. Large
variations in CO2 levels were observed between schools with 39% exceeding recommended guidelines.
Lighting levels were predominantly below the recommended level required for demanding tasks.
Classrooms with mechanical ventilation had higher background noise levels than those using natural
ventilation. Most environmental parameters were uncorrelated with acoustic parameters. A notable
exception was the correlation between LAeq and CO2 count; due to the relationships between these
parameters, number of students and classroom floor area. A regression model was produced predicting
a doubling in LAeq, with a 67% increase in student numbers.

Citation

Mydlarz, C., Conetta, R., Connolly, D., Cox, T., Dockrell, D., & Shield, B. (2013). Comparison of environmental and acoustic factors in occupied school classrooms for 11e16 year old students. Building and Environment, 60, 265-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.10.020

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Feb 1, 2013
• Deposit Date: Oct 22, 2014
• Journal: Building and Environment
• Print ISSN: 0360-1323
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-684X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 60
• Pages: 265-271
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.10.020
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.10.020
• Related Public URLs: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/building-and-environment/