Quick answer: Poor acoustics reduce concentration, increase fatigue and harm communication in both schools and offices. The fix is acoustic treatment: wall panels, ceiling rafts and pin boards that absorb sound, cut reverberation time and bring noise levels to a range where people can actually think and speak clearly.
Why acoustics matter in learning and work environments
Sound is invisible, so it tends to be the last thing specified and the first thing blamed when a space does not perform. In a classroom, excessive reverberation means a student sitting at the back hears a wall of echoes rather than the teacher's words. In an open-plan office, uncontrolled noise is consistently ranked among the top causes of reduced focus and increased stress.
The two measures that matter most are reverberation time (how long sound lingers after the source stops) and ambient decibel level. Address both and you change how a space feels, as well as how it functions.
The science in plain language: reverberation and decibels
Reverberation time is measured in seconds. The UK's Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) sets a target of under 0.6 seconds in most classroom types, specifically to protect students with hearing impairments, attention disorders, or English as an additional language. A hard-surfaced room without treatment can easily sit at 1.5 seconds or more.
Decibel levels tell you how loud a space is. Research consistently shows that reducing background noise by 10 to 20 dB has a measurable effect on concentration, particularly for younger learners and for office workers in open-plan settings. Softer surfaces absorb sound energy rather than reflecting it back into the room.
The goal of acoustic treatment is not silence. It is clarity: speech that is easy to hear, a noise floor that is low enough to concentrate, and a room that does not exhaust the people in it.
Acoustic challenges in schools
Classrooms are hard acoustic environments by default. Concrete floors, large glass windows, exposed ceilings and rows of hard furniture all reflect sound. When 30 children are present, the ambient level rises quickly and reverberation compounds every sound that follows.
Teachers bear the direct cost. Vocal strain from projecting over background noise is a significant factor in teacher absence and early exit from the profession. Students with hearing aids or cochlear implants, those on the autistic spectrum, and those with attention difficulties are affected far more than their peers.
Wall-mounted acoustic panels are the most practical retrofit solution for classrooms that cannot be re-built. Ceiling-hung rafts work where wall space is limited by displays and shelving. Products such as the Zen Liner Class A wall panel carry Class A sound absorption ratings, the highest available, meaning they absorb the majority of sound that strikes them rather than reflecting it back. Acoustic pin boards such as the Zen Acoustic Pin Board double as display surfaces, so treatment does not compete with the room's functional needs.
Acoustic challenges in offices
Open-plan offices amplify every keyboard tap, phone call and conversation. The shift to hybrid working has made this worse in some respects: a room that was designed for 40 people now holds 15 on any given day, seated further apart, with fewer bodies to absorb sound naturally.
Focus work and collaborative work have opposite acoustic needs, and both happen in the same space. Acoustic treatment cannot solve a layout problem, but it can significantly reduce the noise floor for focused work and improve speech clarity in meeting areas.
Ceiling-hung solutions are particularly effective in offices where wall space is occupied by screens, storage or glazing. The Zen Raft ceiling panel installs above workstations or in meeting spaces and treats sound at the point where reflections are longest. Wall panels can be clustered around collaborative zones to contain noise rather than let it travel across the floor plate.
Choosing the right acoustic treatment
The right solution depends on the room's dimensions, surface materials, occupancy level and use. A few principles apply in most cases:
- Absorption class matters. Look for products rated Class A or Class B to BS EN ISO 11654. Class C and below are marketed as acoustic but will not move the numbers significantly in a reverberant room.
- Coverage area. A single panel on one wall changes very little. Effective treatment typically covers 15 to 25 per cent of the room's total surface area.
- Placement. Panels positioned at first-reflection points (the ceiling directly above the speaker, the side walls at ear height) are more effective than panels placed arbitrarily.
- Multifunctional products. In schools especially, products that absorb sound and serve another purpose (display, writing, pinning) make the case for treatment easier to approve.
Browse the full range of acoustic solutions at Presentation Spaces →
Meeting BB93 in new builds and refurbishments
BB93 compliance is a legal requirement in new-build schools in England and applies to significant refurbishments. Acoustic consultants specify reverberation targets and absorption coefficients; the products that meet those specifications need to be tested to the relevant standards.
Presentation Spaces supplies products with independently tested absorption data, so specifiers can match products to BB93 requirements directly. If you are working on a school project and need data sheets for a specification, contact the team via the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is reverberation time and why does it matter in classrooms?
Reverberation time (RT60) is the number of seconds it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB after the source stops. In an untreated classroom it can exceed 1.5 seconds, meaning each word a teacher speaks overlaps with the echo of the last. BB93 sets a maximum of 0.6 seconds for most classroom types. Acoustic panels reduce RT by absorbing the energy that would otherwise bounce between hard surfaces.
Do acoustic panels actually reduce noise, or just echo?
Acoustic wall and ceiling panels primarily reduce reverberation and echo rather than blocking sound from outside the room (which requires structural mass). In practice, cutting reverberation lowers the ambient noise level because occupants stop raising their voices to compensate, creating a positive feedback loop. The room feels quieter even if the external noise source has not changed.
What absorption class should I specify for a school?
Class A is the highest rating under BS EN ISO 11654 and is the standard recommended for primary classrooms and rooms used by pupils with hearing impairments. Class B is suitable for secondary classrooms and general office environments. Products marketed without an absorption class should be treated with caution. The Zen Liner panel is independently tested to Class A.
How much of a room needs to be treated to make a difference?
As a rule of thumb, treating 15 to 25 per cent of a room's total surface area (walls plus ceiling) with Class A material brings most spaces within BB93 targets. A room with very hard surfaces (concrete, glass, plaster) will need to be towards the higher end. An acoustic consultant can model the specific room if a precise specification is required.
Can ceiling panels be used where wall space is already taken?
Yes. Ceiling-hung rafts and baffles are designed for exactly this situation. The Zen Raft suspends horizontally from the ceiling and treats sound from above, making it effective in both open-plan offices and classrooms where walls are covered by displays. Baffles hang vertically and can be arranged in rows to treat larger volumes.
Is acoustic treatment compliant with BB93 for school refurbishments?
BB93 applies to new-build schools and to material changes of use or significant refurbishments in England. The standard specifies reverberation time targets per room type. Products need to have independently tested absorption data to support a BB93-compliant specification. Presentation Spaces can provide data sheets for all products in the acoustic range. Contact us via the contact page to discuss a project.
Call 01382 913 913 or email info@presentationspaces.co.uk to discuss your acoustic requirements.
