Can good acoustics really contribute to better health? Although a significant proportion of our business is devoted to educational and environmental work, we believe our work in the healthcare sector is equally important. Good acoustic design is vital in healthcare buildings, and we are proud to have been involved in projects ranging from small doctors’ surgeries to large hospitals.
Some of the key concerns for these buildings include creating quiet conditions for patient wards, ensuring confidentiality in treatment rooms and providing good working conditions for all staff. Every healthcare building is different so we work with architects and design teams to develop a bespoke approach to each project.
The government’s Acoustic Standards for healthcare buildings are detailed in the Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 08-01: Acoustics. This document covers issues such as traffic noise, room acoustics, PA systems and noise from plant and equipment.
There are often demanding environmental control requirements, with a considerable amount of mechanical plant present at some sites. We are often called on to assess and advise on plant noise at hospitals and other healthcare buildings. We can also address noise which may affect nearby residences, so that planning conditions are covered. This is particularly important with regard to the POL section of BREEAM.
Whether it is a Dementia Intensive Care Unit such as Hammerton Court or the impressive Central Surgery at Sawbridgeworth, Adrian James Acoustics is a vital piece in the jigsaw.
Our goal is to provide an outstanding acoustic environment to match the excellent healthcare facilities for which these buildings are created.
