LEED v2009
Schools
Indoor Environmental Quality
Minimum Acoustical Performance

Schools-2009 IEQp3: Minimum Acoustical Performance Required

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Background noise
Achieve a maximum background noise level1 from heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in classrooms and other core learning spaces of 45 dBA.

AND

Reverberation time
Design classrooms and other core learning spaces to include sound-absorptive finishes to sufficiently limit reverberation in classrooms and other core learning spaces.
Case 1. Classrooms and core learning spaces For classrooms and core learning spaces less than 20,000 cubic feet, options for compliance include:
Option 1. Minimum NRC
For each room, confirm that the total surface area finished with a material with a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.70 or higher equals or exceeds the total ceiling area (excluding lights, diffusers and grilles).

OR

Option 2. Compliance with ANSI Standard S12.60-2002 or non-U.S. equivalent
Confirm through calculations described in ANSI Standard S12.60-2002 that rooms are designed to meet reverberation time requirements as specified in that standard. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI Standard S12.60-2002.
Case 2. Classrooms and core learning spaces ≥ 20,000 Cubic Feet (560 cubic meters)
For classrooms and core learning spaces 20,000 cubic feet or greater, confirm through calculations described in ANSI Standard S12.60-2002 that rooms are designed to have a reverberation time of 1.5 seconds or less. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI Standard S12.60-2002. See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Guest expert

Daniel Hicks

Geiler & Associates
Daniel Hicks, E.I., INCE

LEEDuser overview

Frank advice from LEED experts

LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.

For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium

Already a premium member? Log in now

Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Background noise
Achieve a maximum background noise level1 from heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in classrooms and other core learning spaces of 45 dBA.

AND

Reverberation time
Design classrooms and other core learning spaces to include sound-absorptive finishes to sufficiently limit reverberation in classrooms and other core learning spaces.
Case 1. Classrooms and core learning spaces For classrooms and core learning spaces less than 20,000 cubic feet, options for compliance include:
Option 1. Minimum NRC
For each room, confirm that the total surface area finished with a material with a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.70 or higher equals or exceeds the total ceiling area (excluding lights, diffusers and grilles).

OR

Option 2. Compliance with ANSI Standard S12.60-2002 or non-U.S. equivalent
Confirm through calculations described in ANSI Standard S12.60-2002 that rooms are designed to meet reverberation time requirements as specified in that standard. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI Standard S12.60-2002.
Case 2. Classrooms and core learning spaces ≥ 20,000 Cubic Feet (560 cubic meters)
For classrooms and core learning spaces 20,000 cubic feet or greater, confirm through calculations described in ANSI Standard S12.60-2002 that rooms are designed to have a reverberation time of 1.5 seconds or less. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI Standard S12.60-2002. See all forum discussions about this credit »

Checklists

Step by step to LEED certification

LEEDuser’s checklists walk you through the key action steps you need to earn a credit, including how to avoid common pitfalls and save money.

For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium

Already a premium member? Log in now

Documentation toolkit

The motherlode of cheat sheets

LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.

For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium

Already a premium member? Log in now


Guest expert

Daniel Hicks

Geiler & Associates
Daniel Hicks, E.I., INCE