🏥WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound) · International

Hospital Ward Acoustic Design to WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound)

Hospital wards must balance patient recovery needs with staff communication requirements. Excessive noise is linked to disrupted sleep, elevated stress hormones, and slower healing.

TL;DR

Under WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound), a hospital ward of 250-350 m³ (typical dimensions 15m × 8m × 2.7m) requires an RT60 of ≤ 0.6s at 500-2000 Hz. Background noise must not exceed 35 dBA. A minimum STI of 0.6 is required for speech intelligibility. WELL v2 for Healthcare sets stricter targets than general BS 8233 guidance.

RT60 Target

≤ 0.6s

Noise Limit

35 dBA

STI Minimum

≥ 0.6

Frequency Range

500-2000 Hz

Specific Requirements

Parameter	Target	Clause Reference	Notes
Reverberation Time (RT60)	≤ 0.6s	S04	500-2000 Hz, Furnished, unoccupied, <500 m³
Background Noise Limit	≤ 30 NC	S01 Part 2	HVAC + building services, unoccupied
Frequency Range	500-2000 Hz	—	Octave bands for compliance assessment

Step-by-Step Compliance Calculation

1
Map WELL healthcare requirements
Identify Feature 74 parts applicable to the healthcare space: RT60, noise, and speech privacy.
2
Design for 0.6s RT60
Calculate absorption for WELL target, which is stricter than standard hospital guidelines.
3
Specify antimicrobial materials
Select acoustic products with antimicrobial coatings and wipeable surfaces approved for clinical environments.
4
Address speech privacy
Design bed-bay partitions or use sound masking to achieve speech privacy for patient confidentiality.
5
Third-party verification
Schedule WELL performance verification testing by approved acoustic consultant for certification.

Recommended Materials

Surface	Material Category	Min NRC	Coverage %
Ceiling	High-NRC cleanable tile	0.85	85%
Walls	Antimicrobial acoustic panel	0.80	35%
Floor	Healthcare vinyl	0.05	100%

Browse the full acoustic materials database for absorption coefficients and product specifications.

Common Failure Modes

⚠️Stricter than NHS standards

WELL 0.6s target is tighter than BS 8233 0.8s, requiring more absorption area which conflicts with wall-mounted equipment.

⚠️STI between bed bays

Speech privacy between adjacent beds is difficult to achieve with only curtain dividers, compromising patient confidentiality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What RT60 does WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound) require for a hospital ward?

WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound) requires a reverberation time of ≤0.6s at 500-2000 Hz for hospital ward spaces. WELL v2 for Healthcare sets stricter targets than general BS 8233 guidance. RT60 <= 0.6s and background noise <= 35 dBA for consultation and patient recovery rooms. STI >= 0.60 ensures staff communication is clear. WELL Health-Safety Rating adds pandemic-era acoustic requirements for speech privacy.

What is the maximum background noise level for a hospital ward under WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound)?

WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound) sets a maximum background noise level of 35 dBA for hospital ward spaces. This includes noise from HVAC systems, building services, and external intrusion, measured with the room unoccupied. Exceeding this limit degrades speech intelligibility and occupant comfort.

How much acoustic treatment does a hospital ward need to comply with WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound)?

A typical hospital ward (250-350 m³) requires High-NRC cleanable tile (NRC ≥0.85) covering 85% of the ceiling as the primary treatment. Additional wall absorption on 2 surface(s) is typically needed. Use the AcousPlan calculator with the pre-loaded dimensions (10m × 7m × 3m) to calculate the exact absorption deficit for your room.

Calculate WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound) Compliance for Your Hospital Ward

Pre-loaded with typical hospital ward dimensions (10m × 7m × 3m) and an RT60 target of 0.6s per WELL v2 Feature S01 (Sound). Enter your actual dimensions, select materials, and verify compliance instantly.

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