Classroom Acoustic Requirements Under WELL v2 Feature 74
Primary and secondary school classrooms, lecture rooms. Typical volume: 150-300 m³.
What WELL v2 Feature 74 Requires for a Classroom
Clause reference: WELL v2 Feature 74 Part 1
RT60 target: ≤ 0.6s furnished
STI target: ≥ 0.60
Background noise limit: ≤ 35 dBA (HVAC)
Measurement condition: Furnished, unoccupied
Note: Applies when classroom is in WELL-certified building
How to Calculate WELL v2 Feature 74 Compliance for a Classroom
- 1
Identify the applicable standard and target
Look up WELL v2 Feature 74 (WELL v2 Feature 74 Part 1). For a classroom, the RT60 target is ≤ 0.6s furnished. Measurement condition: furnished, unoccupied.
- 2
Measure or model the room geometry
Record the length, width, and height of the room to calculate the volume. A typical classroom has a volume of 150-300 m³.
- 3
List all surfaces and their absorption coefficients
For each surface (floor, ceiling, walls, windows, doors), find the absorption coefficient at each octave band frequency (125Hz to 4kHz) from ISO 354 test data or a materials database.
- 4
Calculate total absorption and apply the Sabine or Eyring equation
Sum all surface absorption values: A = sum of (alpha x area). Then apply T60 = 0.161 x V / A (Sabine) or T60 = -0.161 x V / (S x ln(1 - alpha_avg)) (Eyring). Use Eyring when average alpha exceeds 0.20.
- 5
Compare result against the standard and specify treatment if needed
If the calculated RT60 exceeds the target of ≤ 0.6s furnished, specify additional absorption. 40-50 m² depending on furnishings is typical for a classroom to achieve compliance.
Typical Acoustic Treatment for a Classroom
Treatment Area
40-50 m² depending on furnishings
Estimated Cost
Site-specific
Classroom: WELL v2 Feature 74 vs Other Standards
| Requirement | WELL v2 Feature 74 | BS 8233:2014 | DIN 18041:2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RT60 Target | ≤ 0.6s furnished | ≤ 0.6s (500-2000 Hz) | ≤ 0.55s Quality Class A | ≤ 0.75s Quality Class B |
| STI Target | ≥ 0.60 | Not specified (see ANSI S12.60) | ≥ 0.65 (Class A) |
| Background Noise | ≤ 35 dBA (HVAC) | ≤ 35 dBA | ≤ 35 dBA |
| Measurement | Furnished, unoccupied | Furnished, unoccupied | Furnished, unoccupied |
Frequently Asked Questions
What RT60 does WELL v2 Feature 74 require for a classroom?
WELL v2 Feature 74 (WELL v2 Feature 74 Part 1) requires a reverberation time of ≤ 0.6s furnished for classroom spaces, measured in the furnished, unoccupied condition per ISO 3382-2.
What background noise level is acceptable in a classroom under WELL v2 Feature 74?
WELL v2 Feature 74 sets a background noise limit of ≤ 35 dBA (HVAC) for classroom spaces. This typically refers to HVAC and building services noise measured with the room unoccupied.
How much acoustic treatment does a classroom need to comply with WELL v2 Feature 74?
A typical classroom requires 40-50 m² depending on furnishings of acoustic treatment to meet WELL v2 Feature 74 compliance. Estimated installed cost is Site-specific.
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