Architectural Acoustics Issues
	Reverberation Time The reflective nature of a space will affect the sound quality within by creating long paths for sound to travel and by taking longer for sound to decay.  These qualities, which are quantified as Reverberation Time (RT60), will reduce the intelligibility of human voices and raise the overall noise level within a space. RT60 within a space refers to the time it takes for a sound to decay 60 decibels after its source was stopped. A high RT60 will contribute to build-up of sound within a space; a lower RT60 will reduce noise and be ideal for understanding speech. For each type of space there are acceptable levels based on room volume.
Sound Isolation Special attention to sound quality and isolation is necessary for numerous reasons within a school. Drama and music spaces require isolation to classrooms and hallways. Stages are valuable classroom spaces, and the commons is used for lunch. Mechanical equipment is often located in mezzanine spaces over corridors or in spaces adjacent to classrooms. These situations make it
necessary to develop specific wall and floor/ceiling types for effective sound isolation, which must include details on ducting penetrations, light fixtures, and electrical junction boxes.