Background
Thurston Group Ltd commissioned Anderson Acoustics to provide acoustic advice for a new modular block at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. This block is designed to house several Video Conferencing Centres (VCC).
What we did
The primary objective was to ensure that the acoustic environment within the new block met the stringent requirements set out in the HM Prison and Probation Service VCC Design Guide and BS8233:2014. while also meeting additional design requirements necessary for security.
Specifically,
- to control external noise ingress to sensitive spaces within the development
- to ensure sound insulation between different spaces within the block
- to manage room acoustics to enhance speech intelligibility and;
- to assess and control plant noise to meet local authority criteria
Methodology
Internal Ambient Noise Level (IANL):
- Specific design criteria were proposed for each room type.
- The building envelope construction was reviewed to ensure the combination of external noise ingress and Building services noise was controlled to ensure target IANL levels were met.
Sound Insulation Between Spaces:
- Proposed constructions for separating walls and floors were reviewed to ensure they met the required sound insulation performance.
- Acoustic detailing principles were followed to ensure predicted performance was achieved in-situ.
Room Acoustics:
- Reverberation times in acoustically-sensitive areas were calculated to ensure they met the target values for speech intelligibility.
- Class A absorptive wall panels were proposed in all sensitive spaces.
Plant Noise Assessment:
- Predicted noise levels at the nearest noise-sensitive receptors were calculated to ensure they met the local authority criteria.
Conclusion
The acoustic design review for the new modular block at HMP Wormwood Scrubs successfully addressed all the key objectives. The proposed constructions and acoustic treatments were found to be sufficient to meet the stringent requirements set out in the relevant guidelines.
Project Progress
In September 2024 Galliford Try Construction was announced as the appointed contractor to build the facility.
