Adopted Classroom Acoustics Standards and Directives

Adopted the ANSI/ASA S12.60 Classroom Acoustics Standard

The following entities have adopted the original (2002) edition of the ANSI/ASA S12.60-2010 American National Standard Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools:

• New Hampshire Department of Education
• New Jersey School Construction Board
• State of Connecticut
• Ohio School Facility Commission
• New York City Public Schools
• Arlington County (VA) Public Schools

Other Classroom Acoustics Standards/Directives in Use

These entities use similar standards or directives to address classroom acoustics:

• New York State Department of Education
• Los Angeles Unified School District
• State of Minnesota
• Minneapolis Public Schools
• Washington State Board of Health
• Washington, DC Public Schools
• California Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (CHPS)
• Northeast Collaborative for High-Performing Schools
• Seattle School District
• Redmond WA School District
• Portland OR School District
• Clark County NV School District
• Maryland State Department of Education (cites ANSI/ASA S12.60-2002)
• University of Minnesota
• School District of Philadelphia
• Poudre District Schools, Fort Collins (CO) (uses ANSI/ASA S12.60-2002)

International Standards and Guidelines

Countries that have implemented standards and guidelines for classroom acoustics include:

• Australia and New Zealand: AS/NZ2107 (2000)
• Denmark
• Finland
• Germany: DIN 18041 (2004)
• Italy
• Netherlands: NPR 3438
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• UK: Building Bulletin 93 (2003)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Acoustics and Sustainable/Green Design

Building design features that promote sustainability are also effective in achieving good acoustics.  LEED objectives include criteria for classroom acoustics, and the Massachusetts Collaborative for High Performance Schools Standard offers credit for meeting the ANSI/ASA S12.60-2002 standard.