§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his Department is doing to enforce the recommended guidelines in reducing noise in schools; and if he will make a statement. [132568]
§ Mr. MilibandAcoustic standards in schools have been subject to the Building Regulations, Approved Document E, since 1 July 2003. Approved Document E quotes DIES Building Bulletin 93 as the normal means of compliance with Regulation E4 which applies to schools. Building Bulletin 93, "The Acoustic Design of Schools", can be downloaded from the DfES acoustics website www.teachernet.gov.uk/acoustics and will be published by the Stationery Office (ISBN 0 11 2711057) in November 2003.
Building Bulletin 93 contains recommendations that also apply to the refurbishment of existing schools which are not subject to Building Regulations. Some aspects of such refurbishment work are subject to the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act as it applies to pupils with hearing impairments.
Building Bulletin 93 also gives recommendations on noise levels in playing fields and other areas of the school grounds. External noise considerations are subject to Policy Planning Guidance Note 24 and Planning law.