A Comparative Study of Acoustic Regulations for Hospital Bedrooms in Selected Countries in Europe

Abstract

Regulatory acoustic requirements for hospitals exist in several countries in Europe, but many countries have either no or few regulatory limits or only recommendations. The purpose of limit values is to ensure optimal acoustic conditions for the patients under treatment and for the personnel for the various tasks taking place in many different rooms, e.g., bedrooms, examination and treatment rooms, corridors, stairwells, waiting and reception areas, canteens, offices, all with different acoustic needs. In addition, some rooms require special considerations such as psychiatric rooms and noisy MR-scanning rooms. The extent of limit values varies considerably between countries. Some specify few, others specify several criteria. The findings from a comparative study carried out by the authors in selected countries in various geographical parts of Europe show a diversity of acoustic descriptors and limit values. This paper includes updated criteria for reverberation time, airborne and impact sound insulation, noise from traffic and from service equipment for hospital bedrooms. The discrepancies between countries are discussed, aiming at potential learning and implementation of improved limits. In addition to regulations or guidelines, some countries have hospitals included in national acoustic classification schemes with different acoustic quality levels. Indications of such class criteria are included in the paper.