Sound control can contribute to LEED points in several categories.

LEED 2009 Schools New Construction and Major Renovations

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Prerequisite 3: Minimum Acoustical Performance Required

Intent
To provide classrooms that are quiet so that teachers can speak to the class without straining their voices and students can effectively communicate with each other and the teacher.

Requirements
Background Noise
Achieve a maximum background noise level from heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in classrooms and other core learning spaces of 45 dBA.
AND
Reverberation Time
Design classrooms and other core learning spaces to include sound absorptive finishes to sufficiently limit reverberation in classrooms and other core learning spaces.

CASE 1. Classrooms and Core Learning Spaces < 20,000 Cubic Feet (560 Cubic Meters) For classrooms and core learning spaces less than 20,000 cubic feet (560 cubic meters), options for compliance include:

OPTION 1. Minimum NRC For each room, confirm that the total surface area finished with a material with a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.70 or higher equals or exceeds the total ceiling area (excluding lights, diffusers and grilles).

OR

OPTION 2. Compliance with ANSI Standard S12.60-2002 or Non-U.S. Equivalent. Revised ANSI S12.60-2010/Parts 1 & 2 relate to classroom acoustics for permanent schools (Part 1) and relocatable classrooms (Part 2). (Copies are available for free download from the Acoustical Society of America: http://asastore.aip.org/shop.do?pID=594

IEQ Credit 9: Enhanced Acoustical Performance (1 Point)

Intent
To provide classrooms that facilitate better teacher-to-student and student-to-student communications through effective acoustical design.

Requirements
Sound Transmission Design classrooms and other core learning spaces to meet the Sound Transmission Class (STC) requirements of ANSI Standard S12.60-2002, Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements and Guidelines for Schools, except windows, which must meet an STC rating of at least 35. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI Standard S12.60-2002.
AND
Background Noise Reduce background noise level1 to 40 dBA or less from heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in classrooms and other core learning spaces.

LEED® 2009 Schools New Construction and Major Renovations includes potential technologies and strategies for achieving IEQ Prerequisite 3 and IEQ 9.

LEED 2009 New Construction and Major Renovations

Materials and Resources (MR) Credit 4: Recycled Content 1–2 Points

Intent
To increase demand for building products that incorporate recycled content materials, thereby reducing impacts resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials.

Requirements
Use materials with recycled content such that the sum of postconsumer recycled content plus 1/2 of the preconsumer content constitutes at least 10% or 20%, based on cost, of the total value of the materials in the project.

Many common acoustical materials contain 30 percent or more recycled content.

MR Credit 5: Regional Materials (1–2 points)

Intent
To increase demand for building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region, thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation.

Requirements
Use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site for a minimum of 10% or 20%, based on cost, of the total materials value.

LEED Pilot Credit Library

Pilot Credit 24: Acoustics for new construction and commercial interiors covering a wide range of applications.

Pilot Credit 47: Acoustic Comfort for homes and mid-rise. For details see http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2104

Acoustical panels absorb sound.

Photo provided by Kinetics Noise Control