Wilhelmschule: Less reverberation in the classroom thanks to sound-absorbing panels
When the pupils and teachers return to the Wilhelmschule after the summer vacation, they can expect a quieter classroom atmosphere. Stadtwerke Offenbach's GBM Service GmbH has now insulated all the classrooms and corridors there with sound-absorbing panels. This significantly reduces reverberation. This improves listening comprehension and helps children and teachers alike to concentrate on their lessons.
The retrofit is part of a program to reduce reverberation in Offenbach's school buildings. The old buildings with high ceilings are particularly affected. Before the sound-absorbing panels are installed, the reverberation values in each room and in the corridors are measured. On this basis, the number of elements required is calculated, which are then usually used to cover the entire ceilings as well as parts of the walls. A performance measurement is then carried out to check that the reverberation has actually been reduced by the calculated value.
Reverberation has already been reduced in several schools
The reverberation has already been reduced at the Schiller School, the Erich Kästner School and the Goethe School. There are now plans to retrofit the Uhland School, the Bieber Primary School, the Bach School and the old building of the Leibniz School.
This improvement in room acoustics will be financed primarily from the funds of the law on the regional equalization of burdens concerning Frankfurt Airport. In addition, further municipal funds amounting to two million euros are available for urgent renovation work at individual schools. Last year, the municipal council and city councillors decided to make this money available annually until further notice. This money can be used, for example, to finance the replacement of heating systems or the renovation of school toilets. Stadtwerke Offenbach's GBM Service GmbH has been commissioned to carry out this work.