A New Chapter for Classroom Acoustics: ANSI Approves Revision of ASA/ANSI S12.60-2026 Part 1, Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools, Part 1: Permanent Schools
A major update is coming to the standard that guides acoustical design for schools. On August 31, 2026, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the revised ASA/ANSI S12.60 Part 1 for publication. For anyone involved in school design, construction, acoustics, facilities, or the creation of effective learning environments, this is an important development—and one you will not want to miss. The revised ASA/ANSI S12.60 Part 1, Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools, represents the next generation of guidance for the acoustical design and performance of permanent school learning spaces. The publication of the revised standard is particularly significant because the current Part 1 standard, ASA/ANSI S12.60/Part 1-2010 (R2024), has served as an important benchmark for school acoustics for years. With ANSI approval now complete, the acoustics community is preparing for the publication of the updated standard.
If you work with schools, this is a standards update worth watching closely.
Why This Matters for Classroom Acoustics
Classroom acoustics are about much more than whether a room “sounds good.” Students need to hear teachers clearly. Teachers need to communicate without unnecessary vocal strain. Background noise needs to be controlled, reverberation needs to be appropriate, and the building itself needs to support effective communication. That is why acoustic standards matter. Standards provide a common framework for evaluating and designing acoustic environments rather than leaving critical decisions entirely to subjective judgment. And this is where the newly approved S12.60 Part 1 revision becomes especially important.
From Acoustic Measurement to School Design
The ANSI approval of the revised S12.60 Part 1 comes at an interesting time for the broader field of acoustics. ANSI recently highlighted ASA/ANSI S1.8-2016 (R2025), Reference Values for Levels Used in Acoustics and Vibrations, emphasizing the importance of consistent reference values when acoustic and vibration levels are measured and communicated.
At first glance, S1.8 and S12.60 Part 1 may appear to address very different subjects.
S1.8 establishes reference values used in expressing acoustic and vibration levels.
S12.60 Part 1 establishes acoustical performance criteria and design guidance specifically for schools.
But they share an important underlying principle: Good acoustic decisions depend on consistent measurements, terminology, and criteria.
When we evaluate a classroom, saying that it is “noisy” or that it “sounds better” than another room is subjective. Meaningful acoustic evaluation requires established criteria and reliable measurements.
A New S12.60 Part 1 Is Coming
The approval of the revised S12.60 Part 1 marks an important milestone in the standards process. The standard has now cleared ANSI approval for publication. Once published, the revised document will become an important resource for professionals who design, construct, evaluate, and improve permanent school learning spaces. For architects, engineers, acoustical consultants, school districts, contractors, and facility professionals, the new standard deserves careful attention. It is particularly important for anyone who may be working on new school construction, renovations, classroom improvements, or acoustical evaluations.
The details of the revised standard matter.
As the new edition becomes available, professionals will want to understand what has changed from the previous edition, how the requirements and guidance have evolved, and what those changes mean for future school projects.
Why You Won’t Want to Miss This Revision
Standards are not static documents. As research advances, building practices change, technologies evolve, and the needs of standards users develop, standards must be reviewed and updated. That is exactly why this revision is significant.
ASA/ANSI S12.60 Part 1 has been an important reference for school acoustics. Now, a new edition is on its way.
For those of us who care about the acoustic environment in schools, this is more than a technical update. It is an opportunity to take a fresh look at how we design and evaluate the spaces where teaching and learning take place.
Stay Tuned
With ANSI approval completed on August 31, 2026, the revised ASA/ANSI S12.60 Part 1 is moving toward publication. We will share updates as they become available—including what has changed and what those changes may mean for classroom acoustics. If your work involves school design, construction, facilities, acoustical consulting, or learning environments, this is one standard update you won’t want to miss.
Read the ANSI Article on Acoustic Reference Values
ANSI recently published an informative overview of ASA/ANSI S1.8-2016 (R2025) and the importance of standardized acoustic reference values.
Read the full ANSI article: ASA/ANSI S1.8-2016 (R2025): Acoustic Reference Values
For information on current and developing ASA acoustical standards, visit the ASA Standards catalog.