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About the requirements#
The Designing Quality Learning Spaces (DQLS) series provides the requirements for the main internal environmental quality factors:
- acoustics
- lighting and visual comfort
- indoor air quality and thermal comfort.
The DQLS documents have been developed to provide technical requirements that assist architects, designers and engineers in creating quality learning environments that are fit for purpose.
The DQLS requirements apply to:
- all ‘new-build’ structures including extensions
- prefabricated and new contracts for modular buildings
- refurbishments of existing school buildings, including significant alterations.
A design team must ensure that any new learning space design complies with the DQLS requirements and upgrades should meet the requirements as near as practical.
Complying with the DQLS Requirements is mandatory.
Download the DQLS Requirements#
Ensure you are using the latest version of the document by directly downloading the document from the link below.
Acoustics#
Acoustics (V3.1 2020)DQLS Overview – AcousticsLighting and visual comfort#
Lighting and Visual Comfort (V2.1 2020)DQLS Overview – Lighting and Visual Comfort (2020)DQLS Lighting and Visual Comfort addendumIndoor air quality and thermal comfort#
Indoor air quality and thermal comfort (V.2.0 2022)DQLS overview – Indoor air quality and thermal comfort (V.2.0)Window replacement requirements in existing buildingsReports#
A design team must use this report to show compliance with the DQLS mandatory requirements.
Internal Environmental Quality (IEQ) Design ReportInternal Environmental Quality (IEQ) Design Report exampleAn Energy Engineer, an Electrical Engineering or a professional with a similar level of expertise, must complete this report. This is for any project that increases the electrical load to a site, that then may require an upgrade to the existing electrical infrastructure capacity.
Electrical Infrastructure Capacity ReportA design team must use this calculator to provide supporting calculations for simple building forms.
Daylight calculator toolA design team must use this calculator to provide supporting calculations for indoor air quality and thermal comfort.
LCCA heating and cooling calculator toolThis document provides more information about the DQLS standards.
Designing Quality Learning Spaces FAQsAmendments#
The following amendments apply to the DQLS.
DQLS Amendment Electric Lighting – 3 April 2024DQLS Acoustics Amendment Summary - 31 May 2024Feedback and future amendments#
The Ministry is constantly seeking to improve the content and usability of its documents.
If anything in this document requires clarification or if you would like to provide feedback, contact us.
Email: [email protected]
