School of Mechanical Engineering

EMM 342 Noise and Vibration

Noise Measurement Laboratory

Group 8

Name:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Saw Siong Keat

Lim Huat Poo
Nyeo Kok Wooi
Chng Jin Jun
Yeap Peng Liang

104614
104597
104612
104585
104627

Date of Summit: 28 May 2012

Lecturer: Dr. Inzarulfaisham b. Abd. Rahim
Title: Noise measurement in Bilik Persidangan (Conference Room)
Objective:
1. To determine the characteristic of noise that exists in Conference room.

2. To determine the transmission loss, reverberation time , absorption and reflection of

sound and noise reduction that occur in Conference room.
3. To determine the background noise that exists in Conference room.

Introduction:
Noise is an unwanted sound in the surrounding. Noise usually is generated by the
industrial application which is called as industrial noise. Example of popular industrial noise
are sound that caused by compressor, pump, boiler, internal combustion engine and grinding
machine. Noise can contribute physical and psychological problem to the people around them
like increase blood pressure, stress, lost of hearing and less of rest due the annoying sound.
Noise measurement is a very important nowadays, it commonly used to design and improve
the machine or indoor in order to reduce the noise generated and enhances the noise quality
in the room. Noise quality is important in study or meeting environment especially in lecture
hall and conference room. In this project, Conference room has been chosen as our location
to measure the noise that exists in enclosed space. It is important to figure out the external or
internal sound source which will cause uncomfortable noise that degrading the sound quality
in Conference room. The function of Conference room is to carry out an important general
meeting which is involved staff and students. The noise has to be reduced to minimum value
so that the members can hear clearly from the speaker during the meeting. Experiment
carried out include measuring the background noise that exist in Conference room,
transmission loss from outside chatting noise to inside conference room and reverberant field
from air conditioning sound source. Reverberation time ans noise reduction can be calculated
theoretically by taking the dimensions of absorption material and volume of Conference room.
From this experiment, we can determine the primary noise and its characteristic that exists in
the conference room.

Point 11 under
air

288.5cm

2m

401.3cm

Point 3
and Point
7

1.5m

401.3cm

288.5cm

288.5cm

Point 4
and Point
8

288.5cm

401.3cm

401.3cm

Point
2

Point
1

401.3cm
288.5cm

Point 5
and Point
9

288.5cm

401.3cm

401.3cm
288.5cm

Point 6
and Point
10

288.5cm

401.3cm

Figure 1: Measurement points taken in conference room

30cm
64c

260c

260c
m
Table
Ta
bl
e
775c

960c
1605c
m

820c
m

379c
510c
m
190c

482c
45c

Symbol:

322c
m

Table

Represent wooden door

1154cm
Represent chair
Figure 2 The schematic diagram of Conference room
Methodology:
Part A: Transmission loss of chatting noise of people from outside door to inside Conference
room
It is important to determine whether the disturbance of people chatting noise at the outside of
Conference room will transmit through the door into the Conference room. This noise may
disturb the members hearing system and lost concentration on the speaking person. The
measurement is made when the space is occupied and air conditioning is switch on as
background noise. 2 people are chatting outside the door of Conference room. Measurement
is taken by using Sound level meter Bruel and Kjaer 2260 and smart phone application.

From http://www.moderco.com/kits/standards/ASTM%20E-90-09%20-%20standards.pdf , it
state that :
A2.2.3 In the source room, microphones shall be more than 2 m from any source.
A2.2.4 In the receiving room, microphones shall be more than 1.5 m from the test
partition.
Therefore, based on figure 1,the first measurement is taken 1.5m from the door inside
Conference room while 2 people still chatting outside the Conference room. The second
measurement is taken 2m from the door outside the Conference room while 2 people were
still continue chatting outside Conference room. The transmission loss of disturbance chatting
noise from outside conference room to inside conference room by experiment is the
subtraction of measurement data taken at outside conference room to inside conference
room. While for theoretical calculation, we need the to measure the thickness of the door that
will transmit the chatting noise from outside conference room to inside conference room. We
use ruler to measure the thickness of the door and the dimension is 0.035m. From the text
book Engineering noise control by A.Bies,the formula for transmission loss is given by:
TL=10log (

2 c
mw
=

), where

)2 ,where

=sound power coefficient

c is the impedance of air

M is surface density of partition

c=415 MKS rayls ,which is the impedance

of
free air at 20

and 1atm.

Part B:Background noise

Air conditioning is determined as the background noise that exists in Conference room.
According to the journal of Measurement Method of Background noise in theatre Based on
stage machinery:
The room has to be divided into a number of squares averagely, which should cover the
room completely. Measuring points should be set in the centre of each square. Measuring
instrument should be kept 1.2m away from the ground. Measuring result should be the
averaging of all the points in room.
Therefore, we have divided the Conference room into 4 grids. Based on figure 1,the points 3,
4, 5 and 6 are measured at the center of their grid respectively by using Sound level meter
and smart phone application when air conditioning is switched on. Then, air conditioning is
switch off and the measurement of points 7, 8, 9 and 10 are taken. The formula used in
calculation for averaging the all points in room as below:

Volume (total) Sound Pressure Level = 10 log (10 Lp1/10 + 10Lp2/10 + 10Lpn/10)
The background noise from air conditioning is the subtraction of average sound pressure level
when air conditioning turn on with the average sound pressure level when air conditioning
turn off.
Part C: Reverberation time in Conference room.
Since we are unable to measure the reverberation time in conference room due to we do not
have instrument to measure the reverberation time. Besides, the reverberation time is too
short to measure and it will be inaccurate if we use stopwatch to determine the time in
seconds for sound level to decay by 60dB after a sound source is abruptly turned off.
Therefore, we can only determine the reverberation time by theoretical only. The dimension of
Conference room is measured by using measuring tape. The total numbers of absorption
material and its surface area are recorded. The reverberation time and the average
absorption coefficient of the Conference room then are calculated by using formula stated in
the Result part later.
Part D: Noise Reduction in Conference room
The noise reduction can be achieved by adding sound absorption to an enclosed space. This
can be determined by comparing the sound pressure level in the enclosure after adding the
sound absortion to that before the absorption was added. After we have calculated the
reverberation time, we desire to reduce the reverberation time by add in some absorption
material which is fiberglass board. The formula of noise reduction will be stated in the Result
part.
Part E: Sound Pressure Level, Sound Power Level and Sound Intensity level in Conference
Room
To measure the sound pressure level of air conditioning as background noise source, we just
put the sound level meter under the air conditioning (point 11) which is switch on. The formula
for calculating the Sound Pressure Level, Sound Power Level and Sound Intensity level will
be stated in Result part.
Result:
Part A: Transmission loss of chatting noise of people from outside door to inside Conference
room
Based on the figure 1 which is the schematic diagram of conference room:
1. Point 1 with the condition:
a) Air conditioning is switch on
b) People chatting outside the door of conference room
c) Measurement taken 0.3m near the door inside conference room
d) Data taken is: LAeq=68dB

2. Point 2 with the condition:

a) Air conditioning is switch on
b) People chatting outside the door of conference room
c) Measurement taken 0.3m near the door outside conference room
d) Data taken is: LAeq=86dB
Theoretical :.
From the website of : www.stanleyhardware.com/default.asp?
TYPE=STATICLEFT&PAGE=cht_weight,htm&LEFT=left_cht_weight.htm, the hollow core
material of wooden door with 0.035m thickness,2.04m height and 0.83m length, the surface
density ,m=9.8kg/m2.
Since the optimum reverberation time is at 500Hz, then the W=2 (500)

Therefore, the Sound power coefficient,

2 c
mw
=
=(

)2

2 415

9.8 2 500

=7.268 10

Transmission loss,TL=10 log(

1
7.268 104

-4

= 31.4dB
Experiment (by using Smartphone application):
Tenasmission loss,TL= LAeq point 2 Laeq point 1
= 86dB 68dB
=18dB
Error percentage=

31.418
31.4

100%

= 42.7%
Experiment (by using sound level meter):
LAeq location 1 is 59.4dB
LAeq location 2 is 61.3dB
Therefore , Tenasmission loss,TL= LAeq point 2 Laeq point 1
= 61.3dB- 59.4dB
=1.9dB

Error percentage=

31.41.9
31.4

100%

= 94%
Part B: Background noise
The background noise in Conference room is Air conditioning.
We have divided the conference room into 4 grids. Each measurement are taken at the center
of each grid as stated in figure 1.
Experiment (by using Smartphone application)
Based on figure 1,
When air conditioning is switch on,
LAeq for point 3 is 61B
LAeq for point 4 is 62dB
LAeq for point 5 is 62.4dB
LAeq for point 6 is 61.4dB
From the text book of Engineering Noise control by David A.Bies,
Volume (total) Sound Pressure Level
= 10 log (10Lp1/10 + 10Lp2/10 + 10Lpn/10)
=10 log [(1061/10 + 1062/10 + 1062/10 + 1061/10 )/4]
=61.5dB
When air conditioning is switch off,
LAeq for point 7 is 41dB
LAeq for point 8 is 43dB
LAeq for point 9 is 43dB
LAeq for point 10 is 44dB
Volume (total) Sound Pressure Level
= 10 log (10Lp1/10 + 10Lp2/10 + 10Lpn/10)
=10 log [(1041/10 + 1043/10 + 1043/10 + 1044/10 )/4]
=42.9dB
Therefore, the background noise from air conditioning in Conference room = 61.5dB-42.9dB
= 18.6dB
Experiment (by using Sound Level Meter)
We have divided the conference room into 4 grid. Each measurement are taken at the center
of each grid.
When air conditioning is switch off,
LAeq for point 3 is 57.2dB
LAeq for point 4 is 57.2dB
LAeq for point 5 is 57.4dB

LAeq for point 6 is 57.4dB

From the text book of Engineering Noise control by David A.Bies,
Volume (total) Sound Pressure Level
= 10 log (10Lp1/10 + 10Lp2/10 + 10Lpn/10)
=10 log [(1057.2/10 + 1057.2/10 + 1057.4/10 + 1057.4/10 )/4]
=57.3dB
When air conditioning is switch on,
LAeq for point 7 is 59.4dB
LAeq for point 8 is 59.4dB
LAeq for point 9 is 59.5dB
LAeq for point 10 is 59.5dB
Volume (total) Sound Pressure Level
= 10 log (10Lp1/10 + 10Lp2/10 + 10Lpn/10)
=10 log [(1059.4/10 + 1059,4/10 + 1059.5/10 + 1059.5/10 )/4]
=59.45dB
Therefore, the background noise from air conditioning in Conference room = 59.45dB-57.3dB
= 2.15dB
Part C: Reverberation time and absorption in Conference room.
We had taken several absorptive materials in the conference room into consideration. The
absorption material that exists in conference room are as below:
From website http://www.sae.edu/reference_material/pages/Coefficient

%20Chart.htm

125 Hz
250 Hz
Carpet
0.01
0.02
Seats (fabric-upholstered, empty)
0.49
0.66
Seats (fabric-upholstered, Fully Occupied)
0.6
0.74
Brick (Painted)
0.01
0.01
Plaster Ceiling
0.01
0.02
wood table
0.15
0.11
people
0.232
0.279
Table 1 absorption coefficient chart

500 Hz
0.06
0.8
0.88
0.02
0.02
0.1
0.325

1000

2000

4000

Hz
0.15
0.88
0.96
0.02
0.03
0.07
0.353

Hz
0.25
0.82
0.93
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.372

Hz
0.45
0.7
0.85
0.03
0.05
0.07
0.353

The dimension of the room is 16.05m in length, 11.54m in width, ad 2.75m in height.
Therefore, the volume of the room, V = 16.05m x 11.54m x 2.75m= 509.35m 3
And the total surface area of room, S = 2 x (11.54x 2.75 + 16.05 x 2.75 + 11.54 x 16.05)
= 522.18m2=18440.613 ft3
There are 49 seats provided in the conference room, we assume that it is 2/3 fill up like there
are 33 people in that room. The surface area of the seat is approximately 0.5m 2.

The total surface area of the wood table in the conference room is approximately 18.62 m 2.
In order to find out the average absorption coefficient of the room, we apply

avg=

S 1 1 +S 2 2 +...+S n n
S1 + S2 +..+S n

For 125 Hz, the average absorption coefficient is

avg=

0.01 ( 11.54 16.05 ) +0.49 ( 0.5 16 )+ 0.6 ( 0.5 33 ) + 0.01 ( 2 ( 11.54 2.75+16.05 2.75 ) ) +0.01 ( 11
2 ( 11.54 16.05 ) + ( 0.5 16 ) + ( 0.5 33 )+ ( 2 ( 11.54 2.75+16.05 2.75

0.052167
The total absorption of the room is given by

A=S ln(

1
)
1

A=565.3 ln(

1
)
10.052167

A=30.28705 metric sabins

The reverberation time is

T=

0.161V
A

T=

0.161522.18
=2.775807 seconds
30.28705

The room constant is given as

R=

S av
1 av

R=

29.49
2
=31.11308 m
10.052167

Carpet
Seats (fabric-upholstered, empty)
Seats (fabric-upholstered, Fully Occupied)
Brick (Painted)
Plaster Ceiling
wood table
people

125 Hz
0.01
0.49
0.6
0.01
0.01
0.15
0.232

250 Hz
0.02
0.66
0.74
0.01
0.02
0.11
0.279

500 Hz
0.06
0.8
0.88
0.02
0.02
0.1
0.325

1000

2000

Hz
0.15
0.88
0.96
0.02
0.03
0.07
0.353

Hz
0.25
0.82
0.93
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.372

4000 Hz
0.45
0.7
0.85
0.03
0.05
0.07
0.353

 Si i

29.49

37.67

51.36

72.21

92.05

129.74

0.163
100.472
0.837
109.954

0.230
147.387
0.570
168.386

Average sound absorption coefficient,

avg

0.052
0.067
0.091
0.128
Absorption, A
30.287
38.984
53.845
77.257
Reverberation Time, T
2.776
2.157
1.561
1.088
Room Constant R1
31.113
40.359
56.493
82.785
Table 2 Reverberation time and room constant calculated in conference room
Part D: Noise Reduction in Conference room.
From the references we obtained,

Figure 3 Optimum reverberation time for different size and type of room
The speech is the primary function in the conference room. Therefore the required
reverberation time at all frequency is 0.7 seconds. If we desired to reduce the reverberation
time of the conference room, we need to add in some absorptive materials.

A=

0.161 V 0.161 522.18

=
=120.10
T 0.7
0.7

avg=1e

A
S

120.10
565.3

=1e

=0.1914

i S i= avg S=0.1914 565.3=108.2

In order to increase the sound absorptive of the room, we suggest using 1 inch thick
fiberglass board with 90m2 attached to the wall to increase sound absorption.

Fibreglass board

Si i

1000

2000

4000

125 Hz
0.53

250 Hz
0.99

500 Hz
0.99

Hz
0.99

Hz
0.99

Hz
0.99

33.99

54.77

108.06

151.4

175.75

215.14

0.060
35.055

0.097
57.608

0.191
119.927

0.268
176.222

0.311
210.498

0.381
270.760

Average sound absorption coefficient,

avg
Absorption, A

Reverberation Time, T
2.398
1.459
0.701
Room Constant R2
36.164 60.646
133.598
Table 3 Fiberglass is added to increase sound absorption

0.477
206.780

0.399
255.042

The noise reduction is calculated using

NR=10 log(

R2
)
R1
125 Hz

Room Constant R1
Room Constant R2
Noise reduction, NR

250 Hz

500 Hz

1000

Hz
31.113
40.359
56.493
82.785
36.164
60.646
133.598 206.780
0.653
1.769
3.738
3.976
Table 4 Noise reduction after fiber glass is added

2000

4000

Hz
109.954
255.042
3.654

Hz
168.386
347.323
3.144

Part E: Sound Pressure Level, Sound Power Level and Sound Intensity level in Conference
Room
The measuring point 11 is under air conditioning which is switch on. Assuming the room
temperature as 25 degree and frequency of 500 Hz is taken as reference.
2

Prms
Sound Pressure Level,Lp=10log P2
ref
P2rms
46.55dB=10log (2 105 )2
ref
Prms=4.25 10-3Pa
2

Intensity of sound,! =

Prms
Impedance

4.25 103

=
2

=4.36 10

-8

W/m2

Intensity of sound in decibel, Li = 10log[

I
I 0 ]dB

4.36 108
= 10log[
]dB
1012
=46.39dB

0.311
347.323

Intensity of sound =

4.36

10

-8

Sound Power ,W
Surface Area
Sound Power
16.05 m 11.54 m

W/m2 =

Sound Power = 8.07

10

Sound Power level,Lw = 10log[

w
wref ]dB

8.07 106
= 10log[
]dB
1012
= 69.1dB
Frequency
125
160
200
250
315
400
500
630
800
1000
1250
1600
2000
2500
3150
4000
5000
6300
8000
10000
12500

Sound Pressure

Sound Intensity

Sound Power Level

Level (dB)
Level (dB)
(dB)
30.16
30
52.68
35
34.84
57.52
37.1
36.94
59.62
40.11
39.95
62.63
42.67
42.51
65.19
44.69
44.53
67.21
46.55
46.39
69.1
48
47.84
70.52
48.95
48.79
71.47
49.36
49.2
71.88
49.53
49.37
72.05
49.24
49.08
71.76
48.78
48.62
71.30
48.14
47.98
70.66
47.31
47.15
69.83
46.4
46.24
68.92
45.36
45.2
67.88
44.33
44.17
66.85
43.65
43.49
66.17
42.5
42.34
65.01
42.29
42.13
64.81
Table 5 : Compiling data from point 11 at different frequency

SPL,SWL and IL vs Frequency

80
70
Sound Pressure Level
(dB)

60
50

Sound Intensity Level

(dB)

Decibel(dB0 40
30

Sound Power Level

(dB)

20
10
0
0

10000

20000

Frequency (Hz)

Graph 1: SPL,SWL and IL versus frequency in conference room

Discussion:
1. We identify the air-conditioner as the primary noise exists in the conference room.
2. From the http://soundproofing.org/infopages/air_conditioner_soundproofing.htm, older
air condition units are more likely to emit noise compare to newer unit. Compressors
make more noise than fans and when the unit worn out, it can be very difficult to quiet
down and replacement is the only option. Fan blades can make a lot of noise if
coated with dirt through long use and can become imbalanced, causing bearings to
go bad aggravate the noise. The noise came from the compressor and integral fan
noise as well as vibration is hard to soundproof them directly with material installed to
them.
3. The type of noise came from the air conditioner may attributed to fans, and
compressor. Therefore, this type of noise is category as discrete frequency noise.
Discrete frequency noise is mainly generated from rotating machinery.
4. Beside the noise generated from the air conditioner, we also want to eliminate the
noise from outside of the room, like chatting noise, to prevent interference to the
conversation inside the conference room.
5. Thus transmission lost through the conference door is investigated to determine the
effectiveness of the soundproof of the conference room towards the disturbance from
outside.
6. The experimental data (smart phone application ) shown 18dB losses when the
conversation is taken outside. In other words the door provides an insulation barrier
of 18dB. However, theoretical data shown 31.4dB loss through the door.

7. While by using sound level meter, there is only 1.9dB transmission loss, which is
much smaller than theoretical value. We suspect that the sensitivity of sound level
meter become low since it has been used for many years ago.
8. Theoretical value shows that the loss is higher than experimental .This may due to
the slit or door gap make the sound permissible into the conference room which make
the experimental data differ from the theoretical data.
9. For background noise topic,when the air conditioner is turn off the background noise
is 43dB which is dubbed as a quiet office or room. There shown a vast sound
pressure level difference between the air conditioner is on and off.
10. When the air conditioner is switched on the background noise is 61.5dB which shown
an increment of 18.6dB by using smart phone application. Again, by using sound level
meter, the background noise caused by air conditioning is only 2.15dB. Sensitivity of
sound level meter is again suspected low and broken.
11. The 61dB of the conference room make the chatting noise from outside (68dB) rather
insignificant which means that the conversation inside the conference room will not
be disturbed by the noise emitted from outside the room unless it is a big noise like
radio music.
12. When we tested the sound pressure level at 0.03m away from the air conditioner
vent, we found out that it gives a data of 86dB and showing a decreasing value as the
distance from the vent get bigger as shown in the graph.
13. But it has shown a trend of approaching asymptote of 61dB as the distance get
further away.
14. Therefore, for a distance of 0.9 m away from the air conditioner vent, the noise from
air vent is diffused into the enclosed space and turn into a background noise.
15. The reverberation time calculated from theoretical data is 1.561 seconds at 500Hz for
2/3 occupied room.
16. The optimum reverberation time for a conference room is 0.7 second for a room size
of 18440.613 ft3 by referring to Figure 3.
17. Therefore by considering improving the reverberation time of the room, we propose a
90m2 area of 1 inch thick fibreglass board added to the wall to increase the average
absorption coefficient of the room.
18. The data shown improvement of reverberation time up to 0.701 seconds.
19. The noise reduction after added the fibreglass board to the wall shown a decreasing
of 3.74dB.
20. We are unable to determine the transmission loss from speaker to audience because
the microphone in each seat is come together with speaker itself, meaning that
microphone and speaker are in 1 set. Therefore, every audience can listen clearly
from their position as each microphone set is just in front of them.
21. From the website http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/nc-noise-

criterion-d_725.html,

Figure 4 : Recommended NC level in conference room

it stated that for conference room, the recommended NC level is between 25 and 30
and the equivalent sound level in dBA is between 35 to 40dBA. Comparing to our
experiment calculated result, taking 500Hz as a reference, the sound pressure level
in conference is 46.55dB while in the website, the recommended value is 35dB.
Therefore, we have to add in some absorption material to decrease the sound
pressure level in conference room so that the sound pressure level will more likely to
35dB.
22. There are several errors exist when taken the data
i.

There is some noise like accidentally tap table emitted when data is taken
causing it to fluctuate.

ii.

Some people are walking outside the corridor of conference room which will
affect the value of data when the measurement is made near to the door or
wall.

iii.

Weak battery power will affect the data taken.

23. Precaution steps

i.

There must be less people around the room when the experiment is carried
out to decrease the probability of noise making.

ii.

Many data should be taken to average out the errors and improve the data
accuracy.

iii.

Make sure the battery power is full.

Conclusion
1. The transmission loss through the door is 18dB by using Smartphone application and
1.9dB by using Sound level meter.
2. The background noise when air conditioner is switch off is 43 dB and when the air
conditioner is switch on, it is 61dB by using sound level meter. While by using sound
level meter , the difference between air conditioning switch on and off is 2.15dB.
3. The reverberation time is 1.561seconds theoretically.
References
1. Machinery noise measurement. By S.J. Yang and A.J. Ellison from Oxford science
Publications.
2.

http://soundproofing.org/infopages/air_conditioner_soundproofing.htm

3.

www.stanleyhardware.com/default.asp?
TYPE=STATICLEFT&PAGE=cht_weight,htm&LEFT=left_cht_weight.htm

4.

http://www.sae.edu/reference_material/pages/Coefficient%20Chart.htm

5.

Text book Engineering noise control by A.Bies,4th edition.

6. Measurement Method of Background Noise in Theatre Based on Stage Machinery

by Hui Ren, Jingjing Zhang, Wei Jiang, Zhibin Su from School of Information
Engineering, Communication University of China Beijing, China
7. http://www.moderco.com/kits/standards/ASTM%20E-90-09%20-%20standards.pdf ,

Figures of Measurement data

Point 1 data

Point 2 data

Point 3 data

Point 4 data

Point 5 data

Point 6 data

Point 7 data

Point 9 data

Point 11 data

Point 8 data

Point 10 data