1 / 43

Noise Pollution and Classroom Acoustics

Noise Pollution and Classroom Acoustics. Marc Hodapp Rory Moulton Kari Ricker. Goals. Original goal Determine noise levels in local classrooms Final goals Improve local classroom acoustics Develop noise reducing materials using recyclable resources. Objectives. Objectives

jesse
Download Presentation

Noise Pollution and Classroom Acoustics

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Noise Pollution and Classroom Acoustics Marc Hodapp Rory Moulton Kari Ricker

  2. Goals • Original goal • Determine noise levels in local classrooms • Final goals • Improve local classroom acoustics • Develop noise reducing materials using recyclable resources

  3. Objectives • Objectives • Determine existing local classroom acoustical conditions • Make recommendations to improve local classrooms • Develop innovative acoustical treatments from recycled material that would also apply to other similar buildings

  4. Negative Effects of Poor Classroom Acoustics • 25% to 30% of teacher’s verbal communication is not heard • Lowered reading comprehension scores • Achievement scores below grade levels

  5. Reading Comprehension UK, Spain, & Netherlands, 2003 100 Reading Comprehension Scores 0 Aircraft Noise, dB(A) Modified from http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/163/1/27 n = 2000 students

  6. Standardized Grade Equivalent TestLos Angeles, CA, 2001 Modified From http://www.quietclassrooms.org/library/ICA2001.htm n = 1406 students

  7. Population Distribution

  8. Methodology Part One:Researching • Archival research • Researched effects of excessive noise • Researched current acoustical solutions • Investigated recycled materials on island • Interviews • Acoustical Engineer • Waste Management Specialist • Industrial Engineer • Mechanical Engineer

  9. Methodology Part Two:Selecting Classrooms • Obtained permission from the Puerto Rico Department of Education • Visited four local junior high schools • Located two classrooms in each school • One classroom in noisiest section of school • One classroom in quietest section of school

  10. Methodology Part Three:Noise Measurements • Following ANSI standards • Used A-weighted time averaging sound level meter • A-weighted: Noise as perceived by humans • Recorded six separate readings of noise levels • Every three seconds for thirty seconds • Noted background noises during noise level spikes

  11. Methodology Part Three:Noise Measurements • In all visited schools • Recorded two unoccupied classrooms • One reading with unoccupied adjacent rooms • One reading with occupied adjacent rooms • In one visited school • Measured an additional room • With air conditioner on • With air conditioner off

  12. Methodology Part Four:Classroom Profiling • Outdoors • Photographed school grounds • Measured distances to noise sources • Indoors • Calculated reverberation time • Measured classroom dimensions • Noted classroom objects’ material • Distributed teacher surveys

  13. Understanding the Results • Noise • Originates from inside or outside • Travels as a sound wave • Measured in decibels (dB) • Classroom levels should be less than 35 dB on average

  14. Understanding the Results • Reverberation time (echo) • Can be estimated • Assuming Sabine room • Using absorption coefficients • Can be measured • Using a sound level meter • Units are in seconds • Classroom time should be less than .6 seconds

  15. Reverberation Example www.reverberationtime.com

  16. Rafael Martinez Nadal (RMN) • Located in Guaynabo • Surrounding the school: • Bus station • High traffic road (most noise) • Farm • Courtyard

  17. Dr. Cesareo Rosa Nieves (CRN) • Located in the San Juan area • Surrounding the school: • Construction site on two sides (most noise) • Elementary school • Housing

  18. Sabana Llana (SL) • Located in the San Juan area • Surrounding the school: • High traffic street (most noise) • Courtyard with a basketball court (most noise) • Housing • Parking lot

  19. Republica Del Peru (RDP) • Located in the San Juan area • Surrounding the school: • High traffic road (most noise) • Housing on two sides • Basketball court and playing fields

  20. Results

  21. ResultsRafael Martinez Nadal Room 1 Adjacent Room Occupied

  22. ResultsRafael Martinez Nadal Classroom Comparison Chart

  23. Results

  24. Results

  25. Results

  26. Teacher Results

  27. Teacher Results • 98 percent reported that there was outdoor noise during class hours • 89 percent reported that they have to speak over the outdoor noises • 76 percent recorded that they hear noise from other classrooms • 73 percent recorded that they have to speak over interior noises

  28. Teacher Results

  29. Conclusions: Classroom Acoustics • Sound levels exceed ANSI, 2005 recommendations • Reverberation times exceed ANSI, 2005 recommendations • People cause the most frequent increases in noise levels • Noise levels vary within schools • Teachers in all schools agree that noise levels are high

  30. ResultsSound Absorbing Material • Polyester as a sound absorber http://kr.gobizkorea.com/att/english/offer/PSF-HC1.jpg

  31. ResultsSound Absorbing Material

  32. ResultsSound Absorbing Material

  33. ResultsSound Absorbing Material

  34. Conclusions: Acoustical Tiles • Inexpensive fibers • Low initial investment • Pioneering production • Potential for profit • Potentially large market

  35. Recommendations for The Department of Education • Phase Number One: Understanding Noise • Purchase low-cost sound level meters • Initiate an island wide sound study • Collect data in a standardized manner • Identify the schools and areas with the most noise problems

  36. Recommendations for The Department of Education • Phase Number Two: Developing Standards • Consult an Acoustical Engineer • Develop and adopt acoustical standards • Follow ANSI • Develop standards for Puerto Rico

  37. Recommendations for The Department of Education • Phase Number Three: Beginning the Process of Change • Urge schools to consider our low-cost solutions • Consider allocating funds to acoustically treat classrooms • Work with the Environmental Quality Board to reduce noise outside of schools

  38. Recommendations for All Puerto Rican Public Schools • Step Number One: Know Your Noise • Take sound level measurements • Interactive learning experience • Involve students and teachers • Locate the loudest and quietest sections • Identify the major sources of noise

  39. Recommendations for All Puerto Rican Public Schools • Step Number Two: Involving Students • Educate students about noise • Demonstrate different sound levels in class • Inform students when their voices are loud

  40. Recommendations for All Puerto Rican Public Schools • Step Number Three: Designate Quiet Zones • Determine which areas are quiet zones • Hallways • Classrooms • Libraries • Designate one or two break rooms • Located in loudest section • Designate a gathering area outdoors • Located as far away from classes as possible

  41. Recommendations for All Puerto Rican Public Schools • Step Number Four: Sound Solutions • Low Cost • Open windows • Close doors • Limit use of mechanical devices • Commercial Solutions • Install acoustical tiles • Seal windows • Install central air conditioning

  42. Summary of Recommendations • Locate noise sources • Rearrange classrooms • Educate students about noise • Seperate break areas from classes • Open windows to reduce reverberation • Limit the use of mechanical devices

  43. Thank you • Department of Education • University of Puerto Rico • Selected schools • Interviewees • ADS • PRIDCO • REMA

More Related