Determining Noise Zones in the Laboratories of the College of Engineering at the University of Al-Mustansiriyah
Shatha A. J. Ibrahim
Dr. Shatha A. J. Ibrahim , Environmental Engineering Department, The University of Al-Mustansiriyah , College of Engineering, Baghdad, Iraq.
Manuscript received on July 19, 2014. | Revised Manuscript received on July 20, 2014. | Manuscript published on July 25, 2014. | PP:1-6 | Volume-2 Issue-9, July 2014. | Retrieval Number: I0773072914/2014©BEIESP
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© The Authors. Published By: Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: The aim of this work was to determine the noise zones in twelve main labs of the College of Engineering at the University of Al-Mustansiriyah and to identify risk zones for users of the labs (students, staff and researchers) to prevent or reduce exposure. The background noise was measured in all labs and was found to range from 50 to 65 dBA. Eight labs (computer skills, computer and logic, computer, polymers and chemical, soil mechanics, structure material, metal inspection and air conditioner & refrigeration ) had noise levels that were considered acceptable (less than or equal to 80 dBA), two labs (sanitary and hydraulic) would need to implement a hearing conservation program because the noise level was 85 dBA, and two labs (structure and workshop ) exceeded the permissible limit, reaching values of 110 dBA; these labs require strong rehabilitation such as replacement of noisy old machines by quieter new machines, redistribution of equipment, reduction of ceiling height and addition of sound insulation material for the walls and ceiling.
Keywords: Background noise, laboratories, noise sources, noise zone.