A108 Site office noise

Acceptable noise levels for construction site offices

Brief:

This study examined acceptable noise level of a construction site office in Hong Kong by analysing responses obtained from interviews of 77 occupants. The equivalent continuous noise level Leq measured in the office was chosen as an indicator and correlated with the occupant acceptance recorded on a visual analogue assessment scale and a dichotomous assessment scale. With the use of a logistic regression model, this acceptance was found to be significantly influenced by the working experience and age of occupants, which were in turn highly correlated. Satisfactory noise levels within the office have been evaluated by comparing acceptance responses given by the occupants at different Leq. The proposed criterion of aural comfort was further identified by the survey samples and a conclusion was drawn: an indoor environment with an equivalent continuous noise level Leq of 65 dBA would be deemed acceptable for a construction site office.

This work forms part of an undergraduate final year project. Student: Y.W. Wong (BEng)

Further information:

Mui KW, Wong LT, Wong YW, 2009. Acceptable noise levels for construction site offices, Building Services Engineering Research and Technology 30(1) 87-94.