(a) Important term associated with noise

Noise intensity is measured in decibel (dB) units and rises on a logarithmic scale. A
10dB increase is normally perceived as a doubling in loudness. The table below
gives the typical decibel level of some example sound sources.
SOUND LEVEL (dB)

DESCRIPTION

SOURCE EXAMPLE

10

Very faint

Normal breathing

20

Quiet

Whisper at 1.0 metre

40-50

Normal

Light traffic at 50 metres

50-60

Noisy

Loud speech

70

Loud

Busy street, pub or restaurant

80

Very loud

Vacuum cleaner or hairdryer

(b) Sources of noise

Noise can come from an outdoor sources, for example, residents living under an
airport flight-path or adjacent to a railway line. Noise often originates outside the
building envelope from sources such as traffic, crowds, alarms, horns and sirens, but
noise can also be generated from within buildings by household activities and
appliances such as televisions, radios and washing machines.
Even human speech can be noise. Desirable speech includes that between people
inside of offices, conference rooms, and training rooms, for example. Unwanted
speech comes from others outside of offices, conference rooms, and training rooms
which makes it noise.
Figure below relates some HVAC noise sources to the subjective descriptions of the
noise as well as the general frequency ranges associated with these types of sources
and descriptive terms.

1. (e) Effect of human

Vibration and human perception of motion
Approximate vibration level (mm/s)

Degree of perception

0.10

Not felt

0.15

Threshold of perception

0.35

Barely noticeable

1.0

Noticeable

2.2

Easily noticeable

6.0

Strongly noticeable

Note: The approximate vibrations (in floors of buildings) are for vibration having
frequency content in the range of 8 Hz to 80 Hz.
Residents nearest to roadworks (i.e. <75 m), particularly during vibratory compaction
of earthworks, may perceive vibrations although for a relatively short period
considering the mobile nature of earthworks plant. Resident perception of vibration is
accompanied typically by concerns of structural damage, thus increasing annoyance
levels.

The physiological effect of low-frequency vibration peak amplitudes on a body:

Vibration Level - Acceleration
(m/s2)

Human Perception

< 0.315

Not uncomfortable

0.315 - 0.63

A little uncomfortable

0.5 - 1

Fairly uncomfortable

0.8 - 1.6

Uncomfortable

1.25 - 2.5

Very uncomfortable

>2

Extremely uncomfortable

(f) Effect on building structure

Typical ground vibration from road and bridge construction activities occurs in the
frequency range of approximately 8 Hz to 100 Hz. Within this frequency range,
building contents such as blinds and pictures would commence visible movement at
0.5 mm/s. At vibration levels higher than 0.9 mm/s, rattling of windows, crockery or
loose objects would be audible and annoying.
(g) Effect on building service equipment or machinery
Vibrations can also have adverse impacts on sensitive equipment. Torsional vibration
affects the structural integrity of a whole building.
(f) Effect on building structure
Peak sound pressures are normally assessed to determine the possibility of damage to
a structure. In general, when peak sound levels are above 130 dB, structural parts are
affected. Certain frequencies may cause more concern than others. For example,
window breakage can occur at 30 hertz.
(g) Effect on building service equipment or machinery
The noise will not give any effect on building service equipment or machinery