In the present study, a survey was carried out to examine the capabilities of various noise indices for describing the nuisance caused by exposure to air conditioner noise inside residential apartments. Physical noise measurements were also carried out. Results show that the Zwicker's loudness level and the percentile level of 90% exceedence are the two major indices for air conditioner noise assessment. The rating level appears not to be a good indicator for such a purpose.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BeranekL. L., 1956. Criteria for office quieting based on questionnaire rating studies. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.Vol. 28, pp. 833 – 852.
2.
BlazierW. E., 1981. Revised noise criterion for application in the acoustical design and rating of HVAC systems. Noise Control Engg. J.Vol. 16, pp. 64 – 73.
3.
TangS. K., 1997. Performance of noise indices in air-conditioned landscaped office buildings. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.Vol. 102, pp. 1657 – 1663.
4.
AyrU.CirilloE.MartellottaF., 2001. An experimental study on noise indices in airconditioned offices. Appl. Acoust.Vol. 62, pp. 633 – 643.
5.
ZwickerE.FlottorpG.StevensS. S., 1957. Critical band width in loudness summation. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.Vol. 29, pp. 548 – 557.
6.
BradleyJ. S., 1978. Disturbance caused by residential air conditioner noise. J. Acoust. Soc. Am.Vol. 93, pp. 1978 – 1985.
7.
KoN. W. M.HoW. F.UnW.K., 1978. Responses to air-conditioning system noise, J. Sound Vib.Vol. 57 pp. 595 – 602.
8.
Technical Memorandum for the Assessment of Noise from Places other than Domestic Premises, Public Places or Construction Sites, The Environmental Protection Department, The Hong Kong SAR Government (2002). Available at http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd.
9.
BeranekL. L., 1989. Balanced noise criterion curves, NCB, J. Acoust. Soc. Am.Vol. 86, pp. 650 – 664.
10.
KostenC. W.van OsG. J., 1962. Community reaction criteria to external noise. National Physical Laboratory Symposium No.12, Her Majesty's Stationary Office, London.
