Investigate the noise exposure in UNITEN

• Main Author: Muhamad Syahmi Bin Johari
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Noise exposure; Permissible noise exposure limit; Noise reduction

The source of noise in UNITEN can be clearly heard at chiller, AHU unit, centrifugal fan blower and laboratory equipment which may affect human hearing and cause disturbance to nearby areas. This study examines the permissible noise exposure limit for each of the noise sources as per Department of Safety and Health (DOSH) and Department of Environment (DOE) requirements. The allowable working duration for each of the noise sources was allocated as a safety guidance for the workers. In estimating the level of disturbance, the anticipated community annoyance response was determined. Meanwhile, for noise reduction strategy, the necessary changes in approach taken to reduce the noise exposure level were recommended. The data of equivalent continuous sound pressure level, LAeq were measured at 26 working areas using sound level meter. The findings showed that 20 working areas had excessive noise level which were greater than the noise exposure limit. A total of 40 noise sources had been specified with allowable working duration according to 16 hours A-weighted noise exposure limit. Besides, the anticipated community annoyance response resulted a maximum level which was a very strong impact to the community. The recommended approaches to reduce the noise exposure were suggested which were an acoustic enclosure for pump and chiller, silencer for AHU unit, spring isolator for concrete vibration table and an acoustic absorber for centrifugal fan blower. In summary, the noise exposure in UNITEN was clearly investigated which may be useful for implementing the noise reduction in future works. KEYWORDS: noise exposure, sound pressure level, noise source, permissible noise exposure limit, noise reduction, UNITEN.