NOISE PROBLEMS IN THE TROPICS

ARE NOISE PROBLEMS & NOISE CONTROL DIFFERENT IN THE TROPICS?

Differences might be found:

1. In existing noise conditions

2. In aural comfort requirements, acceptable noise levels
3. In the means available for noise control
4. In noise control requirements
1. NOISE CONDITIONS:
The major noise sources in an industrialised society are:
a. road traffic
b. railways
c. aircraft, particularly airports
d. industry: factories, workshops, etc.
e. office machines
f. people in residences: conversation, music, radio, TV etc.
g. motorised appliances: lawn mowers, portable tools, kitchen
appliances, etc.
All these can occur in tropical conditions.
Most of the tropical areas are in developing countries, where
urbanisation is gathering momentum.
The noise generated by people is probably higher than in Europe,
due to more open air activities.
2. AURAL REQUIREMENTS:
In some urban housing areas in the tropics, radios, children, people
talking and singing may produce noise level up to 65-70 dB, which in
a western European society may be judged as annoying. (UK and
German norms are 40 45 dB)

Hence it is suggested that designer operating in a given location in

the tropics should start with the norms published in the literature
(see next table) - on the basis of local information examine whether
these norms should be modified.
Acceptable noise levels (for general guidance only)
Areas dB Areas dB
1. Residential: 4. Educational
Bedroom, private house 25 Lecture room, classroom 30 40
Bedroom, flat 30 Private study 20 35
Bedroom, hote 35 Library 35 45
Living room 40 5. Heath
2. Commercial: Hospital, pubic ward 25 35
Private office 35 45 Hospital, private ward 20 25
Bank 40 50 Operating theatre 25 30
Conference room 40 45 6. Auditoria:
Genera office, shop, store 40 55 Concert hall 25 35
Restaurant 40 60 Church 35 40
3. Industrial Court room, conference room 40 45
Precision workshop 40 60 Recording studio 20 25
Heavy workshop 60 90 Theatre for drama 30 - 40
Laboratory 40 - 50
3. MEANS OF CONTROL:
As protection against external noise, all six ways of noise control are
available except the last one:

1. Distance
2. Avoiding zones of directional sound
3. Screening
4. Planning: using non-noise sensitive parts of the building as barriers
5. Positioning of openings away from the noise source
6. Noise insulating building envelope

In tropical climate, especially in warm humid climate full enclosure &

airtightness can only be achieved with airconditioning. In non-
airconditioned buildings openings must be left for ventilation.
Against noise generated inside the building, all eight ways of control
can be used except item 7, noise insulating construction:

1. Reduction at source
2. Enclosing and isolating the source, or use of absorbent sceens
3. Planning: separating noisy spaces from quiet ones, placing indifferent areas in
between
4. Placing noisy equipment in in the most massive part of the building (e.g., in
the basement)
5. Reduce impact noises by covering surfaces with resilient materials
6. Reduce noise in the space where it is generated by absorbent surfaces
7. Reduce airborne sound transmission by air tight & noise insulating
construction
8. Reduce structure borne sound by discontinuity

In tropical climate, this may be achieved in some cases, if either the

noise source area, or receiving area could be fully enclosed & made
airtight.
4. NOISE CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:

Statutory requirements for noise control are few in tropical areas. The
choice is left to the designer that also increases his responsibility.

The building envelope should give a satisfactory performance in

controlling heat & light as well as sound. In tropical climates the thermal
& aural requirement may clash.

Firstly, the relative importance of thermal factors & aural factors must
be established this will be a function of building.

Secondly, the economic implications must be considered. If it found

that thermal as well as aural comfort can only be ensured by full air-
conditioning , the cost of such installation must be weighed against the
benefit of full comfort & also the capital available for investment.
NOISE CONTROL BY ABSORPTION:

Conflict between aural & thermal control noise control requires fuul
enclosure thermal control requires opening as large as possible.

With large openings if noise can not be controlled may be reduced

by absorption.

1. surfaces from which sound may be reflected into the building

must be identified & made absorptive.

2. new surfaces may be introduced to prevent a straight passage

of sound, & these surfaces must be made absorptive.
NOISE CONTROL BY ABSORPTION:
ABSORBENT SOFFIT TO CANOPY

Absorbent lining would reduce

the reflected noise.
If 70dB was incident on these
surfaces, with an absorption co-
efficient of 0.05 (concrete), 95%
of this will be reflected giving a
sound level N = 69.7 dB.

If the surfaces are covered by a perforated tile, giving an absorption co-

efficient of 0.75, only 25% will be reflected, giving a sound level
N=63.9dB. A reduction of 6dB would be achieved.
NOISE CONTROL BY ABSORPTION:
ABSORBENT LINING TO LOUVRES
Sound may be reflected from the
pavement introduce an
absorbent sound cover instead of
a hard pavement , e.g., lawn a
part of the ceiling near the
window could be made
absorptive.
Louvre system on a ground
floor opening.
A sound of horizontal direction
will be reflected twice, once
from the top & once from the
underside of a louvre blade.
If both surfaces were to be
absorptive, only 6.25% will be
reflected giving a sound level of
57.9 dB total reduction of 12
dB.
But top surfaces of the louvres
are exposed & most absorbent
materials are vulnerable to
mechanical & moisture damage.
NOISE CONTROL BY ABSORPTION:
NOISE REDUCING LOUVRES (ABSORPTION AT EACH REFLECTION)

The effectiveness of absorption is improved if the louvre spacing to

width ratio is reduced, i.e., if the blade width is increased or the blades
are positioned closer together.

Z or S shaped blades would also improve the effectiveness of a louvre

system or sound reduction.
HOT-DRY CLIMATES:

Walls & roofs are usually of massive construction windows/openings

are small & often face an enclosed courtyard noise is generated only
within the courtyard or by overhead noise sources (overflying aircraft).

No serious noise problem.

Only special measure to be taken for the reduction of external noise

penetration protection of small windows/ventilators in external walls
for the period when they are open when closed the heavy shutters
used for thermal reasons would provide adequate protection.

Only potential source of discomfort are the noises inside the courtyard
soft surfaces to be used e.g., lawn instead of paving or absorbent
materials on the soffit of verandah ceiling around the courtyard.
WARM - HUMID CLIMATES:
Buildings are typically of lightweight construction very large openings
exposed to air movement building envelope can not control noise
but it can reduce penetration of noise by skilful use of absorbent
surfaces.
Internal noise situation better than hot-dry courtyard houses
internal noises are free to escape will not be reflected from bounding
surfaces no build up of reverberant sound.
Planning controls distance / positioning / various forms of barriers.
Densities much less than other climatic zones distance between
buildings must be kept greater to allow air movement also help the
noise problem.
Positive control of humidity only possible with air conditioning use of
AC is much more desired in this climate air conditioning implies a
sealed envelope / positive noise control feasible noise control
requirements, especially in case of high noise sensitive buildings would
reinforce the installation of air conditioning.
COMPOSITE CLIMATES:
Buildings are of massive construction windows/openings are
preferably large to provide air movement during warm humid season
with provision for closure during cold season/day time in hot dry
season.

Noise problem not very serious.

Window/door shutters should be massive for thermal & aural reasons.

Problem in the warm humid season when windows are open for
ventilation noise insulation absorption could be used to reduce
noise, but the benefit of this would not justify the cost:
Warm humid season is short only 3 months
Absorption not very effective in reducing noise penetration
Absorptive materials are vulnerable to mechanical & moisture
damage exposed to changing climatic conditions they may
deteriorate rapidly.