Paper study of impact noise for NICU project

摘要

The 2006 AIA Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities contain veryspecific noise limits regarding newborn intensive care units (NICUs). These limits are stated interms of the total noise level: background sound plus transient activity noise. According to theseguidelines, noise in NICUs should not exceed an hourly L_(eq) of 50 dBA, an hourly L_(10) of 55 dBA,or an L_(max) of 70 dBA. On a recent children’s hospital project, the design team was choosingbetween two floor coverings that would be applied to the floor above the NICU unit. A quickpaper study was performed to compare expected impact noise levels in the NICU. Data from theflooring manufacturer’s laboratory impact noise tests was converted into estimates of footfallnoise using Warnock’s average ISO hammer and walker spectrum differences. Insertion lossvalues for various ceilings were also used to complete these estimates. This paper will presentthe findings from this study.