Acoustic climate inside a canteen and mitigation solutions

Abstract

Acoustics 08 Paris 5217The acoustic environment inside a canteen is an important feature to guarantee speech intelligibility and speech privacy, as well as to reduce the exposure levels. Unfortunately this aspect is not always properly taken into account as others, like cleanliness. This paper describes the case-study of the canteen at the National Agency for Environmental Protection (APAT), having a capacity of 220 seats. The acoustic environment has been characterized by measuring the main acoustic descriptors for speech intelligibility (Reverberation Time, STI, C80 and D50) and evaluating the noise exposure levels for the users. The comparison of the results with the recommended values showed a bad situation, especially in the speech frequency range, which requires acoustic corrections to improve the quality of the acoustic environment. To identify these corrections a numerical model of room acoustics, implemented on a commercial software, has been used to evaluate the effects produced by different corrections. The proposed correction improves the acoustic performances up to a good level, without modifying the structural parts and existing walls. Moreover, the solution allows to maintain the hall's usability without obstructing users mobility, screening natural lighting and reducing number of seats.

A Field Survey of Acoustic Conditions in Primary and Kinder School Canteens

“…However, it is indubitable that they play an important social role, as students may more easily talk and interact among them, while having often significant impacts on workers attending the students activities. The literature on the acoustics of restaurants, canteens and eating spaces has received important contributions that pointed out the role of background noise control and room acoustics to limit Lombard effect [8][9][10][11][12], also leading to the definition of more specific criteria to explain and assess the acoustic requirements of such spaces [13]. However, information about primary or nursery school canteens is limited (some data can be found in [5]), despite the higher sensitivity to noise of the users and the smaller dimensions compared to ordinary eating premises.…”

Textile-Based Sound Sensors (TSS): New Opportunities for Sound Monitoring in Smart Buildings

“…Sound conditions can have physiological and psychological effects on people in either a positive or negative way. Studies have demonstrated effects in educational spaces [1], working spaces [2], restaurants [3], canteens [4] and outdoor spaces [5]. Negative conditions can cause permanent hearing damage, increased stress [6], reduced efficiency at work [7], disturbance of sleep patterns [8] and interference in communications [9] as well as cardiovascular illnesses [10].…”

Crowd noise and vocal power level in large college canteens in China

“…The noise in the dining space was usually very high [2,3], and it became more serious in Chinese college canteens. This continuous high-noise-level environment made it difficult to communicate and caused low comfort and satisfaction [4,5] of the diners.…”