De Montfort Student Union Noise Assessment

Summary

This assessment was carried out by Roger Yates in the Student Union bar area during the Friday
night disco. Measurements were taken in the front bar, rear bar, seating area and dance floor.

The report gives information on the instrument used for noise measurement, the noise exposure
and the recommendations for action.

The report shows that in a typical 4 hour shift with an estimated work pattern, bar staff will be
exposed above both the lower and upper action levels. An immediate recommendation is made
for wearing hearing protection when in the seating and dance floor areas and for rotation of staff.

A recommendation for controlling the noise at source is also given at the end of the report.

Date of assessment 3/9/2007

Instrument Details

Meter Cirrus CR:264 Serial No. A18639FB Calibrated 17/08/2006

Calibrator Type Cirrus CR:511E Serial No. 41872 Calibrated 03/08/2006

Calibration level 94dB @ 1kHz

Noise exposure assessments

Sound pressure level Exposure time

Noise source dB(A) LEQ (estimated) Equivalent exposure %

Dance floor 91 30 mins 25

Seating area 90 30 mins 20
Front bar 89 2hrs 30 mins 81
Rear bar 69 30 mins 0

Daily exposure dB(A) LEPD 86 4 hrs 126

Action level exceeded 80 dB - YES 85 dB - YES

Recommendations for action

IImmediate action to provide hearing protectors to be used when collecting glasses around dance
floor or seating area. Also look to reduce time spent in front bar by rotating staff between front and
rear bar.

Short term action to reduce noise at source by maintaining amplifiers at optimum performance,
possible replacement of base units and equalisation of the sound system. (Example of this
resulted in 8 dB reduction in sound level but patrons perceived an increase in sound level.

Long term action to consider directional and isolated speakers, low reverberation panels with
acoustic absorption, acoustic screens. Typical result after a refit is reduction of 9 dB.

Assessed by :- Roger Yates

Date 3/9/2007