Evaluation of noise comfort in engineering technology laboratory at block G, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Pagoh

Educational building is practically exposed to noise pollution. This paper evaluates the noise comfort of the laboratory using sound level meter (model MS6708) and questionnaire form. This paper aims to identify the sources of noise in the laboratory, to measure the noise level in selected laboratories with the guidelines recommended by Department of Environment Malaysia (DOE) and to compare the level of comfortableness with the total average noise level measured in selected laboratories. Service building, geomatic and highway engineering technology laboratory were the field measurement used in this study. Data collection was performed in every hour with running air-conditioning system from 9 am until 4 pm for five days using SLM. Through the questionnaire, 32 respondents comprising JTKA staffs and final year students of BNB program were randomly selected. From field observation, service building and highway laboratories exceeded the guidelines recommended by DOE which was 55 dBA. Geomatics laboratory has recorded noise value in the range of 46 dBA - 47 dBA which met the standard requirements. Furthermore, the feedback from the questionnaire survey demonstrated that the sources of noise were mostly originated from AHU room, blower and ducting system. Results showed that 34.4% of respondents were uncertain or having neutral perception about comfort level in service laboratory building. Similar to the highway laboratory, the respondents felt comfortable and uncertain with the surrounding environment at 37.5%. It can be observed that majority of respondents felt comfortable with the geomatic laboratory environment. Thus, laboratory noise in UTHM Pagoh campus needs to be controlled and minimized through proper noise reduction approach.