Secondary abstract: |
The issue of noise and acoustics in educational institutions is an often overlooked from the view of building construction. The latter has a significant impact on unhealthy conditions, speech intelligibility, discomfort of children and employees, and reduces work productivity and efficiency. Purpose: The purpose of the master thesis was to analyse the excessive noise levels in a selected early childhood care and education institution from the view of sound insulation of external and internal structural assemblies and room acoustics. The issue is addressed comprehensively, taking into account both the technical aspects and public health. Methods: The case study deals with three buildings of the Jarše kindergarten unit in Ljubljana. In five characteristic playrooms, we measured the sound insulation of external and internal separation elements, as well as the reverberation times. Measurements were performed without the presence of children. A constant noise source was used. Then, with the ARTIE and HRUP 13 programs, we modeled the premises and structural assemblies, and arrived at the calculated values. The measured and calculated results were compared with the required values. A subjective assessment of noise issues in kindergartens was conducted. Based on the obtained results, recommendations for actual remediation were made. Results: The study showed the importance of proper design and implementation of external and internal structural assemblies, both for the airborne noise and impact nose. Since daylight is extremely important in educational institutions and large transparent parts of the building envelope are consequently a potential weak point in the transmission of noise to the interior, it is necessary to take into account the position and composition of these. When renovating, the problem can be avoided by choosing the right soundproof glazing. Research has shown that just like external sources of noise, internal sources are also important. In addition to the noise caused by the inmates of the institution, a major source of noise is operating equipment. Consequently, in addition to the design of external and internal separating elements, the choice of materials for the final layers of structural assemblies in protected areas (toy falls, optimal reverberation times,…) is also important. Conclusion: the task has great useful value for both renovations and new constructions; the concrete example shows the importance of comprehensive measures to solve the problem of excessive noise levels in the educational institution. |