Personal computer, printer, and portable equipment noise in classrooms

Abstract

The American National Standard on classroom acoustics (ANSI S12.60-2002) presents criteria for background noise in classrooms. The criteria in ANSI S12.60 do not apply to the noise from portable or permanent built-in equipment used during the course of instruction, such as computers, audiovisual equipment, and printers. ANSI S12.60 provides general guidance on the selection and installation of such equipment; however, the standard does not present specific recommendations for schools to purchase these products to ensure they meet acoustics needs. This paper updates the recommendations made in a NOISE-CON 2003 paper by the authors on an approach for ensuring that computers and instructional material are acceptable acoustically in classroom environments. Schools should use unambiguous purchase specifications based on product A-weighted sound power level criteria. Schools should then install and operate the equipment in a manner to minimize noise emissions—considering both location of products and students and special noise reduction techniques. This paper recommends a purchase specification format; product sound power criteria based on experience and existing environmental criteria; and procedures for installing and locating such equipment in the classroom to minimize noise.