Blog 10

 Acoustics

Acoustics is how sound travels within a space and is heard. Noise is referred to as unwanted sound. The limit that humans are comfortable with within a space is about 110-120 decibels. It is important to understand how sound travels between spaces. It can travel through a passage, go through certain materials, enter/exit through a window, or through the structure(borne sound). There are 3 main principles of sound control: NRC, STC, and TL(Transmission Loss). The Noise Reduction Coefficient(NRC) deals with how materials are rated for absorption capacity to reduce reverberation within a space. Sound transmission class(STC) deals with how sound will travel between spaces, and rates building materials on their ability to absorb sound. There is also Reverberation Time(RT), which deals with sound that is built up in a room over time(echo). It is important when designing spaces like auditoriums, classrooms, music rooms, etc. 

These principles are very important when looking at room design and function. Sound waves travel directly through wall studs between rooms. Staggered walls can help with this. More private rooms should have low reverberation, whereas larger spaces like performance halls should have high reverberation. Privacy is very important for a designer to think about. Acoustical partitions can be used to provide privacy. Acoustical insulation can also be used in partitions to provide sound insulation for rooms that require strict confidentiality. This is also seen in medical rooms that follow HIPAA requirements, so people’s private medical information doesn’t get leaked. 

Sound can be controlled by using materials such as carpet, acoustic panels, acoustic ceiling tiles, textiles, and more. Acoustical panels also come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and designs. This helps control the sound while still achieving the desired design.

Indoor Air Quality

The air quality within a building or room is dependent on several factors, including the HVAC system, interior materials, furniture and fixtures, moisture in the building, volatile organic compounds, and pollutants like mold or cigarette smoke. If the indoor air quality it can even cause you to get sick. Some more common illnesses from a work environment with poor equality include Sick Building Syndrome(SBS) and Building Related Illness(BRI). Some effects of these illnesses include: irritation of the eyes and throat, dizziness, fatigue, and asthma. The best treatment for these illnesses is to remove the source of the contaminants or improve the ventilation using air cleaners or purifiers. 

COVID-19’s Effect on Indoor Air Quality

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected how people viewed and thought about indoor environments. It had both positive and negative impacts on indoor air quality and SBS(Sick Building Syndrome). One of the largest positive impacts was that the pandemic increased awareness of the need for clean indoor air. People became more concerned with the air quality in work buildings and their homes. Many public workplaces upgraded their ventilation and filtration systems. HVAC systems were enhanced and improved. HEPA filters and air purifiers also became more common in classrooms, offices, and even homes. These greatly decrease the levels of airborne particles, allergens, and pollutants within a space. Many organizations also introduce CO2 monitoring, which measures the ventilation effectiveness to ensure occupants receive enough fresh air. All of these improvements helped remove the main causes of SBS.

COVID-19 also had some negative effects on indoor air quality. It caused a rise in disinfectant and cleaning supplies that release chemicals into the air. Many cleaning supplies contain volatile organic compounds(VOCs) that can lead to SBS. Some buildings also weren’t used as much when COVID-19 hit because many people started working from home. The HVAC systems in those buildings did not receive maintenance and collected dust and mold. This caused SBS once the systems began being used again. Some larger buildings also reduced ventilation when COVID-19 hit to conserve money. This also contributed to SBS.