What are Decibels?
The decibel or dB is a unit that measures sound intensity. Considering the human ear for a moment, it can hear the softest of fingertip touches on skin to the roar of a jet engine which is millions of times more powerful than the tiniest audible sound. The range a human ear can deal with is enormous but within that range there is a limit when the decibel level becomes dangerous. Below is a list of common sounds and their decibel levels:
- Total Silence – 0 dB
- Whisper – 15 dB
- Regular conversation – 60 dB
- Lawnmower – 90 dB
- Car Horn – 110 dB
- Rock Concert – 120dB
- Jet Engine – 120 dB
- Gunshot – 140 dB
- Firecracker – 140 dB
Distance also affects sound intensity so moving away from a noise will reduce decibel levels.
Any noise above 85 dB may cause hearing loss. Hearing loss is related to the decibel level and the length of time exposed to the noise. Long term exposure can cause hearing problems as seen in some factory workers, and any exposure to levels of 120dB and above will cause immediate damage.
Consider then a noisy office air conditioning unit. Depending on the decibel level, it could cause problems for workers.
In many cases, planning permission is needed before an office air conditioning unit can be installed especially in dense areas or areas where there are amenities or residential areas that could be impacted by noise pollution. Therefore, it is important when considering an installation whether you need planning permission or not. For smaller office air conditioning units there are many ways to ensure that harmful noise will not disrupt the office day.
Location
Position of the outdoor compressor unit should be carefully managed so it is positioned away from areas in the office where a quiet environment is needed. A good location would be on the outside walls of bathrooms or office kitchens leaving the main office areas uninterrupted by noise.
Decibel Level
Your office air conditioning unit will have a decibel rating so you can decide on the quietest unit within your budget. There are many quiet units on the market which are available from our professional air conditioning company and we will be making some suggestions in this article. Our experienced engineers will guide you to the right unit for your purposes.
Council Requirements
Check you do not need planning permission and check your local council’s office air conditioning regulations. Some councils do not allow certain air conditioners. The information required can be found on most council websites or we can assist you in finding out the local requirements as part of our professional service to you when considering and office air conditioner installation.
Neighbouring Facilities
Ensure you will not be disrupting a neighbouring business or residence and locate your outdoor compressor accordingly and discuss with neighbours to avoid any issues. It would not be pleasant for a beauty salon to have loud air conditioning noises while trying to carry out a soothing massage!
Decibel Awareness
There are ways to limit noise from your air conditioning system whether it is a new installation or existing office air conditioning unit.
Inverter Systems
Most inverter office air conditioning units have been designed to have a lower decibel level than a regular air conditioning system. If you are worried about noise, or are choosing a large scale air conditioning system, an inverter is an essential choice. For a small office the Mitsubishi air conditioning units combine inverter technology with low noise levels and are one of the leading manufacturers with a long pedigree. They offer some of the lowest noise systems some running as low as 19 decibels which is very quiet. Other brands we offer that have similar attention to decibel levels are Daikin and Panasonic.
Acoustics
If it is not a new installation and noise is an issue, sound barrier walls can be installed quite easily with readymade materials that help muffle the sound of the outdoor compressor. Natural barricades such as fencing and plants can help also.
Regular Service and Maintenance
Nothing replaces keeping your office air conditioning unit in good shape. An annual service plus regular maintenance checks will ensure the system is performing at optimum levels every day of the year conforming to office air conditioning regulations.
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