[Acoustic implications of the use of air technology designs in the hospital--a case report and its consequences].
An undesirable side-effect of the operation of air conditioners in the hospital are acoustic emissions which can propagate as structure-borne noise or airborne noise in sick-rooms and function rooms. Despite useful information provided in DIN 1946 as well as in other relevant documents and legal statutes on restricting the acoustic emissions caused by air conditioning equipment, substantial noise phenomena are sometimes experienced in practice because of negligence in project engineering, installing and acceptance procedures. The air conditioning system of an ophthalmic hospital, exposing several rooms accommodating tumour patients of a Clinic of Radiology to substantial noise was studied to outline the problems involved in thresholds and indicative figures of noise comprising an essential low-frequency share as well as their particular annoying effects. It is recommended that the hospital hygienist should require the manufacturer and the fitter of an air conditioning system to present a special noise control certificate. The results of the investigation presented also serve to discuss hospital-specific and subject-related factors which can moderate the noise sensation of patients in threshold-relevant terms.
Schuschke
G
G
Institut für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, Medizinischen Akademie Magdeburg.
Rudloff
F
F
D000389:Air Conditioning / Q000009:adverse effects; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects
Akustische Implikationen des Einsatzes Raumlufttechnischer Anlagen im Krankenhaus--ein Fallbericht und seine Konsequenzen.