We are attempting to combat extreme sound levels in our schools cafeteria through the use of sound dampening materials. To find the best way to deal with this issue we must complete a test plan in hopes of lowering our decibel level from an average of 112 to around 85

Step 1:

First, we have to find a smaller area to test. We decided to use the staff bathroom in our school. It is 6ft by 7ft by 15ft which will give us a controlled area that we can begin our test in.

Step 2:

Next we had to find a material that would dampen sound, be affordable, and can be cut if needed. We chose fiber glass because it fits all of the criteria, and we can cut it without ruining the materials.

Step 3:

We decided to use JBL speakers as a way to create noise. We selected a video that produces loud annoying sounds to replicate the cafeteria.

Step 4:

We will measure the original decibel level of the speaker without any sound dampening material then we will measure the decibel level after we install the material. This will tell us if the sound dampeners are effectively compressing noise. If it dampens the sound to 80 decibels then we know the test was successful, and we can proceed to the cafeteria installation. To find the ideal position for our sound dampening we will place our sound source in the doorway facing inwards due to the lack of sound reduction on the door. We will then place our material approximately 1 foot bellow the ceiling. We will the measure the sound 5 feet from the sound source on each side of the room. We will then repeat this process but have our sound dampening material hanging 10 feet from the ceiling rather than 1 foot.

Step 5:

If the dampeners work, we will buy a larger quantity of them to install in the cafeteria. We plan to put them high up on the walls to avoid disturbance from students in the lunchroom (such as picking at it or trying to tear it down).