Innovative Systems Design and Engineering www.iiste.org ISSN 2222-1727 (Paper) ISSN 2222-2871 (Online) Vol.7, No.4, 2016 1 Building Acoustic: Measurement and Analysis of Sound Levels in New Arts Theatre, Faculty of Arts Auditorium and University of Calabar Conference Hall Malachi Chidiebere Egbugha 1* Effiong Okokon Obisung 1, 2 Anselem Chidubem Egbugha 1, 3 1.Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria 2.Department of Physics, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria 3.Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State Abstract The noise generated in and within the surroundings of New Arts theatre, Faculty of Arts Auditorium and University of Calabar conference hall were measured and analysed. Acoustic survey (objective measurement ) were carried out using digital sound level meter of Extech 407732 model, while social surveys(subjective measurement) was also conducted using questionnaires .The area of survey was divided into five data points and result noted. The results show that the A-weighted noise level for New Arts theatre, Faculty of Arts auditorium and University of Calabar Conference hall were 60.3dB, 49.5dB and 59.5db, while those of the surroundings were 80.6dB, 58.7dB and 76.6dB respectively. The corresponding noise pollution levels were also calculated to be 71.9dB, 58.6dB and 71.7dB inside the halls, while that of the surroundings were calculated to be 109.4dB, 71.9dB and 99.8dB respectively. The correlation coefficient between the subjective and objective measurements were calculated to be 0.91 for New Arts theatre, 0.41 for Faculty of Arts Auditorium and 0.81 for University of Calabar Conference hall. This shows that respondent in New Arts theatre reacted more uncomfortably to any change in sound level while respondents in Faculty of Arts auditorium reacted less to any change in sound level. From the results obtained, it is obvious that Faculty of Arts auditorium is best recommended for hosting programs that require less noise. Keywords: Sound, Noise, Acoustic, Sound Level Meter, 1. Introduction Sound is a disturbance of wave, which propagates through physical medium such as air or parts of the building structure in a longitudinal manner from the generating source to produce sensation of hearing at the receiving end (Olasoji & Akingbade, 2008).Noise is derived from the Latin word “Nausea” implying unwanted sound (omubo- Pepple, Briggs-Kamara, & Tamunobereton, 2010).It is said to occur when the noise level is above the maximum permissible level for a given environment (Federal Enironmental Protection Agency, 1995) (World Heath Organisation, 1980). Noise is a silent killer and prolonged exposure to low frequency noise can cause either permanent or temporary damage to hearing. The effect of noise on human emotions ranges from negligible through annoyance and anger to psychologically disruptive. Physiologically, noise can range from harmless to painful and physically damaging (A.O, M.U, A.I, & U.E, 2003).noise affect communities and resident in many ways, ranging from physiological to psychological effects such as hearing impairment, communication interference, sleeplessness, annoyance, ear irritation ,task interference and general discomfort (Magrab, 1975)- (Cunnif, 1977).The growth is commercial activities resulting in enormous increase in sound generated within the campus especially within the surroundings of lecture halls and auditoriums calls for serious concern. 2. Literature Review 2.1 Review of Fundamental Concept 2.1.1 Sound And Noise Sound is a quickly varying pressure wave travelling through a medium. It is produced by alternating pressure changes in the air and caused by the vibrations of solid objects or separation of fluids as they pass over, around or through holes in solid objects. The vibrations caused the surrounding air to undergo compression, then rarefaction and soon. Such alternating compression and rarefaction of the surrounding air produces sound waves which propagate in the form of sinusoidal path. Sound may be perceived as desirable or unwanted. It is this unwanted sound that is referred to as noise. The word noise comes from Latin root as the word “nausea” which means disgust or feeling of sickness (omubo- Pepple, Briggs-Kamara, & Tamunobereton, 2010). Noise and Sound are physically the same, differences arising in their acoustic quality as perceived by listeners. This leads to a definition of noise as undesired sound (Okpighe, 2015).Noise originates from human activities, especially the urbanization and the development of transport and industry. This noise can have serious harmful effect on humans ranging from physiological to psychological effects such as hearing impairment, communication interference, sleeplessness, annoyance, ear irritation, task interference and general discomfort (Obisung, O., & Ubon.E.Asuquo, 2013).