The Study of Thermal Comfort and Noise Level in Battery Plate Factory

Abstract:

The successful of manufacturing factories in industry is highly dependent on a productivity of their employees especially operators. It was identified that comfort and noise level can reduce the productivity of their workers. This study is to determine the level of thermal and noise comfort in the battery plate factory. This study was conducted in three days and location of the study is at battery plate factory in Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. The scope of study is focused at plate manufacturing area where the employee estimated 40 persons. The thermal comfort level can be determined by calculating PMV and PPD. This study involved six factors of comfort which is air temperature, average radiant temperature, air velocity, relative humidity, metabolic rate and clothes insulation. Then the study of noise level was conducted by determining L_{Aeq, T}, L_max and L_min. To carry out this study, Babuc-A equipment were used. The analysis show the area of the manufacturing battery plate having a discomfort condition and PMV result is between 1.5 until 3. Air temperature on the other hand is between 27.4°C-37.8°C while relative humidity is between range 35.35% -92.1% and air velocity 0 m/s-1.28 m/s. Meanwhile the L_Aeq,T value in the factory is varied from 68 to 80 dB.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 663)
• Pages: 474-479
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.663.474
• Online since: October 2014
• Authors: Mohd Anas Mohd Sabri, Mohd Faizal Mat Tahir, Kamaruzaman Sopian, Muhammad Hadi Zabidi Rosdi
• Keywords: L_Aeq,T, Noise Level, Pmv, PPD, Sound Pressure Level, Thermal Comfort

References

[1] ASHRAE Standard 55-2010: Thermal environment conditions for human occupancy. ASHRAE, Atlanta, Approved by the ASHRAE Standards Committee on January 19, (2008).

[2] P.O. Fanger, Thermal Comfort: Analysis and Application. McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, (1970).

[3] Henry Feriadi, Nyuk Hien Wong, Thermal comfort for naturally ventilated houses in Indonesia, Energy and Buildings. 36 (2004) 614-626.

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2004.01.011

[4] A.R. Ismail, R.A. Bakar, N. Jusoh, N.K. Makhtar, M.N.A. Rahman, C. Meier, Assessment of thermal comfort at Malaysian automotive industry, AIJSTPME. 3, 1 (2010) 73-88.

[5] W. Yang, G. Zhang, Thermal comfort in naturally ventilated and air-conditioned building in humid subtropical climate zone in China, International Journal of Biometeorol. 52 (2008) 385-398.

DOI: 10.1007/s00484-007-0133-4

[6] S. Wijewardanea, M.T.R. Jayasingheb, Thermal comfort temperature range for factory workers in warm humid tropical climates, Renewable Energy. 33 (2008) 2057-(2063).

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2007.11.009

[7] E. Jankowska, M. Posniak, Sick building syndrome: Assessment of work environmental parameters, CIOP-PIB, Warszawa. (2007).

[8] A. Marius, M.D. Tijunelis, B.A. Elizabeth Fitzsullivan, M.D. Sean O. Henderson, Noise in the ED, American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 23 (2005) 332-335.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2005.02.037

[9] Bozena Smagowska, Noise at workplaces in the call center, Archieve Acoustic. 35 (2010) 253-264.

DOI: 10.2478/v10168-010-0024-2

[10] S. Kock, T. Andersen, H.A. Kolstad, B. Kofoed-Nielsen, F. Wiesler, J.P. Bonde, Surveillance of noise exposure in the Danish workplace: a baseline survey, Occup Environ Med. 61 (2004) 838-843.

DOI: 10.1136/oem.2004.012757

[11] ISO7730, Ergonomics of the thermal environment-Analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort using calculation of the PMV and PPD indices and local thermal comfort criteria. International Standard, (2005).

DOI: 10.3403/30046382

[12] Standard Number1910. 95, Occupational Noise Exposure, Occupational Health and Environmental Control, Occupational Safety and Health Standards, (1910).

[13] Willy Passchier-Vermeer, Wim F. Passchier, Noise exposure and public health, Environmental Health Perspectives. 108 (2000) 123-131.

DOI: 10.2307/3454637