ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS OF THE TWO DINING HALLS AT MACKENZIE PRESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY

This article analyzes the noise levels in the food courts at Mackenzie Presbyterian University (UPM), Higienopolis campus, identifying the leading causes of the problem and its impact on environmental comfort. Although reports of noise disturbance are frequent, there has not been a detailed investigation on the subject until now. For this research, measurements were taken with a decibel meter over different days and times, accompanied by an analysis of the physical characteristics of the spaces. Occupancy, dimensions, materials, and sound interference from the establishments were considered, allowing comparisons between the two studied environments. The results indicated that one of the food courts presents significantly higher noise levels, attributed to the prevalence of smooth and reverberant surfaces and the lack of acoustic treatment in the ceiling. Furthermore, the noise levels in both spaces exceed the limits recommended by technical standards, potentially compromising the comfort and well-being of the users, creating a stressful environment.