Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory

Experiment 2: Visual & Auditory Senses and Noise & Light Measurements

Objectives:
1. To study visual senses and illumination, and some design recommendations for
general and special lighting.
2. To study auditory senses, hearing and noise, and some design recommendations
for noise reduction.
3. To measure the sound/noise levels at different locations
4. To study the design methodology for light distribution.

Background:
The lighting should make the space look attractive and safe. One possibility is to light
an entire area uniformly. Advantages include maximum flexibility in arranging the machines
and workstation in the area during work design. For that reason, it is important that light
measurements should be performed before decide on the layout of the plant.
It is important to know the noise levels at the work area. Sound level meters give just
one number for the noise. The measured noise will be the machine noise or signal and the
background noise. Noise measurements are a sample from a population. A single estimate is
not good as multiple observations.
Procedures:
The experiment is to be performed in your designated lab groups. The data for this
experiment is to be collected in the Ergonomic Lab during your scheduled lab time and the
equipment may be removed to collect data. Use the sound level meter, light meters to collect
the data as required. The equipment must be returned by the completion of your lab time.

Part A – Auditory Sense:

Use sound level meter shown in figure 1 to assess the sound in the below locations
Give an explanation of your measurement work.
A. Food Court Area at Engineering Building
B. Ergonomics lab
C. Industrial engineering faculty offices 1st floor

Take three measurements for each location at different spots and calculate the average value.
and create a range between min and max values.

Figure 1 –EXTECH Digital sound meter

Part B - Visual Sense:
Use the light meter shown in figure 2 to assess the illumination level at the following
different environments. Give an explanation of your measurement work.
A. Food Court Area at Engineering Building
B. Stairwell at Engineering Building
C. Sports center Indoor stadium

Take three measurements for each location at different spots and calculate the average value
then, create a range between min and max values.

Figure 2 - Foot candle light meter

Analysis:
1. Plot a single graph to compare actual illumination versus recommended illumination for the
different locations.
2. Plot a single graph to compare actual noise versus acceptable values for the different locations.
3. Give your recommendations to improve design of the places where you take the measurements
of light and noise. Keep your design’s improvements focus on (noise level and light intensity)

4. Propose a design for the light intensity distribution for Ergonomics lab (10 m x 9 m x 4 m)
Design constrains
 set the standard light intensity inside the classroom. Reference required
 The number of lamps ≤ 30.
 Select the lamps with minimum energy consumption and minimum number of lamps.
Design requirements
 Specify the lamps type
 Calculate the numbers of lamp required
 Calculate light lumens per watt (lm/watt).

Figure 3-Lamps Watt and lumens chart

Useful Formula
ΦV(lm) = Ev(lx) × A(m2)
The luminous flux ΦV in lumens (lm)
the illuminance Ev in lux (lx)
the surface area A in square meters (m2):

Show all your calculations. Put reasonable assumptions if needed

 Table 1 - Sound level measurements (dbA.)

Location 1 2 3 Average

Food court area at

engineering building
Ergonomics lab

Industrial engineering
faculty offices 1st floor

Table 2 - light intensity measurements (lux)

Location 1 2 3 Average

Food court area at

engineering building
Stairwell at
Engineering building
Sports center indoor
stadium

Scan this paper and attach to your lab report as appendix