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21-101296 -Noise Study-04-02-2021-V1 Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics September 23, 2020 Prepared for: Federal Way Public Schools Prepared by: Spencer LeDosquet OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ I ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................................... II GLOSSARY ...............................................................................................................................III 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1.1 1.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW ................................................................................................ 1.1 2.0 EXISTING NOISE LEVELS .......................................................................................... 2.5 2.1 ROADS ........................................................................................................................ 2.5 2.2 ADJACENT PROPERTIES ........................................................................................... 2.5 2.3 SCHOOL NOISE .......................................................................................................... 2.5 3.0 NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT .............................................................. 3.5 3.1 ENVIRONMENT ON SCHOOL ..................................................................................... 3.5 3.2 SCHOOL ON ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................................... 3.5 3.2.1 Construction ................................................................................................ 3.5 3.2.2 Operation .................................................................................................... 3.6 4.0 CRITERIA .................................................................................................................... 4.7 4.1 FEDERAL WAY REVISED CODE ................................................................................ 4.7 4.2 WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE CODE ................................................................... 4.7 5.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS ................................................................................................ 5.8 5.1 ENVIRONMENT ON SCHOOL ..................................................................................... 5.8 5.1.1 Roads ......................................................................................................... 5.8 5.1.2 Adjacent Properties ..................................................................................... 5.8 5.2 SCHOOL ON ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................................... 5.8 5.2.1 Construction ................................................................................................ 5.8 5.2.2 Occupant Noise........................................................................................... 5.9 5.2.3 Building Operations ..................................................................................... 5.9 5.2.4 Safety Equipment ........................................................................................ 5.9 5.2.5 School-Related Traffic ................................................................................. 5.9 5.3 CONSTRUCTION ON SCHOOL .................................................................................. 5.9 6.0 MITIGATION ................................................................................................................ 6.9 6.1 ENVIRONMENT ON SCHOOL ..................................................................................... 6.9 6.2 SCHOOL ON ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................... 6.10 6.3 CONSTRUCTION ON SCHOOL ................................................................................ 6.10 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A RELEVANT NOISE ORDINANCES ........................................................... A.1 A.1 Federal Way Revised Code ......................................................................................... A.1 OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS A.2 Washington Administrative Code ................................................................................. A.1 OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS i Executive Summary In this report the potential acoustical impacts of the Olympic View K-8 School project in Federal Way, Washington are identified. Noise sources that impact either the new school or the surrounding environment are classified as either requiring noise mitigation or meeting the noise ordinances outlined in th e State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA), the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC), or the Washington Administration Code (WAC). The new Olympic View school will sit on the same site as the existing Olympic View Elementary school. The current school will be demolished with the new buildings replacing the existing school. The following noise sources are not expected to experience a noticeable change or be an acoustical concern: • Local street traffic noise to the school. • Environmental noise from adjacent properties to the school. • School safety bells/alarms to the local community. • School-related traffic noise to the local community. The following noise sources could experience a noticeable change and may require mitigation: • School playground noise to the environment. − The playground may shift to another section of the campus and be closer to residences that are currently further away or shielded from noise by the existing school. − No mitigation is recommended at this time as the playground will only be occupied during the day and thus all related noise sources will conform to relevant noise codes. • School expansion and addition of middle school. − The increased number of students and the addition of the middle school may increase noise from students and alter noise patterns due to movement between classes. − The middle school will also increase after school activities such as outdoor sports which will increase school- related noise after regular school hours. • School mechanical noise to the environment. − The new mechanical units could result in a change in the noise impact to neighboring properties. − Future collaboration between the design team will be needed to ensure compliance with noise codes. • Construction noise to the environment. − Temporary construction noise from the school will be audible to the surrounding properties. − No mitigation is recommended at this time as work will only occur during the day and will conform with relevant noise codes. • Construction noise to the school. − Temporary construction noise will be audible on school property. − Collaboration between the design team will be required to ensure compliance with noise codes. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS ii Abbreviations FWRC Federal Way Revised Code SEPA State Environmental Policy Act WAC Washington Administrative Code OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS iii Glossary Decibel, Sound Pressure Level The most commonly used measure of sound, measured in decibels, and which represents the magnitude of the sound pressure in the air. The sound pressure magnitude is closely related to the perception of “loudness” or “sound volume” as perceived by humans. Because the decibel scale is logarithmic, the loudness of sounds does not vary arithmetically. The ear has some difficulty detecting the difference in loudness between sounds that have a difference of up to 3 dB – 3 dB is considered the just noticeable difference in level. A difference of 5 dB, however, is easily perceptible, and a 10 dB difference is perceived as twice as loud. Environmental Noise Environmental noise typically refers to the total acoustic environment as measured or heard by humans. This acoustic environment is made up of background noise caused by distant traffic, airplanes, etc., and higher levels of noise dominated by nearby sources such as car pass-bys, airplane fly-overs, or close construction activity. Equivalent Noise Level The Leq noise descriptor is the Equivalent Noise Level, which is the dB level of a constant sound, which has the same acoustical energy as the time -varying sound over the same period of time. The Leq is described by the Environmental Protection Agency as the "equivalent sound level is a single value of sound level for any desired duration, which includes all of the time - varying sound energy in the measurement period". Therefore, a source that produces a constant sound level of 60 dB for a ten-minute duration, and then produces a constant sound level of 70 dB for ten minutes would produce an Leq of 67 dB (the logarithmic average of 60 and 70) for the entire 20 -minute duration. Note that the level in the Leq calculation is closer to the higher sound level because the higher level has more energy. Just Noticeable Difference The amount an acoustical feature must be changed in order for a difference in condition to be noticeable or detectable to a listener at least 50% of the time. Sound Volume Closely related to sound pressure level, it is loudness as perceived by humans. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Introduction Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 1.1 1.0 INTRODUCTION The following report summarizes the short and long term acoustical impacts of constructing a new Olympic View K-8 School in Federal Way, Washington. It has been prepared to address the potential environmental impacts prior to the beginning of construction as required by the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) for all government- sponsored building projects. The acoustical considerations in SEPA are outlined in the Washington Administration Code (WAC) Section 197 -11- 960: Environmental checklist as the following three acoustical concerns: - The existing environmental noise’s effect on the project; - The project’s short-term and long-term effects on the environment and the time of day they occur; - The proposed measures to reduce or control the acoustical effects. This report addresses the acoustical impact outlined in WAC 197-11-960 as it relates to this project as well as this project’s potential conformity with relevant noise codes. 1.1 PROJECT OVERVIEW The Federal Way school district is currently replacing and upgrading facilities at several existing school locations, including Olympic View Elementary School (ES). Located at 2626 SW 327th St, the existing Olympic View ES facilities will be replaced by new construction on the same site. The campus is immediately adjacent to a quiet residential district with parks, the Twin Lakes Golf Course and single-family homes surrounding it. The campus and the surrounding area are all zoned as residential property. The existing site is shown in Figure 1. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Introduction Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 1.2 Figure 1: Project campus relative to neighboring districts and local noise sources. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Introduction Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 1.3 Figure 2-4: Proposed school campus layout options. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Introduction Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 1.4 OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Existing Noise Levels Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 3.5 2.0 EXISTING NOISE LEVELS 2.1 ROADS There are no major roads adjacent or close to the property site. There is no information available about the traffic patterns of the roads near the property site, however it is expec ted that due to this being a residential area and particularly being near a school that the roads will have a low speed limit and that heavier traffic will likely be during school start and release times as well as typical workday rush hour. 2.2 ADJACENT PROPERTIES The school property is in a primarily residential district, with single-family residences and a golf course surrounding it in all directions. Given this information, the neighborhood is assumed to be a reasonably quiet residential area that has minimal impact on the school acoustically. 2.3 SCHOOL NOISE The existing school produces three general types of noises which could be heard in the surrounding community: • playground noise, • building operations noise, • safety equipment noise (school bells, fire alarms, public address system, etc.). School-related traffic also creates noise on the school campus and the surrounding roadways at the beginning and end of the school day. 3.0 NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT 3.1 ENVIRONMENT ON SCHOOL The noise generated by nearby major arterial roads from community traffic volumes is not expected to significantly change following construction of the new campus. Likewise, the sounds coming from nearby residential neighborhoods are also expected to remain constant. 3.2 SCHOOL ON ENVIRONMENT 3.2.1 Construction Construction noise will be heard in the surrounding environment, and can be expected to resemble noise levels published by the EPA in 1971, summarized in Table 1 below: OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Noise Associated with the Project Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 3.6 Table 1: Typical Ranges of Noise Levels at Construction Sites with a 50 dB(A) Ambient Typical of Suburban Residential Areas Construction Phase Sound Energy Average dB(A) Ground Clearing 84 Excavation 89 Foundations 78 Erection 87 Finishing 89 SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency, 1971: “Noise from Construction Equipment and Operations, Building Equipment, and Home Appliances” prepared by BBN. The noise levels given in Table 1 should be considered worst-case noise levels and would be short-term at the residential properties surrounding the school site. The Table 1 levels assume the noisiest piece of construction equipment on-site is operating 50 feet away from the listener while all other equipment on site is located 200 feet away. 3.2.2 Operation 3.2.2.1 Occupant Noise Since the project is not changing its designation as an elementary school, occupant-related noise will continue to follow the patterns of the existing school. Playground noise levels of the new school are expected to remain consistent with current levels of the existing school, though the location of the noise may shift depending on the selected campus layout. Noise patterns may also change with the addition of middle school students and movement between classes. Additionally, the addition of middle school students is anticipated to increase the after-school activity levels and subsequent noise. 3.2.2.2 Mechanical Operation Once installed, noise from mechanical equipment (such as air handling units, chillers, and heat recovery fans) m ay be heard at nearby property lines. Mechanical equipment on-site must meet the restrictions listed in the City of Federal Way Revised Code (Chapter 7.10.050). 3.2.2.3 Safety Equipment Intermittent noise sources (such as the public-address system, school bells, and the fire alarm system) are also present on the campus. Although audible at times, these sources are not in continuous operation and their impact is expected to be minimal. 3.2.2.4 School-Related Traffic School-related traffic can create peak amounts of noise at the start and end of school days. The noise associated with school bus or automobile traffic with the addition of the middle school is not expected to be significantly different from existing noise levels. It takes a 25% increase in traffic volumes to increase traffic noise levels by 1 dB. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Criteria Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 4.7 4.0 CRITERIA Olympic View K-8 School is in the jurisdiction of both the Washington Administration Code (WAC) and the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC). The full texts of these noise ordinances are included in Appendix A. The following sections summarize the relevant ordinances. 4.1 FEDERAL WAY REVISED CODE Table 2: Applicable Federal Way Revised Code References Code Identification Summary of Ordinance 7.10.020.8 Public disturbance noise. Sounds originating from construction sites from 8:00 pm – 7:00 am on weekdays and 8:00 pm – 9:00 am on weekdays is considered a public disturbance and is in violation of the city’s noise ordinances. 7.10.050 Maximum environmental noise levels. The city adopts the maximum environmental noise levels defined by WAC 173-60-040. 4.2 WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE CODE Table 3: Applicable Washington Administrative Code References Code Identification Summary of Ordinance 173-60-040 Maximum permissible environmental noise levels. The maximum permissible sound level reaching the boundary between the school and its neighbors cannot exceed 55 dBA from 7:00am to 10:00pm and 45 dBA from 10:00pm to 7:00am. This limitation applies to sound originating both to and from the school. 173-63-050 Exemptions. The following is exempt from the noise levels outlined in 173-60-040: • Construction noise (note, this is only for day-time activities, night-time activities must still abide by the night-time limits) • Motor vehicles operating on public roads • Unamplified human voices • Safety equipment OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Potential Impacts Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 5.8 Table 3: Applicable Washington Administrative Code References Code Identification Summary of Ordinance 246-366-110 Sound Control. The background sound level inside a classroom must not exceed 45 dBA. 246-366-030 Site Approval. Noise at the site of a new school must not exceed an average of 55 dBA with an hourly maximum of 75 dBA. If exterior noise levels exceed these limits, the construction of the school must be such that the noise limits in section 246-366-110 are met. 5.0 POTENTIAL IMPACTS Since the surrounding environment is not expected to change from its current state, there will likely be little impact to or from the school beyond what is currently experienced. 5.1 ENVIRONMENT ON SCHOOL 5.1.1 Roads It is not expected that the traffic patterns around the property will changes and that there will be no change to the exposure of the buildings to the traffic noise except in the case of the layout shown in Figure 4 where the buildings are set back from SW 327th St. Therefore, the impact from traffic on the school will be less than significant. 5.1.2 Adjacent Properties Noise generated from nearby properties, such as residential mechanical equipment, residential activity, and golf course activity potentially affecting the school is expected to remain the same. Therefore, the impact of noise from the adjacent properties to the school will be less than significant. 5.2 SCHOOL ON ENVIRONMENT 5.2.1 Construction Construction noise will be audible at the surrounding properties; however, the noise will be temporary and will only occur during daytime hours as required by the City of Federal Way listed in FWRC 7.10.020.8. The impact of construction noise from the school on the neighboring communities will therefore be less than significant. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Mitigation Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 6.9 5.2.2 Occupant Noise The new school buildings will continue to be used as an elementary school, so noise generated by students and staff is not expected to change. Playground noise will follow the school schedule and will not violate the limits set by WAC- 173-60-040. Therefore, the impact of occupant noise from the school on the community will be less than significant. 5.2.3 Building Operations The new school will include new mechanical equipment that may be audible to the surrounding properties. Noise from the new mechanical equipment will be subject to the restrictions listed in the WAC. Mitigation Measure MM-01 is listed below to reduce noise levels from the school mechanical equipment to a less than significant impact on the community. 5.2.4 Safety Equipment Safety equipment and alarms will intermittently create noise during the operation of the campus. WAC 173-60-050 states that bells which operate for no more than five minutes per hour and emergency equipment necessary for the public welfare are exempt from the maximum permissible environmental noise levels outlined in WAC 173-60-040. Noise from the school safety equipment will there have a less then significant impact on the community. 5.2.5 School-Related Traffic The impact of school-related traffic on the adjacent properties is not expected to change. Furthermore, traffic on public roads is exempt from the City of Federal Way noise ordinance. It is unusual to mitigate traffic noise on sites like this since the noise from school traffic is no louder at neighboring properties than the same vehicles were moments before, when they were on public roads. Therefore, noise from school-related traffic will have a less than significant impact on the community. 5.3 CONSTRUCTION ON SCHOOL Construction noise will certainly be audible on school grounds during school hours; it is temporary and mitigation efforts will be required to ensure that maximum classroom background sound levels comply with l evels designated by WAC 246-366-110 if school is conducted in the existing school building during construction. 6.0 MITIGATION 6.1 ENVIRONMENT ON SCHOOL As the area around Olympic View K-8 School is not expected to change, therefore additional noise abatement measures should not be necessary. The noise generated by existing sources within the neighborhood is not expected to be louder than the levels required in WAC 246-366-030, but an environmental noise study would confirm this assessment. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICS Mitigation Olympic View K-8 School SEPA Checklist - Acoustics 6.10 6.2 SCHOOL ON ENVIRONMENT Mitigation Measure MM-01: As the project continues, collaboration between an acoustical consultant and the design team will be needed to determine if and where mitigation is required to ensure the new mechanical equipment installed at the school complies with the relevant noise ordinances. Collaboration will also be required to ensure background sound levels inside the classrooms remain in compliance with WAC-246-366-110 after the construction of the new buildings are complete. As most other aspects of the new Olympic View K-8 School will either have little-to-no effect on the environmental noise levels of the neighborhood or will comply with noise regulations; additional noise abatement measures are not necessary. 6.3 CONSTRUCTION ON SCHOOL If students are relocated during construction, no mitigation will be necessary. However, if school is conducted within the existing elementary school during construction, a noise study will need to be conducted to determine noise impact to the existing school and needed mitigation so that the background sound levels inside the classrooms remain in compliance with WAC-246-366-110. Noise mitigation measures may include a noise barrier, modification to exterior building construction or construction equipment noise reduction. APPENDICES OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICSRELEVANT NOISE ORDINANCES A.1 Appendix A RELEVANT NOISE ORDINANCES The following quotations were drawn from the Washington Administrative Code website (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx) and the Federal Way Revised Code website (https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/FederalWay/) when accessed on 10 September 2018. A.1 FEDERAL WAY REVISED CODE Chapter 7.10 Noise 7.10.020 Public disturbance noise It is unlawful for any person to cause, or for any person in possession of property to allow to originate from that property, sound that is a public disturbance noise. This section shall not apply to regularly scheduled events at parks, such as public-address systems for baseball games or park concerts between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. The following sounds are public disturbance noises in violation of this section … (8) Sounds originating from construction sites, including but not limited to sou nds from construction equipment, power tools and hammering between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays and 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. on weekends. (Ord. No. 09-596, § 10, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 99-341, § 3, 5-4-99; Ord. No. 90-65, § 1(B), 7-3-90. Code 2001 § 10-27.) 7.10.050 Maximum environmental noise levels. (1) State standard adopted. The city adopts by reference the maximum environmental noise levels established pursuant to the Noise Control Act of 1974, Chapter 70.107 RCW. See Chapter 173 -60 WAC. (Ord. No. 90-43, § 2(115.95(1)), 2-27-90. Code 2001 § 22-956.) Cross reference: This nonconformance must be immediately brought into conformance with the applicable provisions of the zoning regulations, FWRC 19.30.060. A.2 WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATIVE CODE 173-60 Maximum Environmental Noise Levels “WAC 173-60-040: Maximum permissible environmental noise levels. (1) No person shall cause or permit noise to intrude into the property of another person which noise exceeds the maximum permissible noise levels set forth below in this section. (2)(a) The noise limitations established are as set forth in the following table after any applicable adjustments provided for herein are applied. OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICSRELEVANT NOISE ORDINANCES A.2 EDNA of noise source EDNA of receiving property Class A Class B Class C Class A 55 dBA 57 dBA 60 dBA Class B 57 60 65 Class C 60 65 70 (b) Between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. the noise limitations of the foregoing table shall be reduced by 10 dBA for receiving property within Class A EDNAs. (c) At any hour of the day or night the applicable noise limitations in (a) and (b) above may be exceeded for any receiving property by no more than: (i) 5 dBA for a total of 15 minutes in any one-hour period; or (ii) 10 dBA for a total of 5 minutes in any one-hour period; or (iii) 15 dBA for a total of 1.5 minutes in any one-hour period. WAC 173-60-050: Exemptions. (3) The following shall be exempt from the provisions of WAC 173-60-040, except insofar as such provisions relate to the reception of noise within Class A EDNAs between the hours of 10 :00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (a) Sounds originating from temporary construction sites as a result of construction activity… (4) The following shall be exempt from all provisions of WAC 173-60-040: (a) Sounds created by motor vehicles when regulated by chapter 173-62 WAC… (d) Sounds created by warning devices not operating continuously for more than five minutes, or bells, chimes, and carillons… (f) Sounds created by emergency equipment and work necessary in the interests of law enforcement or for health safety or welfare of the community… (k) Sounds caused by natural phenomena and unamplified human voices… 197-11 SEPA Rules WAC 197-11-960: Environmental checklist. Noise 1) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example: traffic, equipment, operation, other)? 2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indicate what hours noise would come from the site. 3) Proposed measures to reduce or control noise impacts, if any: OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICSRELEVANT NOISE ORDINANCES A.3 246-366 Primary and Secondary Schools WAC 246-366-030 Site Approval. (3) Noise from any source at a proposed site for a new school, an addition to an existing school, or a portable classroom shall not exceed an hourly average of 55 dBA (Leq 60 minutes) and shall not exceed an hourly maximum (Lmax) of 75 dBA during the time of day the school is in session; except sites exceeding these sound levels are acceptable if a plan for sound reduction is included in th e new construction proposal and the plan for sound reduction is approved by the healt h officer. WAC 246-366-110 Sound Control. (1) In new construction, plans submitted under WAC 246-366-040 shall specify ventilation equipment and other mechanical noise sources in classrooms are designed to provide background sound which conforms to a noise criterion curve or equivalent not to exceed NC-35. The owner shall certify equipment and features are installed according to the approved plans. (2) In new construction, the actual background noise at any student location within the classroom shall not exceed 45 dBA (Legx) and 70 dB (Leqx) (unweighted scale) where x is thirty seconds or more. The health officer shall determine compliance with this section when the ventilation system and the ventilation system's noise generating components, e.g., condenser, heat pump, etc., are in operation. (3) Existing portable classrooms, constructed before January 1, 1990, moved from one site to another on the same school property or within the same school district are exempt from the requirements of this section if the portable classrooms meet the following: (a) Noise abating or noise generating features shall not be altered in a manner that may increase noise levels; (b) The portable classrooms were previously in use for general instruction; (c) Ownership of the portable classrooms will remain the same; and (d) The new site is in compliance with WAC 246-366-030(3). (4) In new construction, the maximum ambient noise level in industrial arts, vocational agriculture and trade, and industrial classrooms shall not exceed 65 dBA when all fume and dust exhaust systems are operating. (5) The maximum noise exposure for students in vocational education and music areas shall not exceed the levels specified in Table 1. TABLE 1 MAXIMUM NOISE EXPOSURES PERMISSIBLE Duration per day (hours) Sound Level (dBA) 8 hours 85 6 hours 87 4 hours 90 3 hours 92 2 hours 95 1-1/2 hours 97 1 hour 100 1/2 hour 105 1/4 hour 110 OLYMPIC VIEW K-8 SCHOOL SEPA CHECKLIST - ACOUSTICSRELEVANT NOISE ORDINANCES A.4 Students shall not be exposed to sound levels equal to or greater than 115 dBA. (6) Should the total noise exposure in vocational education and music areas exceed the levels specified in Table 1 of subsection (5) of this section, hearing protectors, e.g., ear plugs, muffs, etc., shall be provided to and used by the exposed students. Hearing protectors shall reduce student noise expos ure to comply with the levels specified in Table 1 of subsection (5) of this section.