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Engineering ToolBox > Sound Pressure - Recommended Levels in Rooms
Sound pressure level is the pressure of sound in relation to a fixed reference. The reference is the threshold of hearing - 2 10-5 Pa - and is given the value of 0 dB.
The table below can be used as a guide to maximum acceptable sound pressure level in rooms with different types of activities.
| Activity and Type of Area | Noise Rating NR value | Lp (dBA) |
| Kindergartens | 30 | 35 |
| Auditorium | 25 | 30 |
| Library | 30 | 35 |
| Cinema | 30 | 35 |
| Concert hall | 20 | 25 |
| Court room | 25 | 30 |
| Theatre | 25 | 30 |
| Store, retail | 35 | 40 |
| Supermarkets | 40 | 45 |
| Hospital, corridor | 30 | 35 |
| Hospital, operating theatre | 25 | 30 |
| Hospital, private room | 20 | 25 |
| Hotel, lobby | 35 | 40 |
| Hotel, restaurant | 40 | 45 |
| Hotel, ballroom | 30 | 35 |
| Church | 25 | 30 |
| Office | 30 | 35 |
| School, lecture room | 25 | 30 |
| School, corridor | 30 | 35 |
| School, gymnasium | 30 | 35 |
| Swimming pool | 35 | 40 |
| Studio, record | 20 | 25 |
| Studio, radio | 15 | 20 |
| Studio, television with audience | 25 | 30 |
| Studio, television without audience | 20 | 25 |