Figure 5‐5
Sound Levels Comparison in dB
ISSUE
NOI‐1
Noise from Keesler Medical Center Generators
Monthly testing of the Keesler Medical Center
generators creates noise which impacts residents in the
adjacent Oak Park neighborhood.
The Keesler Medical Center, which is located at the north end of Keesler
AFB, utilizes diesel generators as a backup power supply for the facility. As
part of the maintenance routine for the generators, they are tested once a
month. The test is conducted on generators concurrently. On a quarterly
basis, the generators must also undergo a day long test. Both types of tests
are conducted during day time hours. The testing of the generators creates
noise, which is audible by residents in the Oak Park neighborhood adjacent
to the installation. There have been complaints from neighbors regarding
the noise generated by the testing of the generators.
The diesel generators were once located in the basement of the
Keesler Medical Center, dampening the sound that is emitted outside the
facility during testing. Due to the flooding the occurred during
Hurricane Katrina, the generators were relocated above ground level and to
the immediate north of the Keesler Medical Center in close proximity to the
northern fence line of Keesler AFB.
Compatibility Assessment
After Hurricane Katrina, the installation established construction standards
to ensure that new construction at Keesler AFB can withstand more robust
hurricanes and storms in the future. As a part of these standards, the
Keesler Medical Center generators were relocated from the basement of the
Keesler Medical Center to outside of the building where they would not be
below ground subject to flooding.
Because the noise can now travel from the location of the generators, the
installation has since installed baffles on the generators to reduce noise.
Although installed, noise from tests can still be heard in the adjacent
Background Report
Page