Dalton Acoustic Consultants, Sound Testing, Environmental Noise Measurement, Noise at Work Assessments
Our Acoustic Consultants hold the IOA – Institute of Acoustics Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement. This is a specialist module as an Acoustic Consultant, which can be obtained for greater expertise in the field of environmental noise measurement, assessment & reporting, providing greater expert witness understanding.
BS 4142 is generally used:- for Environmental Noise Measurement
It is generally accepted that Environmental Noise Measurement / Sources may vary greatly in nature by way of source, location, frequency (tonal, narrowband or broadband), event level & time. On this basis each time measurement is carried out, the broad principles of BS 7445: 2003 are applied “The Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise”.
Part 1 “Guide to Quantities and Procedure” | |
Category Type | Example Assessment Requirement |
Noise Parameters | LAeqT, LAX and LpA |
Categories of Noise | Ambient / Specific etc. |
Type of Measurement Equipment | Class 1 / Class 2 SLM & Calibrator |
Calibration Methods | Before & after measurement |
Weather Conditions | Wind direction & Force |
Measurement Position | 3.5M from reflecting surfaces |
Information to Record | Surrounding Topography |
Dalton Acoustics Ltd. – also apply the methodology of the Local Governing Councils, “Guideline on Noise Levels” when attempting to measure environmental noise generally. Outline details of these “Guideline Noise Levels” are as follow:-
All the relevant information is then recorded by the acoustic equipment such as; Date of Noise Occurrence, Time of Noise Occurrence, Duration of Noise Occurrence, Sound Pressure of Noise Occurrence, Analogue Recording of Noise Occurrence etc. and all of this data can be analysed real time by Dalton Acoustics Ltd. for report preparation.
Additional Acoustic Guidelines & Standards used for Environmental Noise Measurement & Noise Nuisance Assessment are;
World Health Organisation (Residential) 2000 document recommends, 30dB LAeq in bedrooms with no more than 45dB LAfmax over 8 Hours at night from 23.00 to 07.00 Hours.
BS 8233: 2014 – “Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings” specifies internal room noise criteria for internal levels within bedrooms between 30 – 35dB LAeq with LAfmax not to exceed 45dB.
Concert & Event Noise Monitoring: Code of Practice on Environmental Noise Control at Concerts, which sets limits for noise at local noise sensitive locations / dwellings. Dalton Acoustics Ltd. can carry out pre-concert propagation measurement and calculation to set noise limits at mixing location (front of house) and validate during the concert that noise levels are not being exceeded at local noise sensitive dwellings / locations. Concert Noise Measurement & Event Noise Control levels are typically set at NE. 75dB(A).