The ability to accurately measure noise levels is essential across all manner of workplaces throughout the UK.
Selecting the right sound level meters can greatly help ensure the highest-quality and most useful results from such processes as assessing workplace noise, monitoring machinery, investigating environmental sound, or carrying out acoustic surveys.
Whatever specific equipment a given organisation does choose, decision-makers will need to take account of the relevant standards, measurement objectives, and legal obligations.
In Great Britain, for instance, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 place duties on employers to assess noise risks and implement appropriate measures to protect workers.
Understanding The Relevant Measurement Requirements
The first stage of determining what sound testing equipment will be needed for a particular application, is establishing exactly what needs to be measured.
Different applications are likely to require different measuring capabilities from sound testing instruments. Basic sound level measurement, for example, might only necessitate the use of a meter with the ability to display instantaneous sound pressure levels.
Alternatively, a given organisation might need to carry out workplace or environmental assessments with a greater level of detail. This may call for the use of equipment incorporating such functions as:
- A-weighted sound measurements
- C-weighted measurements
- Equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq)
- Maximum sound levels
- Peak sound pressure levels
- Data logging over extended periods
- Frequency analysis
In relation to workplace noise assessments, guidance from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has picked out measurements such as A-weighted average sound levels and C-weighted peak sound pressure as important considerations.
It is crucial, then, not to select sound testing equipment purely on the basis of its headline decibel range. Instead, decision-makers will need to consider the measurements they will actually need to obtain, and whether the instrument they might be looking at will provide the appropriate functions.
11 Questions to Ask to Help Decide on The Right Sound Testing Equipment
Inevitably, when any given professional is attempting to determine the specific sound measurement device they will need, it will be necessary to contemplate a range of aspects.
These aspects will typically encompass the applicable legal and regulatory requirements, the nature of the noise source, the environment and location in which the sound testing will be taking place, and data and post-processing needs.
Here are some of the questions that such a decision-maker may ask themselves as they seek to whittle down their options:
- “What specific noise regulation or standard am I legally required to comply with?” In the UK, particular acoustic assessments may need to follow relevant British Standards (BS), regulations, or other specified measurement methodologies. Selecting equipment that doesn’t meet the requirements of the applicable standard or measurement methodology may make the resulting data unsuitable for some formal assessments, reports, or regulatory purposes.
- “Which British Standard applies?” It could be BS 4142 for industrial and commercial sound, BS 5228 for noise and vibration from construction and open sites, or BS 8233 for sound insulation and noise reduction in buildings.
- “What performance class is required?” Sound level meters conforming to BS EN 61672-1 are available in Class 1 and Class 2, with Class 1 generally offering tighter performance tolerances. The appropriate class should be determined by the requirements of the relevant measurement standard and application.
- “Is the noise constant or fluctuating?” It may be steady noise that needs to be measured, or fluctuating noise for which an integrated LAeq measurement might be appropriate.
- “Does the noise contain tones?” There may be a need for 1/1-octave or 1/3-octave band analysis to identify tonal characteristics.
- “Are there sudden bangs or impacts?” This will require the decision-maker to consider whether the application calls for peak sound pressure measurements, such as LCpeak, or maximum sound-level measurements such as Lmax. The appropriate metric will depend on the measurement objective and applicable standard.
- “What is the frequency range?” It will need to be considered whether the noise is highly bass-heavy (low-frequency). This might require consideration of the instrument’s frequency response, microphone capabilities, or appropriate frequency weighting such as C-weighting or Z-weighting.
- “Is the testing indoor or outdoor?” The answer to this question will help determine whether an environmental noise kit might be required including weatherproof housing, a heavy-duty tripod, and bird spikes.
- “What metrics do I need?” The target standard might require statistical metrics such as LA90, which is commonly used to characterise background sound, or LA10, which has historically been used in road-traffic noise assessment.
- “How will I report data?” The equipment being considered may come with data-logging and analysis software that can help organise measurements, analyse results, and prepare reports.
- “How will the equipment be calibrated?” The decision-maker should consider the instrument’s calibration requirements, the availability of suitable acoustic calibrators, and the procedures specified by the manufacturer and applicable measurement standard.
The Final Word on Choosing Suitable Sound Measuring Equipment
Accurate sound measurement begins with choosing equipment that is appropriate for the given application. By carefully taking into account such factors as performance class, frequency weighting, measurement range, and data-logging capabilities, decision-makers can help ensure they commit to the right instrument for the job.
Matching the sound testing equipment to the application and using it correctly will put the professional, business, or organisation in a strong position to obtain more reliable noise data. This, in turn, will help them make better-informed decisions in relation to noise control, workplace safety, and acoustic performance.
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