Tools Used for Environmental Noise Measurements
Environmental Noise Measurements are mainly carried out for two reasons. 1. to protect against noise ingress that disturbs and disrupts our daily activities, 2. to protect against increased noise levels that will further reduce quality of life in the future. Environmental noise measurements; It is carried out in accordance with the relevant standards and regulations, taking into account the conditions of the environment and noise variables.
While taking environmental noise measurements, measurements should be made at a distance of at least 3.5 meters from all sound-reflecting surfaces, taking into account the standards or regulations. The device that will make environmental noise measurements must be reliable and calibrated. The most common tools used for Environmental Noise Measurements are the sound level meter (SLM), the integrated sound level meter (ISLM) and the noise dosimeter.
| Measurement Type | Available Tools (in order of preference) |
Result | Comments |
| Exposure to personal noise |
1) Dosimeter |
Dose or equivalent sound level |
Most true to personal noise exposure and worn by the worker. |
|
2) ISLM |
Equivalent volume |
If the employee is mobile, personal exposure can be difficult to determine unless the work is easily divided into defined activities. |
|
|
3) SLM |
dBA |
If noise levels vary significantly, it is difficult to determine the average exposure. It is only useful when the work can be broken down into easily defined activities and noise levels are always relatively constant. |
| Measurement Type | Available Tools (in order of preference) |
Result | Comments |
| Noise levels produced by a specific source |
1) SLM |
dBA |
The measurement should be made 1 to 3 meters away from the source (not directly at the source). |
|
2) ISLM |
Equivalent sound level dBA |
It is particularly useful if the noise is highly variable; It can measure the equivalent sound level for a short period of time (1 minute). |
| Measurement Type | Available Tools (in order of preference) |
Result | Comments |
| Noise search |
1) SLM |
dBA |
To make a noise map of an area; take measurements in the grid pattern. |
|
2) ISLM |
Equivalent sound level dBA |
For highly variable noise. |
| Measurement Type | Available Tools (in order of preference) |
Result | Comments |
|
Impact noise |
1) Impact SLM |
Peak pressure dBA |
To measure the peak of each pulse. |
