Occupational Noise Exposure - recommendations please
Discussion
In a previous life I used to write firmware for these things. I'm a little out of touch with the current regulations but the firms I worked for used to produce two general types of sound level meter. The first was a personal dosimeter, this was designed to measure noise exposure of an individual during their work day, typically with a microphone that could be clipped near the wearer's ear. These will normally give a personal 'dose' reading as a %age of the wearer's exposure to noise during a shift. IIRC a 100% dose was a reading of 90dBA for 8 hours. This kind of meter will also give a general reading of current sound pressure level and other noise measurements that are very anoracky.
The second kind of meter was designed for measuring noise at a particular location (we used to refer to them just as sound level meters), for example for monitoring noise from noisy neighbours or of passing traffic or at roadwork sites. Again a range of measurements is produced. The more advanced would also contain a spectrum analyser to assist in selecting hearing protection or appropriate sound dampening materials.
You would also need a calibrator and if this is a long-term requirement to budget for an annual recalibration to a traceable standard.
A couple of companies producing and selling this sort of stuff are Cirrus Research and Castle Group - no current affiliations to either of these but they're both reasonable firms to start to look at.
The second kind of meter was designed for measuring noise at a particular location (we used to refer to them just as sound level meters), for example for monitoring noise from noisy neighbours or of passing traffic or at roadwork sites. Again a range of measurements is produced. The more advanced would also contain a spectrum analyser to assist in selecting hearing protection or appropriate sound dampening materials.
You would also need a calibrator and if this is a long-term requirement to budget for an annual recalibration to a traceable standard.
A couple of companies producing and selling this sort of stuff are Cirrus Research and Castle Group - no current affiliations to either of these but they're both reasonable firms to start to look at.
Firstly I would be asking why somebody has asked you to look into it, especially if you dont have much knowledge.
They are complex bits of kit and no you just cant download an app for your iphone as they are more of a gimmick than anything else.
Sound Level Meters come in two guises; Class 1 and Class 2. The Class 1 being the better of the two and able to assit you more with facts and figures. I have a Class 2 machine under my desk and that was £1200 about 3 years ago for an average machine. Class 1 machines are £2500+ and I know of a guy with one that was £15k.
Unless you know about Noise at Work or acoustics I would see about getting someone in that knows their stuff.
By all means email me if you need anymore info.
Lewes
They are complex bits of kit and no you just cant download an app for your iphone as they are more of a gimmick than anything else.
Sound Level Meters come in two guises; Class 1 and Class 2. The Class 1 being the better of the two and able to assit you more with facts and figures. I have a Class 2 machine under my desk and that was £1200 about 3 years ago for an average machine. Class 1 machines are £2500+ and I know of a guy with one that was £15k.
Unless you know about Noise at Work or acoustics I would see about getting someone in that knows their stuff.
By all means email me if you need anymore info.
Lewes
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