Acoustic measurements – noise measurements

Noise can negatively affect our well-being and health. Being in a noisy environment increases stress levels, reduces the efficiency of activities and causes sleep problems. The danger is greater the longer we stay in the noise and the higher the level of intensity of the noises (acoustic intensity). This is why it is so important to have adequate sound insulation of the partitions of the rooms we stay in.

Noise risks, unfortunately, cannot be completely eliminated, but certain steps can be taken to minimize them. Knowing the level of sound insulation, it is easier to choose the optimal solutions to achieve an optimal level of acoustic background. Noise measurements will help in achieving satisfactory acoustics in interiors.

What and how to measure noise in an apartment? How much does it cost to measure noise and who can conduct an acoustic survey?

From a physical point of view, sound is a mechanical wave, i.e. one that needs a medium composed of particles (gases, liquids, solids) to propagate. Reaching our ears, it causes a sensory impression.

Noise can be defined as sound pollution. That is, sound that is undesirable at a given place and/or time, or its intensity is too high.

In the construction industry, interior acoustic properties have received increasing attention in recent years. Whether a building has a residential or office function, the noise reaching specific rooms will be a factor preventing sleep, rest, as well as causing irritation, lack of concentration and impediments to communication and efficient work. To check whether noise exceeds established acoustic standards, it is worth considering an acoustic survey.

 

Sources of noise

• External (e.g., busy street, air traffic, rail traffic, nightclubs)
• Internal (e.g., conversations of neighbors, sounds of footsteps, sounds from water systems, refrigeration, ventilation)

Depending on what constitutes an undesirable factor, as well as the desire to measure the values in question, we select a specific study. Our range of services includes, among others, tests:

• Reverberation time
• Sound insulation (from airborne and impact sounds; also facades)
• Sound level from technical installations

 

Zobacz dlaczego izolacyjność akustyczna przegród budowlanych jest bardzo ważna.

 

Acoustic studies – what are the types of noise?

Pod pojęciem hałasu rozumiemy drgania akustyczne o wysokiej intensywności, które są odbierane jako co najmniej uciążliwe. Hałasem określa się wszelkie nieprzyjemne, dokuczliwe lub irytujące dźwięki, które w jakikolwiek sposób mogą być niebezpieczne dla zdrowia człowieka. Istnieją różne rodzaje hałasu. Ze względu na źródło pochodzenia wyróżniamy:

• hałas przemysłowy – różnego rodzaju niepożądane dźwięki generowane przez źródła zlokalizowane wewnątrz i na zewnątrz obiektów produkcyjnych i przemysłowych, a także w hipermarketach, na stacjach benzynowych itp.,
• hałas komunikacyjny – nieprzyjemne, uciążliwe dźwięki powstające w wyniku poruszania się pojazdów i na styku opony z nawierzchnią; jego źródłem jest także ruch tramwajowy, kolejowy oraz lotniczy,
• hałas w budynkach – taki, który jest tworzony przez ludzi, maszyny i urządzenia znajdujące się wewnątrz lub na zewnątrz budynków; to wszystkie dźwięki emitowane wewnątrz budynków mieszkalnych (generowane przez wyposażenie techniczne, dźwigi, klimatyzatory, hydrofory itp.), ale także dobiegające z otoczenia zewnętrznego (pawilonów handlowych i obiektów gospodarczych).

Sprawdź lokalizacje Termocent

Badania akustyczne Gdańsk | Badania akustyczne Katowice |  Badania akustyczne Kraków  |  Badania akustyczne Lublin |  Badania akustyczne Poznań |  Badania akustyczne Szczecin |  Badania akustyczne Toruń  |  Badania akustyczne Warszawa |  Badania akustyczne Wrocław |  Badania akustyczne Łódź

Reverberation time

It is defined as the time it takes for the sound pressure level in a room to drop by a value of 60 dB from the moment the sound source stops.

The emitted sound propagates through the room, encountering various obstacles in its path (e.g. walls, floors, furniture, people). It will be partially reflected and partially absorbed. The more strongly absorbing materials there are in the room (e.g. carpets, heavy curtains), the shorter the sound will be heard and the shorter the reverberation time.

Different reverberation times are desirable for different types of rooms. A reverberation time that is too long will
make speech difficult to understand (a factor important in auditoriums, classrooms, and theaters),
while one that is too short will result in a flat sound (a factor important for rooms
for listening to music, operas, or churches).

The course of the acoustic test:

A sound is generated in the room at the appropriate level, then the sound source is turned off, and then the time it takes for the sound level to drop by 60 dB (_T60) is measured using a meter. Example in Illustration 2: letter A.

 

Sound insulation

It is the ability of partitions (including walls, doors, windows, floors) to limit the passage of sound to the other side. The higher the insulation, the less sound is heard on the other side of the partition.

The distinction is sound insulation:

• airborne – generated in the air while carrying on a conversation, listening to music, playing musical instruments (crucial for walls, facades, doors, as well as windows),
• Impact – arising from walking, stomping, jumping on the floor, dropping objects on it (key for ceilings)

 

The course of acoustic measurement:

A sound source is set up in the broadcast room:

• for airborne sounds, it is an omnidirectional loudspeaker (see Illustration 2 – letter A), possibly external noise (see Illustration 2 – letter D)
• for percussive sounds hammer tapping (see Illustration 2 – letter B),

Then the sound level is measured in the transmitting and receiving room. The difference between the two is counted, and from it the sound insulation of the partition is calculated. The calculation takes into account the reverberation time and the acoustic background. The receiving room (in our example) is the one marked with the letter E in Figure 2 for both airborne and impact sounds).

 

What are acoustic measurements?

Acoustic measurement is a precise study of sound intensity in a given environment. According to Polish and European acoustic standards, windows, doors, walls, ceilings and other building elements must meet high requirements for sound insulation.

To make sure that the established rules are followed, noise level tests are carried out. Accurate measurement of a room’ s acoustics makes it possible to identify the likely source or sources of unfavorable sound levels, which in turn makes it possible to significantly reduce or eliminate them.

Accredited noise measurements are carried out by studios and research laboratories using modern equipment. Field acoustic measurements are carried out similarly to laboratory tests. The price of acoustic measurements depends on the scope of work, the number of tests performed and the type of object for which the acoustic analysis is performed.

 

Advantages of volume measurement

The first thing noise measurement gives us is knowledge. Before that, we can only guess at the intensity, type or duration of the sounds reaching us, which can cause a number of unpleasant and dangerous symptoms. Acoustic surveys, together with their interpretation, mean that we gain certainty, and on this basis we can already take further steps.

The second very important added value that noise measurements entail is the ability to make a concept based on them with recommendations.

Thanks to them, we not only know that the sounds in a particular place harm us, but also find out what
to do to improve the situation. Sometimes a more serious renovation of the building or
its individual rooms will be necessary (for example, to use better insulation materials).
Very often, however, it turns out that dealing with noise is simple and does not cost much –
it is enough, for example, to swap the place of the office and the handy storage room, so that the noise from the server room does not
disturb the employees.

 

When is it a good idea to conduct a noise study?

There are many situations in which it is worthwhile to carry out professional acoustic measurements. These apply to buildings owned by private individuals, as well as cooperatives and housing communities or companies. The first reason is always acoustic discomfort, resulting from obvious and perceived by all, distinct noise. This is an obvious rationale for checking whether decibel levels are harmful and whether they can be reduced with various types of treatments. However, there are many additional reasons that should prompt you to order a noise survey.

In a private home, additional indications for ordering volume measurements are experienced by household members:

• Sleep and relaxation problems: insomnia, constant drowsiness, chronic fatigue,
• Somatic symptoms: headaches and dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
• Emotional symptoms: constant irritability, agitation, foreboding, crying.

In a multifamily building, additional indications for ordering volume measurements are reported by residents:

• Sounds from neighboring apartments too well heard,
• Noise from the street, from the courtyard,
• Nuisance sounds from inside the building (elevators, stairwells).

In the company building, additional indications for the volume measurement order are observed by superiors:

• Concentration problems in employees,
• Intense noises coming from the environment or from inside the company (e.g., machinery running in production),
• Not very loud, but long-lasting, steady noise (e.g., from the server room, from air conditioning).

 

How to carry out acoustic measurements

The application of acoustic testing is aimed at optimizing the acoustic condition in a given environment. Depending on what constitutes an undesirable factor, specific noise survey methods are selected. Acoustic surveying may include, among others:

• evaluation of reverberation time – a sound is generated in the room at the appropriate level, and then (after turning off the sound source) using a special meter, the time it takes for the sound level to drop by 60 dB is measured,
• Measurement of sound insulation – a sound source (loudspeaker for airborne sounds, hammer tapping for impact sounds) is set up in the transmitting room, and then the sound level in the transmitting and receiving rooms is measured, the difference between them is counted, and the acoustic parameters of the partition are determined on this basis,
• Measurement of sound levels – this is carried out for specific cycles of the building’s technical equipment, such as elevators, ventilation, water systems, etc., using a sound meter.

The measurement is made for specific conditions and cycles of technical equipment in the building, for example: water systems, elevators, ventilation, etc. For this purpose, a sound meter is used. The calculation takes into account the reverberation time, as well as the acoustic background (see Illustration 2 – letter C).

 

Acoustic measurement procedure

The course of the noise measurement procedure varies depending on the space being surveyed. The measurement of noise in the environment is different, the measurement of noise levels in a multifamily or single-family building is different, and the acoustic measurement of a room or the measurement of noise at the workplace is different.

We will provide all the necessary information before the measurement. You will learn how we will measure the noise level at the location of your choice, you will also learn about the price list associated with the noise measurement service before our arrival. We will measure sound intensity, reverberation and other values using specialized equipment such as omni-directional speakers, hammer tapping and sound meters. During the day and night, the measurement can last from 30 minutes to as long as 24 hours. If you are interested in a specific source of disturbing sound, you will also need to measure the acoustic background. Doors and windows in the room under investigation should be closed, and only people from the equipment staff should be inside. However, the procedure will vary from case to case, and it is worth simply inquiring about the course of a particular test.

 

What can you expect from an acoustic survey?

Wondering how much a residential noise measurement costs? Are you worried that when you order a noise measurement, the price will exceed the expected results? Keep in mind that the most important value is the health and comfort of household members or workers. The results of acoustic measurements will provide, first of all, thorough knowledge, but will also give you the opportunity to intervene and improve the quality of life or work of those who suffer from excessive exposure to annoying and harmful sound stimuli.

 

TERMOCENT noise measurement

Our offer of acoustic measurements is addressed primarily to owners and managers of office, commercial and industrial facilities. We will effectively identify the source of noise that exceeds the acceptable level, in accordance with the standards adopted for the source. Each survey will be carried out professionally, based on current certification standards (BREEAM, LEED, EU
Taxonomy, WELL, Fitwel, DGNB), and a specialist in acoustics will be in charge.

 

Normy akustyczne według których wykonywane są badania i analizy akustyki

Field measurements of sound insulation in buildings and insulation of building elements:

• PN-EN-ISO-16283-1 – insulation against airborne sound
• PN-EN-ISO-16283-2 – impact sound insulation
• PN-EN-ISO-16283-3 – insulation of the external wall

Evaluation of sound insulation in buildings and sound insulation of building elements:

• PN-EN-ISO-717-1 – insulation from airborne sound
• PN-EN-ISO-717-2 – impact sound insulation

Noise protection in buildings:

• PN-B-02151-2 – requirements for the permissible sound level in the room
• PN-B-02151-3 – requirements for acoustic insulation of partitions in buildings and building elements.
• PN-B-02151-4 – requirements for reverberant conditions, as well as speech intelligibility in rooms and guidelines for conducting tests

Measurement of sound pressure levels from technical equipment devices in buildings – an accurate method:

• PN-EN-ISO-16032

TERMOCENT performs all acoustic surveys using modern and high quality equipment. If you have a noise problem we encourage you to contact us at 530 105 398, or email biuro@termocent.com. We will help you assess the situations, as well as select the appropriate test, and do our best to make sure you are satisfied with our services.