Lecture 15 Q1 (July 2008) In the Environmental Pollution Control Act, it is specified that only Type 1 Sound Level Meter

can be used. What is Type 1 Sound Level Meter and explain why it is being specified? (15 marks)
What is a Sound Level Meter? The SLM consists of a microphone, electronic circuits and a readout display. The microphone detects the small air pressure variations associated with sound and changes them into electrical signals. These signals are then processed by the electronic circuitry of the instrument. The readout displays the sound level in decibels. The SLM takes the sound pressure level at one instant in a particular location. To take measurements, the SLM is held at arms length at the ear height for those exposed to the noise. With most SLMs it does not matter exactly how the microphone is pointed at the noise source. The instruments instruction manual explains how to hold the microphone. The SLM must be calibrated before and after each use. The manual also gives the calibration procedure. With most SLMs, the readings can be taken on either SLOW or FAST response. The response rate is the time period over which the instrument averages the sound level before displaying it on the readout. Workplace noise level measurements should be taken on SLOW response. A Type 2 SLM is sufficiently accurate for industrial field evaluations. The more accurate and much more expensive Type 1 SLMs are primarily used in engineering, laboratory and research work. Any SLM that is less accurate than a Type 2 should not be used for workplace noise measurement. An A-weighting filter is generally built into all SLMs and can be switched ON or OFF. Some Type 2 SLMs provide measurements only in dB(A), meaning that the A-weighting filter is ON permanently. A standard SLM takes only instantaneous noise measurements. This is sufficient in workplaces with continuous noise levels. But in workplaces with impulse, intermittent or variable noise levels, the SLM makes it difficult to determine a persons average exposure to noise over a work shift. One solution in such workplaces is a noise dosimeter. Type 1 instruments also tend to measure down to lower noise levels (limited by the cheaper microphone on the Type 2), making them more suitable to the lower levels you tend to get out in the environment. See our environmental sound level meters.

Sound Level Meters are mainly use for taking only instantaneous noise measurements. This is sufficient in workplaces with continuous noise levels. Type 1 Sound Level Meter is primarily used in engineering, laboratory and research work. It is useful type of sound level meter for measuring workplace noise. The Type or Class of a sound level meter describes its accuracy as defined by the relevant international standards Type 1 is more accurate than Type 2. The ANSI S1.4 and older standard IEC 60651 referred to the grade as "Type", whereas the new standard IEC 61672 refers to it as the "Class". Although these standards have similarities, the later standard does make more demands on the meter regarding accuracy, performance and calibration. Although older meters meeting the IEC 60651 (and IEC 60804) can continue to be used for most applications, when purchasing a new meter you should get one that meets the new standard IEC 61672.

Grade

Definition

Tolerance* Typical Applications Precision Grade for laboratory and 0.7 dB field use General Purpose Grade for field use 1.0 dB Environmental, building acoustics, road vehicle Noise at work, basic environmental, motor sport

Type 1 / Class 1 Type 2 / Class 2

* These are the tolerances under reference conditions as defined in the IEC 60651 standard, section 9.1. The class of meter that was required will depend on the application and on any regulations that we need to meet. For example, most occupational noise measurement regulations state that the lower cost Type 2 or Class 2 meter is adequate. Of course we should use a Type 1 meter if we prefer as it is more accurate. There can be other reasons for selecting the class of meter. Type 1 meter tends to measure lower levels due the sensitivity of the microphone capsule. This is particularly relevant for environmental noise surveys where low noise levels are being measured. Under Environmental Pollution Control Act, Type 1 is chosen due to important legal applications as the evidence, since it is more convincing to suit the regulations that have been demand for.

Q3 ( July 2008) suppose a construction site is surrounded by a residential building, a school and an open field, what are the permissible maximum sound levels as regard to the type of buildings affected in the day time? If your construction site is located in such a situation, suggest the most practical solution that would cause the least disruption in complying with the regulations? (20 Marks)
Information: Types of affected building s (a) Hospital, schools, institution s of higher learning, homes for aged sick, etc (b) Residential buildings located less than 150m from the constructio n site (c) Buildings other than those in (a) and (b) above 7am - 7pm 7pm - 10pm 10pm - 7am

60 dBA (Leq 12 hr) 75 dBA (Leq 5 min)

50 dBA (Leq 12 hr)

55 dBA (Leq 5 min)

75 dBA (Leq 12 hr) 90 dBA (Leq 5 min) 75 dBA (Leq 12 hr) 90 dBA (Leq 5 min)

65 dBA (Leq 1 hr) 70 dBA (Leq 5 min) 65 dBA (Leq 12 hr)

55 dBA (Leq 1 hr)

60 dBA (Leq 5 min)

70 dBA (Leq 5 min)

Or you can put the tables from slides p3 or p4 of lecture notes. Ive gotten the above table from NEA webby.

Suggestion: A school is considered noise sensitive premises. Extra effort has to take note in boundary noise level limit. The most practical measurable suggestion is for the occupier of the construction site to speak to the school principal for the best time to do heavy industrial work. This could be probably a time after 2pm (for example); where the students had completed their official morning lessons. During the morning time, the construction could carry out other works that does not produce so much noise. The construction site should also make efforts to take the measurement of the noise they are producing from their work.

In the day (7am - 7pm), noise is measured at 50 m from the boundary of the construction site

In the night, noise is measured at 1m from outside the affected premises

Or you can put the drawing from slides p7 of lecture notes. Ive gotten the above table from NEA webby.

Typical noisy construction activities against the permissible noise limits Type of Works Very Noisy Works e.g. Piling, blasting,demolition, concreting works, use of percussion tools e.g. pneumatic hammers, etc Moderately Noisy Works e.g. Erection/dismantling of formwork, tying/fixing of steel bars, operation of cranes, loading/unloading of construction materials, etc 7am7pm 7pm10pm 10pm7am

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Quiet Works e.g. Housekeeping, bricklaying, plastering, painting, etc

Yes

Yes

Yes

Print a set of NEA PowerPoint Slides for reference on practicable measures to be undertaken for noise pollution control.

Noise Control Regulations These Regulations shall apply to all factories where any machinery, equipment or process used is likely to expose any person to excessive noise. Section 4.(1) Description The occupier or employer must take all practicable measures to reduce or control noise from any machinery, equipment or process such that no person employed or working in the factory is exposed to excessive noise. The measures to be taken under paragraph (1) must include one or more of the following where appropriate: (a) replacing noisy machinery, equipment or processes with less noisy machinery, equipment or processes; (b) locating noise sources away from hard walls or corners; (c) isolating noise sources such that a minimum number of persons employed or working in the factory are exposed to the noise; (d) constructing suitable acoustic enclosures to contain noise emitted by machinery, equipment or processes; (e) erecting an effective noise barrier larger in size than the noise source to provide acoustic shielding; (f) operating pneumatic machinery, equipment or tools at optimum air pressure to minimize noise emission and installing suitable pneumatic silencers at pneumatic line outlets; (g) installing mufflers at intake and exhaust openings that emit noise; (h) mounting vibrating machinery on vibration isolators or separate foundations; (i) isolating persons employed or working in the factory in an acoustically shielded room or enclosure, where reduction of noise at the noise source is not practicable; (j) lining hard surfaces with acoustically absorbent materials to reduce noise reverberation; (k) isolating or reducing the size and vibration of vibrating surfaces or applying damping materials to vibrating surfaces; (l) reducing the height from which objects are allowed to fall or applying a resilient material at the point of impact or at the point of interaction of moving objects; or (m) maintaining machinery and equipment at regular intervals to reduce noise emission. Where it is not practicable to reduce the noise, the occupier or employer must limit the duration of time persons employed or working in the factory are exposed to the noise so that such persons are not exposed to excessive noise No occupier or employer shall cause any machinery, equipment or process (not in use in the factory before 1st January 1997) to be used in any factory if any person employed or working in the factory will thereby be exposed to excessive noise, unless the machinery, equipment or process incorporates or is used in conjunction with all the means of reducing noise applicable to such machinery, equipment or process which are available whether in Singapore or elsewhere. Where 50 or more persons employed or working in the factory are exposed or are likely to be exposed to excessive noise, the occupier or employer must appoint a person, having such qualifications or experience as the Chief Inspector may require, to advise him on all proper noise control measures.

4.(2)

4.(3)

4.(4)

4.(5)

Duties of suppliers of machines or equipment Any person who supplies any machine or equipment for use in any factory which is likely to expose any person to excessive noise must furnish to the person to whom the machine or equipment is supplied such information concerning the sound level which is likely to be generated by the machine or equipment and label the machine or equipment in such manner as the Chief Inspector may require. Where 10 or more persons employed or working in the factory are exposed or are likely to be exposed to excessive noise, the occupier or employer must cause noise monitoring to be carried out at least once every 3 years, or earlier if any change in machinery, equipment, processes, controls or other conditions is likely to cause any such person to be exposed to excessive noise. The occupier or employer must (a) appoint a person to conduct the noise monitoring and prepare a report in the manner specified in the Second Schedule; (b) not later than 14 days after the preparation of the report, communicate the contents of the report to all persons employed or working in the factory who have been exposed to excessive noise; (c) submit a copy of the report to the Chief Inspector; and (d) keep the report available for at least 10 years. Hearing Protectors The occupier or employer must provide suitable hearing protectors to all persons employed or working in the factory who are exposed or are likely to be exposed to excessive noise. Hearing protectors provided under paragraph (1) must (a) correctly fit the user; (b) attenuate the exposure of the user to sound pressure levels below 85 dB(A); (c) be compatible with the job requirements of the user; and (d) not prejudice the health and safety of the user. The occupier or employer must establish and implement procedures to ensure that (a) hearing protectors are properly issued and maintained; (b) persons employed or working in the factory who are exposed or are likely to be exposed to excessive noise levels use hearing protectors; and (c) such persons are instructed in the proper use of the hearing protectors. The occupier or employer must cause warning signs to be posted at all entrances to or at the periphery of all areas in which persons will be or are likely to be exposed to excessive noise, which clearly indicate that hearing protectors must be worn in such areas.

6.(1)

6.(2)

7.(1)

7.(2)

7.(3)

7.(4)

8.(1)

8.(2)

8.(3)

8.(4)

Training The occupier or employer must institute a training programme for persons employed or working in the factory who are exposed or are likely to be exposed to excessive noise and ensure that all such persons attend the training. The training programme must include instruction in the following: (a) the relevant provisions of the Act and these Regulations; (b) the effects of noise on hearing; (c) the purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages and disadvantages and attenuation of various types of hearing protectors and the selection, fitting, use and care of such hearing protectors; and (d) the purpose of hearing tests and the appropriate procedures and requirements of such tests The training must be conducted for every such person employed or working in the factory at least once every 3 years and, for such persons commencing work in the factory after 1st January 1997, must be first conducted within 3 months of such commencement The occupier or employer must ensure that persons appointed under regulation 4. (5) or 6.(2) attend such training as the Chief Inspector may require.