GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING
A TRAINING PROGRAM IN
NOISE SURVEY TECHNIQUES
JULY 1975
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA 55Q/9-75-Q21
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION-NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
5. REPORT DATE
Guidelines for Developing a Training Program in
Noise Survey Techniques
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
William Gately, Paul L. Michael, and George W.
Kamperman
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
NAS/NRC Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics and Bio-
mechanics (Working Group 70)
National Academy of Sciences
2101 Constitution Avenue,N.W., Washington, D.C.10460
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
Office of Naval Research
N00014-67-A-0244-0021
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C. 20460
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final Report
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
The report contains guidelines for the content, format, organization, and
administration of a training program for noise survey technicians. It is intented
to provide assistance to State and local governments in setting up a training
program with the following objective: the training of technicians to assist in the
enforcement of noise ordinances and investigation of noise complaints. The
program is directed toward trainees with a minimum of a high school education and
no previous experience in acoustics. The report outlines and explains material to
be covered in a 4 1/2 day training program.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS C. COS AT I Field/Group
Acoustic measurement
Ordinances
Measuring instruments
Noise reduction
Sound level meters
Training programs
13. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
General availability
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
Unclassified
21. NO. OF PAGES
27
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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EPA 550/9-75-021
GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING A TRAINING PROGRAM
IN NOISE SURVEY TECHNIQUES
JULY 1975
Report of Working Group 70
NAS/NRC Committee on Hearing,
Bioacoustics and Biomechanics
John Shadley, Chairman
William Gately
George W. Kamperman
Paul L. Michael
Under Office of Naval Research Contract
No. N00014-67-A-0244-0021
THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF NOISE ABATEMENT AND CONTROL
This document has been approved for general availability. It
does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
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FOREWORD
The Noise Control Act of 1972 (Public Law 92r574) authorizes the
Environmental Protection Agency to provide technical assistance to State
and local governments including advice on the training of noise-control
personnel. This report is intended to assist State and local governments
in developing a training program for noise survey technicians. It provides
guidelines for the content, format, organization, and administration of a
program designed to train technicians to make reliable measurements of
simple noise problems encountered in the community. These recommenda-
tions should be useful in training technicians to assist in the enforcement
of noise ordinances and investigation of noise complaints.
The guidelines were prepared by Working Group 70, NAS/NRC Com-
mittee on Hearing, Bioacoustics and Biomechanics.
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CONTENTS
Page
GENERAL
Training Program Objective 1
Organization and Format 2
Curriculum 4
Implementation and Administration 6
COURSE OUTLINE
First Day
Introduction (30 mins) 9
The Physics of Sound (2 hrs. 30 mins) 9
Introductory Comments on the Physiology of
Hearing (30 mins) 10
Noise Measurement (1 hr. 15 mins) 11
Laboratory Exercises with the Sound Level
Meter (2 hrs.) 11
Second Day
Sources of Community Noise (45 mins) 12
Factors That Affect Outdoor Sound Propagation
and Measurement (30 mins) 13
Noise Survey Techniques (1 hr. 15 mins) 13
Workshop—Field Measurement and Evaluation of
Community Noise (3 hrs. 30 mins) 14
Third Day
Laboratory Discussion of Instrumentation
(2 hrs. 15 mins) 15
Review (1 hr. 15 mins) 16
Written Examination (1 hr.) 17
Community Response to Noise (1 hr.) 17
Examination Review and Discussion Period
(1 hr. 30 mins) 18
iii
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CONTENTS (Cont'd)
Page
Fourth Day
Community Noise Regulations (I hr. 30 mins) 19
Special Analysis Techniques (2 hrs.) 21
Workshop—Field Measurement and Evaluation of
Community Noise (3 hrs. 30 mins) 21
Fifth Day
Physics of Sound (1 hr. 15 mins) 22
Physiology of Hearing (expansion of topics introduced
on the first day) (1 hr.) 23
Introductory Comments on Methods of Noise Reduction
(1 hr. 15 mins) 24
APPENDIX A - Recommended Reference Literature A-l
APPENDIXB - Questionnaire on Utility of Guidelines B-l
IV
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GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING A TRAINING PROGRAM
IN NOISE SURVEY TECHNIQUES
The guidelines contained'in this report are recommendations regarding
the content, format, organization, and administration of a training program for
noise survey technicians. They are intended to provide assistance to State and
local governments and do not constitute standards, specifications, or
regulations.
GENERAL
TRAINING PROGRAM OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the training program is two-fold:
1. To train the technician to make sound measurements and
interpret the resulting data in both a sampling and an en-
forcing capacity as related to noise in the community. The
scope of the trainee's technical jurisdiction will be limited
to a relatively simple class of community noise problems
comprising perhaps as much as 75 percent of the commonly
encountered noise problems investigated as a result of
complaint. The role of the technician so trained is to relieve
the more experienced and highly trained acoustic specialists
of a significant portion of the noise monitoring and data
collection burden, and
2. To serve as an introduction to acoustic field measurement
and analysis for those trainees requiring advanced or other-
wise more specialized skills related to acoustic measurement.
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The program is directed toward trainees with a high school education, and
perhaps, 1 or 2 years of college, but with no previous experience or education
in acoustics. Trainees can be expected to represent departments of environ-
mental protection and enforcing agencies at various levels of government.
At the conclusion of the training program, all trainees will be expected to
have gained a working facility in the use of the sound level meter and the
interpretation of the sound measurement results. The trainees should also
have gained a familiarity with the basics of the more advanced sound measure-
ment and data reduction techniques.
ORGANIZATION AND FORMAT
The program should be conducted in a classroom format with trainees
seated at tables providing ample room for instruments, work sheets, and
reference material. The class size should be limited to approximately twenty
students. The classroom sessions can be conducted by a single lecturer;
however, during the laboratory and workshop sessions, assistants should be
available to answer particular questions and lend aid to trainees as the need
arises.
The program should be designed for 4-1/2 days in length. The first three
days will be devoted to intensive training in the physics of sound and hearing,
use of the sound level meter, noise survey techniques, limitations and cali-
bration of the meter, and community noise response. The remaining 1-1/2
days will be used for review and discussion of the supplementary topics
involving the more advanced techniques of sound measurement and analysis.
The class day should include 6-1/2 to 7 hours of lecture and laboratory time
with 15 to 20 minutes for coffee breaks morning and afternoon and 1 or 1-1/2
hours for lunch. The program is scheduled to end at noon on the fifth day.
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Visual and audio aids should be used generously throughout the program.
Laboratory sessions can be integrated into the lecture periods or can be sep-
arate entities, depending upon the topic. For sound measurement laboratory
sessions, a sound level meter should be issued each pair of students.
Manuals for the instructor and each student should be provided. The
student manual should be a self-contained text covering the lecture material
presented in the first three days of the course, complete with figures, charts
and tables, but should serve as a complete handbook on the measurement of
sound using the sound level meter and the interpretation of the measurement
results. Text material on the last 1-1/2 days should be contained in the student
manual also, but in less detail and with reference to the more technical
literature available for in-depth study. The teacher's manual should contain
instructions on the presentation of the program, e. g., length of time to devote
to the various topics, desired emphasis, and sequence of audio and visual aids.
Before the first offering of the course, the instruction materials should
be pretested as to correctness, continuity, and effectiveness of the content
and style of the manuals, audio-visual aid's, demonstration and measurement
programs, and examination. This pretesting could be accomplished in any
of several ways, including reviews by other professionals and by students, or
through a full pilot course to a collection of students and critics.
Satisfactory completion of a standardized written examination on the
third day will serve as evidence of successful completion of the training
program. A diploma recognizing completion of the course and examination
should be issued each trainee at the conclusion of the training program. The
term "certification" should be avoided because of the implication of endorse-
ment by some official agency. After successful completion of the course,
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the trainee can be described as, "technically trained in the current techniques
of outdoor sound measurement using the sound level meter."
CURRICULUM
The suggested curriculum for the training program has been outlined and
is included as part of these guidelines. The outline includes titles and
descriptions of major topics, order of coverage, length of time to be devoted
to each-topic, and comments indicating desired emphasis and precautions.
For the first three days, the program has been designed to place em-
phasis on those topics leading directly to an understanding of sound level and
its measurement, and the interpretation of the measurement data. The
training program conceivably could conclude at the end of the three day
session. The 1-1/2 day, somewhat more advanced, extension of the program is
recommended, however, to give the trainee a broader technical base. While
the material presented in the first three days of the program should be rather
well defined, the program in the last 1-1/2 days should be tailored somewhat to
the needs and backgrounds of the trainees in attendance.
Handbooks, standards, ordinances, and reports that should be used as
reference material in the presentation, and included as a part of the student
manual are the following:
1. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) SI. 1 - 1960 (R1971),
"Acoustical Terminology."
2. Handbook of Noise Measurement by Arnold P. G. Peterson and
Ervin E. Gross, Jr., Seventh Ed., General Radio Company, Concord,
Mass. (1972).
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3. Acoustic Noise Measurements by Jens Trampe Broch, Second Ed.,
Bruel and Kjaer, Nairum, Denmark, (January, 1971).
4. Instruction manuals for all sound level meter types used in the course,
available from the instrument manufacturer.
5. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) SI. 4 - 1971, "Sound
Level Meters."
6. International Standards Organization (ISO) Recommendation R 1996,
"Assessment of Noise with Respect to Community Response."
7. EPA Document 550/9-75-020 "Noise Source Regulation in State and
Local Noise Ordinances," National Technical Information Service,
Springfield, Virginia 22161.
8. City of Chicago Noise Ordinance as amended, Dept. of Environmental
Control, 320 N. Clark St. (Rm. 500), Chicago, Illinois 60610.
9. Noise and Vibration Control, by L. L. Beranek, McGraw-Hill
Publishing Co., 1971.
Films that may be considered for part of the lecture material include:
1. The National Bureau of Standards film for general information, avail-
able from National Audio-Visual Center, Washington, D. C. 20409.
2. The English film, "Dangerous Noise," Films Division, Rm. 507,
Central Office Information, Hercules Road, London SE1, England.
3. The American Broadcasting Company film, "Death Be Not Loud."
Available from McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Box 404,
Heightstown, N. J.
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4. "The Sound of Sound" on hearing conservation. Available from
American Optical Corporation, Safety Product Division, Southbridge,
Massachusetts 01550.
There are many other books, reports, standards and other documents that
should be referenced in the student manual. It is suggested that one set of
these be available to the trainees for reference throughout the week-long
training program. A list of additional recommended reference literature is
provided in Appendix A.
IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
The course material, teacher's and student's manuals, and audio and
visual aids, should all be prepared by the same organization or closely
coordinated group of organizations to insure uniformity and continuity among
the instruction materials. Necessary qualifications for the organization(s)
preparing the material include experience in indoor sound measurement and in
conducting short courses on technical topics. Desirable qualifications should
include a working familiarity with the major topics to be discussed in the
program, especially the physics of sound, community response to noise, sound
measurement, and instrumentation.
The selection and qualifications of course administrators should be
carefully considered. Several choices for course administrators are avail-
able, including:
I. The State government may develop its own staff and administer
the course in a single location or in various local jurisdictions.
2. The local government may develop its own staff and administer
the course.
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3. State or local governments may contract with a single university,
college, community college, technical institute, or private business
to administer the course at either single or various locations.
4. The State government may contract with several educational institu-
tions and/or private businesses and administer the course in
various local jurisdictions.
A primary constraint in selecting an administrator is that the organiza-
tion selected should have approximately the same qualifications as those
previously stated for the preparers of the course material. An official
certification of the course administrator appears undesirable at this time
because of the difficulty in establishing firm qualification requirements
accepted by existing professional organizations and by the acoustical pro-
fession at large. It is recommended that each applicant be considered
individually using the recommended qualifications as guidelines.
Participation is likely to be more enthusiastic if trainee travel is
minimized. Lecture material and equipment will have to be available at the
lecture site. All manuals and presentation material should be on location
in advance of the program. Depending on the course administrator, some
equipment will be available and other equipment can be rented or borrowed.
However, for the sake of uniformity of quality and state of repair, and to
assure availability when needed, it would be advantageous to purchase and
maintain the required equipment. An approximate list of required equipment
includes the following:
1. Slide projector
2. Movie projector with sound equipment
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3. Overhead transparency projector
4. Sound level meter, calibrator, microphone, windscreen, and
headphones for each pair of students
5. Tape recorder and playback amplifier and speakers
6. Several items of SLM test equipment including:
• Variable frequency oscillator and step attenuator
• Tripod
• VOM meter
• Graphic level recorder
• Microphone cables, dummy microphones, windscreens.
7. Octave, and/or 1/3 and/or 1/10 octave band sound measurement
and analysis equipment
8. Statistical sampling equipment (optional)
The exact instrumentation requirements should be developed along with
the development of the course material.
The alternatives to purchasing, maintaining, and transporting the equip-
ment are to simplify the course, or to place the burden of supplying equip-
ment on the contractor each time the course is given. The latter alternative
would further limit the course administrators to organizations that have
access to the required equipment.
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COURSE OUTLINE
FIRST DAY
The topics to be discussed in the first day have been selected to give the
trainee a broad understanding of the basic principles and concepts of sound,
hearing, and sound measurement. Text material should provide discussion
of the fundamental acoustic terms, concepts, and relationships. However,
in the limited lecture time available, discussion of some of the items of
special interest have been postponed to the last day of the course in order to
provide adequate coverage of those topics leading directly to an understanding
of sound level and its measurement.
INTRODUCTION (30 Minutes)
Discuss the objectives of the course with particular emphasis on the
areas of responsibility of the trainee. From this discussion the trainee should
have a clear definition of what is expected of him and of the limitations of
the training provided.
THE PHYSICS OF SOUND (2 Hours, 30 Minutes)
1. Basic Principles and Terminology
a. Amplitude
b. Directivity
c. Far Field
d. Free Field
e. Frequency
f. Loudness
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g. Pitch
h. Pressure (atmospheric, peak, root-mean square) little detail
i. Propagation
j. Pure Tone
k. Reverberation
2. Noise Measuring Units and Calculations
a. The Decibel (dB)
b. Sound Pressure, Sound Pressure Level, and Intensity
c. Adding Decibels (random and pitched noises)
d. Frequency Bandwidths
e. Noise Propagation Characteristics
• Noise source in free field
• Noise source in reverberant field
• Sound absorption
f. Frequency Weighting Networks; A, B, C
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF HEARING (30 Minutes)
1. How Sound is Heard
2. Problems Related to the Ear and Hearing
a. Noise - Induced Hearing Loss
b. Federal Standards Governing Noise Exposure
c. Other Causes of Hearing Loss
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NOISE MEASUREMENT (1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
1. The Sound Level Meter
a. Function, Operation, and Limitations
b. Microphones
• Characteristics of ceramic condenser, and dynamic types
-Frequency response
-Sensitivity
-Range
^Directivity
-Environmental limitations
• Calibration
-Pressure
-Free-field
-Laboratory
-Field
c. Indicating Meter
• Response speed (fast and slow)
• Characteristics (root-mean square, average, peak)
d. Frequency Weighting Networks
e. Overall Standards on Operation
LABORATORY EXERCISES WITH THE SOUND LEVEL METER (2 Hours)
One sound level meter should be provided for every two trainees so that
they can work together measuring sound levels of various noise spectra
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provided from tapes or other demonstration equipment. Each trainee must
make sound pressure level measurements of at least five different noise
spectra that include rising, falling, peaked, and flat frequency characteristics
while his partner records the data. Measurements must be made with the A,
B, and C frequency weightings, with both the fast and slow meter responses,
on each of the five noise spectra. The trainee should be instructed in the
proper selection and orientation of the microphone. One qualified instructor
for every six trainees must be available to guide individual trainees during the
laboratory exercises.
SECOND DAY
The topics to be discussed in the second day have been selected to give
the trainee experience in making and interpreting measurements of a
variety of common out-of-doors noises in a variety of situations.
SOURCES OF COMMUNITY NOISE (45 Minutes)
Taped samples of common industrial and transportation noise are to be
played through an amplification system while the trainees practice using the
sound level meter. The instructor may identify the source and point out the
features of the sound having special interest. The sound sources should be
selected to provide a variety of measurement experiences. For example,
the taped samples may include the following:
1. Familiar community noises with which the trainee can begin to
associate levels of sound.
2. Tones superimposed on broad-band noise, e. g., transformer or
fan tones, to illustrate the range in measured values due to standing
waves-space averaging.
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3. Intermittent, impact, or fluctuating noises to illustrate slow and
and fast meter response, time averaging.
4. Insect noise to illustrate the measurement technique.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT OUTDOOR SOUND PROPAGATION AND MEASUREMENT
(1 Hour, 30 Minutes)
This presentation includes guidelines for assessing the influence of each
factor; as well as charts, graphs, and tables defining corrections to account
for each factor.
1. Identification and frequency spectrum of source(s)—significance for
accurate measurements; effect of discrete tones; procedure for
space/time averaging.
2. Distance from source—spherical, hemispherical spreading of sound
waves from source; absorption of sound in air.
3. Effect of terrain and surface between source and measurement
location.
4. Effects of shielding and reflection of sound by nearby objects—
geometric interpretation; significance of frequency spectrum of
source.
5. Effects of wind, thermal gradients, and relative humidity on
absorption and/or refraction of sound waves. Effects of adverse
weather conditions on the equipment.
NOISE SURVEY TECHNIQUES (1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
The purpose of this topic is to teach the trainee the special techniques
involved in making meaningful and thorough sound measurements in an
outdoor environment.
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1. Use and limitations of the windscreen.
2. Check list for equipment calibration and check-out.
3. Check list for observations to be recorded on data sheets.
4. The importance of listening—with the unaided ear and with earphones.
WORKSHOP—FIELD MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF COMMUNITY NOISE
(3 Hours, 30 Minutes)
1. Review calibration and measurement procedures.
2. Demonstrate sound level measurement procedure in representative
setting, including interpretation of indicated values relative to
compliance or noncompliance with statutory limits.
3. Divide students into groups of three or four and have them assess
compliance or noncompliance of various sources—stationary and
moving—with measured levels, at two or three predetermined and
representative locations. Also, tape record events at these locations
for later discussion. (Note: Noise measurement locations should be
carefully selected and evaluated in advance, to illustrate as many
representative situations as possible.) Include traffic driveby
measurement; certification test (for comparison), stationary source
measurement at property line. Effects of nearby barriers or
obstacles and possible contributions from other sources should be
discussed and included if possible.
4. Following field measurements, discuss results obtained by various
groups relative to compliance or noncompliance, effects of measure-
ment location, and corrections (if any) required for shielding,
reflections, wind or terrain. Ample time should be alloted for in-
dividual questions and answers.
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THIRD DAY
LABORATORY DISCUSSION OF INSTRUMENTATION (2 Hours, 15 Minutes)
The purpose of this topic is to give the trainees a more detailed under-
standing of the technical aspects of sound level measuring instruments—limi-
tations of the sound level meter, how to recognize common malfunctions and
how to avoid common errors in calibration and field measurement.
1. Diagnosis of Equipment Malfunctions
a. Off-calibration
b. Defective calibrator
c. Dead batteries/reversed polarity
d. Low batteries
e. Intermittent or shorted microphone cables
f. Condensation on microphones
g. Faulty microphone
h. Low impedance connection at meter output
Tests required for the above diagnoses include:
a. Calibration by a second calibrator
b. Exchange of microphones
c. Battery check/inspection
d. Check instrument noise floor by use of dummy microphone
(series capacitor in place of microphone)
e. Frequency response of instrument by use of variable frequency
oscillator
f. Listening with headphones for sounds of intermittency when the
sound level meter is impacted and twisted
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2. Limitations of the Survey Meter and Errors to Avoid
Some of this material can be presented in lecture form. Where
possible, however, the lecture material should be supplemented with
appropriate demonstrations. Concepts to be emphasized include:
a. Noise floor of the instrument
b. Characteristics and limitations of various microphones
c. Inability of the meter to distinguish sounds of different origin,
e. g., plant noise from insect noise
d. Inability of the meter to distinguish between airborne sound and
wind pressure fluctuations on the microphone
e. Limited battery usefulness in conditions of extreme cold
f. Effect of the observer on the sound measurement
3. Simple Demonstrations to Perform Include:
a. The erroneous signal produced by wind and vibration on
standard microphone cable
b. The loading effect of headphones connected to the output of the
sound level meter
c. Effects of wind on microphone signal with and without a windscreen
REVIEW (1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
Highlights of all material should be reviewed in preparation for the
examination to follow in the afternoon. Format can be question and answers,
but discussion should be covered in the examination.
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WRITTEN EXAMINATION (1 Hour)
A standardized examination covering the first 2-1/2 days of the course
should be given all students. The questions should be of the objective type,
perhaps with multiple choice answers, and should emphasize fundamentals of
sound, outdoor sound propagation, field measurement techniques, and instru-
mentation. As reference material during the test, the students should be
permitted access to their basic set of notes provided as written test material
at the beginning of the course.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO NOISE (1 Hour)
The purpose of this topic is not so much to teach the trainee how to
predict community response, but rather to recognize the characteristics of
noise that are thought to disturb people. When investigating a complaint
about noise, the trainee in the field should be able to identify the cause for
complaint and tailor his investigation and measurements accordingly.
Subjects to be discussed include the following:
1. The "Community Noise Problem"—definition and historical review;
types of sources—social survey results.
2. Review of factors that have contributed to "the Community Noise
Problem"—mechanization, population density, urban design, land
use planning.
3. Effects of noise on people
a. Physiological effects of noise and associated sound levels
• Hearing damage review
• Other physiological effects
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b. Sociological and psychological effects
• Interference with speech and speech related activities
• Interference with sleep
• Annoyance, unspecified—variations in sensitivity to noise
t
c. Factors and prediction schemes employed to assess community
noise
• Characteristics of noise related to annoyance, including level,
duration, frequency, narrow band noise, fluctuations, modulations
• Factors, not properties of the noise, e. g., time of day;
community attitudes; social, political, and economic considerations
• Schemes used to predict community reaction to noise, e. g.,
noise level rank, noise pollution level, ISO recommendation
1996, etc. This material should be introduced only for the
purpose of emphasizing the factors related to annoyance and
the uncertainty in community reaction prediction methods.
EXAMINATION REVIEW AND DISCUSSION PERIOD (1 Hour, 30 Minutes)
I. Review of Examination Questions and Results
The previous 1-hour lecture period should allow ample time for an
assistant to check the answers to the objective examination questions
and tabulate the results. Because a review of the examination
questions and results will be of substantial benefit to both the trainees
and the instructor in determining where remedial study is needed, this
review should be conducted on the third day leaving ample time for
the required shift in emphasis on the fourth and fifth days.
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2. Discussion Period
Following the examination the class may benefit from a more
relaxed, class participation period for questions and discussion. The
discussion should be focused on the anticipated roles of the trainees
in regulation, measurement and enforcement capacities. Emphasis
should be placed on application of the newly acquired skills to these
functions, and on definition of the class of problems the trainee
should expect to solve.
FOURTH DAY
COMMUNITY NOISE REGULATIONS (1 Hour, 30 Minutes)
The trainee should be made familiar with some existing noise regulations—
the language used, the inherent limitations, problems of enforcement, and the
responsibilities of the measurement technician.
1. Qualitative versus Quantitative Noise Regulations
a. Examples of qualitative regulations
b. Limitations of qualitative regulations
2. Quantitative Noise Regulations
a. Examples of quantitative noise regulations (ref. EPA Document
550/9-75-020)
• Cross-section of types of quantitative regulations
• Detailed discussion of one or two regulations covering:
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-Stationary noise source regulations, e. g., City of
Chicago Noise Ordinance
-Vehicle noise emission regulations, e.g., EPA Interstate
Motor Carrier Regulation, State of California noise regula-
tions for highway vehicles, or State of Minnesota regulations
for snowmobile noise.
3. Summaries of community noise regulations and policies most widely
applied or frequently encountered.
a. EPA Interstate Carrier Regulations and new product regulations
as promulgated
b. HUD Departmental Circular 1390.2
c. FHWA Policy and Procedures Memorandum 90-2
d. State of Oregon regulations
e. Noise regulations of the City of Chicago
f. State of California vehicle noise regulations
4. Model legislation—adaptation and application to individual
jurisdictions.
The remaining topics discussed in the fourth and fifth days are intended
to give the trainee an introduction to some of the more advanced and techni-
cally more complex aspects of noise, its measurement, and control. Since the
backgrounds of the groups attending the course may vary widely, the instructor
should exercise his own judgment in selecting an appropriate technical level
and pace for the fourth and fifth day lectures. For this reason, the course
outline suggested here includes broad lecture categories only.
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SPECIAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES (2 Hours)
Comprehensive instruction in these topics cannot be given in the limited
time available; however, the trainee can be introduced to the techniques,
their uses and limitations. References to published material giving detailed
instruction should be included in the written text.
1. Narrow Band Analysis—octave, 1/3 and 1/10 octave, 1 percent band
analysis
2. Impact Noise Measurement
3. Statistical Distribution Analysis
4. Tape Recording Techniques
5. Real-time Analysis
The use of some of these instruments and techniques can be demonstrated
in conjunction with the recorded tape samples used in the second day of the
course. Octave and narrow band analyzers should be made available for
demonstration. Other equipment should be used if available.
WORKSHOP—FIELD MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF COMMUNITY
NOISE (3 Hours, 30 Minutes)
This topic is to parallel topic D of the second day. Trainees should gain
actual field experience at outdoor sound measurement in new noise situations.
The purpose of the exercise is to:
1. Allow the trainee to gain a new level of confidence in the use of the
sound level meter
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2. Allow the trainee to apply the skills and understanding acquired since
the previous field measurement exercise
3. Provide for a break in the monotony of the classroom instruction
FIFTH DAY
PHYSICS OF SOUND (1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
Some items within this general topic were introduced on the first day of
the course. In order to avoid confusing the beginning student in his first.
introduction to sound, some of the peripheral and more difficult subjects
had been deferred for discussion on the last day.
1. Basic Concepts and Terminology
a. Amplitude
b. Intensity
c. Period
d. Pink noise
e. Power
f. Random noise
g. Resonance
h. Velocity
i. Wavelength
j. White noise
2. Mathematical Relationships in Sound
a. Sound power level and sound pressure level relationships
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b. Spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical, plane wave propagation
c. Point source, line source, distributed plane source
PHYSIOLOGY OF HEARING (Expansion of Topics Introduced on the First Day)
(I Hour)
1. Anatomy of the Ear
a. External ear
b. Middle ear
c. Inner ear
2. Problems related to the Ear and Hearing
a. Noi,se-induced hearing loss
• Sustained noise exposure
• Interrupted noise exposure
• Impact noise exposure
b. Rules, regulations and standards governing noise exposure
• Federal
• State
• Local
• Other
c. Other causes of hearing loss
• Aging effects
• Hereditary effects
• Acoustic trauma
• Effects of drugs
• Allergy effects
• Meniere's disease
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INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS ON METHODS OF NOISE REDUCTION
(1 Hour, 15 Minutes)
The trainee should acquire an understanding of some of the elementary
concepts of noise control. He should be prepared to distinguish between the
noise problems that clearly have simple solutions and those that are clearly
complex. He should be equipped to report on his assessment of a noise
problem in the light of basic noise control possibilities. General guidelines
should be given on the applications of the following items:
1. Sound Absorption Materials
2. Sound Transmission Loss Materials
3. Enclosures
4. Silencers
5. Noise Barriers
6. Vibration Isolators
7. Damping Materials
8. Fundamental Redesign of the Sound Generation Mechanism
9. Administrative Methods of Noise Reduction
10. Maintenance Programs of Noise Reduction
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APPENDIX A
RECOMMENDED REFERENCE LITERATURE
It is suggested that the following documents be referenced in the student
manual and that one set be available to the trainees for reference throughout
the course.
GENERAL INTEREST BOOKS
* Report to the President and Congress on Noise, NRC 500.1, U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Noise Abatement and Control,
December 31, 1971. (NTIS f PB-206716).
Harris, C. H., ed., Handbook of Noise Control, McGraw-Hill Book Co.,
1957.
* Noise Facts Digest, June 1972 (NTIS f PB-228345).
EPA MANDATED DOCUMENTS
* Public Health and Welfare Criteria. EPA 550/9-73-002, U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Office of Noise Abatement and Control, July 27,
1973. (GPO # 5500-00103).
* Information on Levels of Environmental Noise Requisite to Protect the
Public Health and Welfare with an Adequate Margin of Safety. EPA 550/9-74-
004, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Noise Abatement and
Control, March 1974. (GPO # 5500-00120).
* Volume 1 of First Report on Status and Progress of Noise Research
and Control Programs in the Federal Government, EPA 550/9-75-023, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Noise Abatement and Control,
June 1975.
STANDARDS**
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards;
SI. 2-1962 (R1971) - "Method for the Physical Measurement of Sound"
A-l
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SI. 6-1967 (R1971) - "Preferred Frequencies and Band Numbers for
Acoustical Measurements"
SI. 8-1969 - "Preferred Reference Quantities for Acoustical Levels"
SI. 10-1966 (R1971) - "Methods for the Calibration of Microphones"
SI. 11-1966 (R1971) - "Specification for Octave, Half-Octave, and Third-
Octave Band Filter Sets"
SI. 12-1967 (R1972) - "Specifications for Laboratory Standard Micro-
phones"
SI. 13-1971 - "Methods for the Measurement of Sound Pressure Levels"
S3.4-1968 (R1972) - "Procedure for the Computation of Loudness of
Noise"
S3.5-1969 - "Methods for the Calculation of the Articulation Index"
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 36-72 "Methods of Testing for Sound
Rating Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Equipment"
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Standards;
SAE Recommended Practice J192 - Exterior Sound Level for Snowmobiles
(1970)
SAE Standard J366a - Exterior Sound Level for Heavy Trucks and Buses
(1971)
SAE Standard J377 - Performance of Vehicle Traffic Horns (1969)
SAE Standard J672a - Exterior Loudness Evaluation of Heavy Trucks
and Buses (1970)
SAE Standard J952b - Sound Levels for Engine Powered Equipment (1969)
SAE Standard J986a - Sound Level for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
(1970)
SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice ARP 796 - Measurement of
Aircraft Exterior Noise in the Field (1965)
*Standards on Noise Measurements, Rating Schemes, and Definitions:
A Compilation, NBS Special Publication 386, U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Bureau of Standards, November 1973. (GPO # C13.10:386).
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PERIODICAL
Sound and Vibration, Sound and Vibration Acoustical Publications, Inc.,
27101 E. Oviatt Road, Bay Village, Ohio 44140. (published monthly).
*Available from Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D. C. 20402; or the National Technical
Information Service, U. S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road,
Springfield, Va. 22161.
**Available from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
1430 Broadway, New York, N. Y. 10018.
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