If you have high noise levels and provide hearing protection then you need to be sure that the hearing protection reduces the noise to a safe sound level. It is a requirement of the regulations and the Calibrator should meet the standard IEC 60942 to Class 2. Sound Level Calibrator - You also need a Calibrator, which is a small device that is used before and after each measurement session to check the basic function of the meter.See Assessing Hearing Protection section for more information. For this you need the C weighted Leq, or LCeq. C Weighted Leq - Not required for a basic survey, but if you are providing hearing protection you may need to check that its performance is adequate.Peak Measurement - The sound level meter should be capable of measuring the C weighted Peak, or LCpeak, for assessing loud banging noise and impact noise.These meters provide the most important parameter for noise at work risk assessments, the A weighted Leq, or LAeq. Integrating Sound Level Meter - The meter must be described as an integrating or integrating averaging sound level meter.Standards: IEC 61672 Class 2 - You don't need a list of tolerances and specifications, you just need to know that it meets these standards.So when shopping online or digging through our catalog, here are the specifications you are looking for: A standard Class 2 Integrating Sound Level Meter and Calibrator will do the job. Those things can be useful and will be discussed later but they are not part of the requirements. The regulations don't demand anything regarding memory, data storage or any automatic calculations. The argument is that it is your responsibility to understand what the regulations demand and if you can't choose the right meter then how can you be a competent person? This article is to help you to identify the correct meter for your noise at work assessment. If you buy the wrong meter then you can't blame your supplier. The HSE are clear about the fact that noise control should be carried out by a "Competent Person". You are unlikely to find a suitable Class 2 Integrating Sound Level Meter with Calibrator (also required by the regulations) for less than £700 +VAT. Some may claim to be Class 2, but even if they manage to actually meet the standards to Class 2 they are still not Integrating meters, as required by the regulations. If you search online for "noise at work sound level meter" or anything similar you will see plenty of low-cost meters that claim to be suitable. False Advertising - Competent Person Beware
#SOUND DECIBEL METER FULL#
For almost everybody else a sound level meter will be used for a full noise assessment once or twice each year and for additional checks when anything changes the acoustic environment, such as new machinery or machinery relocation. The higher spec meter will also open up more markets for a noise consultant. Many of those extra features will ultimately make life easier. Regular or Occasional Useįor the regular user a high specification meter is worth the extra cost and learning effort as the meter will be used regularly.
Where it talks about a Class 2 Integrating Sound Level Meter for example, that is a requirement of the regulations, not invented by NoiseMeters.
This article uses standard terms to specify the type of meter you should use. Selecting a meter that doesn't meet the requirements of the regulations or local guidelines renders your noise measurements useless and puts people at risk of hearing damage. With so many different makes and models of sound level meter available, it can be difficult to choose the best model for your noise at work risk assessment. Choosing a Sound Level Meter for Noise at Work Measurements
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