ASTM E1779-96a(2004)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Preparing a Measurement Plan for Conducting Outdoor Sound Measurements (Withdrawn 2012)
Standard Guide for Preparing a Measurement Plan for Conducting Outdoor Sound Measurements (Withdrawn 2012)
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the preparation of a formal plan for measurement of outdoor sound levels. A documented, detailed plan is highly desirable and useful for major environmental noise studies requiring measurements at several locations over a long period. This guide is intended primarily for use in such cases. Many simple measurements can be made without extensive prior planning or documentation. It is recommended that persons or organizations routinely performing such measurements draft and use a brief generic plan based on, but not referencing, this guide. Note 1The extent of planning and plan documentation should be consistent with the budget and needs of the project. In a large measurement program it is possible that use of a formal measurement plan could result in cost savings greater than the cost of preparing the plan. A formal documented plan can be prepared for even the simplest measurement. However, on a small project, the cost of preparation of a formal plan may not be cost effective. In such cases, plan documentation could be limited to inclusion in the final report.
1.1.1 This guide addresses the following aspects of outdoor sound level measurements:
1.1.2 Test Method E 1503 for Conducting Outdoor Sound Measurements Using a Digital Statistical Analysis System addresses listed aspects of outdoor sound level measurements for situations that are normally encountered. Many other formal and informal practices also address most of these issues. However, there is sometimes a need to depart from the normal methods in order to accommodate a special situation or a regulatory requirement. This guide provides options that are technically correct for specific situations, and provides the information needed for selecting appropriate options.
1.1.3 This guide may be used when planning a program for obtaining either a single measurement set of sound level data or multiple sets of data, as well as related supporting data.
1.2 Measurements that may be planned using this guide include, but are not limited, to the following:
1.2.1 Characterization of the acoustical environment of a site.
1.2.2 Characterization of the sound emissions of a specific sound source that exhibits a temporal variation in sound output.
1.2.3 Measurement of low-frequency sound (infra-sound) is included because it is sometimes implicated in driving structural vibration that translates to audible interior sound.
1.2.4 Measurement of impulsive sound and sound with significant tonal content.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
WITHDRAWN RATIONALE
This guide covers the preparation of a formal plan for measurement of outdoor sound levels. A documented, detailed plan is highly desirable and useful for major environmental noise studies requiring measurements at several locations over a long period. This guide is intended primarily for use in such cases. Many simple measurements can be made without extensive prior planning or documentation. It is recommended that persons or organizations routinely performing such measurements draft and use a brief generic plan based on, but not referencing, this guide.
Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee E33 on Building and Environmental Acoustics, this guide was withdrawn in June 2012 because, the measurement plan outlined in the standard was applicable only to a very narrow project type and size. An abbreviated, more widely applicable version of Guidance for Preparing a Measurement Plan will be included in the future as an Annex to Test Method E1503.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: E1779 – 96a (Reapproved 2004)
Standard Guide for
Preparing a Measurement Plan for Conducting Outdoor
Sound Measurements
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1779; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This is one of a series of standards on the measurement and evaluation of community noise. Others
in the series include Guide E1014 for Measurement of Outdoor A-Weighted Sound Levels, which
coversmanualmeasurement,usingasimplemeter,andanalysisoftheresultingdata,andTestMethod
E1503 for Conducting Outdoor Sound Measurements Using a Digital Statistical Analysis System.
Also under consideration or in preparation are: a standard guide for the selection of environmental
noise metrics and criteria, a standard guide for determining the validity and significance of data, and
a standard guide for measuring sound received from a nearby discrete fixed sound source.
1. Scope
Operator Qualifications 5.3, Annex A3
Identification of Interferences 5.4.1.2, Annex A1
1.1 This guide covers the preparation of a formal plan for
Measurement Procedures 5.8
measurement of outdoor sound levels.Adocumented, detailed
Procedures for Dealing with Impulsive Sounds, Tonal 5.8.1.3, 5.8.3
Sounds, and Infra-Sound
plan is highly desirable and useful for major environmental
Analysis and Post-analysis Requirements 5.9
noise studies requiring measurements at several locations over
Requirements for Measurement and Reporting of
a long period. This guide is intended primarily for use in such
Supporting Data 5.10
Procedures for Mitigating Interferences Annex A1
cases. Many simple measurements can be made without
Specification of the following:
extensive prior planning or documentation. It is recommended
Precision and Accuracy Requirements 5.1.2.4, 5.6.4
that persons or organizations routinely performing such mea- Measurement Locations 5.4, Annex A4,
Appendix X1
surements draft and use a brief generic plan based on, but not
Measurement Schedule 5.5
referencing, this guide.
Measurement Durations 5.5
Amount of Data Required 5.5.3
NOTE 1—The extent of planning and plan documentation should be
Sound Measurement Equipment 5.6
consistent with the budget and needs of the project. In a large measure-
Calibration Requirements 5.6.4
ment program it is possible that use of a formal measurement plan could
1.1.2 Test Method E1503 for Conducting Outdoor Sound
result in cost savings greater than the cost of preparing the plan.Aformal
Measurements Using a Digital Statistical Analysis System
documented plan can be prepared for even the simplest measurement.
However, on a small project, the cost of preparation of a formal plan may
addresses listed aspects of outdoor sound level measurements
not be cost effective. In such cases, plan documentation could be limited
for situations that are normally encountered. Many other
to inclusion in the final report.
formalandinformalpracticesalsoaddressmostoftheseissues.
1.1.1 This guide addresses the following aspects of outdoor However, there is sometimes a need to depart from the normal
sound level measurements:
methods in order to accommodate a special situation or a
regulatory requirement. This guide provides options that are
Reporting Requirements 4.8
Plan Format 5
technically correct for specific situations, and provides the
Defining the Scope of the Measurement 5.1
information needed for selecting appropriate options.
Selecting the Appropriate Survey Class 5.1.1
Requirements for Unattended Measurements 5.2, Annex A2 1.1.3 This guide may be used when planning a program for
obtainingeitherasinglemeasurementsetofsoundleveldataor
multiple sets of data, as well as related supporting data.
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE33onEnvironmental
1.2 Measurements that may be planned using this guide
Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.09 on Community
include, but are not limited, to the following:
Noise.
1.2.1 Characterization of the acoustical environment of a
Current edition approved April 1, 2004. Published May 2004. Originally
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved 1996 as E1779 – 96a. DOI:
site.
10.1520/E1779-96AR04.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E1779 – 96a (2004)
1.2.2 Characterization of the sound emissions of a specific could block, or interfere with, the direct passage of sound from
soundsourcethatexhibitsatemporalvariationinsoundoutput. potential sound sources to a receiver or a measurement
1.2.3 Measurement of low-frequency sound (infra-sound) is location.
included because it is sometimes implicated in driving struc-
3.2.2 dummy microphone—a microphone cartridge substi-
tural vibration that translates to audible interior sound.
tute that has electrical characteristics identical to a functional
1.2.4 Measurement of impulsive sound and sound with
microphone but that has extremely low sensitivity to incident
significant tonal content.
acoustic energy. (Used instead of a functional microphone
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
when evaluating the internal noise of an acoustic measuring
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
system.)
only.
3.2.3 exceedance level—See percentile level.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.4 impulse sound—a brief, intrusive sound, such as that
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
associated with a tire blowout, operation of a power press, or
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the discharge of a firearm. One definition of an impulse is an
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
event having a rise time not more than 35 ms to peak, and a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
duration of not more than 500 ms to 20 dB below peak.
Impulsesoundalsoincludesrepetitiveeventsoccurringatrates
2. Referenced Documents
of 20 or less per second.When the repetition rate falls between
2.1 ASTM Standards:
10 and 20 per second, the perception could be that of a steady
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
tone, and it would be measured by a sound level meter as such.
Acoustics
(See ANSI S1.13.)
E1014 Guide for Measurement of Outdoor A-Weighted
3.2.5 interference, n—any activity, situation or event, near
Sound Levels
the measurement location, that could produce anomalous
E1503 Test Method for Conducting Outdoor Sound Mea-
measurement results, or that could produce data that are not
surements Using a Digital Statistical Sound Analysis
representative in the context of the measurement objectives.
System
Interferences fall into two categories: those that produce sound
E1686 Guide for Selection of Environmental Noise Mea-
and those that affect the propagation of sound or the measure-
surements and Criteria
ment process, or both. Examples of the former include air
2.2 ANSI Standards:
turbulence generated by the wind at, or near the microphone,
S1.4 Specification for Sound Level Meters
and people, animals, atmospheric phenomena, or machinery
S1.11 Octave-band and Fractional Octave-bandAnalog and
making sounds in the vicinity of the microphone. Examples of
Digital Filters, Specifications for
path interferences are temporary surfaces, objects, or atmo-
S1.13 Methods for the Measurement of Sound Pressure
spheric conditions that alter the normal sound propagation
Levels
path. An example of interference that affects the measurement
S1.40 Specification for Acoustical (Microphone) Calibra-
process is an internal self noise (in the measurement system)
tors
that corresponds to a sound level that will affect the measure-
S12.1 American National Standard Guidelines for the
ment results. See Annex A1 for additional details and precau-
Preparation of Standard Procedures for the Determination
tions.
of Noise Emission from Sources
3.2.6 maximum level—the highest meter reading using the
S12.7 American National Standard Methods for Measure-
frequency weighting and time weighting required by the
ments of Impulse Noise
measurement procedure or plan.
S12.9 American National Standard Quantities and Proce-
3.2.7 measurement plan—adocumentpreparedbyorforthe
dures for Description and Measurement of Environmental
organization or individual responsible for performing the
Sound, Parts 1, 2, and 3
measurement, giving the purpose and objectives of the mea-
S12.40 American National Standard Sound Level Descrip-
surements and stating requirements unique and specific to the
tors for Determination of Compatible Land Use
objectives. These requirements address, for example, methods
of selecting measurement times and locations, number and
3. Terminology
length of measurement sets, and directions on actions to be
3.1 For definitions of terms used in this guide, see Termi-
taken in case of major changes in environment during a
nology C634.
measurement session.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.8 measurement set—the set of acoustical and related
3.2.1 barrier—any obstacle, in (or near) the lines of sight
data obtained at a single measurement location during a
between the microphone and potential sound sources, that
specific uninterrupted time period. The time period for a
measurement set is flexible but should be based on the purpose
of the measurement and specified in the measurement plan. If
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
the purpose of the measurements is to document the sound for
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
a specific source operating condition or propagation condition,
the ASTM website.
a measurement set should not extend beyond the time period in
Available from American National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd St., 13th
Floor, New York, NY 10036. which conditions affecting sound generation or propagation
E1779 – 96a (2004)
remain reasonably constant. If data analysis is performed by 4.3.1 Documentation of Sound Levels Before the Introduc-
the measuring instrument during the measurement period, the tion of a New Sound Source. (For example, assessment of the
analysisresultsareconsideredpartofthemeasurementset.The noise impact caused by a proposed facility and associated
aggregate of measurement sets comprises the data set for the activities.)
overall study. 4.3.2 Comparison of Sound Levels With and Without a
Specific Source Operating, that is, assessment of the impact
3.2.8.1 Discussion—If more than one combination of con-
potential of an existing source.
ditions exists, the investigator may want to perform separate
4.3.3 Comparison of Sound Levels with Criteria or Regula-
measurement sets, one at each set of conditions.
tory Limits. (For example, indication of compliance with
3.2.9 statistical sound level—a result of statistical analysis
criteria for speech interference, community annoyance, build-
of data in a measurement set. Three representative types of
ing vibration, or compliance with mandated limits.) Measure-
statisticalsoundlevelthatmaybederivedfromeitherweighted
ments for evaluating hearing damage potential are excluded
or unweighted sound levels, or from fractional octave bands of
from the scope of this guide.
sound are the following:
NOTE 2—Measurement results obtained using a plan developed accord-
3.2.10 time-average sound level—the average sound level
ing to this guide can be used in establishing compliance when the
measured over a length of time, also known as equivalent
measured data are below a specified limit, or conversely, establishing
sound level (symbol L or L ). The length of time must be
T eq
noncompliance when any of the data are above a specified limit.
specified when presenting the results. For unweighted sound
4.3.4 Noise Impact Assessment and Mitigation. A common
pressure levels and fractional octave bands,“ time average
application of data from acoustical characterization of a
sound pressure level” is the correct term, and 88equivalent
location or area is in modeling the effect of a projected activity
sound pressure level” is also used. See the note under “average
on the acoustic environment and modeling the effect of noise
sound pressure level” in Terminology C634.
impact mitigation plans. Because of the costs associated with
3.2.11 percentile level—the sound level exceeded a specific
noise control, especially in the case of retrofit controls, it is
(x) percent of the time in a measurement set (symbol L ).
x
important that the effect of the baseline sound level be
(Sometimes called “exceedance level.”)
accurately assessed. Inaccurate baseline sound data can lead to
3.2.12 tonal sound—the presence in broad-band sound of
over (or under) specification of mitigation measures, or to the
oneormoresimpletones(singlefrequencies)orcomplextones
need to add additional noise control after the fact.
(multiple frequencies or harmonics) that create a sensation of
4.3.5 Monitoring the Effectiveness of a Noise Impact Miti-
pitchintheperceivedsound,andthuscanbeeasilydetectedby
gation Plan.
a listener.
4.3.6 Comparison of Statistical Sound Level Data with
Appropriate Criteria.
4. Significance and Use
4.3.7 Derivation of Loudness Levels,providedthenecessary
4.1 This guide deals with methods and techniques that are
requirements regarding sample duration and signal bandwidth
well defined and that are understood by a trained acoustical
are observed in collecting the data. It is recommended that a
professional. The guide has been prepared to provide both an
specialist in the area of loudness evaluation be consulted in
outline for a measurement plan and guidance in selecting
preparing a plan for measurements intended to produce data
procedures that are appropriate for the type and purpose of the
that will be used for this purpose.
measurements to be performed. Use of the guidelines provided
4.4 This guide provides procedures that will work well for
willproducemeasurementresultsthatarereproducibleandcan
alternative measurement systems, ranging from a basic stan-
be documented, that are consistent with requirements of
dardsoundlevelmetertoasophisticatedsoundanalysissystem
government and industry, and that can be validated using
that incorporates digital circuits for instrument control, sam-
information gathered and documented in the course of the
pling, processing, and storing sound level data.
measurement progra
...
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