ASTM E1014-12(2021)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Measurement of Outdoor A-Weighted Sound Levels
Standard Guide for Measurement of Outdoor A-Weighted Sound Levels
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 There are numerous situations for which outdoor sound level data are required. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
4.1.1 Documentation of sound levels before the introduction of a new sound source (for example, assessment of the impact due to a proposed use).
4.1.2 Comparison of sound levels with and without a specific source (for example, assessment of the impact of an existing source).
4.1.3 Comparison of sound levels with criteria or regulatory limits (for example, indication of exceedence of criteria or non-compliance with laws).
4.2 This guide provides a means for selecting measurement locations, operating a sound level meter, documenting the conditions under which the measurements were performed, and recording the results.
4.3 This guide provides the user with information to (1) make and document the sound level measurements necessary to quantify relatively steady or slowly varying outdoor sound levels over a specific time period and at specific places and (2) make and document the physical observations necessary to qualify the measurements.
4.4 The user is cautioned that there are many nonacoustical factors that can strongly influence the measurement of outdoor sound levels and that this guide is not intended to supplant the experience and judgment of experts in the field of acoustics. The guide is not applicable when more sophisticated measurement methods or equipment are specified. This guide, depending as it does on simplified manual data acquisition, is necessarily more appropriate for the simpler types of environmental noise situations. As the number of sources and the range of sound levels increase, the more likely experienced specialists with sophisticated instruments are needed.
4.5 This guide can be used by individuals, regulatory agencies, or others as a measurement method to collect acoustical data for many common situations. Criteria for evaluating or analyzing the data obtained are beyond the scope of th...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the measurement of A-weighted sound levels outdoors at specified locations or along particular site boundaries, using a general purpose sound-level meter.
1.2 Three distinct types of measurement surveys are described:
1.2.1 Survey around a site boundary,
1.2.2 Survey at a specified location,
1.2.3 Survey to find the maximum sound level at a specified distance from a source.
1.3 The data obtained using this guide are presented in the form of either time-average sound levels (abbreviation TAV and symbol LAT, also known as equivalent sound level or equivalent continuous sound level abbreviated LEQ and with symbol LAeqT ) or A-weighted percentile levels (symbol LX).
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1014 − 12 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Guide for
Measurement of Outdoor A-Weighted Sound Levels
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1014; 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 Test Method E1503 for conducting outdoor sound measurements using a digital
statistical analysis system, and Guide E1780 which covers measurement of sound received from a
nearby fixed source
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This guide covers the measurement of A-weighted
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
sound levels outdoors at specified locations or along particular
site boundaries, using a general purpose sound-level meter.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 Three distinct types of measurement surveys are de-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
scribed:
C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental
1.2.1 Survey around a site boundary,
Acoustics
1.2.2 Survey at a specified location,
E1503 Test Method for Conducting Outdoor Sound Mea-
1.2.3 Survey to find the maximum sound level at a specified
surements Using a Digital Statistical Sound Analysis
distance from a source.
System
1.3 The data obtained using this guide are presented in the
E1780 Guide for Measuring Outdoor Sound Received from
form of either time-average sound levels (abbreviation TAV
a Nearby Fixed Source
and symbol L , also known as equivalent sound level or
AT
2.2 ANSI Standard:
equivalent continuous sound level abbreviated LEQ and with
S1.4 Specification for Sound Level Meters
symbol L ) or A-weighted percentile levels (symbol L ).
AeqT X
S1.4A Specification for Sound Level Meters
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
S1.14 Recommendations For Specifying And Testing The
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Susceptibility Of Acoustical Instruments To Radiated
standard.
RadiofrequencyElectromagneticFields,25MhzTo1Ghz
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the S1.17 Microphone Windscreens - Part 1: Measurements and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Specification of Insertion Loss in Still or Slightly Moving
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Air
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- S1.40 Specifications and Verification Procedures for Sound
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Calibrators
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
S1.43 Specifications for Integrating-Averaging Sound Level
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- Meters
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E33 on Building and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
EnvironmentalAcousticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE33.09on contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Community Noise. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as E1014 – 12. DOI: Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
10.1520/E1014-12R21. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1014 − 12 (2021)
2.3 IEC standard: useful in establishing compliance when the measured data are
61672–1 Electroacoustics - Sound Level Meters - Part 1: below a specified limit.
Specifications
4.7 Section 8.2.1 outlines a procedure that can be used for a
survey of the site boundary; paragraph 8.2.2 for a survey of
3. Terminology
specified monitoring points; and paragraph 8.2.3 for determin-
3.1 Definitions—Fordefinitionsofacousticalbarrier,impul-
ing the location and magnitude of maximum sound level.
sive sound, measurement set and percentile levels, see Termi-
nology C634 .
5. Apparatus
5.1 Acoustical Measurements:
4. Significance and Use
5.1.1 Sound Level Meter (required) Type 2, or better, inte-
4.1 There are numerous situations for which outdoor sound
grating averaging, as defined by ANSI S1.43, and ANSI S1.4,
level data are required. These include, but are not limited to,
ANSI S1.4A with statistical analysis capability, and, with at
the following:
least a 60-dB dynamic range.
4.1.1 Documentationofsoundlevelsbeforetheintroduction
5.1.1.1 The instrument should have an a-c output port to
of a new sound source (for example, assessment of the impact
permit use of headphones.
due to a proposed use).
5.1.1.2 The instrument shall be equipped with an
4.1.2 Comparison of sound levels with and without a
A-Weighting network. It is recommended that the instrument
specific source (for example, assessment of the impact of an
also be equipped with a C-weighting or a Z-weighting, or both.
existing source).
NOTE1—Z-weighingisanunweighted(flat)network,thatissometimes
4.1.3 Comparison of sound levels with criteria or regulatory
called “Linear” by manufacturers.
limits (for example, indication of exceedence of criteria or
non-compliance with laws). 5.1.1.3 If “fast” or “slow” response is used, it should be so
stated in the report.
4.2 This guide provides a means for selecting measurement
5.1.2 Microphone Windscreen (required), The windscreen
locations, operating a sound level meter, documenting the
recommended by the manufacturer may not be adequate in
conditionsunderwhichthemeasurementswereperformed,and
quiet environments with mild wind conditions. See 7.1.1.
recording the results.
5.1.3 Acoustical Calibrator (required), with adaptors neces-
4.3 This guide provides the user with information to (1)
sary to fit the microphone.
make and document the sound level measurements necessary
5.1.4 Set of Headphones (desirable), compatible with and
to quantify relatively steady or slowly varying outdoor sound
electrically connected to the a-c output of the sound level
levels over a specific time period and at specific places and (2)
meter. Monitoring the output of the sound level meter with
make and document the physical observations necessary to
headphones may enable the operator to detect equipment
qualify the measurements.
malfunctions or anomalies in the data caused by wind,
4.4 The user is cautioned that there are many nonacoustical humidity, and electrical interference.
factors that can strongly influence the measurement of outdoor 5.1.5 Tripod (desirable), to ensure a steady and repeatable
sound levels and that this guide is not intended to supplant the microphone position.
experience and judgment of experts in the field of acoustics.
5.2 Physical Measurements:
The guide is not applicable when more sophisticated measure-
5.2.1 Toensureanaccuracyof1dBinvaluesobtainedfrom
ment methods or equipment are specified. This guide, depend-
calculations that include the results of distance measurements,
ing as it does on simplified manual data acquisition, is
the accuracy of the distance measurements to be used in
necessarily more appropriate for the simpler types of environ-
calculations must be within 5 %.AGlobal Positioning System
mentalnoisesituations.Asthenumberofsourcesandtherange
(GPS) or any technique that provides this degree of accuracy is
of sound levels increase, the more likely experienced special-
satisfactory. If the data are to be used for modeling, and if the
ists with sophisticated instruments are needed.
studyareaisundulatinginnature,andthevariationinelevation
4.5 This guide can be used by individuals, regulatory exceeds2mitis recommended that a topographical map be
consulted for estimating elevation of sound sources, potential
agencies, or others as a measurement method to collect
acoustical data for many common situations. Criteria for receptors, and potential acoustical barriers.
5.2.2 Direction A pocket compass should be used for site
evaluating or analyzing the data obtained are beyond the scope
of this guide. layout work and a wind vane capable of measuring wind
direction in octants should be used for determination of wind
4.6 Note that this guide is only a measurement procedure
direction.
and, as such, does not address the methods of comparison of
5.2.3 Site Map (optional).
the acquired data with the specific criteria. No procedures are
provided for estimating or separating the influences of two or 5.3 Meteorological Measurements—Any of the many avail-
more simultaneously measured sounds. This guide can be able general-accuracy meteorological instruments may be used
in order to enable the measurement of:
5.3.1 Wind speed (5-km/h or increments),
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3, rue de
5.3.2 Wind direction (in octants),
Varembé, P.O. Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, http://www.iec.ch.
Terminology C634–81a was used in the development of this guide. 5.3.3 Relative humidity (in 10 % increments),
E1014 − 12 (2021)
5.3.4 Dry bulb temperature (in 2°C increments). Propagation of sound from a source will be influenced by the
direction of wind relative to the source and measurement
6. Calibration
positions. Measurements may need to be taken at different
times of the year in different wind conditions to fully identify
6.1 The calibration of the sound level meter shall be
the acoustical character of the environment. In special circum-
checked using an acoustical calibrator immediately before and
stances requiring measurements with wind speeds higher than
after each measurement set, in a manner prescribed by the
20 km/h, such as a background sound level survey involving a
manufacturer. Adjustments, if required, shall be made at this
wind turbine project, a large (not less than 175 mm) wind-
time. If the change in the calibration reading, as shown on the
screen shall be used.Alarger windscreen will produce less low
sound level meter, is 1 dB or greater, the data gathered since
frequency windscreen noise near the microphone. However, it
the preceding calibration are considered invalid and should be
is cautioned, that large, foam type windscreens can cause
discarded. It is strongly recommended that an instrument that
shows an unexplained calibration drift greater than 1.5 dB over additional attenuation of high frequency sound. A calibration
adjustment may be required. See ANSI S1.17.
a 24 h or less be taken out of service until the cause of the drift
can be identified and remedied.
7.1.2 Rain and Snow—Measurable precipitation almost al-
ways influences outdoor sound levels. For example, tires
6.2 The sound level meter and the acoustical calibrator shall
rolling on a paved surface result in higher sound levels when
have been thoroughly calibrated with equipment traceable to a
the pavement is wet. Also, fallen snow may affect the propa-
recognized standards organization, and following recommen-
gation of sound so that sound levels may be different with and
dations of the instrument manufacturer with 1 year, or a period
without fallen snow. For these reasons, making measurements
specified the measurement plan, prior to starting the measure-
during precipitation or when pavement is wet or snow covered
ments. Included in this calibration shall be checks of frequency
is discouraged. If it is necessary to obtain data when ground
response, amplifier sensitivity, internal noise, and verification
surfaces are wet or snow covered, the conditions shall be
of correct operation of meter circuits and microphone.
carefully described in the report. High humidity can influence
7. Interference
certain microphones; manufacturers’ instructions should be
closely followed under these conditions.
7.1 Sound level meter measurements are subject to interfer-
7.1.3 Impulsive Sound—This guide is not intended to evalu-
ence from a number of sources, such as wind, rain and snow,
impulsive sound, tonal sound and electromagnetic interfer- ate impulsive sound because Type 2 sound level meters
operating in “fast” or “slow” modes do not accurately or
ence. Interfering noise must be identified and accounted for.A
sound can be interference if it is concentrated in a small area precisely measure impulse sound. If occasional impulses occur
and not representative of the sound that is to be documented.A during the survey, estimation of their magnitude may be
measurement plan should address how such sounds are to be
attempted using the fastest available meter response, either
treated. It may be advisable for many types of sound sources to “fast,” “peak,” or “impulse.” The maximum meter reading, the
avoid interferences by testing at night. If it is determined that
meter response setting, and the repetition rate within the
a given sound is an interference, the measurement location
measurement set shall be reported. Whenever most of the
might be moved to a position where the contribution of the
sound level meter readings in any measurement set are
interfering sound is acceptably minimized or, if possible, the
influenced by impulsive sound, this guide shall not be used.
conduct of the survey may be modified so as to avoid the
7.1.4 Tonal Sound—Occasionally it is necessary to measure
influence of the interference. Some of the more common
sources of pure tonal sound perceived as a “buzz,” “hum,” or
sources of interference are discussed in the following:
“whistle.” Since both the operator’s body and reflections can
7.1.1 Wind—A microphone windscreen should be used for
significantly influence the sound level meter indication when
all outdoor measurements. Wind may influence sound level
tones are present, the report must include observations of tonal
measurements, even with a windscreen in place. The wind-
sound when present.
screen recommended by the manufacturer may not be adequate
7.1.5 Power Lines—Power lines can create both electro-
in quiet environments with mild wind conditions, especially in
magnetic radiation interference and acoustical interference in
environments where low frequency, ambient sound must be
the form of audible noise.
evaluated. With wind speeds of 20 km/h and a typical wind-
7.1.5.1
...
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