Noise

Unwanted Sound:

Sound in the wrong place and/or at wrong time.

Sound & Noise

Sound is a mechanical energy from a vibrating surface and is

transmitted by cycling series of compressions and rarefactions
of the molecules of the materials through which it passes.

The number of compressions and rarefactions of the air

molecules in the unit of time is described as its frequency.

Frequency is expressed as hertz (Hz), which is the same as the

number of cycles per second.

Health effects
Annoyance
Interference with communication
Interference with sleep
Depression
Aural pain, nausea and reduced muscular control
Increased heart Rate
Social effects
Effect on social behavior
Lowered Property Value
Flora and Fauna
Bird stop laying eggs
Breeding of animals affected
Plant growth hampered

Sound & Noise

Human ear does not respond linearly to increase in

sound pressure, it is essentially logarithmic.

Human can detect sounds with frequencies ranging

from about 20 to 20,000 Hz.

Noise

Thus noise measurements are expressed by the term

sound pressure level (SPL),

SPL= Sound Pressure Level, dB

P = sound pressure bar
P0 = reference pressure, 0.0002 bar

Counting Decibels (dBA)

Boom Car
140
Jet Takeof 140
Shotgun
130
Rock Concert 125
Thunder Clap 120
Leaf Blower 100
Motorcycle 95
Lawn Mower
90
Traffic Noise
80
Conversation
50
Whisper
30
Breathing
10

Pain Threshold 125

Hearing Loss Risk 100
Very Annoying 90
Intrusive
70
Comfortable
60
Very Quiet
30
Just Audible
20

Noise

Generally A weighted sound level scale is used.

The scale is suitable as human ear doesn't respond to sounds of
all frequencies, being less efficient in detecting sound at low
and high frequencies than at medium or speech frequencies.
To obtain a single number representing a sound level
containing a wide range of frequencies and yet representative
to the human responses, it is necessary to weight the low and
high frequencies with respect to average, or A frequencies.
Resultant SPL is A-weighted and the units are A-weighted
decibels (dBA).
The A-weighted sound level is also called noise level
Sound level meters have A-weighing network, thus yielding Aweighted dB, or dBA readings.

Larry W canter

Relative
Response (dB)
dB(A)
dB(B)
dB(C)

Frequency (Hz)
31.25 62.5

125

250

-39.4 -26.2 -16.1 -8.6

-17
-9
-4
-1
-3
-0.8 -0.2
0

Engineeringtoolbox.com

500
-3.2
0
0

1000 2000 4000 8000

0
0
0

1.2
0
-0.2

1
-1
-0.8

-1.1
-3
-3

Sound Levels

Equivalent Sound Level (Leq)

It is the energy equivalent sound level, in decibels for

any time period under consideration.
It is the equivalent steady noise level that in a stated
period of time, would contain the same noise energy as
the time varying noise during the same period.

f is the fraction
of time

Day-Night Average Sound Level (Ldn)

Day-Night Average Sound Level (Ldn)

It is the 24 average sound levels in decibel for the

period of midnight to midnight, obtain after addition of
10 decibels to sound levels in the night from 10:00 pm
to 6 am
Ldn = 10 log [ 0.667 (10(Ld/10) )+ 0.333 (10(Ln + 10)/10)]
Where:
Ld = Leq for the daytime (0600-2200 hr) and Ln = Leq for
the nighttime ( 2200-060 hr)

Noise Pollution David H.F. Liu Howard C. Roberts

Noise Pollution David H.F. Liu Howard C. Roberts

Noise Pollution David H.F. Liu Howard C. Roberts

Noise Pollution David H.F. Liu Howard C. Roberts

EIA methodology for noise impacts

Identification of noise impacts of proposed project
Preparation of description of existing noise environmental condition

Procurement of relevent noise standards and/or guidelines

Noise Impact Prediction
Assessment of impact significance
Identification and incorporation of mitigation measure

IDENTIFICATION OF NOISE
IMPACTS OF PROPOSED PROJECT

DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING NOISE

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION

Noise Monitoring

The monitoring schedule

The locations covered for monitoring is a mix of all zones i.e.

normal daytime activities i.e. from 06:00am to 10:00pm

And nighttime activities i.e. 10:00pm to 06:00am (at night).
Residential
Commercial
Industrial

The monitoring schedule carried out on all

working days and
one weekend
to differentiate the noise levels between normal days to weekend days

Place of the Instrument

These are some important factors for doing

monitoring:

Away from facades

Away from obstacles
With the microphone 1.2 - 1.5 m above ground level.

Construction Noise

The Construction sector is of a significant size,

employing as many workers as the sawmill and the
heavy manufacturing sectors.

Currently 8% of all hearing loss claims are

attributed to this sector.

Comparable to the heavy manufacturing group (next

sector)

Road Equipment Noise Level Measurements

Concrete Saw
95 dBA (7-hour sample)

Road Equipment Noise Level Measurements

Jackhammering
102 dBA (7.5-hour sample)

Source: OSHA case files

Road Equipment Noise Level Measurements

Breaking pavement
112 dBA (7-hour sample)

Source: OSHA case files

Road Equipment Noise Level Measurements

Lateral drilling

97 dBA (6.5-hour sample)

104 dBA (7-hour sample)

Source: OSHA case files

Sample Noise Level Measurements

Bridge Sandblasting
125 dBA (4-hour sample)
109 dBA (inside hood)

Source: OSHA case files

Sample Noise Level Measurements

Dumping concrete
96 dBA (4-hour sample)

Source: OSHA case files

NOISE MEASURMENT RESULTS

Leq.- dB
Standards
Category of
(A)
S.No. Location
Area/Zone
Day Night Day Night
1

NQ 1

Commercial 68.8 64.7

65

55

NQ 2

Industrial 63.5 53.1

75

70

NQ 3

Residential 54.7 44.2

55

45

NQ 4

50

40

Silence

56.88 43.3

Noise Results

PROCUREMENT OF RELEVENT NOISE

STANDARDS AND/OR GUIDELINES

NATIONAL AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL STANDARDS

Noise Regulation Rule 2000 under sector 3 of Environmental Protection Act
1986

Area Code

Category of Limits in dB (A) Leq

Area/Zone
Day Time Night Time

(A)
(B)
(C )
(D)

Industrial
Commercial
Residential
Silence

75
65
55
50

70
55
45
40

Daytime: 6:00am to 10:00pm

Night time: 10:00pm to 6:00am
Silence Zone is an area comprising not less than 100 m around Hospital, Educational
Institution, Courts, Religious places or any other area, which is declared as such by the
competent authority.
Mixed categories of areas may be declared as one of the four above mentioned categories
by the competent authority.
No Firecracker and Loudspeaker between 10:00 pm to 6:00 am

Environmental Standards (Vehicles)

Category of Vehicles
Two wheelers (Petrol driven)
All passengers cars, all Petrol driven threewheelers and diesel driven two wheelers
Passenger or Light Commercial Vehicles
including three wheelers vehicles fitted with
diesel engine with gross vehicles weight
upto 4000 kgs.
Passenger or Commercial Vehicles with
gross
vehicles weight above 4000 kgs and upto
12000 kgs
Passenger or Commercial Vehicles with
gross
vehicles weight above 12000 kgs.

Maximum Permissible
Noise Level
80 dB (A)
82 dB (A)
85 dB (A)

89 dB (A)

91 dB (A)

NOISE LIMITS FOR EQUIPMENTS AT

CONSTRUCTION STAGE
Equipment

Noise Limit dB (A)

Window Air Conditioner

68

Air Cooler

60

Diesel Generators

85-90

Compactors (rollers), Front

Loaders, Concrete Mixers,
Cranes, Vibrators & Saws

75

Generators

Up to 1000 KVA, 75 dB(A) at 1 meter from the enclosure

surface.
A) Noise Standards for DG sets (15-500 KVA)
The total sound power level of a DG set should be less than
94+10 log10 (KVA), dB(A), at the manufacturing stage,
where, KVA is the nominal power rating of a DG set.
This level should fall by 5 dB(A) every five years, till 2007,
i.e. in 2002 and then in 2007.

STANADARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR CONTROL OF NOISE

POLLUTION FROM STATIONARY DIESEL GENERATOR (DG) SETS

( (B) Mandatory acoustic enclosure/acoustic treatment of room for stationary

DG sets (5 KVA and above)

Noise from the DG set should be controlled by providing an acoustic enclosure on

by treating the room acoustically.

The acoustic enclosure/acoustic treatment of the room should be designed for

minimum 25 dB(A) Insertion Loss or for meeting the ambient noise standards,
whichever is on the higher side

The DG set should also be provided with proper exhaust muffler with Insertion
Loss of minimum 25 dB(A).

(C) Guidelines for the manufacturers/users of DG sets 5 KVA and above)

1 The manufacturer should offer to the user a standard acoustic enclosure of 25

dB(A) Insertion Loss and also a suitable exhaust muffler with Insertion Loss of 25
dB(A).

OSHA Exposure Limits

NOISE IMPACT PREDICTION

Noise Level
with Speed

Typical Noise Level with Increase in Population

Density

Leq Prediction

Leq = 42.3 + 10.2 log (Vc+6 Vt) -13.9 log D +

0.13S
Leq= energy equivalent of sound level during one
hour, dBA
Vc= Volume of four tires automobile, veh/h
Vt= Volume of six or more tires automobiles, veh/h
D = Distance from edge to receiver, m
S = Average speed of traffic during one hour, km/h

ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT
SIGNIFICANCE

Professional judgement: Case Study

Draw Noise contour map

Overlay on topographical map
Determine the environmental sensitivity.
Whether sensitive receptors, silence zone,
Whether activity is permitted or provide mitigation
measures or alternatives

IDENTIFICATION AND INCORPORATION

OF MITIGATION MEASURES

Rail Noise: A Case Study

The city of Ames, Iowa, began operation of three automated horn
warning systems (AHS) in September of 1998. These systems
were installed after nearby residents repeatedly expressed
concerns over the disturbance created by the loud train horns.
The automated horn system provides a similar audible warning to
motorists and pedestrians by using two stationary horns mounted
at the crossing. Each horn directs its sound toward the
approaching roadway. The horn system is activated using the
same track signal circuitry as the gate arms and bells located at
the crossing.

Train Horn Noise Reduction

Sound Level

Train Horn

AHS Horn

Reduction

(dBA)

Area (acres)

Area (acres)

> 70

265

37

86%

> 80

171

97%

> 90

31

<1

98%

Intersection of
railroad with
North Dakota Avenue:
A graphical depiction
of the reduction

70 dBA

80 dBA
90 dBA

Before

70 dBA

80 dBA

90 dBA

After

Ames Train Horn Noise Survey

CONSTRUCTION PHASE
Construction stage causes an increase in ambient noise levels within
200 m due to traffic movement and construction equipments.

Heavy construction activity should be preferred during the daytime,

considering the habitations are present in vicinity of the project site.

Directing trucks to less noise-sensitive routes

Hearing protection- Earplugs are provided to those working very close
to the noise generating machinery.

Noise Reduction- Strict codes for construction is implemented; where

unnecessary, noise generating activity such as honking is avoided
wherever possible.

Noise Control Methods

Substitute with quieter process or
equipment:
New, quieter generators have sound-proofing
and produce only 75 dBA at 1 meter and 65
dBA at 7 meters under load.

Replacing a large
jackhammer with a middle
range one reduced the
noise level by 10 dBA.

Noise control methods

Eliminate or minimize noise at the source:

Install silencers/mufflers

Retrofit old equipment

Operate equipment as designed

per manufacturers instructions

Damp noisy equipment and parts

install sound-absorbing material

Maintain equipment properly

replace worn, loose, or unbalanced machine parts

that cause vibration
keep machine parts well lubricated to reduce
friction
adjust belts and valves, tighten bolts

Acoustically treated operator

cabins on earth-moving
equipment have noise levels
of 75 dBA or below.

Noise control measures

Isolate/enclose the process or operator:

Noise enclosures

Noise barriers

A portable screen set up around a power

pack reduced the noise level from 98 to
90 dBA at 1 meter.

must be higher and wider than noise source

to work effectively
may be simple walls or curtains of acoustic
materials
-inch plywood can provide a 10dB noise
reduction
place close to noise source

Include acoustic panels or baffles to

walls/ceilings
Minimize leaks and openings

e.g., cover joints with 1/8-inch thick

neoprene strip or duct tape

Noise control measures

Isolating or enclosing noisy equipment with operator

This method will reduce noise levels

outside the barrier, but may increase
noise levels inside the barrier.

Reflected
Noise
Transmitted
Noise

if the source of noise is equipment

operated by a worker, his or her noise
exposure may be increased because of
reflected noise.
Lining the barrier with sound
absorbing material will reduce the
reflected noise to operator.

Noise
from
source

BARRIER

Other Noise Control Measures

Change employee work practices:

Limit time exposed: job rotation, rescheduling work

Limit use of noisy equipment

Provide breaks away from the noisy area

Turn off equipment not in use

Operation phase

OPERATIONAL PHASE

Implementation of engineering noise control measures by industries:

Provision of acoustic enclosures for machinery.
Provision of greenbelt by each industry
Reducing structure borne transmission by isolation of the source
using resilient mountings.
Damping of vibrating metal structures or by replacement with
materials such as wood.
Placing attenuating screens between the operations and the source.
Servicing Air conditioning systems regularly as per manufacturers
guidance, to ensure that noise emissions are low.

Operation Phase

Acoustics enclosure for the DG sets will be provided

in the Power Generator as per MoEF notification.
Strict adherence to maintenance schedule of
generators, as specified by vendors.
Anti honking sign boards will be placed in the parking
areas and on entry and exit points.
Use of specific road surfaces that reduce noise.
Provision & maintenance of Greenbelt at site.

Noise Control
of Machinery

Noise Pollution David H.F. Liu Howard C. Roberts

Noise Pollution David H.F. Liu Howard C. Roberts

HIGHWAYS

Noise control measures for roads or highways include construction of

barriers to obstruct or dissipate sound emissions
elevated or depressed highways : provides differences in grade, thus
shielding traffic noise and reducing noise levels on adjacent properties
absorption effects of landscaping (trees, bushes and shrubs),
important factors include the
relative height of the barrier,
the noise source
affected area
horizontal distances between the source and the barrier and between the
barrier and the noise affected area.

Noise Barriers

Wooden Barrier

Earthern Berm Barrier

Concrete Barrier

Glass Barrier

PVC Barrier

Outdoor Noise
Abatement
measures
Conditions:
Noise- L10 dBA
Four Lane
Highway
5000 Veh/h
85 kmph
5 % trucks

Road Surfaces

Thin surfacings
Porous elastic surface
Asphalt Rubber Concrete

Noise Control Measures

Rubber Surfaces on inter locking blocks

Pavement Cross section

Railway Crossings

Airport Noise
Noise contours around an
airport calculated using
INM (Integrated Noise
Modeling) based on
previous noise
measurements
55 - 60 dB = Light blue
60 - 70 dB = Dark blue
70 - 75 dB = Red
75 - 80 dB = Green
80 - 85 dB = Yellow
> 85 dB = Pink

Airport Noise

Noise Components in Form 1-A

5.5. Will there be significant increase in traffic

noise & vibrations? Give details of the sources and
the measures proposed for mitigation of the above.
5.6. What will be the impact of DG sets & other
equipment on noise levels & vibration in &
ambient air quality around the project site? Provide
details.

TOR