BS 4142:2014 Rating and Assessing Industrial and Commercial Sound

So what is new with the latest standard for rating and assessing sound of an industrial and/or commercial nature?

This latest edition of BS 4142 has been prepared under the direction of the Health and Environment Sector Board, and the methods described are for rating and assessing sound from situations including:
– Sound from industrial and manufacturing processes
– Sound from fixed installations which comprise mechanical and electrical plant and
equipment
– Sound from the loading and unloading of goods and materials at industrial and/or
commercial premises; and
– Sound from mobile plant and vehicles that is an intrinsic part of the overall sound emanating
from premises or processes, such as that from forklift trucks, or that from train or ship
movements on or around and industrial and/or commercial site.

BS 4142:2014 – What is it’s purpose?

The BS 4142:2014 standard must be applied for the purposes of:
-investigating complains,
– assessing sound from proposed, new, modified or additional sources of sound of an industrial and/or commercial nature, and
– assessing sound at proposed new dwellings or premises used for residential purposes.

Did you know?

Did you know that with the new BS 4142:2014 –
– the Sound Meter and Calibrator used must be Class 1 or Type 1?
– measurements must be taken between 1.2m and 1.5m from the ground?

Environmental Conditions

The conditions of the environment where the measurements take place is discussed in the new BS 4142:2014 standard.

Preferred conditions:
– Dry, clear, light wind or calm

Conditions to avoid:
– High winds cause trees / hedges to ‘rustle’,
– Wind > 5 m/s avoided (should be measured with an anemometer)
– Rain – impact noise on trees / roofs, higher tyre noise on roads
– Temperature Inversion (over long distances)
– Electrical Interference (i.e. EMF)
– Measured levels shall be considered valid only if they exceed readings on the measuring
instrument owing to the above influences by at least 10 dB.
– Weather Station Monitoring
· Wind Speed & Direction
· Temperature & Humidity
· Rainfall & Pressure
· Visually Note Cloud Cover (% or Oktas: 0-8)

Assessment Overview to BS 4142:2014

1) Determine LAeq,T with the specific sound
2) Determine LAeq,T without the specific sound
3) Correct item (1) above for residual noise (2)
4) Correct for On-Time
5) Distance correct if not at receiver location
6) Add character correction to obtain rating level (LAr,Tr)
7) Determine background noise (LA90,T)
8) Subtract LA90,T from LAr,Tr
9) Assess the potential for Adverse Impact

Download the full report here

Do you have Environmental Noise Complaints in your Business?

Download our free 1 hour BS 4142 training webinar to enable you to handle any commercial noise complaints. Presented by Simon Bull, Managing Director of Castle Group Ltd.

Click To Get Your Free Webinar

The full standard is available to purchase from the British Standards Institution.

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