Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement

• Those whose employment require them to gain a working knowledge of noise measurement methodology and a basic appreciation of noise control methods
• Technical and scientific staff in local authorities, industrial companies and environmental consultancies

On completion delegates will be able to:

• Understand the methodology of environmental noise measurement, including the use of modern sound level meters and analysers
• Assess the significance of measured data against the framework of environmental noise standards and legislation
• Make reliable measurements of background noise and a variety of other noise sources, in-line with the relevant British Standard or guidance documents with an emphasis on BS 4142: 2014
• Present and interpret measured data in a form suitable for inclusion in a report
• Assess the significance of measured noise levels in terms of acceptability to people, with reference to established rating procedures, guidance documents and standards set by local authorities
• Identify in outline the principle methods of noise control to mitigate the impact of noise on the community
• Critically appraise the noise measurement methodology, data and interpretation in reports and environmental appraisals and comment on proposals for noise impact mitigation

Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement Course Content

Day 1:

• Basic concepts and noise
• Principles of sound generation and propagation
• Properties of sound waves and fields
• Range of decibel scale
• Usage and calculation
• Frequency range and octave analysis
• Significance of dB(A)
• Equivalent continuous level Leq and SEL
• Statistical levels LN
• Measurement and modern instrumentation
• Microphones, signal processing, data presentation
• Types of sound level meters
• Usage and correct calibration
• Introduction to pen trace and magnetic tape recorders
• Modern powerful real time signal analysers
• Evening session: Manipulation of decibels calculations and questions

Day 2:

• Criteria and standards
• The effects of noise on people
• Damage to hearing
• Annoyance, activity interference and sleep disturbance
• Industrial noise measurement and assessment (BS 4142 and implications)
• Introduction to transportation noise criteria (road, rail and aircraft)
• Construction site noise
• Leisure and entertainment noise including shooting
• Law and planning
• Principles of nuisance and case law
• Annoyance and disturbance
• Environmental Protection Act 1990
• Impact assessments
• Town and Country Planning Act 1988
• Planning issues
• Planning guidance
• Bringing noise to the people vs bringing people to the noise
• Evening session: Exam type problems

Day 3:

• Noise generation and propagation
• Introduction to point, line and area source
• Sound power and sound pressure levels
• Attenuation with distance
• Effects of ground
• Vegetation, screens, earth banks etc
• Practical measurement exercises inside and outside buildings
• Sound propagation with distance and familiarity with the resulting types of sound fields and background sound etc
• Noise attenuation and control
• Source – transmission path – receiver model
• Introduction to generation by vibration of solids
• Impacts and fluid disturbances and brief consideration of noise reduction at source
• Air and structure borne energy transmission paths
• Noise reduction principles by absorption, insulation and isolation
• Applications for transmission loss in buildings
• Acoustic enclosure, silencers, isolation systems etc
• Evening session: Discussion on sound fields, exam types, questions and individual help

Day 4:

• Noise survey work
• Measurement procedures and checklists
• Emphasis on proper sampling of sound
• Conduct of practical surveys and gathering of relevant information for reporting back
• Practical exercises
• Measurement and assessment of an external industrial noise (BS4142) type problem and a transportation noise (road traffic) or leisure noise situation eg shooting, data records and drawing up of reports
• Evening session: Discussion of case histories and drawing up of reports, exam type questions.

Day 5:

• Revision and further development
• Surveys, measurements, assessment and accuracy of data
• Appraisal of noise issues in environmental assessment
• General preparation for examination
• Writing of reports for practical assessment
• National written exam in afternoon

Written examination and practical test:

The National written examination takes place on Friday afternoon and the Practical test is usually carried out on Thursday evening.

Training method:

Interactive, practical workshop.

Course outcome/qualification:

Institute of Acoustics’ Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement.

None, however delegates are required to undertake mathematical calculations.

• Institute of Acoustics Certificate of Competence in Workplace Noise Risk Assessment
• Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control