IEEE Guide for

Power-Station Noise Control

Put)llshed by
Thr Institute o f Elcctrical and Electroidcs Engincws, Inc
,\

Distributed in cooperation with

Wilt.y-Intcrscit,nct,. a division of .John Wilry X Sons. Inc.
 IEEE
Std 640-1985

IEEE Guide for

Power-Station Noise Control

Sponsor

Power Generation Committee of the

IEEE Power Engineering Society
 ISBN 0-471-01074-X

Library of Congress Catalog Number 85-81199

@ Copyright 1985

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc

345 East 47th Street, New York, NY 10017, USA
No part of this publication m a y he reproduced in a n y form,
in a n electronic retrieval system or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the puhlisher.

September 30, 1985 SH10132

 Foreword
(This Foreword is not a part of IEEE Std 640-1985, IEEE Guide for Power-Station Noise Control.)

Recognizing the need for guidance on various aspects of a comprehensive

noise-control program for power generation plants, an IEEE Working Group on
Power-Station Audible Noise Control was formed. Membership was composed of
representatives from a cross section of utility companies, architect-engineering
firms, and power-plant equipment suppliers. The working group held its organi-
zational meeting in January 1972. Individual reports on power-station noise by
the working group members became the basis for development of this guide.
This guide reviews alternative noise-control methods for identifying and control-
ling noise-emission problems in existing and planned fossil and nuclear power
plants.
Suggestions for improvement of this guide will be welcomed.
The IEEE wishes to acknowledge its indebtedness to those who have so
freely given of their time and knowledge and have provided experimental or
field-data work.
This guide was prepared by the Mechanical and Electrical Noise Working
Group of the Station Design Subcommittee of the IEEE Power Generation Com-
mittee. At the time this guide was approved the working group had the follow-
ing membership:

P. M. Niskode, Chairman 0. J. Fisher, Secretary

W. W. Avril H. Kaspi
,J. P. Buechler R. A. Popeck
T J. DuBois J. E. Shahan
R M. Hoover E. P. Thompson
A. E. Hribar T. E. VanSchaick

Contributions from the following individuals who were associated with the
working group in the development of this guide are acknowledged here by the
IEEE:

D. F. Beals H. B. Hollowood
T. Driscoll H. E. Lokay
J. Feinstein J. McCabe
S. Z. Haddad S. R. Sirota
A. W. Hagstrom F. J. Wells
E. Harbist E. M. Wood
 When the IEEE Standards Board approved this standard on June 23, 1983, it
had the following membership:
James H. Beall, Chairman Edward Chelotti, Vice Chairman
Sava I. Sherr, Secretaly
J. J. Archambault Donald N. Heirman John P. Riganati
John T. Boettger Irvin N. Howell, Jr Frank L. Rose
J. V. Bonucchi Joseph L. Koepfinger: Robert W. Seelbach
Rene Castenschiold Irving Kolodny Jay A. Stewart
Edward J. Cohen George Konomos Clifford 0. Swanson
Len S. Corey R. F. Lawrence Robert E. Weiler
Donald C. Fleckenstein John E. May W. B. Wilkens
Jay Forster Donald T. Michael* Charles J. Wytie

*Member emeritus
 IEEE Standards documents are developed within the Technical Commit-
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Use of an IEEE Standard is wholly voluntary. The existence of an IEEE
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 Contents
SECTION PAGE

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.1 Establishment of Noise-Control-Design Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.2 Prediction/Determination of Power-Station Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
1.3 Specifications of Equipment Sound Levels and Noise Reduction . . . . 14
1.4 Evaluation of the Noise-Control Measures ....................... 14
1.5 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
1.6 References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2. Fundamentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.2 Characteristics of the Noise Source ............................. 19
2.3 Sound Power, Sound Intensity, and Sound Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.4 Sound Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
2.5 Sound Propagation Outdoors ................................... 43
3 . Laws and Regulations ..................... ................... 47
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Federal Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
3.3 Representative State and Local Regulations ...................... 48
3.4 Local Ordinances ....................... ................... 48
3.5 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
4 . Measurement of Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
4.2 Power-Plant Environments ..................................... 51
4.3 Types of Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
4.4 Recording the Acoustic Environment and Test Equipment
Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
4.5 Instrumentation for the Measurement and Analysis of Sound . . . . . . . 55
5. Sources of Noise and Spectra Examples ............................. 59
5.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.2 Plant Noise Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.3 Rotating Turbo-Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
5.4 Flow or Aerodynamic Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5.4.1 Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
5.4.2 Piping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................ 70
5.5 Electric Machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
5.6 Combustion Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
5.7 Cooling Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
5.8 Noise-Spectra Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
5.9 Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
SECTION PAGE

6. Noise Control in Power-Plant Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

6.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
6.2 Criteria for Noise-Control Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
6.3 Typical Plant Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
6.4 Generalized Noise-Control Model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
6.5 Considerations in Equipment Specifications ...................... 89
7. Noise-Control Techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
7.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
7.2 The Noise Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 93
7.3 Data Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . .............................. 97
7.4 General Approaches to Noise R ction ......................... 110
7.5 Selection of Noise Reduction Schemes for Different Noise Sources . 116
7.6 Follow-Up Sound Survey to Evaluate Noise-Control Measures . . . . . . 118
7.7 Administrative Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
7.8 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
8. Noise-Control Design Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
8.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
8.2 A Process for Establishing Practical Noise-Control
Design Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
8.3 Applications of Noise-Control Design Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
9. Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

FIGURES

Fig Typical Power Levels for Various Acoustic Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Fig Typical A-Weighted Sound Levels Measured with a Sound-Level Meter 24
Fig Frequency-Responses for SLM Weighting Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . 26
Fig A Plot of the Octave-Band Analysis of Noise from a
Calculating Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Fig 5 Chart for Combining Noise Levels .............................. 30
Fig 6 Comparison of Linear Versus A-Weighted Octave Bands for
Pulverizers-Bowl Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Fig 7 Typical Values of Directivity Factor Q for Different
Locations of a Sound Source in a Large Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Fig 8 (a) Prescribed Points. Small Machines ........................... 37
(b) Prescribed Points. Medium Machines ........................ 37
(c) Prescribed Points. Large Horizontal Machines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Fig 9 Sound-Pressure Level (SPL) Relative to the Power Level (PWL) for a
Nondirectional Source for Different Values of the Room Constant R.
as a Function of the Distance from the Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

. . . . . .....
FIGURES PAGE

Fig 10 Sound-Pressure Level (SPL) Relative to the Power

Level (PWL) for a Directional Source as a Function of the
Distance fromthe Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Fig 11 Atmospheric Absorption Coefficients for Octave Bands of
Noise for Different Temperatures and Humidities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Fig 12 (a) Influence of Negative Temperature Gradient (cooler air above)
on Bending of Sound Waves Upward ............................ 45
(b) Influence of Positive Temperature Gradient (cooler air below)
on Bending of Sound Waves Downward ......................... 45
(e) Influence of Wind Direction on Bending of Sound Waves,
Assuming Typical Wind Speed Increase with Height
Above the Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Fig 13 Turbine Admission Valves . . . . . . .......................... 74
Fig 14 Turbine Admission Valves . . . . . . .......................... 75
Fig 15 Steam Turbine-Generator Fossil-Fired Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Fig 16 Steam Turbine-Generator Nuclear Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Fig 17 Pulverizers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Fig 18 Boiler Feed Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Fig 19 Boiler Feed Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Fig 20 Boiler Feed Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Fig 21 Forced Draft Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Fig 22 Induced Draft Fan . . . . . . . . ................................. 79
Fig 23 Axial Flow Fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Fig 24 Axial Flow Fan . . . . . . . . .
Fig 25 Soot-Blowing Air Compres .......................... 81
Fig 26 Boiler Drum Safety Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Fig 27 Furnace Burners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Fig 28 Transformer ........................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Fig 29 ND Cooling Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Fig 30 MD Cooling Towers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fig 31 Comparison of Acoustical Data Analyzed with Octave Band,
One-Third Octave-Band, and Narrow-Band Filters . . . . . .
Fig 32 Sound Contours . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Fig 33 Turbine-Generator and Boiler Feed Pump Measurements Locations . 101
Fig 34 Octave-Band Analyses at Three Locations on Turbine Deck . . . . . . . . 102
Fig 35 A-Weighted Octave-Band Analyses at Three Locations on
Turbine Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Fig 36 Boiler Feed Pump . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Fig 37 Turbine Control Valve Chest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
FIGURES PAGE

Fig 38 Location of Measuring Points on Turbine Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Fig 39 Narrow-Band Spectrum Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Fig 40 Sound-Pressure Level of Complaint and Residual Ambient Noise
as a Function of Frequency in Octave Bands ..................... 107
Fig 41 Narrow-Band Analysis of Complaint Noise with Sound-
Pressure Level Plotted as a Function of Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Fig 42 Variation of Background Noise Caused by Meterological Conditions
(a) Noise Recorded Near Power Plant
(b) Noise Recorded During Same Time Span but in a Residential
Area Some Distance from the Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

TABLES

Table 1 Examples of Sources of Different Types of Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Table 2 A. B. and C Electrical Weighting Networks for the
Sound-Level Meter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Table 3 Center and Approximate Cutoff Frequencies for Standard
Set of Contiguous-Octave and One-Third Octave Bands
Covering the Audio-Frequency Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Table 4 Conversion to Equivalent A-Weighted Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Table 5 Absorption Coefficients of Various Materials Used in
Acoustical Wall Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Table 6 Mechanical Equipment Noise Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Table 7 Base Load Power-Plant Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Table 8 Case I. Cumulative Overexposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Table 9 Case 11. Cumulative Underexposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Table 10 Correction for Ambient Sound-Pressure Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Table 11 Possible Sources of Noise and Possible Methods of
Noise Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
 IEEE Guide for
Power-Station Noise Control

1. Introduction
Environmental noise and occupational noise exposure are a matter of increas-
ing public concern. Legislation requiring assessment, control, and abatement of
noise has been enacted on all governmental levels. This guide provides guidance
to control electric power-plant noise emissions to acceptable limits.
There has been an increase in the noise emissions from power plants with the
use of larger, more intensely used, machinery. To reduce this noise emission,
power-plant engineers need to become familiar with noise-control principles.
Noise control for new plants is usually expensive and may cost up to 4% of the
total cost of the plant. It is necessary that noise-control planning be done prior
to constructing a new plant or to modernizing an existing plant so as to elimi-
nate or minimize excessive retrofit costs.
A typical noise-control program consists of the following subsections:

1.1 Establishment of Noise-Control-Design Objectives. Noise-control objec-

tives are dictated by
(1j Community noise requirements
(2) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits inside
the plant
(3) Speech interference levels in offices, control rooms, etc
These requirements are discussed in Section 3. The considerations in establish-
ing these objectives are discussed in Section 8.
For new plants these objectives provide a starting point in specifying the
equipment sound levels. For existing plants they help in determining the noise
reduction necessary. Noise levels permitted inside the plant by OSHA are gov-
erned by the accumulated noise-exposure dose, not by the levels alone. Hence,
the feasibility of administrative controls should be included in setting the per-
mitted levels or the necessary noise reduction for hearing protection purposes.

13
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

1.2 PredictionlDetermination of Power-Station Noise. Once the design

objectives have been established, the next step is to predict for new plants or
determine for existing plants the power-station noise.
In the case of an existing plant this means a sound'survey inside the plant
and in the surrounding community. The sound survey is discussed in Section 7.
There are two ways of predicting the noise from a new plant. If a similar
plant is operating, one can conduct a sound survey and then modify the sound
levels obtained for any differences which may exist between the two plants,
such as topography of the surroundings and location, and orientation of the
plant with respect to the nearby community. In the absence of a similar operat-
ing plant one can extrapolate the noise levels of a plant of smaller size but of a
similar nature. There are no definite rules available for such an extrapolation.
The manufacturers of the new plant equipment should provide sound data,
measured or predicted, which will help in the extrapolation. These ideas are
discussed in detail in Sections 6 and 7. If the manufacturers offer any modifica-
tions to their equipment to lower the noise levels, these should be considered in
predicting the plant noise levels. The option of retrofitting to reduce the noise
should also be kept in mind. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

1.3 Specifications of Equipment Sound Levels and Noise Reduction. Some

of the inputs that should be considered in preparing equipment specifications
are discussed in Section 7. Design approaches to meet the desired levels are
also discussed in Section 7.
To achieve the amount of noise reduction that may be required inside and
around an existing power plant, the major sources of noise should be identified.
Section 7 discusses the identification of noise sources in detail. Examples of
frequency spectra of power-plant noise sources are described in Section 5.
These spectra provide the necessary information needed in the selection of
noise-reduction schemes in relation to the characteristics of the noise source.
Noise-reduction schemes are discussed in Section 7. A list of the possible
sources of noise and methods of noise reduction are also included in Section 7.

1.4 Evaluation of the Noise-Control Measures. Once the new plant, designed
with noise-control considerations, is in operation or the noise-control measures
are installed in an existing plant, a follow-up sound survey should be made to
evaluate the noise-control program. If the noise levels fail to meet the selected
design objectives, the reasons should be traced and corrected. See Section 7.
This guide supports the program and addresses alternate noise-control methods
for noise-emission problems generally encountered in fossil and nuclear power
plants.
The noise-control techniques reviewed in this guide are not intended to be
applicable to other power generating facilities such as combined cycle, diesel,
gas turbine, hydro-electric, and solar power plants.
Information presented in this guide was obtained from published national
standards, technical papers, and the experience from the installation and evalua-

14
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

tion of noise-control equipment. Terminology used conforms to ANSI Sl.1-1960

(R1976) [211.
It is not the intent of this guide to adopt any noise compliance limits or to
design a specific series of noise-control devices to solve individual power-plant
noise problems. Such an underaking is somewhat impractical because of the
numerous variations in regulation requirements, personnel exposure, plant sit-
ing, noise sources, equipment ratings, background levels, environmental condi-
tions, and individual plant operational requirements. This guide provides the
power-plant engineer with the tools necessary to identify potential noise prob-
lem areas and alternate control methods which may be required to comply with
applicable limits.

1.5 Definitions. The following definitions apply to the subject matter presented
in this guide.

absorption coefficient. The ratio of the energy absorbed by the surface to the
energy incident upon it.

decibel. 10 times the logarithm to base 10 of a ratio of two powers.

sound intensity. The average rate of sound energy transmitted through a unit
area normal to the direction of sound.

sound power. The total sound energy radiated by a source per unit time.
sound pressure. The instantaneous pressure measured in a sound wave, that is,
the variation in atmospheric pressure.

1.6 References. When the following American National Standards referred to in

this standard are superseded by a revision approved by the American National
Standards Institute, the latest revision shall be used.

[ 11 AMCA STD 300-67, Test Code for Sound Rating-Air-Moving Devices.'

[a] ANSI Sl.1-1960 (R 1976), American National Standard Acoustical Terminology

(Including Mechanical Shock and Vibrati~n).~

[31 ANSI S1.4-1983, American National Standard Specification for Sound Level
Meters.
[41 ANSI S1.8-1969 (R 1974), American National Standard Preferred Reference
Quantities for Acoustical Levels.

'Numbers in brackets correspond to those of the references in 1.6 of this guide.

* AMCA publications are available from Air Movement and Control Association, 30 West Univer-
sity Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.
ANSI publications are available from the Sales Department, American National Standards
Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.

15
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

[5] ANSI S1.11-1966 (R 1976), American National Standard Specifications for

Octave, Half-Octave, and Third-Octave Band Filter Sets.

[6] ANSI S1.13-1971 (R 1976), American National Standard Methods for the
Measurement of Sound Pressure Levels.
[7] ANSI/ASC S1.6-1984, American National Standard Preferred Frequencies,
Frequency Levels, and Band Numbers for Acoustical Measurements.
[8] IEEE Std 85-1973 (R 1980), IEEE Test Procedure for Airborne Sound Mea-
surements on Rotating Electric M a ~ h i n e r y . ~

[9] NEMA TR 1-1980, Transformers, Regulators, and Reactors.'

[ 101 NUREG 4.2, Nuclear Regulatory Guide for Preparation of Environmental
Reports for Nuclear Plants6

[ll] Noise Ordinance of Chicago, 1971.'

[ 121 Rules of Procedure-Certification for Major Steam Electric Generating

Noise, 1973, Part 75, New York State, Albany, NY.

1131 State and Local Noise Regulations, 1973, ch 8. Illinois Pollution Control
Board.
[14] Sound and Vibration (Magazine).

[15] 24 CFR 51 HUD, Environmental Criteria and Standards for Housing and
Urban Development.8

[16] 29 CFR 1910.95 OSHA, Occupational Noise Standardsg

[17] 29 CFR Bulletin 334, Guidelines to the Department of Labor's Occupational
Noise Standards.lo

[18] 40 CFR 1 POE, Environmental Protection Agency-Public Health and

Welfare Criteria for Noise.

IEEE publications are available from IEEE Service Center, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
NEMA publications are available from National Electrical Manufacturers Association, 2101 L
Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037.
NUREG publications are available from Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
'This publication is available from Department of Environmental Control, Chicago, IL.
HUD publications are available from Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
OSHA publications are available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration, US
Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210 or from the nearest regional or area office of the
United States Department of Labor.
lo CFR publications are available from Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.

16
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

[ 191 40 CFR 1 POE, Environmental Protection Agency-Information on Levels

of Environmental Noise Requisite to Protect Public Health and Welfare with an
Adequate Margin of Safety.

[20] U S Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Funda-

mentals in Abatement of Highway Traffic Lanes. Report on Contract no DOT-
FH-11/7976, 1976.

17
 IEEE
Std 640-1985

2. Fundamentals
2.1 Introduction. Sound waves are a form of elastic waves that can be propa-
gated through any medium exhibiting mass and elasticity. Mass, or inertia,
enables displaced particles of the medium to transfer energy. Elasticity enables
the disturbed particles to return to their original position, somewhat similar to a
spring.
Air has mass and elasticity and therefore can transmit sound waves. A noise
source sets adjacent air molecules in motion. This movement produces a varia-
tion in atmospheric pressure and this disturbance is propagated from molecule
to molecule. The instantaneous variation in atmospheric pressure is called
sound pressure. The speed of sound in a particular medium is defined as the
product of frequency and wavelength
c=fX (Eq 1)
where
c = speed of sound
f = frequency
A = wavelength

In air the speed of sound is dependent only on the temperature of air. At 70 O F ,

the speed of sound in air is 1128 ft/s.
Sound may consist of a pure tone (a single frequency) where the instan-
taneous sound pressure is a sinusoidal function of time, or it may consist of a
complex combination of many tones. The sound energy of a source may be
distributed over a range of frequencies. The frequency distribution of sound is
usually referred to as sound spectrum.

2.2 Characteristics of the Noise Source. A noise source is characterized by

its frequency spectrum, variation of the spectrum with time, and the sound radi-
ation pattern. Directivity, which is an index of the sound radiation pattern, is
important in determining the number of measurement locations for the calcula-
tion of the sound power level of the source. The noises usually encountered in
practice are classified as steady or nonsteady noise.
2.2.1 Steady Noise. The level of a steady noise remains essentially constant
(that is, fluctuations are negligibly small) during the period of observation. The
frequency spectrum can be broad band (prominent discrete components and
narrow bands of noise are absent) or can have one or more discrete frequency
components which have significantly greater amplitudes than those of the adja-
cent spectrum. The spectral distribution of sound, with or without discrete
tones, remains constant.
2.2.2 Nonsteady Noise. If a noise level varies during the period of observa-
tion (as determined by listening), the noise is classified as nonsteady. This type
may or may not contain audible discrete tones. Depending upon the variation in
spectrum the noise is classified as fluctuating, intermittent, or impulse. See
Table 1 for an example of different types of noise.

19
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Table 1
Examples of Sources of Different Types of Noise

Steady Nonsteady
Without audible discrete tones Fluctuating
Distant city Heavy traffic (nearby)
Waterfall Pounding surf
Air-conditioning system

With audible discrete tones Intermittent

Circular saw Aircraft fly-over
Transformer Automobile passing by
Turbojet engine Train passing by
Automobile horn
Siren

Impulsive
Isolated bursts
Drop forge hammer
Dog barking
Pistol shots
Door slamming
Electrical circuit breaker

Quasi-steady noise
Riveting
Pneumatic hammer
Machine gun

2.2.3 Directivity. Directivity is a measure of the radial asymmetry, in three

dimensions, of the sound radiation pattern of the source. A numerical measure
of the directivity of a sound source is the directivity factor Q, a dimensionless
quantity, defined in 2.4.2.2.

2.3 Sound Power, Sound Intensity, and Sound Pressure. Consider a point
source of noise suspended in free space. Sound waves will emanate as spherical
waves from this source. As the wave front progresses further from the source,
its area increases as the square of the distance since the area of a sphere is
477 r2. If the energy of the noise source remains constant, it is evident that the
sound power per unit area shall decrease. Thus, for a doubling of distance, the
available energy is spread over four times the area, or the sound intensity is
one fourth of its original value. This reduction in intensity with distance is
known in physics as the inverse square law. See 1.5, sound power and sound
intensity.
Measurements have shown that a soft whisper may produce a sound power of
W. A jet engine at its exhaust can develop lo4 W. This indicates the wide
range of sounds (low to 1) which can occur in our environment. To avoid use of
such large numbers, acoustical engineers have borrowed a term from electrical
engineering, that is, the decibel. See 1.5, decibel.

20
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 64@1986

Electrical engineers have long used the decibel to describe the gain of
amplifiers.
Thus, assume that an amplifier has an input of W, and an output of W2. The
gain of the amplifier can be expressed as shown in Eq 2.

w2
Gain = 10 log -
W,

where
W , = 1 mW
W2 = 10 mW
10
Gain = 10 log - = 10 dB
1

From Eq 2 it can be noted that the decibel is a relative quantity. When used
to express noise level, a reference quantity is usually stated or implied.
In acoustics, the reference power is taken as W. Thus, the term sound
power level (PWL) can be defined as in Eq 3.

PWL = 10 log- 10 -12 dB (ref W) (Eq 3)

where
PWL = sound-power level
W = sound power, watts

This power level is conveniently computed from Eq 4.

PWL = 10 log w+120

For example, if
W=lOW
PWL = 10 log 10+120
= 10+120
= 130 dB (ref W)

It is also convenient to use the decibel scale to express the ratio between any
two sound pressures. Sound-pressure level (SPL) is defined in Eq 5.

P2 P
SPL = 10 log - = 20 log -
P2ref Pref

For airborne sounds, the reference sound pressure Prcf is 20 pPa,

where
1 pPa = 1 pN/m2 = 10" pbar

21
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Therefore

SPL = 20 log dB (ref 20 pPa)

20 pPa
~

where
SPL = sound-pressure level
P = sound pressure, Pa
NOTE: See Figs 1 and 2 for typical sound power and sound-pressure levels for various acoustic
sources.
The instrument used to measure sound-pressure level consists of a micro-
phone, attenuator, amplifier, and indicating meter. This instrument shall have an
overall response that is uniform @ut) as a function of frequency, and the instru-
ment is calibrated in decibels according to Eq 6.
The position of the selector switch of the instrument for this measurement is
often calledmt or 20-20 000 kHz to indicate the wide frequency range that is
covered. The result of a measurement of this type is also called the overall
sound-pressure level.
2.3.1 Sound Level. The apparent loudness that we attribute to a sound var-
ies not only with the sound-pressure level but also with the frequency (or pitch)
of the sound. If this effect is taken into account to some extent for pure tones,
by weighting networks included in an instrument designed to measure sound-
pressure level, then the instrument is called a sound-level meter. ANSI S1.4-1983
[3] requires that three alternate frequency response characteristics be provided
in instruments designed for general use (see Fig 3 and Table 2). These three
responses are obtained by weighting networks designated as A, B, and C.
Responses A, B, and C selectively discriminate against low and high frequencies.
Whenever one of these networks is used, the reading obtained should be
described as
(1) The A-weighted sound level is 45 dB
(2) Sound level (A) = 45 dB
(3) SLA = 45 dB
In a table, the abbreviated form LA with the unit dB is suggested, or where
exceptional compactness is necessary, dB(A). The form dBA has also been used,
but this notation implies that a new unit has been introduced and is therefore
not recommended. Note that when a weighting characteristic is used, the read-
ing obtained is said to be the sound level. Only when the overall frequency
response of the instrument is flat are sound pressure levels measured. Since the
reading obtained depends on the weighting characteristic used, the char-
acteristic that was used shall be specified or the recorded level may be useless.
It is often recommended that readings on all noises be taken with all three
weighting positions. The three readings provide some indication of the fre-
quency distribution of the noise. If the level is essentially the same on all three
networks, the frequencies of the predominate sounds are probably above
600 Hz. If the level is greater on the C network than on the A and B networks
by several decibels, much of the noise is probably below 600 Hz.

22
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

ACOUSTIC POWER
POWER POWER LEVEL SOURCE
(WATTS) dB (ref 10-12 W)

25 - 40 MILLION 195 SATURN ROCKET

100 000 RAM JET

TURBOJET ENGINE WITH AFTERBURNER
10 000 160 TURBO-JET ENGINE. 7000 lb THRUST

1000 150
4-PROPELLER AIRLINER
100 140

75PIECE ORCHESTRA
10 130 PIPE ORGAN } PEAK RMS LEVELS IN
Q SECOND INTERVALS
SMALL AIRCRAET
1 120 LARGE CHIPPING HAMMER

0.1 110
IANo
TUBA
) PEAK RMS LEVELS IN
A SECOND INTERVALS
BLARING RADIO
CENTRIFUGAL VENTILATING FAN (13 000 ft3/min)
0.0 1 100 4 ft LOOM
AUTO ON HIGHWAY

0.001 90 VANEAXIAL VENTILATING FAN (1500 ft3/min)

VOICE-SHOUTING (AVERAGE LONG-TIME RMS)

0.0001 80

0.00001 70 VOICE-CONVERSATIONAL LEVEL

(AVERAGE LONG-TIME RMS)

0.000001 60

0.0000001 50

0.000 000 01 40

0.000 000 001 30 VOICE-VERY SOFT WHISPER

NOTE: These levels bear no simple relation t o the sound levels of Fig 2

Fig 1
Typical Power Levels for
Various Acoustic Sources

23
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

AT A GIVEN DISTANCE
FROM NOISE SOURCE dB(A) ENVIRONMENTAL

dB (ref 20 pPa)
140

50 HP SIREN (100 ft) 130

JET TAKEOFF (200 R) 120

RIVETING MACHINE 110 CASTING SHAKEOUT AREA

CUTOFF SAW 100 ELECTRIC FURNACE AREA

PNEUMATIC PEEN HAMMER

TEXTILE WEAVING PLANT 90 BOILER ROOM

SUBWAY TRAIN (20 ft) PRINTING PRESS PLANT

PNEUMATIC DRILL (50 ft) 80 TABULATING ROOM

INSIDE SPORT CAR (50 mi/h)
FREIGHT TRAIN (100 ft)
VACUUM CLEANER (10 ft) 70
SPEECH (1 ft)
NEAR FREEWAY (AUTO TRAFFIC)
60 LARGE STORE
ACCOUNTING OFFICE

PRIVATE BUSINESS OFFICE

50 LIGHT TRAFFIC (100 ft)
AVERAGE RESIDENCE

40 MIN LEVELS - RESIDENTIAL AREAS

IN CHICAGO AT NIGHT

S O m WHISPER (5 ft) 30 STUDIO (SPEECH)

20 STUDIO FOR SOUND PICTURES

10

THRESHOLD O F HEARING
YOUTHS - 1000 HZ - 4000 HZ

NOTE: These values are taken from the literature. Sound-level measurements give only part of the
information usually necessary t o handle noise problems, and are often supplemented by analysis of
the noise spectra.

Fig 2
Typical A-Weighted Sound Levels
Measured with a Sound-Level Meter

24
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Table 2
A, B, and C Electrical Weighting Networks
for the Sound-Level Meter*

A-Weighting B-Weighting C-Weighting

Relative Relative Relative
Frequency Response Response Response
(Hz) (dB) (dB) (dB)
10 -70.4 -38.2 - 14.3
12.5 -63.4 -33.2 -11.2
16 -56.7 -28.5 -8.5
20 -50.5 -24.2 -6.2
25 -44.7 -20.4 -4.4

31.5 -39.4 -17.1 -3.0

40 -34.6 - 14.2 -2.0
50 -30.2 - 11.6 -1.3
63 -26.2 -9.3 - 0.8
80 -22.5 -7.4 -0.5

100 - 19.1 -5.6 -0.3

125 -16.1 -4.2 -0.2
160 - 13.4 -3.0 -0.1
200 - 10.9 -2.0 0
250 -8.6 -1.3 0

315 -6.6 -0.8

400 -4.8 -0.5
600 -3.2 -0.3
630 - 1.9 -0.1
800 -0.8 0

1000 0 0 0
1250 +0.6 0 0
1600 +1.0 0 -0.1
2000 + 1.2 -0.1 -0.2
'500 + 1.3 -0.2 -0.3

3150 +l.2 -0.4 -0.5

4000 + 1.0 -0.7 -0.8
5000 +0..5 -1.2 -1.3
6300 -0.1 - 1.9 -2.0
8000 -1.1 -2.9 -3.0

10 000 -2.5 -4.3 -4.4

12 .500 -4.3 -6.1 -6.2
16 000 -6.6 -8.4 -8.5
20 000 -9.3 -11.1 -11.2

* These numbers assume a flat, diffuse-field (random-incidence) response

for the sound-level meter and microphone.

25

-
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

25 50 100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10000 20000

FREQUENCY (Hzl

Fig 3
Frequency-Responses for SLM Weighting Characteristics
See ANSI S1.4-1983 [31

2.3.2 A-Weighted Sound Level as a Single Number Rating. For simple

ratings or screenings of similar devices, the A-weighted sound level at a spec-
ified distance is widely used. It is useful in preliminary ratings of similar noises
for the human reactions that may occur. Measurement of the A-weighted sound
level has been adopted for checking compliance with many ordinances and
regulations, including the evaluation of personnel noise exposure.
2.3.3 Some Limitations of A-Weighted Sound Level. When only a single-
weighted sound level is measured, the usefulness of the measurement is
restricted.
The spectrum should almost always be measured, especially when noise con-
trol measures may be required. The spectrum is needed for efficient noise con-
trol, because the effects of sound isolation, acoustic treatment, vibration
reduction, and other forms of noise control are frequency dependent. In addi-
tion, the reaction to the noise is frequency dependent, and the spectrum can
show us the frequency region where the noise energy is most important in
determining the effects. The source of an excessive noise and the spectrum
often provide the most important clues for identifying and reducing the noise.
If a noisy machine is to be used in a room, the acoustic characteristics of the
room as a function of frequency and the radiated sound-power level of the
machine also as a function of frequency need to be known so as to estimate the
noise level at some distance from the machine.

26
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

The spectra will help in providing data for later comparisons when conditions
change or if better evaluation techniques are developed.
The limitations of the simple, weighted measurement should be recognized
when plans for sound measurements are made.
2.3.4 Analysis in Frequency Bands. To make an analysis in the frequency
domain, the signal energy is electrically separated into various frequency bands,
for example, octave bands, each of which covers a 2:l range of frequencies. The
analysis yields a series .of levels, one for each band, called band levels, or for
octave bands, octave band levels or octave band sound-pressure levels. Here it
is apparent that the band in which a reading of level is obtained shall be spec-
ified if the information is to be of value.
2.3.5 Octave Bands. The preferred series of octave bands for acoustic mea-
surements [ANSI/ASC S1.6-1984 [7]] covers the audible range in ten bands. The
center frequencies of these bands are 31.5 Hz, 63 Hz, 125 Hz, 250 Hz,
500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, 4000 Hz, 8000 Hz, and 16 000 Hz. The actual nominal
frequency range of any one of these bands is 2:l; for example, the effective
band for the 1000 Hz octave band extends from 707 Hz to 1414 Hz (see Table 3).
Another series of octave bands has been widely used in the past. The older bands
were a 75 Hz low-pass filter, and the octave bands of 75 Hz to 150 Hz, 150 Hz to
300 Hz, 300 Hz to 600 Hz, 600 Hz to 1200 Hz, 1200 Hz to 2400 Hz, 2400 Hz to 4800 Hz,
and a 4800 Hz high-pass filter, but these are no longer preferred. This older series is
still specified in a number of test codes and the published data obtained with this
series is extensive.
NOTE: For a method of converting octave-band levels measured with this older series to levels for the
new series, see ANSI S1.ll-1966 (R 1976) [5] and Appendix A. It should be noted that this conversion
method applies only t o broadband noise.

When a graph is made of the results of octave-band pressure-level measure-

ments, the frequency scale is commonly divided into equal percentage intervals
(a logarithmic frequency scale). The level for each octave band is plotted as a
point at the center frequency of the octave band. Adjacent points are then con-
nected by straight lines. An example of a plot of this type is given in Fig 4.
Graph paper conforming to ANSI S1.13-1971 (R 1976) [6] is available commer-
cially.
2.3.6 Narrower Bands. For a more detailed analysis of the distribution of
sound energy as a function of frequency, narrower frequency bands are used.
For certain analyses involving steep sloped spectra, the octave bands are
divided into three parts, called one-third octave bands (see Table 3). Still nar-
rower bands called one-tenth octave bands are also in widespread use for
detailed analysis.
Calculated dB(A) values obtained by using octave-band center-frequency
weighting values (from Table 2 to 4) cannot be exact because the distribution of
sound pressure within each octave band of frequency is not known and the
actual weighting varies continuously with frequency. The error can become sub-
stantial with certain steeply-sloped spectra and spectra containing discrete
tones; however, it can be minimized by using one-third octave-band resolution.

27
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Table 3
Center and Approximate Cutoff Frequencies for
Standard Set of Contiguous-Octave and One-Third Octave
Bands Covering the Audio-Frequency Range

Frequency (Hz)
Octave One-Third Octave

Lower Upper Lower Upper

Band Band Band Band
Band Limit Center Limit Limit Center Limit
12 11 16 22 14.1 16 17.8
13 17.8 20 22.4
14 22.4 25 28.2

15 22 31.5 44 28.2 31.5 35.5

16 35.5 40 44.7
17 44.7 50 56.2

18 44 63 88 56.2 63 70.8
19 70.8 80 89.1
20 89.1 100 112

21 88 125 177 112 125 141

22 141 160 178
23 178 200 224

24 177 250 355 224 250 282

25 282 315 355
26 355 400 447

27 355 500 710 447 500 562

28 562 630 708
29 708 800 891

30 710 1000 1420 891 1000 1122

31 1122 1250 1413
32 1413 1600 1778

33 1420 2000 2840 1778 2000 2239

34 2239 2500 2818
35 2818 3150 3548

36 2840 4000 5680 3548 4000 4467

37 4467 5000 5623
38 5623 6300 7079

39 5680 8000 11 360 7079 8000 8913

40 8913 10 000 11 220
41 11 220 12 500 14 130

42 11 360 16 000 22 720 14 130 16 000 17 780

43 17 780 20 000 22 390

28
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

w
>
w

OVERALL 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

OCTAVE-BAND CENTER FREQUENCY

Fig 1
A Plot of the Octave-Band Analysis of
Noise from a Calculating Machine

Also, in these cases, to minimize cumulative amplitude errors, values should be

calculated to 0.1 dB resolution, with only final answers rounded to the nearest
integral decibel (dB) values.
2.3.7 Combining Decibels. Assume that it is desired to combine three deci-
bel readings to obtain a total sound-pressure level, for example, 90 dB(A),
88 dB(A), and 85 dB(A). The complete mathematical solution is

Antilog 90/10 = 10.0.108

Antilog 88/10 = 6.3.108
Antilog 85/10 = 3.16.108
19.45.108

SPL total = 10 log 19.45.108 = 92.9 dB(A)

A much simpler method is to use the curve shown in Fig 5 .

Difference(dB) Increment Interim Answer

90.0 - 88 = 2.0 2.1 90.0 + 2.1 = 92.1
92.1 - 85 = 7.1 0.8 92.1 + 0.8 = 92.9
Thus, the same answer, 92.9 dB(A), is obtained with much less work.

29
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

0
W
0
0
a
0
zw
m
v)
-I
W
>
W
-I
0
F
2
w
w
3
t,
m
m
-U
w
0
Z
w
a:
W
U
U-
0

30
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

2.3.8 Combining Octave-Band Readings. Assume that an octave-band

analysis in dB(C) is available, but no overall A-weighted reading was taken. The
dB(A) value can be calculated as follows:

Band SPL Corrected SPL

Octave Band dB(C) Correction* dB(A)
31.5 88 -36 52
63.0 88 -26 62
125.0 88 - 16 72
250.0 94 -9 85
500.0 96 -3 93
1000.0 96 0 96
2000.0 92 $1 93
4000.0 89 +2 91
8000.0 76 +2 78
*From Table 4
Difference( dB) Increment* Interim Answer
~ ~~

82.0 - 52.0 = 10.0 0.4 62.0 + 0.4 = 62.4

72.0 - 62.4 = 9.6 0.5 72.0 + 0.5 = 72.5
85.0 - 72.5 12.5 0.3 85.0 + 0.3 = 85.3
93.0 - 85.3 = 7.7 0.7 93.0 + 0.7 = 93.7
96.0 - 93.7 = 2.3 2.1 96.0 + 2.1 = 98.1
98.1 - 93.0 = 5.1 1.2 98.1 + 1.2 = 99.3
99.3 - 91.0 = 8.3 0.6 99.3 + 0.6 = 99.9
99.9 - 78.0 = 21.9 0.0 99.9 + 0.0 = 99.9

*From Fig 5

If these values are combined by the more rigorous method, the answer will
also be 99.9 dB(A).
A s a practical consideration, sufficient accuracy can be obtained by dropping
any correction due to a difference of 10 dB or more. A similar procedure may
be used to convert flat octave-band data t o equivalent A-weighted values. See
Table 4.
Table 4
Conversion to Equivalent A-Weighted Values

Center Frequency (Hz)

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
Correction (dB) -36 -26 -16 -9 -3 0 fl +2 +2
(C-to-A)

Correction (dB) -39 -26 -16 -9 -3 0 +1 +1 -1

(Flat-to-A)

31
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Frequently, reference is made t o A-weighted octave bands. The weighting net-

works and octave-band filter sets on some older instruments are arranged so
that the input signal is passed through the weighting network and subsequently
through the filter set. This will allow A-weighted octave-band sound levels to be
measured. Alternatively, octave-band sound-pressure levels may be adjusted by
the factors given in Table 4 to obtain the equivalent A-weighted values.
Care shall be taken when analyzing octave- (or narrower) band readings to
ascertain whether they were first passed through a flat network or a weighted
network. As will be noted from Fig 6, serious errors in interpretation can occur
if an incorrect assumption is made.
2.4 Sound Fields. To better understand the propagation characteristics of
sound waves it is necessary to investigate their behavior in various environ-
ments.
2.4.1 Free Field
2.4.1.1 Point Source. The simplest form of source is a sphere that vibrates
uniformly over its entire surface. We can think of this source as a round balloon
with air in it. This source radiates sound equally in all directions from an appar-
ent center, which is the center of the balloon. It is a point source insofar as
sound radiation is concerned.
If such a point (or spherical) source is in the air far from other objects,
including the ground, the sound pressure produced by the source is the same in
every direction at equal distances from the point source. Furthermore, the
sound pressure is halved for each doubling of distance from the point. This
change is usually expressed as a decrease in sound-pressure level of 6 dB. The
sound field produced under these idealized conditions is called a free sound
field or a free field because it is uniform, it is free from all bounding surfaces,
and it is undisturbed by other sources of sound.
2.4.1.2 Power Level in Free Field. Under free-field conditions, a single
measurement of the sound-pressure level at a known distance from a point
source is enough to tell us all about the sound field radiated by the source. For
example, we can predict the level at any other point, since the sound pressure
varies inversely as the distance from the source. We can also compute the total
sound power radiated by the point source as shown in Eq 8.

PWL = SPL+20 log r + l l dB (Eq 8 )

where
PWL = sound power, dR (ref 10-l2 W)
SPL = sound pressure (ref 20 FPa)
r = distance (meters) from the point source to the point where the
sound-pressure level is measured

For example, measure a sound-pressure level of 73.5 dB (ref 20 pPa) at a

distance of 20 m from a point source; then

32
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

BAND NO

Fig 6
Comparison of Linear Versus A-Weighted
Octave Bands for Pulverizers-Bowl Mills

PWL = 73.5+20 log 20+11 dB

= 73.5+26 +11
= 110.5 dB (ref w>
NOTE: The concept of a point source is an idealized one. It is unreasonable to assume that an
actual source is a true point source, so that one should never be content with a single measurement.

33
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

2.4.1.3 Power Level in Hemispherical Space. For the more usual case,
the source may be located far from other objects but close to the ground or
floor. In this case, the sound source will radiate into hemispherical space as
defined by the area above the ground plane. Since the intensity of the sound
source radiating into a hemisphere is twice as great as that radiating into a
sphere (see 2.4.1.2), the SPL measurement will be greater by 3 dB. In this
idealized case, the sound-power level for hemispherical space is given by Eq 9.

PWL = SPL+20 log r +8

where
PWL = sound power, dB (ref 10-l2 W)
SPL = sound pressure (ref 20 pPa)
r = distance (meters) from the point source to the point where the
sound-pressure level is measured.

2.4.2 Directional Source. In actual practice, noise sources are not as simple
as point sources. The sound is not radiated uniformly in all directions, either
because the shape of the sound source is not spherical, or because the ampli-
tude and time phase of the vibrations of the different parts are not uniform, or
both. The net result is that more sound is radiated in some directions than in
others. In other words, the sound-pressure level for a given distance is different
in different directions.
When such a directional sound source is far from any other object it behaves
in some ways like a point source. For example, the sound-pressure level
decreases 6 dB for each doubling of distance, provided measurements are
started at a distance away from the source that is several times the largest
dimension of the source, and moved directly away from the source. In actual
practice this idealized behavior is upset by the effects of variation in terrain,
atmospheric conditions, and the interference of nearby objects.
2.4.2.1 Near Field and Far Field. At locations close to a directional
source equal sound-level contours are different in shape from those at a dis-
tance. Furthermore, there is no apparent center from which the 6 dB drop for
each doubling of distance is found. Consequently, this nearzfield behavior can-
not readily be used to predict the behavior at a distance. For the near-field
effect to be minimized, the location should be at least one wavelength away
from the source. This dimension should be determined on the basis of the
lowest frequency of interest. For example, if the lowest frequency of sound of
interest is 120 Hz, the wavelength is approximately 10 ft.
Another factor that enters into the differences between the near-field and far-
field behavior is the way the sound waves spread out from a source. The sound
waves from a large source vary with distance differently from waves produced
by a small source. But at a distance of several (three to four) times the largest
dimension of the radiating source, spherical spreading is said to exist, and the
behavior is then nearly independent of the size of the source.

34
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1986

2.4.2.2 Directivity Factor. When we are interested in sound-pressure lev-

els beyond the immediate vicinity of the source, any sound can be treated as a
point source, provided we introduce a directivity factor. This factor takes into
account the variation in sound-pressure level with direction to the source. This
directivity factor, which is a function of direction and frequency, is usually
labeled &. It can be expressed as

DI
Q = antilog-
10
where
Q = directivity factor
DI = directivity index

For a point source located in the center of a large room, Q = 1 since the
sound radiates uniformly in all directions. For other typical values of Q, refer to
Fig 7.

Fig 7
Typical Values of Directivity Factor Q for
Different Locations of a Sound Source in a Large Room

Location Q
-
Center 1
A 2
B 4
C 8

35
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Directivity index in any particular direction is defined as the sound-pressure

level in that direction minus the mean sound-pressure level around the source.
All these measurements are assumed to have been taken at a fixed distance r
from the source.

where
DI = directivity index
- = sound-pressure level at a distance T in the desired direction
SPL
SPL = mean sound-pressure level around the source at distance r

2.4.2.3 Directivity in Hemispherical Space. The directivity index of a

sound source on a rigid plane in a given direction from the source is given by

DI, = S P L - E H + 3 dB (Eq 12)

where
SPL = octave-band sound-pressure level at a distance r in the desired
direction
-
SPLH = average octave-band sound-pressure level measured on a test hemi-
sphere around a source at distance r

The 3 dB in Eq 12 is added to the 5 L H because the measurement was made

over a hemisphere instead of a full sphere.
2.4.2.4 Mean Sound-Pressure Level. The accurate method for obtaining
the mean sound-pressure level requires making a set of measurements uniformly
distributed on the hemisphere (sphere in the true free field) centered about the
acoustic center of the source. The mean sound-pressure level is then deter-
mined from Eq 13.

-
+ SPL
antilog -
10

where -
SPL = mean sound-pressure level
SPL, . . . SPLM = level in dB of each measurement
n = number of measurements

A simple, though not precise, method to approximate the mean of a number

of decibel readings is to take an arithmetic average. The following rules should
be observed:
(1) For summing decibels which differ by 5 dB or less, take the arithmetic
average directly

36
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

\
\
c- -\
\

"!- n
cb
+--
c

t- W
L
n

\
\
\

37
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

(2) For summing decibels which differ by 5 dB to 10 dB, take the arithmetic
average and add 1 dB
2.4.2.5 Equivalent Radius. Instead of making measurements on a true herni-
spherical surface, see IEEE Std 85-1973 (R 1980) [8], 2.6 and 2.7, which proposes
that measurements be made on a prescribed surface surrounding the machine.
Also see Figs Wa), (b), and ( c ) which show the prescribed measurement points.
2.4.2.6 Sound-Pressure Level for a Directional Source. When we know
the directivity factor for the direction of interest, we can use it as a multiplying
factor on the power. Expressed in terms of level, Eq 14 is as follows:
SPL = PWL+lO log Q -20 log r -11 dB (Eq 14)

In terms of the directivity index Eq 15 is as follows:

SPLH = PWL+DZ -20 log r -11 dB

Fig 8
( c ) Prescribed Points, Large Horizontal Machines
h = shaft height or 0.3 m, whichever is greater
x= key measuring points
O = measuring points marked off at intervals of 1 m t 0.25 m from key points
d = 1 m or greater from major machine surfaces
(c)

38
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Equation 15 relates the power level of the source, the sound-pressure level in
a given direction at a distance T meters from the source, and the directivity
index for that direction.
2.4.3 Effect of Reflections in a Room. The sound that a noise source radi-
ates in a room is reflected by the walls, floor, and ceiling. The reflected sound
will again be reflected when it strikes another boundary, with some absorption
of energy. at each reflection. The result of these reflections is that the sound-
pressure level measured at a distance from the source is different from that
predicted by Eqs 8 and 9.
Close to the source of sound there is little effect from these reflections, since
the direct sound dominates. But far from the source, unless the boundaries are
very absorbing, the reflected sound dominates, and this region is called the
reverberant field. The sound-pressure level in this region depends on the acous-
tic power radiated, the size of the room, and the acoustic absorption char-
acteristics of the materials in the room. These factors and the directivity
characteristics of the source also determine the region over which the transition
between reverberant and direct sound occurs.
A second effect of reflected sound is that measured sound does not necessar-
ily decrease steadily as the measuring position is moved away from the source.
At certain frequencies in a room with hard walls, marked patterns of variations
of sound pressure with position can be observed. These patterns are called
standing waves. They are noticeable mainly when the sound source has strong
frequency components in the vicinity of one of the very many possible reso-
nances of the room. They also are more likely to be observed when a frequency
analysis is made; and the narrower the bandwidth of the analyzer, the more
marked these variations will be.
The acoustical boundary conditions of ordinary rooms are extraordinarily
complicated, and most sound sources are also complicated. The result of this
complexity is that without advanced computer methods, only an average type of
description can be used. Even a rough approximation can be useful, however,
and we shall review briefly some of the work on room characteristics as it
applies to the sound produced by a source in a room.
2.4.4 Effective Room Absorption and Absorption Coefficient. To simplify
the analysis of the effect of the room, it is assumed that enough measurements
are made so that any standing wave patterns can be averaged. A number of
other assumptions are made, and then a relation of the form shown can be
developed.

SPL = PWL+lO log ( E2+i)

8 dB

where
Q = directivity factor
r = distance from the sound source, m
R = effective room absorption (room constant), square meters or metric
sabins and defined by Eq 17.

39
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

where
S = room area (m2)
-
E = average absorption coefficient

The average absorption coefficient is given by Eq 18.

-
x = x, SI+ x 2 s, + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x n Sn
s, +s,+ .............. Sn

where
absorption coefficients of all materials in the room
m I , x,, x n =
S,, S,, S , = corresponding areas of various materials

When a sound wave strikes a surface, a certain portion of the incident energy
is absorbed. The sound-absorbing ability of a material is called the absorption
coefficient. By definition true absorption coefficients range from 0 to 1. When
E = 0 all the energy is reflected, when 0~ = 1 all the energy is absorbed.

Absorption coefficients vary with material, frequency, and angle of incidence

of the sound. Typical values are shown in Table 5. At frequencies above approx-
imately 2000 Hz, the sound absorption in the air in a very large room is often

Table 5
Absorption Coefficients of Various Materials
Used in Acoustical Wall Treatment

Wall Treatment Center Freauencv (Hz)

Facing: Core** 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 NRC***

None 1 in FW 0.06 0.20 0.65 0.90 0.95 0.98 0.70
None 3 in FW 0.53 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.95
None 1 in TIW 0.11 0.33 0.70 0.80 0.86 0.85 0.65
None 3 in TIW 0.46 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.99 0.95
f in pegboard 1 in FW 0.08 0.32 0.99 0.76 0.34 0.12 0.60
a in pegboard 1 in TIW 0.08 0.41 0.99 0.82 0.26 0.32 0.60
Perforated Metal 2 in FW 0.18 0.73 0.99 0.99 0.97 0.93 0.95
(24 ga, 13% open)
4 in Soundblox 0.19 0.83 0.41 0.38 0.42 0.40 0.50
Spray-on-$ in thick 0.04 0.04 0.20 0.39 0.60 0.81 0.30
S p r a y - o n 4 in thick 0.26 0.51 0.98 0.99 0.95 0.86 0.85

* $ in pegboard = perforated holes 1 in oc

"FW = Owens-Corning Fiberglass Wool
TIW = Thermal Insulating Wool
***NRC = Noise reduction coefficient = average of 250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, and 2000 Hz
absorption coefficients to the nearest 0.05 Hz

40
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

enough to affect the room constant appreciably. This absorption increases with
frequency, and it varies markedly with humidity and temperature. The absorp-
tion at normal room temperatures is a maximum at relative humidities in the
range of 10%-30%.
Another item that affects the absorption properties of a material is the
method of mounting. For a porous-type absorber, the space between it and the
wall will increase the absorption as the space is increased.
If the absorption coefficients of the materials in the room are not known, the
room constant can be determined from measurements of the reverberation time
of the room. The reverberation time is the time for the sound-pressure level in a
room to deteriorate by 60 dB or of its original value. The value of R is given
by Eq 19.

R = 0.16 ( V / T )

where
V = volume of the test room, m3
T = reverberation time of the test room, s

The relation given in Eq 16 can be shown grar ically in Fig 9 for the non-

Fig 9
Sound-Pressure Level (SPL) Relative to the Power Level (PWL)
for a Nondirectional Source for Different Values of the Room
Constant R , as a Function of the Distance from the Source
METERS

+5

0
v)

w
m
U
-5
I
U
_I

-10

::
21
m_I
E& -lE

0
z
3

w
w -2c
?
4
= -2

-3c
05 07 1 2 3 4 5 7 10 20 30 40 50 70 100

DISTANCE F R O M ACOUSTIC CENTEH

OF A N O N D I R E C T I O N A L SOURCE I N FEET = r

41
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

METERS
2 5 10 20

05 0.7 1 2 3 4 5 7 10 20 30 40 50 70 100
DISTANCE FROM ACOUSTIC CENTER
O F A S O U R C E IN F E E T = r

NOTE: The relation is shown for three different values of the room constant R, and for
the six different values of the directivity factor 9.

Fig 10
Sound-Pressure Level (SPL) Relative t o t h e Power Level (PWL)
for a Directional Source as a Function of t h e Distance
from t h e Source

directional source and in Fig 10 for the directions having the labeled values of
directivity factor.
2.4.5 Reverberant Field. The graphs of Figs 9 and 10 show that close to the
source the sound-pressure level tends to vary with the distance from the source
as it does under free-field conditions (R = CO).But far from the source the
sound-pressure level becomes independent of the directivity of, and the distance
to, the source. This region is called the reverberant field, Here, the level is
determined by the acoustic power radiated by the source and the acoustic char-
acteristics of the room. The region through which the transition between the
free field and the reverberant field gradient occurs is determined by the direc-
tivity factor and the effective room absorption.
In terms of Eq 16 in the reverberant field, far from the source, T is large and
therefore the directivity term can be neglected; Eq 16 becomes, for such a field

42
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

4
SPL = PWL+lO log - dB
R

Solving for the power level

PWL = SPL+lO log R -6

Equations 19 and 20 are useful in calculating the sound-power level of a sin-

gle source based on sound-pressure level measurements taken in a reverberant
room.
2.4.6 Actual Room Behavior. In a highly reverberant room, the behavior on
the average is similar to that shown in Figs 9 and 10. Most other rooms have
characteristics that, on the average, fall between the reverberant behavior and
the free-field sound-pressure level decrease of 6 dB for each doubling of the
distance.
The calculations from the simple formula tend to over-estimate the level at a
considerable distance from the source. Much more complicated formulas can
yield values in closer agreement but are tedious unless they are programmed on
a computer. The simple formula is useful for a preliminary estimate of the
expected behavior, particularly if the absorption is small and if no one room
dimension is markedly different from the others.
2.4.7 Reverberation Measurements. See Section 4.

2.5 Sound Propagation Outdoors. Sound waves travel from source to receiver
outdoors through an atmosphere that is in constant motion. Turbulence, temper-
ature and wind gradients, viscous and molecular absorption, and reflection from
the earths surface all affect the amplitude and create fluctuations in the sound
received. The longer the transmission path through the atmosphere, the less
certain the average amplitude and the greater the fluctuations in the sound
receive d.
In addition to the effect of hemispherical divergence (see Eq 9), the excess
attenuation owing to environmental and other conditions may include the fol-
lowing topics given in 2.5.1 through 2.5.5.
NOTE: Frequently it may be difficult to obtain the information needed to determine these excess
attenuation effects. In such cases, it is always conservative practice not to include such effects.

2.5.1 Air Absorption. Air absorption is caused when energy is extracted

from a sound wave by rotational and vibrational relaxation of the oxygen mole-
cules in the air. The vapor content of the air determines the time constant of
the vibration relaxation, which is more important than rotational relaxation. In
addition, the molecular absorption depends, in a major way, on temperature.
See Fig 11.
2.5.2 Fog, Rain, or Snow. There is evidence that absorption due to such
particulate matter in the atmosphere is negligible. The subjective impressions
that one occasionally has of such effects can generally be explained by other
atmospheric properties which accompany the occurrence of precipitation. For

43
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

I l l l I
RELATIVE
OCTAVE BAND HUMIDITY

RELATIVE
HUMIDITY

2o 1 1000 HZ
OCTAVE BAND
1
10 I OCTAVE BAND

- 2000Hz
2o

I OCTAVE BAND
1
0 20 40 60 80 100 0 20 40 60 EO 100

TEMPERATURE ( O F )

Fig 11
Atmospheric Absorption Coefficients for Octave Bands of Noise
for Different Temperatures and Humidities

example, temperature and wind gradients during light precipitation tend to be

small so that sound carries farther outdoors than on a sunny day. Temperature
inversions cause sound to travel farther than when isotropic conditions are
present.
2.5.3 Barriers. Nonporous walls of sufficient mass (at least 20 kg/m2), if
interposed between source and receiver, can result in appreciable noise reduc-
tion, because sound can reach the receiver only by diffraction around the
boundaries of the obstacle. Barrier effects may be caused by either natural ele-
vations (earth berm) or man-made obstacles (buildings).
2.5.4 Foliage. There have been large differences reported in the literature
regarding excess attenuation due to foliage. Generally, any consideration of this
excess attenuation is neglected unless the sound-wave path is through a signifi-
cant distance of foliage (a minimum of 100 ft). In addition, there is wide varia-
tion depending on the nature and density of the vegetation.

44
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

PATHS OF
SO UN D WAVES

SHADOW
ZONE

SOURCE

WIND DIRECTION

SHADOW
ZONE

Fig 12
(a) Influence of Negative Temperature Gradient (Cooler Air
Above) on Bending of Sound Waves Upward (b) Influence of
Positive Temperature Gradient (cooler air below) on
Bending of Sound Waves Downward (c) Influence of Wind
Direction on Bending of Sound Waves, Assuming Typical
Wind Speed Increase with Height Above the Ground

45
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

2.5.5 Atmospheric Inhomogeneities. The speed of sound in air increases

with the square root of the absolute temperature. When the atmosphere is in
motion, the speed of sound is the vector sum of its speed in still air and the
wind speed. The temperature and the wind in the atmosphere near the ground
are almost never uniform. This atmospheric nonuniformity produces gradients
of the speed of sound, and thus refraction of sound-wave paths. Near the
ground, this refraction can have a major effect on the apparent attenuation of
sound propagated through the atmosphere.
A simplifying assumption is a horizontally stratified atmosphere in which tem-
perature and wind speed vary only with height above the ground. During the
daytime, temperature normally decreases with height (lapse), so that sound
waves from a source near the ground are refracted upwards. In the absence of
wind, an acoustic shadow forms around the source [see Fig 12(a)l in which
sound from the source is attenuated. Marked attenuations are observed at
receiving points well into the shadow zone-it is just as if a solid barrier had
been built around the source.
At night a temperature increase with height (inversion) is common near the
ground and our barrier disappears as in Fig 12(b). Under severe inversions,
increases of 5 dB - 15 dB can occur at distances of 1 mi from the source.
Near the ground, wind speed almost always increases with height. Because
the speed of sound is the vector sum of its speed in still air and the wind
vector, a shadow zone can form upwind of the source, but is suppressed down-
wind [See Fig 12(c)l.
The combined effects of wind and temperature are usually such as to create
acoustic shadows upwind of a source, but not downwind. Only under rare cir-
cumstances will a temperature lapse be sufficient to overpower wind effects
and create a shadow surrounding a source. It is less rare, but still uncommon
for a surface inversion to be sufficiently strong to entirely overcome an upwind
shadow.
To determine the amount of excess attenuation due to wind and temperature,
it is necessary to obtain somewhat detailed meteorological data in the area of
interest. Such data may not be available and may require special study.
Environmental impact requirements for new plant construction frequently
require the erection of meteorological towers to monitor various air quality
parameters. Such an installation is an ideal source for the data required in com-
puting excess attenuation factors. Depending upon the data available, various
simplifying assumptions may have to be applied to existing procedures for
determining the excess attenuation effects.

46
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

3. Laws and Regulations

3.1 Introduction Environmental noise problems can include a wide variety of
noise sources and noise environments. One of the first steps in the evaluation of
such problems is to determine compliance with existing laws. This section pro-
vides a summary of the laws as they exist today and which are significant to
power-plant design. Representative state and local regulations are examined.

3.2 Federal Laws

3.2.1 Occupational Noise Exposure Regulations of OSHA. Recognizing the
harmful effects excessive noise can have on the sense of hearing, the federal
government has adopted regulations for limiting occupational noise exposure.
Permissible noise exposures are defined based upon an 8 h workday and expo-
sure to steady sound levels of 90 dB(A) and higher (see [16]). When the noise
exposure consists of a combination of exposures at different levels and for
different durations, a method to calculate a cumulative exposure is also pre-
sented. The regulation further requires that when employee exposure exceeds
permissible limits, feasible administrative or engineering controls should be uti-
lized to reduce exposure within permissible limits. If such controls are unsuc-
cessful, personal protective equipment should be provided for, and used by,
employees to reduce exposure to permissible limits. A hearing conservation pro-
gram is required whenever noise exposure equals or exceeds an 8 h time
weighted average sound level of 85 dB measured on the A-scale slow response.
3.2.2 29 CFR Bulletin 334, Guidelines to the Department of Labors Occu-
pational Noise Standards 1171. This bulletin explains the terms used in federal
occupational noise regulations and what is expected of an employer to comply
with regulations, and describes certain instruments, equipment, and procedures
which will be acceptable as a basis for judging compliance. These guidelines
help overcome some of the confusion in interpreting the Occupational Noise
Regulations of OSHA. They emphasize that the use of personal protective equip-
ment is considered by the Department of Labor to be an interim measure while
engineering and administrative controls are developed. In addition, the char-
acteristics of a continuing effective hearing conservation program are described.
3.2.3 Noise-Control Act of 1972. This act gives the Environmental Protection
Agency responsibility to establish national noise standards for products that
have been identified as major sources of noise. These include construction
equipment, transportation equipment, motors and engines, and electrical and
electronic equipment. Some noise-emission standards for railroads, trucks, and
construction equipment have been promulgated under this act.
3.2.4 Regulatory Guide. NUREG 4.2, Nuclear Regulatory Guide for Prepara-
tion of Environmental Reports for Nuclear Plants [ 101 describes procedures and
criteria for use in the preparation of an environmental report for a nuclear
power plant prior to the issuance of a construction permit or an operating
license. For information on audible noise see [lo], Section 3.9, p 4.2-14,

47
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

ch 3, par 2; Section 4.1, p 4.2-15, ch 4, par 2; and Table 3, p 4.2-55, 4.2.1 and
4.3.1. These sections require an examination of the local population and an iden-
tification of the impact on their environment due to noise.
3.2.5 Department of Housing and Urban Development Environmental
Criteria and Standards [15]. This department provides environmental stan-
dards, criteria, and guidelines for determining project acceptability and for nec-
essary mitigating measures to ensure suitable noise environments. See [ 151.
3.2.6 Environmental Protection Agency [MI. Guidelines to rate the noise
in various receiving areas are provided by the Public Health and Welfare Cri-
teria for Noise. Information on Levels of Environmental Noise Requisite to Pro-
tect Public Health and Welfare with an Adequate Margin of Safety is also
provided.

3.3 Representative State and Local Regulations

3.3.1 State of Illinois [13]. In 1973, the Illinois Pollution Control Board
adopted rules and regulations pertaining to audible noise under [13], Ch 8, Noise
Regulations. Permissible octave-band noise levels at the boundary lines of prop-
erty are specified according to land use. In some cases, daytime and nighttime
levels are specified. Also included are regulations for impulsive sound and for
so-called prominent discrete tones. A-scale sound levels corresponding to the
octave-band pressure levels range from 45 dB to 70 dB depending upon source
land use and adjacent land use. It is interesting to note that for some cases the
State Code is more restrictive than the City of Chicago ordinance. See 3.4.2.
3.3.2 State of New York [121. In 1973, the State of New York adopted Rules
of Procedure regarding certification for Major Steam Electric Generating Noise,
[la], Part 75. These rules basically require
(1) Measurement and documentation of ambient noise levels around the site
(2) Estimates of the effects of site construction and plant operation on
ambient noise levels with particular attention to areas of adjacent land use
(3) An evaluation of the impact of site construction on ambient noise levels
(4) An evaluation of the effects of plant operation and maintenance on
ambient sound levels
The format of the information to meet these requirements will include tabulated
data, graphic data, and overlays of the area showing ambient and projected
sound-level contours.

3.4 Local Ordinances

3.4.1 City Noise Ordinances. The magazine, Sound and Vibration, [ 141 peri-
odically updates a listing of municipal noise regulations covering various catego-
ries from emission sources to land use.
3.4.2 Chicago Noise Ordinance [ll1. The most publicized municipal ordi-
nance is probably the Chicago ordinance. For over 20 years, this ordinance
specified permissible octave-band pressure levels at the boundary lines of zoned
districts. In 1971, a new ordinance was passed and included noise-emission lim-
its for motor vehicles, construction equipment, recreational vehicles, and other
noise producing devices. A condensed summary of the regulations has been
prepared by the Department of Environmental Control, City of Chicago.

48
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

3.5 Summary. For the construction and operation of power generating sta-
tions, there are two types of noise regulations with which the designer should
become familiar
(1) In-plant or occupational noise regulations to prevent noise-induced hear-
ing loss
( 2 ) Out-plant or community regulations to limit the effects of site noise on
the noise environs of the surrounding community
Occupational noise regulations specify limits of exposure to A-weighted sound
levels, require reduction of noise exposure by engineering controls (reduce
level) or administrative controls (reduce exposure time), and allow provision
and use of hearing protection devices. Community regulations limit noise emis-
sions from a building or site, specify C-weighted/A-weighted or octave-band lev-
els, and can include provisions for various types of noise such as impulse, tonal,
and steady. The trend in community regulations is toward more restrictive lev-
els and more detailed measurements. In addition to the specification of permis-
sible levels at the plant boundaries, some provisions are made to examine the
existing ambient levels, to determine the statistical distribution of these levels
with frequency of occurrence, and to predict the effects of plant operation on
ambient environmental noise. Conformance with these regulations does not
guarantee freedom from complaints, especially where noise sources exhibit
strong tonal characteristics. The first step in developing noise-control procedures
for a power station should be an examination of applicable noise regulations.

49
 IEEE
Std 640-1985

4. Measurement of Sound
4.1 Introduction
4.1.1 Audible sound data in and around power stations are obtained primarily
(1) To determine if sound levels are excessive for employees hearing and
comfort
(2) To control exterior noise to avoid community annoyance
(3) To identlfy the sources of noise in a given acoustic environment
4.1.2 The basic considerations when measurements of sound are made are as
follows:
(1) Sound level and its frequency
(2) Characteristics of the noise source, steady or nonsteady; directivity of the
source
(3) Acoustic environment and measurement locations
In outdoor measurements, wind is an additional factor to be considered. The
measurements should be made while the source is operating at its normal oper-
ating condition. The normal operating condition may vary with the time of day
and night and also the time of year (summer - winter).

4.2 Power-Plant Environments. The sound pressure observed in the vicinity

of a source is influenced by the acoustic environment in which the source is
operating. Hence an understanding of the environment is essential to meaningful
sound measurements. There are three basic acoustical environments (see Sec-
tion 2).
(1) Free
(2) Reverberant
(3) Semireverberant
In the following subsections the characteristics of these three fields are
presented briefly for continuity.
4.2.1 Free Field and Free Field above a Reflecting Floor. These environ-
ments, also called the direct field, are free of undesirable reflection and there-
fore allow for direct interpretation of data. Under ideal conditions, the sound-
pressure level varies inversely with the distance from the source in the free
field, that is, a decrease of 6 dB each time the distance from the acoustic center
of the source is doubled. Due to nonideal conditions, the actual decrease in
level may be lower.
4.2.2 Reverberant Field. This condition is one in which the sound intensity
is predominantly due to reflected sound energy. If the sound energy density is
uniform throughout the field, the reverberant field is called a diffuse field. In
power plants, the field near the walls of the turbine hall and other enclosed
spaces may resemble the reverberant field.
4.2.3 Semireverberant Field. At any point within this field, the sound-
pressure level may be considered to be the resultant of two coincident sound
fields: the direct field and the reverberant field.
Most of the indoor measurements in power plants are made in the semirever-

51
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

berant environment. Hence, environmental corrections may be needed to deter-

mine the sound radiated by the equipment.
4.3 Types of Measurements. Power-plant noise measurements can be cate-
gorized as follows:
(1) Measurements related to ambient and source noise
(2) Measurements related to personnel exposure
(3) Measurements related to community annoyance
The environment affects each of these types of measurements in a different
fashion. Hence, the techniques and precautions vary with the type of measure-
ment.
4.3.1 Measurements Related to Ambient and Source Noise
4.3.1.1 Measurements of Ambient Noise. Measurements of ambient noise
are commonly made outdoors and indoors. The observed sound pressure is usu-
ally a superposition of the sound pressures generated by many sources at differ-
ent locations. In this type of measurement, it is the total sound pressure that is
of interest rather than the sound pressure generated by any of the individual
sources. While measuring the sound radiated by a source, the background noise
level should be subtracted from the sound level measured near the source.
If the difference is 3 dB or less, the sound-pressure level due to the source
cannot be properly separated from the background noise. In such a case, reduc-
ing the background noise by the use of temporary barriers or partitions should
be considered. Barriers are generally not practical for large-volume rooms such
as the main turbine deck or for large sources such as boilers.
When the noise source is operating in a room with hard surfaces, the sound-
pressure level measured around the source may have a significant contribution
from the reverberant sound. There are two practical choices to reduce the
reverberant contribution
(1) Increase surface absorption
(2) Near-field measurement
The relation between surface absorption and the buildup of reverberant
sound is discussed thoroughly in Section 2. The free-field region around the
source that is ideal for source measurement increases with absorption. It is
difficult to specify exactly how much the absorption should be increased or
how it can be increased. After the surface treatment, one should traverse the
sound field to determine the variation of sound level with distance. In a power
plant, even after increasing the wall absorption, ideal free-field conditions may
not be attained because different sources in close proximity are simultaneously
radiating sound in the confined spaces. It is advisable to make reverberation
time measurements so that the measured sound levels can be corrected, if nec-
essary, for any reverberant contribution.
4.3.1.2 Near Field of the Source. See Section 2. Near field of the source is
that region in its immediate vicinity where the resemblance to the free-field
behavior, that is, the decrease of sound level with distance away from the
source, is not evident. The contribution of the reverberant sound in this region
is negligble. Though the measurements in the near field do not give a true

52
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

sound-power level of the source, they still provide very useful sound-level data.
The sound levels measured within a distance of 0.25 m from the major surfaces
of the source can be considered as near-field measurements.
Another technique to reduce the contribution of reverberant noise and at the
same time minimize the influence of nearby noise sources is to use directional
microphones. A directional microphone has the same response as the conven-
tional, omnidirectional microphone for sound waves which are incident perpen-
dicular to its diaphragm. Its response falls off for oblique incidences. Thus even
for measuring locations in the semireverberant field, the microphone will essen-
tially sense the direct sound field if it is pointed at the acoustic center of the
source.
Such a microphone however needs to be used with some degree of caution.
The frequency response of directional microphones is typically not as good as
that of conventional microphones. Therefore, some low- and high-frequency
sounds may not be accurately sensed. The user shall be aware of the frequency-
response limitations of any unit used so as to judge its adequacy for the
intended applications. Also, there are no convenient on-site calibrators that can
be used to adjust the microphone amplifiers to read out absolute sound levels.
A correction chart, tailored to each microphone system, can be used to facilitate
determination of these levels. The greatest utility of directional microphones is,
thus, for the identification of noise sources and relative measurements of the
noise levels of several sources.
4.3.1.3 Measurement Locations. Measurement locations depend on the
reasons for obtaining the data, which usually are
(1) To determine compliance with a purchase specification
(2) To determine the contributions of the equipment to the overall noise level
To determine the compliance with a purchase specification, the measure-
ments should be made according to the appropriate noise standard. In a case
when an existing standard is not suitable for equipment operating in a power-
plant noise environment, or there is no suitable standard for the equipment, the
measurement locations and the operating conditions should be agreed upon
beforehand. Near-field in-situ measurements under normal operating conditions
will suffice in these conditions.
In general, measurements to determine the contribution of the equipment to
the overall noise level will depend upon the equipment itself, the overall noise
level, and the ability to determine the background noise. Equipment noise
should be measured in its direct field, if possible, at meaningful locations. For
example, for rotating machinery, measurements are recommended on its axis
level, at the shaft ends, on top of the machine, and on both sides of the machine
on its center line perpendicular to the axis. A series of sound-level contours are
also recommended around the machine by recording levels at various distances
in all directions. If these contours exhibit a directional pattern, some additional
measurements should be taken to understand the cause of directionality. On
large equipment, for example, turbine generators and boilers, some additional
measurements may be needed near the couplings, burners, steam leaks, etc.

53
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Hence, the measurement locations vary with the sources and their environment.
There are published standards that can serve as a guide to determine the
number of key measuring positions around a piece of equipment, microphone
location, and its height above the floor. In most cases, the maximum sound level
of the machinery has to be determined. This can be done by walking around the
equipment holding the microphone at approximately 1.5 m above the ground,
and observing the scale for the maximum reading. Caution shall be exercised
when measuring equipment, such as boiler feed pumps, which produces audible
discrete tones. Standing-wave interferences or large spatial variations in sound
pressure are frequently produced by sound sources that radiate audible tones,
and these are particularly pronounced in indoor locations. To reduce the influ-
ence of localized interferences, the microphone may be moved rapidly (a mini-
mum of 1 cycle per second) in a vertical plane approximately -1-0.3 m from each
location.
4.3.2 Noise Exposure Measurements Related to Personnel. The measure-
ments are made primarily to determine the noise exposure of plant personnel
and therefore should concentrate on the major noisy areas which are critical,
that is, 90 dB(A) and higher. According to current OSHA regulations, the guiding
factor in establishing the noise exposure measuring locations in the plant area
should be the path traveled most frequently by the personnel who get most
noise exposure in the plant.
4.3.3 Measurements Related to Community Annoyance. Sound will usually
be measured at the power-plant property boundaries or at the points of com-
plaint or annoyance. There are no set rules established to determine how many
measuring locations are required around the plant perimeter, although four loca-
tions are considered the minimum. The number depends upon the location and
orientation of the plant, local regulations, and the proximity of the residential
areas.
The purpose of the measurements is to characterize the noise at the selected
locations. Measurements shall be made over a period of time sufficient to reflect
the true time variation of the noise level. Statistical distribution noise measure-
ments may be made manually or by using automatic equipment. A manual
method of statistical noise measurement is described in [20]. Automatic
monitoring equipment is available on the market.
The following descriptors are used to describe the temporal distribution of
noise with time:
(1) Decile 4 is a noise level exceeded a given percentage of time with the
percentage indicated by the subscript
( 2 ) Equivalent sound L,Q is the continuous noise energy average of a fluctuat-
ing noise level
(3) Day-night sound bNis the halevel over a 24 h period with a weighting
factor applied for nighttime levels between the hours of 10 pm and 7 am
(4) Community noise equivalent level (CNEL) is the LQlevel over a 24 h
period with a weighting factor applied for evening hours from 7 pm to 10 pm
and another weighting factor applied for the period from IO pm to 7 am

54
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

The b,,,and bNdescriptors are recommended by the EPA to assess long-

term effects on the health and welfare of the public.

4.4 Recording the Acoustic Environment and Test Equipment Char-

acteristics. When making sound-pressure level measurements, the acoustic
environment should be noted so that the measured levels can be corrected for
the influence of the environment. The mechanical characteristics of the source
should be noted so that noise generation mechanisms can be determined from
the analysis of the acoustic data. Some of the important parameters which
describe the acoustic environment and test equipment characteristics are listed
in the following subsections:
4.4.1 Acoustic Environment. The location of machinery; dimensions and
description of the test area; location of the reflecting surfaces; room constant of
the test area; and presence of standing waves. Site descriptions for outdoor
sites (that is, wind speed direction, relative humidity, temperature, topography
of the surroundings, etc); background noise, presence of nearby sources, and
normal ambient.
4.4.2 Equipment Characteristics. The description of the machine; mounting
of the machine; operating conditions (rotating speed, flow velocity); variation of
the operating conditions with the output of the equipment; and add-on-noise
control features, if any.
If the subject equipment is a component of another equipment system, the
above characteristics of the latter should also be noted, for example, boiler feed
pump and its drive, turbine, and generator.
4.4.3 Acoustic Instrumentation and Measurement Locations. The instru-
mentation used in the measurement of noise should be described and also their
calibration and attenuator settings. The quality of the data obtained depends
upon the precision of the instrumentation and its proper operation. Microphone
location and orientation with respect to some reference on the equipment,
acoustic center, and geometric center should be noted for each measurement.
The type of measuring equipment used and the detail of the data obtained
should be adequate for their intended use. It should be remembered that
detailed data (such as octave bands rather than sound level) can be obtained
quite easily and prove quite useful.

4.5 Instrumentation for the Measurement and Analysis of Sound. Two

basic instrumentation schemes are described below. Scheme A is for direct on-
the-site readout. Scheme B records the data for detailed laboratory analysis.

Scheme A

Microphone
Sound level meter Octave band or one- Readout
or its equivalent third octave-band
filter set

55
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Scheme B

Microphone
Sound-level meter
or its equivalent Tape recorder
Frequency analyzer Display
The instrumentation should meet the requirements of the latest edition of
applicable ANSI or ASA standards.
4.5.1 Sound-Level Meter. The sound-level meter is the basic instrument for
measuring sound levels. It consists of a microphone, an amplifier, an attenuator,
and an indicating meter. Most sound-level meters provide filter networks so that
the A-, B-, and C-weighted levels can be read off the meter. Some sound-level
meters have data analyzing capacity in one or one-third octave bands, can meas-
ure impulse noise, and can be used in conjunction with a tape recorder to store
the data.
Various degrees of precision and accuracy are required in practical measure-
ment of sounds of various kinds for different purposes. There are three basic
types of sound-level meters
Type 1 - Precision
Type 2 - General purpose
Type 3 - Survey
Their performance requirements become progressively less stringent, proceeding
from Type 1 to Type 3. The sound-level meters should meet the requirements of
ANSI S1.4-1983 [3].
The microphone should be carefully selected to suit the acoustic environ-
ment. Consideration should be given to the environment, the expected range of
sound-pressure levels, the desired frequency response, directional char-
acteristics of the microphone, and its physical size and shape. For most of the
acoustic measurements in power plants, a + inch condenser microphone or
equivalent is suitable. Sometimes it is impossible or impractical for an observer
to be near the microphone. In such cases, an extension cable is used to connect
the microphone to the instrument. To minimize the cable effects, the micro-
phone should be mounted directly on a preamplifier, and the sound-level meter
should be calibrated as a system, including the cables.
4.5.2 Frequency Analyzers. The distribution of sound energy versus fre-
quency is needed for identifying the noise-generation mechanism, or for pre-
scribing the noise-control treatment and to evaluate its effectiveness, or both.
Instruments performing this function are known as analyzers. Analyzers deter-
mine the sound-pressure levels in different frequency bands covering the audio
range. The bands are usually identified by their center frequencies. Most com-
mon-frequency analyzers are of the constant percentage bandwidth type. These
include octave, one-half octave, and one-third octave band analyzers, the band-
width decreasing progressively from octave to one-third octave bands. If further
detailed analysis of the data is required, a constant bandwidth can be selected
between 2 Hz and 200 Hz, and the whole audio range traversed. The choice of
the analyzer used depends upon the information required. For example, if the

56
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

sound spectrum is essentially flat, not much is gained by resorting to a one-third

octave band or a narrow band analysis.
4.5.3 Tape Recorders. A tape recorder is an important tool in the acquisition
and analysis of data. The data are stored on magnetic tapes which can be ana-
lyzed in detail in the laboratory. The data-storing aspect can be especially con-
venient for the measurement and analysis of single-occurrence events such as
sound from the blow-off valves.
A tape recorder is also convenient to analyze the transient noise, for example,
to understand how the noise spectrum of a control valve varies with load on the
turbine.
It is important that the tape recorder does not distort the original noise data
during playback. It should also have low electrical noise so that low sound-
pressure levels can be recorded and reproduced. The accuracy of the recorder
should be within the specifications of the sound-level meter, or its equivalent,
used in conjunction with it. The attenuator settings on the tape recorder should
be noted while recording the data. Some recorders have a voice track separate
from the data track. This is very desirable because voice notes can be recorded
without interrupting the data recording.
4.5.4 Graphic Level Recorder. A graphic level recorder can make a continu-
ous record of the sound level measured by the sound-level meter or by a fre-
quency analyzer. Thus, the variation of the sound with time can be monitored. A
special case of monitoring the time variation of sound-pressure level is the
measurement of reverberation time. The graphic recorder can also be used to
obtain the frequency spectrum of a steady sound signal when used in conjunc-
tion with a frequency analyzer.

57
 IEEE
Std 640-1985

5. Sources of Noise and Spectra Examples

5.1 Introduction. The basic mechanism by which noise is generated is the for-
mation of a sound wave when the volume of air or gas or a solid body
occupying a given region is changed very rapidly. Noise and vibration sources
are forms of mechanical energy which creates this basic mechanism.
Noise-producing mechanisms may be categorized into one of four classifica-
tions
(1) Aerodynamic (moving gases and liquids)
( 2 ) Dynamic (rotating, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms)
(3) Force (impact)
(4) Explosion (combustion processes)
With mechanical equipment, some noise is essentially unavoidable. Table 6
presents common mechanical equipment and the characteristics of their sound
or vibration.

5.2 Plant Noise Sources. Sound sources in and around power stations contrib-
ute to the overall plant noise level with different energy levels, spectra, and
radiation characteristics. Power-plant noise sources can be produced in some
instances and locations within the plant by a single piece of equipment or any
array of different pieces or multiple pieces of essentially identical equipment.
Table 7 lists sound producing equipment which make up a power station and
attempts to identify the major noise-producing components, their internal and
external contribution to the plant, sound producing mechanisms, and opera-
tional period of significant sound contribution.
Specific sources of noise and the contribution of these sources to the A-
weighted sound level require extensive engineering noise surveys using fre-
quency selective instruments which include octave, one-third octave, and
narrow-band analyzers. The octave-band analysis may describe the inherent
sound characteristics of a single piece of equipment. However, when multiple
pieces of equipment, pure tones, or widely varying levels are involved, the pre-
ferred method is the use of one-third octave band analysis or narrower-band
analysis. An example of different types of analyses for the same sound source is
provided in Fig 31.
The most significant contributors to overall power-plant noise and personnel
noise exposure are coal mills, boiler feed pumps, forced draft fans, induced
draft fans, seal air fans, primary air fans, air compressors, pressure-reducing
stations, turbine-generators with accessories, and in some cases auxiliary equip-
ment drives such as motors and turbines. In any plant survey and noise-control
program, it is important to isolate and identify the noise sources and significant
noise problem contributors. Identification and an understanding of the noise-
producing mechanism in the various equipment will be beneficial.

5.3 Rotating Turbo-Machinery. This equipment category includes forced draft

fans (backward-curved airfoil), induced draft fans (backward-curved airfoil or

59
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

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65
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

radial), axial forced draft fans, steam turbines, boiler feed pumps, air com-
pressors, and various pumps. Generally, the forced draft fans and boiler feed
pumps are the noisiest pieces of equipment in the power plant although the
main turbo-generator contributes significantly to the overall indoor plant noise
environment and air compressors and pumps influence more localized areas in
the plant.
5.3.1 Fans. Fan noise occurs when blades exert fluctuating forces on the air.
Each time a blade passes a point on its rotational path, an impulse is delivered
to the air at that point. The repetitive rate of this impulse called the blade
passing frequency determines the fundamental tone of this type of noise. This
rotation, or blade noise, is basic to all types of fans. Fan blades are also a major
source of vortex noise. When a blade moves through the air, a pressure gradient
is built up across the blade causing separation and giving rise to eddy formation
and vortex shedding. The first mechanism forms a discrete noise related to rev-
olutions per minute (r/min) and the second forms a more random noise which
is primarily associated with turbulence and a resultant broadband noise spec-
trum. The same mechanisms apply to all centrifugal fans; however, radial blade
fans are generally noisier and exert a predominant blade frequency tone that
can be extremely objectionable. The fundamental tone or 1st harmonic of the
axial flow fan is usually twice the frequency of an equivalent centrifugal fan.
Airborne noise generated by the fan impeller radiates through the intake and
discharge openings and the fan housing. Noise may also be radiated as a result
of resonance of fan housings and ducts since the aerodynamic noise from the
fan contains all possible frequencies in the audible range with which to excite
any mechanical resonant system at its natural frequencies of vibration.
5.3.2 Steam Turbine-Generator. The steam turbine is a significant noise
contributor in the power plant. Due to its size, operating environment, and mul-
titude of potential sources, its generated noise is particularly difficult to assess.
Identification of major sources of sound produced by fossil or nuclear steam
turbine-generator units can be found within the steam admission valves, steam
piping, turbines, couplings, generator, and exciter.
Most steam turbine-generator noise is created by friction, impact, turbulence,
imbalanced rotating parts, pressure drops, mass flow, magnetic attraction, or
other motions related to the change in velocity of moving parts. Flow-related
sources account for the majority of middle-to-high frequency noise emitted by a
turbine-generator. Low-frequency noise is created by rotor imbalance and fluc-
tuating electromagnetic forces.
The sound-pressure levels near the low-pressure turbine and generator vary
only a few decibels with load. Near the high-pressure turbines larger variations
are possible.
High-pressure ratios across the turbine-control valves will produce very high
sound levels near the high-pressure turbine. As the load on the unit increases,
the pressure ratio across the valve decreases until, at some point, the steam
noise produced is primarily the result of flow noise instead of valve noise in the
piping system.

66
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Near the low-pressure turbine and generator, the sound levels remain fairly
constant with load. The constant volumetric steam-flow through the crossover
pipes (if used) across the entire load range sets the sound level in these areas.
Valves and piping systems radiate sound in the most sensitive frequency
ranges of 250 Hz-4000 Hz. Steam-turbine control valves of fossil turbines gen-
erally have not proven to be a dominant noise source, although noise problems
have existed, such as valve instabilities leading to chattering and mechanically
generated noise. The first generation nuclear turbine control valves produced
high noise levels when the valves were operating under choked conditions and
have become more prominent than fossil turbines. This is due partly to differ-
ences between partial-load characteristics of fossil and nuclear turbines and
their respective operating procedures. Largely, it is due to differences between
fossil and nuclear control-valve construction.
The typical fossil turbine with partial arc admission has two steam chests,
each containing three or four control valves. Each valve feeds one segment of
the nozzle chamber in the turbine. The throat diameter of these valves is typ-
ically in the range of 100 mm-150 mm. Structural walls are very thick. Full arc
admission, throttle control valves on the larger supercritical fossil turbines are
similar to nuclear turbine valve arrangements but still exhibit the thicker wall
characteristics of fossil turbines.
The first generation nuclear turbines, with their much lower steam pressures,
require approximately five times as much volumetric flow as fossil turbines of
the same power output. Because of this increased flow rate, a completely differ-
ent configuration had to be chosen. The nuclear turbines have four individual
control valves and comparatively their walls are much thinner than fossil
valves. The throat diameter of these valves presently ranges up to approx-
imately 500 mm.
Turbine-control valve noise is a function of the velocity immediately down-
stream from its throat and the mass flow. The noise generated within the valve
propagates down the pipe toward the turbine, and exhibits essentially a line
source of sound power per unit length.
Steam piping is one of the major sources of turbine-generator system noise.
Piping systems not only radiate sound produced by valves, they also radiate the
hydrodynamic pressure fluctuations impinging on their walls due to the tur-
bulent fluid. Steam flow through a complex piping system involving joints,
bends, constrictions, etc, may result in fluid excitation that can cause structural
resonances in the piping system.
The moisture separator-reheater is also a possible source of noise in nuclear
units. This stationary device mechanically separates moisture from the steam
and then reheats and discharges it to the low-pressure turbine inlet. Airborne
sound is generated by the flow of steam through this device.
The basic generators of noise inside the steam turbine are rotor imbalance
and the interaction between rotating and stationary blades. As the rotating
blades in a turbine pass the upstream stationary blades, they are acted upon by
a periodic steam force at the stationary blade passing frequency. This force may

67
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

excite various modes of vibration in the rotating blades. Similarly, stationary

blades are subjected to pulsations from the passing of the rotating blades, and
can be excited into vibration.
In isolated cases, turbine blade passing frequencies have been detected; how-
ever, they do not contribute significantly to the overall noise level.
Fluctuating electromagnetic forces are the main contributors to noise in a
generator. Magnetic forces result from the interactions between magnetic fields
and electrical current, and every rotating electrical machine has some vibration
due to magnetic forces. Most of these forces originate in, or near, the air gap of
the machine. Magnetic forces exist only at twice line-frequency in an ideal
machine.
Aerodynamic noise resulting from the high-surface velocity of the rotor or
ventilation noise from the exciters sometimes reaches unacceptable noise levels.
Consequently, the dB(A) sound level of the steam turbo-generators is flow-
related noise with control valves and piping as major contributors.

5.3.3 Centrifugal Pumps and Compressors. High-speed centrifugal boiler

feed pumps and soot-blowing air compressors (axial type) are significant con-
tributors to the power-plant noise environment since their capacities and speeds
may be very high compared to other types of pumps or compressors. Their
most important source of noise is turbulence. This turbulence is actually a com-
bination of two effects, that is, vortex shedding and upstream turbulence.
Vortex shedding is explained here. The boundary layer over each blade is
turbulent by the time it reaches the trailing edge. The turbulent layers on the
top and bottom surfaces produce a fluctuation in the lift and this turbulence has
a broad frequency spectrum. The application of a fluctuating'force to a fluid
generates sound at the same frequency; therefore, broadband noise is radiated,
which explains the broadband nature of these centrifugal machines. The fre-
quency of the vortices is proportional to the fluid velocity and inversely propor-
tional to the thickness of the trailing edge. For a particular blade design, the
vortex shedding establishes a lower limit to the broadband noise produced.
When upstream turbulence is present due to improper design, obstructions, or
off-design condition operation, fluctuations are produced which create greater
turbulence and higher noise levels. Turbulence within a centrifugal pump or
compressor casing is at a minimum when the pump is operating in its best
efficiency region, since in this region, flow angles are properly aligned to coin-
cide with wave angles and passageway orientation.
Of the frequencies usually encountered in centrifugal machines, those related
to the basic rotational speed of the pump and the number of impellers (blade-
passing frequency) are identifiable, although very often it is not the major com-
ponent and is partially or completely overshadowed by the sounds due to fluid
turbulence.
High-speed machines are noisier than low-speed units; however, high-speed
compressor noise increases at a greater rate due to speed increases than high-
speed pumps. This is probably because high speed for pumps is usually fairly

68
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

low speed for compressors and because compressors are usually more efficient
noise generators than pumps.

5.4 Flow or Aerodynamic Action. Control valves, pressure-reducing valves,

and other similar devices produce high-intensity noise. Flow-induced noise may
also be generated in pipelines and duct systems and contain mostly middle- and
high-frequency energy.
High-velocity steam or gas which is blown off to the open air or to the con-
denser through blow-off valves, safety valves, or other pressure-relief devices
creates a free jet effect and results in very high noise levels.
5.4.1 Valves. Throttling-type control valves used for flow control and
pressure-reduction applications are generally the primary sources of noise radi-
ated by piping systems. Noise generation by valves is caused by any of the
following distinct and different noise phenomena emanating from a control
valve:
(1) Noise induced by mechanical vibration
(2) Noise produced by cavitating liquids
(3) Noise caused during aerodynamic throttling
These noise sources should be understood so far as their generating mech-
anism is concerned. Only then can effective evaluation be made of a noisy valve
problem. Mechanical vibration noise seldom happens simultaneously with cav-
itation and aerodynamic noise. If this does occur, the cure of one is usually the
cure of the other.
Noise produced by mechanical vibration involves two mechanisms. The first is
mechanical vibration induced by pulsation of the fluid passing through the valve.
The frequency is usually low, that is, between 50 Hz and 500 Hz. If this turbulence-
induced vibration of the valve trim approaches the natural frequency of the plug-
stem combination, the second mechanism of valve component part resonance can
be initiated. This resonance occurs at frequencies between 2000 Hz and 7000 Hz.
Cavitation noise is associated with separation of the fluid from the valve sur-
faces and is caused by the flashing of liquid into the gaseous state due to the
reduction in pressure below the vapor pressure of the liquid. Laboratory inves-
tigation indicates noise to be a function of the amount of decrease in down-
stream pressure of the valve beyond the pressure that causes incipient
cavitation and the difference between downstream pressure and the liquid vapor
pressure. The peak in cavitation noise can be expected where these two vari-
ables are nearly equal. With present availability of good engineering data, it is
possible to predict quite accurately whether or not a selected valve will cavitate
under a given process condition.
Aerodynamic noise is the most important form of acoustical annoyance so far
as control valves or pressure-reducing valves are concerned. Aerodynamic noise
is a byproduct of the reconversion of kinetic energy through turbulence into
heat downstream of the throttling orifice. There are two basic contributory fac-
tors. One is the terminating shock front of a supersonic jet generating from the
vena contracta (narrowest point) of the valve orifice (at higher-than-critical

69
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

pressure drop). The second comes from the general turbulence of the fluid
boundary and is effective above and below choked flow in the valve orifice.
Regardless of the generating mechanism, the in-pipe valve-generated noise
field is propagated downstream and upstream, and decays very slowly with dis-
tance from the valve. Generally, the mass of the valve wall tends to attenuate
noise generated in the valve. As a result, the piping system itself often becomes
the prime source of externally radiated noise.
5.4.2 Piping. Excluding valve, orifice, or equipment noise the most common
pipeline noise source is the fluid flow itself, particularly with compressible fluids
such as steam and air. The higher the fluid or gas velocity and the lower its
viscosity, the louder the noise. From a system approach, velocity in valves and
piping are contributing factors and lack of design consideration in one area can
negate efforts in the other. Also, contributing to noise sources in piping systems
but usually to a lesser extent are
(1) Water hammer
( 2 ) Valve cavitation
(3) Mechanical vibration
Within the fluid itself, noise originates from either pulsating flow, fluid-wall
interaction, fluid mixing, or shock waves.
Pulsating flow causes the pipe wall to radically expand and contract and thus
generate noise when the pulse cycling falls in the audible range. Common
causes of the pulsations are reciprocating compressors, unstable valves, or sim-
ilar devices.
Fluid-wall interaction occurs when a turbulent steam or gas flow strikes a
pipe or fitting wall and creates a fluctuating force that causes the pipe to
vibrate. This force is usually minor in long, straight pipe runs. Projections or
discontinuities can produce turbulent wakes leading to serious noise conditions.
Fan noise is an example of fluid interaction with a solid surface.
Turbulent mixing of fluids creates a sound that travels outward to the pipe
wall, causing it to vibrate and generate noise. Usually, this occurs downstream
of an orifice or valve where a high-velocity jet mixes with a lower-velocity fluid.
Shock waves, other than those resulting from valves and orifices, can occur in
steam or gas lines when the pressure drop across a restriction exceeds a limit
known as critical pressure drop. Under this so-called choked flow condition,
flow at the vena contracta is sonic and shall inevitably slow down and mix with
the normal-velocity fluid somewhere downstream. This takes place in a short
space, creating a shock wave. Normally, the shock wave fluctuates in intensity
and position, giving rise to vibrations that carry through the pipe wall in the
form of noise.

5.5 Electric Machinery. Noise in electric machinery such as transformers,

motors, and generators is caused by electromagnetic force, mechanical vibra-
tion, and windage.
5.5.1 Motors. Large electric-motor noise has all three basic sources, that is,
windage, electromagnetic field, and mechanical parts.

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Windage can be divided into three categories

(1) Fundamental fan blade frequency and other fundamental frequencies of
rotating parts
( 2 ) Duct noise (mainly a concern with large induction motors)
(3) Broadband noise
The first category is a single-frequency noise produced when a rotating, air-
moving member rotates near stationary obstructions in an otherwise smooth
contour. In the case of a rotor fan, for example, the flow from each blade is
modified as it passes the obstruction, thereby producing a noise frequency equal
to the number of fan blades times running speed. Another example involves the
salient poles of a synchronous machine where the frequency equals the number
of poles times the running speed.
The second category of windage noise is duct noise. This is a pure tone
sound usually in the range of 1000 Hz - 2000 Hz produced by induction motors
that have radial ventilating passages in the rotor and stator. This includes nearly
all open and weather-protected motors larger than 200 hp with the exception of
3600 r/min machines which normally do not have passages in the rotor. The
siren sound is produced by the chopping action of the rotor bars on the ven-
tilating air that passes through the rotor and is exhausted from the stator.
Broadband windage noise is the characteristic air-movement sound produced
by rotating electric machinery. It is generally in the frequency range of 150 Hz -
1200 Hz. Broadband windage noise is caused by air turbulence produced as a
machines fan circulates air through the complex path of rotor, air gap, coil end
turns, stator, and enclosure.
Since windage noise varies approximately as the 5th power of the peripheral
velocity, broadband windage is the major noise source in high-speed machines.
Totally enclosed, fan-cooled motor noise level is also a partichlar problem
because a large external fan with high peripheral velocity is required to provide
adequate cooling.
A second basic source of noise in motors is the electromagnetic field. Forces
are generated that act across the air gap of a machine to produce cyclic distor-
tion or vibration of the stator core. These forces have single-tone frequencies
and generally occur at twice line frequency in ac machines and, in all types of
machines, at frequencies determined by interaction of parameters, such as the
number of rotor and stator slots, number of poles, and flux density. These
forces can be particularly troublesome if they are coincident with resonant fre-
quencies of the stator core or other parts of the motor. Modern technology has
also created solid-state power supplies for dc motors and special controls for
adjustable ac machines. These may contain harmonics of the fundamental fre-
quency that result in more force frequencies than considered in the past. It shall
be remembered that if the machine works there are electromagnetic forces pre-
sent that can cause a noise problem.
The last noise source is mechanical. This includes bearings, brushes,
imbalance, etc. Rotor imbalance as a noise-producing element has been virtually
eliminated by modern balancing equipment and techniques. Sleeve-journal type

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bearings are not a noise contributor, but antifriction bearings may be. The con-
tact between the rolling parts and the stationary parts generates noise at gener-
ally predictable frequencies. The condition of the bearing parts and the
clearances between them are very important considerations. Brush noise is
another mechanical sound determined by the condition and quality of the brush,
its holder, and the rotating contact surface. This may be the prime noise source
in dc motors because of their slotted commutators. Brush noise in large motors
and generators may also be a factor in synchronous machines, but usually it is
of secondary importance.
Typically, the higher speed motors have higher noise levels. This is an effect
of higher peripheral velocities of rotating parts and thus, more windage noise. In
slower speed machines, the noise level is more electromagnetic in origin.
Motor noise level is a function of basic machine parameters. With all other
parameters constant - a higher speed motor will have a higher noise level, a
larger machine will be noisier than a smaller one, and a more enclosed machine
will be quieter than an open noise source.
The type of machine enclosure has a significant influence on the radiated
sound. A totally enclosed fan-cooled motor is the noisiest enclosure because it
utilizes a large external fan for cooling. The dripproof enclosure ranks second
because of the generally exposed parts. The weather protected Type I1
enclosure is quite effective in providing a quieter machine because its air paths
can be effectively treated.
The driven equipment should be a part of the consideration in evaluating the
noise sources present in a power train. In the power-station environment, the
driven equipment includes small generators, pumps, compressors, fans, and in
some cases, a gear box.
Gears tend to produce pure-tone noise in the 500 and 1000 octaves. Friction is
one of the major sources of gear noise. Gear frequency noise consists of the
tooth-passing frequency and a number of higher harmonics, plus other compo-
nents associated with the impacts and structural resonances.
Sound produced by small generators is similar to that of motors and the same
criteria generally apply.

5.5.2 Tranformers. Transformer noise is created principally in the trans-

former core where alternating electromagnetic forces are generated in voltage
transformation which can produce vibration of the core steel. The resultant
vibrations in the core occur at a fundamental frequency of twice the line fre-
quency or 120 Hz for 60 Hz transformers. This is the characteristic hum of a
transformer. Mechanical resonance of the core can further magnify relatively
high levels of harmonics of the initial values of core strain produced by electro-
magnetic forces. Oil-filled core-type transformers may allow their core vibra-
tions to be transmitted to the container or tanks by direct transmission at
points where the core is attached to the tank and through the oil. Since the oil
has a high acoustic impedance, the amplitude of the vibration of the tank wall is
almost the same as that of the core. The efficiency of the tank as a radiator of

72
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

sound depends on the pattern of vibration on its surface at the frequency con-
cerned.
The cooling system on large transformers also produces some noise; however,
it is of low magnitude and normally not a problem.

5.6 Combustion Processes. The noise emitted from combustion systems is of

a complex nature and is determined by the interaction between the energy con-
version mechanism of the flame and the combined acoustic and aerodynamic
character of the installation. The flame-generated noise in a free field has shown
that the acoustic output is essentially broadband in form. Noise generated by
flames and turbulent gas jets can be considered as originating from separate
sources. Generally, flame noise created by firing in a furnace is not a continuous
constant pressure process but a pulsating process which fills the lower part of
the audible frequency spectrum and is one of the forms of energy accompanying
the principal conversion of chemical energy to heat. The extent to which noise
is created is, among other things, dependent on the specific rate of energy
release. Interaction between enclosures and flames also occurs due to combus-
tion instability and the amplitude of the discrete frequency peaks which make a
major contribution to the generated noise.
Furnace noise, apart from burner noise, results from fluctuations in volume of
the burning gas or oil droplets. If a uniform rate of burning can be achieved, the
noise becomes significantly smaller. This fluctuation in the rate of burning can
be aggravated by pressure changes near the burner due to acoustic wave reflec-
tion from the farthest surface. Thus, a very low-frequency rumble can occur.
Any attempt to reduce noise output from a combustion system shall be cou-
pled with some assessment of the noise-generating mechanism. It is essential to
identify whether the noise is combustion generated and whether discrete fre-
quencies due to instability are identifiable in the sound spectrum.
A pulverizer, although not directly associated with the combustion process
noise, is a major part of the fuel delivery system and a significant contributor of
power-plant noise in coal-fired units. Noise generated from the pulverizer sys-
tem is generally produced by the motor driver, ball or bowl grinding and crush-
ing action, couplings, and exhauster or fan. Unbalanced and pyrite interference
within the pulverizer will add significant noise level to the system.
The most significant noise is the low-frequency grinding and crushing action.

5.7 Cooling Towers. The power industry commonly uses hyperbolic natural
draft (counterflow or crossflow) and rectangular multicell or round multifan
mechanical draft cooling towers of the wet evaporative type for the power-plant
condenser cooling. The high degree of splashing inherent in cooling-tower oper-
ation is an important source of noise and is reminiscent of a waterfall. The air
induction fans used in mechanical draft towers are also a potential source of
noise.
In a natural draft crossflow, tower noise is generated by water cascading

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through the packing which is similar in style and arrangement to that of the
mechanical draft tower packing.
In the counterflow natural draft tower, the packing or fill is contained within
the shell of the tower and most of the noise is generated by the water falling
from the bottom of the packing into the basin of the tower.
The tower water-splash noise is generally composed of high-frequency sounds
and increases with increasing water-flow rates. Typical operation of cooling
towers at power stations is at a constant flow rate; therefore, the tower presents
a very constant source of noise. The overall sound power radiated by a mechan-
ical induced-draft cooling tower is determined almost entirely by fan noise and
is related to the power of the tower fans. Total noise radiated by these types of
towers is therefore composed of fan noise at low frequencies and water-splash
noise at high frequencies. For a propeller fan used on cooling towers, the peak
noise level should occur in the frequency band containing the blade passing
frequency which is typically in the lower frequency bands. Round mechanical
draft towers have a concentration of fans at the center that may tend to have a
greater low-frequency influence on the sound spectrum than the fans of a
mechanical rectangular tower.

5.8 Noise-Spectra Examples. Sound-spectra examples of major power-plant

equipment are given in Figs 13 through 30. Inherent sound-spectra char-

Fig 13
Turbine Admission Valves
NOTE: The changing frequency characteristic of the noise from turbine
admission valves is illustrated as a function of load or valve position.
Lowest sound levels are produced at full open valves.

10 dB

T--
w
IX

2w
v)
a
a
w -
zk
w
4 __ -~ -
a

FREQUENCY (Hz)

100% LOAD - ---

259040% LOAD-

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

acteristics of the equipment can be identified in some of the examples; however,

the relative contributions of individual sources in power plants are very difficult
to determine. Sound levels measured close to a piece of equipment or noise
source in the near field can sometimes distinguish its characteristics. The exam-
ples exhibited are taken from many different sources and are in some cases
influenced by other adjacent or close-proximity equipment or noise sources.
Where these characteristics and influences can be identified in spectra pre-
sented, we have attempted to provide an explanation on the exhibited example.
Some of the sound-spectra discontinuities however are unexplainable due to
lack of sufficient data.

Fig 14
Turbine Admission Valves

NOTE: The increase in noise levels near the valve is illustrated after one
valve is closed to a 20% throttling position.

L I

lOdB m
U

FREQUENCY ( H z )
4 VALVES 100% -
3 VALVES 100%
1 VALVE 20% __--
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

10 dB
I l0,dB

-1,
GENERATOR

M LP TURBINE

I , i , ) r("i?
LP T U R B I N E

L-44
IPTURBINE Q

I :
m
HP TURBINE

@ MEASURING POINTS STEAM TURBINE Q MEASURING POINTS STEAM TURBINE

GENERATORS GENERATORS

NOTE: The noise is generally broadband NOTE: The noise is generally broadband
for turbine-generators with some char- for turbine-generators with some char-
acteristic peak at running speed of unit, at acteristic peak at running speed of unit, at
power frequency and at excitation fre- power frequency and at excitation fre-
quency. The data is illustrated in f octave quency. The data is illustrated in f octave
since octave-band data would diop out since octave-band data would diop out
rotational and excitation frequency peak. rotational and excitation frequency peak.

Fig 15 Fig 16
Steam Turbine-Generator Steam Turbine-Generator
Fossil-Fired Plant Nuclear Plant

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

10 dB

a
w
L
I I L
l-
a
1 '1
w
[ r ' 4 ,
I I 1 1

BOWL MILL - - - - - - - - FREQUENCY (Hz)

BALL MILL -

NOTE: Two different types of coal pulverizer spectra in f octave is illus-

trated. Noise from the ball mill has considerable low-frequency content and
is higher in level than noise from comparable sized bowl mill.

Fig 17
Pulverizers

t
lOdB

T-2 W

1
W
[r
3
v)
W
v)

a
LII
W
L
k

W
4
n
31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 200040008000 16000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

NOTE: f octave-band spectra illustrates pumping frequency peak between

1 kHz and 2 kHz. Peak at 300 Hz nearby heater feed pump.

Fig 18
Boiler Feed Pump

77

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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

NOTE: The variation in noise spectra from two different motor drives. The
small unit actually produced higher sound levels and several pure tones
are evidenced by the sawtooth spectra.

Fig 19
Boiler Feed Pump

lOdB Z
D

T-g w
J
w
K
3
v)
w
v)

m.
n
w
3
t
4
w
m

31 5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

NOTE: The variation in noise spectra from two different motor drives. The
small unit actually produced higher sound levels and several pure tones
are evidenced by the sawtooth spectra.

Fig 20
Boiler Feed Pump

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

lOd8
-m
U
I

t> J
W

w
J

W
Lf
3
07
w
(0

Lf
a
w

+I
QI
-
w
Lf

31 5 63 125 250 500 1000 20004000 8000 16 000

FREQUENCY ( H r )

NOTE: The relatively broadband spectrum on noise at the inlet t o this type
fan is illustrated with the somewhat tonal spectrum of noise from the
motor in the 1 kHz and 2 kHz octave.

Fig 21
Forced Draft Fan

t
10 dB

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 16 000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

NOTE: f octave band spectra illustrates blade passage frequency peak at

125 Hz. Peaks between 1 kHz and 2 kHz is noise from drive motor.

Fig 22
Induced Draft Fan

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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

5
J
w
CT
3
v)
W
v)

n
a
w
2
I-
4
w
CT

FREQUENCY (Hz)

NOTE: Octave-band spectrum is illustrated from two different axial fans.

The peak in the 500 Hz octave is a result of the blade passage frequency.

Fig 23
Axial Flow Fan

L
lOdB

7:
>
w
J

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY ( H z )

NOTE: Octave-band spectrum is illustrated from two different axial fans.

The peak in the 500 Hz octave is a result of the blade passage frequency.

Fig 24
Axial Flow Fan

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 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

NOTE: Octave-band data on this centrifugal motor-driven unit illustrates

the somewhat broadband spectrum but contains significant pure tones at
blower frequency at 4 kHz and gear frequency at 250 Hz.

Fig 25
Soot-Blowing Air Compressor

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

100 METERS -
1000 METERS ____
NOTE: Octave-band spectrum illustrated during a venting or relief condi-
tion. The effect on spectrum due t o excess atmospheric attenuation at
frequencies above 500 Hz is very evident at remote measured location.

Fig 26
Boiler Drum Safety Valves

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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

FREQUENCY (Hz)
LOWER DECK----
UPPER DECK -

FREQUENCY (Hz)

NOTE: Burner noise for two different fuels is illustrated. The low-
frequency rumble of the oil-fired burner is quite evident. The coal-fired
burner does not exhibit such low-frequency peak characteristics. The peak
a t 8 kHz is the result of nearby steam or air leak.

Fig 27
Furnace Burners

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

t
10 dB

T--

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

FANSON -
FANS OFF -- - -
NOTE: Octave-band illustrates the predominant noise in the 125 Hz octave.
The effect of noise from fans is most evident above 500 Hz.

Fig 28
Transformer

5.9 Conclusions. Isolation or identification of noisy or potentially noise sound

sources in a power station is essential for a meaningful noise-control program.
Plant sound-producing equipment can be characterized and its sound-producing
mechanism explained and categorized. Relative contributions of individual noise
sources are difficult to assess and sometimes unachievable even by prudent
analysis methods. However, sound-level measurements taken in near field of
equipment with appropriate band analysis can distinguish its characteristic or
discrete influence on the noise environment.
The noise spectra presented provide examples of noise measurement data
which have been obtained in existing power stations and should not be con-
strued as typical for all such equipment. Differences in equipment design, plant
layout, and noise-control features can drastically change the spectra which influ-
ences plant environment.

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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

F R E Q U E N C Y (Hz)

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

NOTE: Towers handling approximately 250 000 g/m at a measurement distance of

24 m. The high-frequency characteristic of the water splash is evident in the spectra.

Fig 29
N D Cooling Towers

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 64@1985

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

NOTE: Rectangular tower of 5 cells handling 90 000 g/m. Round towers handling
172 000 g/m with 16 fans in tower center. Measurements at a distance of 24 m.
Fan noise is quite evident at the low frequencies.

Fig 30
M D Cooling Towers

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Std 640-1985

6. Noise Control in Power-Plant Design

6.1 Introduction. Since retrofit measures are often expensive, inconvenient,

and sometimes impractical, noise-control features should be incorporated in the
initial design of all future power plants. This section provides the design
engineer with guidelines for applying noise controls in the design of new power
plants.

6.2 Criteria for Noise-Control Planning. Fundamental concerns in the plan-

ning for noise control in power plants are
(1) Sound levels in the nearby community
(2) Existing or projected in-plant personnel exposure
( 3 ) Speech interference levels
The sound transmitted to the surrounding community from a power plant
depends on its location and orientation with respect to the community. The
potential levels inside and outside also depend on
(1) Whether the plant uses fossil or nuclear fuel
(2) Whether it is open, partially closed, or completely closed
( 3 ) The arrangement of the equipment
(4) Sound power of the equipment and its directivity
(5) Architectural features and acoustical treatments
The sound transmission loss required for the walls of the control and other
offices depends on the level outside these areas and the interior noise-control
criteria.

6.3 Typical Plant Configuration. A power plant can be characterized, from a

noise viewpoint, by
(1) The type of fuel used; coal, gas, or oil or any combination of these, or
nuclear
(2) The type of enclosure; complete, partial, or open
(3) The cooling-water system; forced or natural draft cooling towers or once
through
A typical plant layout can be selected for the power plant under consideration.

6.4 Generalized Noise-Control Model. Using a preliminary plant layout, a gen-

eralized noise-control model can be constructed as a design aid. Inputs for such
a model include
(1) Community noise requirements
(2) Topography of the plant site
(3) General orientation of the plant
(4) Spatial constraints/flexibility of the general arrangement
(5) Noise exposure in an eight-hour shift of the plant maintenance and operat-
ing personnel during normal plant operation; OSHA requirements for personnel
noise exposure (see 29 CFR 1910.95 OSHA [16])

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(6) Sound radiation from the equipment. These data may be obtained from
manufacturers or measurements on similar installations
(7) Absorption on interior surfaces and transmission loss of plant construc-
tion
(8) Possibility of using noise-control measures such as mufflers, enclosures,
design, and supplier options
(9) Economic considerations, including
(a) Cost of buying low-noise machinery
(b) Administrative controls
(c) Economic feasibility of acquiring enough land surrounding the plant
site, if needed, for required noise attenuation
Though construction of such a model is outside the scope of this guide, the
participation of the inputs and their interactions are discussed in the following
subsections to present their influence on the optimum solutions.
6.4.1 Plant Location. After the general location of the plant site has been
decided, the specific location of the facilities on the site shall be considered and
also the noise emission of the plant. The community requirements and the sen-
sitive noise receptors of the community shall be identified. The location of the
plant on the site should be selected so that the noise impact on the surrounding
community is minimized.
If a power plant is located within a few hundred feet of a residential area, it
can meet some current noise limits only by building it entirely inside a building
using only acoustically controlled openings. On the other hand, many plants are
located on large plots to provide for cooling towers or lakes, coal and ash
storage, and large extra-high voltage (EHV) switchyards. A totally outdoor plant
may meet community requirements if located 3000 ft to 4000 ft from the prop-
erty line. Between these extremes, the ability of a plant to meet the applicable
neighborhood noise criteria can only be determined by design calculations.
6.4.2 General Arrangement of Plant. The boiler side of the plant should be
located away from the closest property line, if practical, because large fans and
their ductwork are major sources of noise. Other sources of noise, such as
cooling towers, transformers, gas regulating stations, and car dumpers should be
located as far from property lines as practical.
If offices and shops cannot be located remote from the main plant, transmis-
sion of noise into these areas should be controlled. Airborne noise transmission
may be controlled adequately by using masonry walls between the quieter and
noisier parts of the plant. Major process pipes and ducts should not penetrate
the walls or be supported on structural elements common to the offices. Any
penetration that does exist shall be sealed airtight to prevent a noise leakage
between the opening and the pipe. Mechanical equipment should not be located
on the roof of a noise-sensitive area or immediately adjacent to the walls.
6.4.3 Building Design. Conventional masonry and double-panel metal siding
generally provide adequate noise reduction properties for the control of exterior
noise. However, openings such as windows, roof vents, and overhead doors
transmit noise to the outside; therefore, if the plant is located close to the prop-

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

erty line, the noise emanating from these openings may have to be controlled to
achieve the required noise level at the property line. Ventilating louvers with
sound-attenuating properties are available. For the control of interior noise,
sound-absorption material on the interior surfaces should be considered.
6.4.4 Design Approaches. Some items of mechanical and electrical equip-
ment can be specified with regard to sound level performance by referring to
industry standard test codes. There are economic considerations in buying
quieter equipment.
There are two primary approaches for designing a power plant to meet the
desired indoor noise levels. The first could best be described as a single noise-
level approach. Here, the increase in sound-pressure levels due to reverberation
and multiple sources is estimated. The maximum free-field sound-pressure level
from any specific equipment is so specified that the combined sound level does
not exceed the OSHA requirement (see [16]). The current eight-hour limit of
90 dB(A) is often specified for all areas of the plant.
The second approach is described as a multinoise-level approach. From the
OSHA noise requirement [ 161, the maximum permissible levels in various areas
of the power plant are determined. Allowing for reverberation, the relative con-
tribution of the major sources to the existing/projected noise levels in these
areas is estimated. With this information, an individual noise level is specified
for each of the major sources. With this approach, some retrofit noise-control
measures may be needed, but the total cost of power-plant noise control is
minimized.
It is difficult to outline a specific procedure for designing a power plant to
meet the exterior noise requirements. The sound field around a power plant
depends on its layout (that is, its location and orientation with respect to the
surrounding community). The exterior levels may depend on the type of fuel the
plant uses, which governs the choice of some of the auxiliaries, and whether or not
the plant is fully or partially enclosed. Each plant has to be designed individually.

6.5 Considerations in Equipment Specifications. Sound radiation from most

power-plant equipment is complex. Care should be exercised in specifying their
sound output to achieve the desired sound criteria. There are some specific
items of the equipment which require special consideration.
6.5.1 Forced-Draft Fans. Forced-draft fans are often of such size that test-
ing is difficult. Test conditions and procedures should be discussed and agreed
upon with manufacturers during the design phase.
Most centrifugal forced-draft fans operate at constant speed, and output is
regulated by means of variable pitch inlet vanes. Axial fans use variable blade
pitch for load control. The noise is pronounced at all loads because at low flow
the turbulence at the vanes makes up for the reduced noise produced by the fan
blades. Since the fan seldom operates at maximum rating, very effective quieting
may be achieved by using a variable speed fluid drive.
The noise generated by the fans radiates from the inlet, casing, and duct

89

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IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

system. All three sources shall be given consideration for effective noise con-
trol.
Depending on the type of building and the fan location, it is sometimes possi-
ble to provide a separate fan room with muffled inlets to the room. Reverberant
sound buildup inside the room can be reduced by using sound-absorbing mate-
rial on its walls and ceilings. Provisions have to be made for relieving pressures
and maneuvering and transporting the equipment.
An alternate noise-control procedure is to use insulation and lagging, and to
install inlet and ducting silencers.
6.5.2 Primary Air Fans. If the primary air fans have open inlets, they may
have to be enclosed or the housing changed to accommodate inlet ducting and
mufflers. An acceptable sound level should be specified by the purchaser since
most fan manufacturers can now predict the sound-power level of their equip-
ment for its noisiest operating mode. With this information, the acoustical
engineers can determine the dynamic insertion loss (DIL) required for the inlet
silencer and whether or not the inlet, outlet, and fan housing require normal
thermal insulation or the addition of acoustical insulation. An alternate
approach is to enclose an open inlet fan and use silencers with the enclosure.
6.5.3 Induced-Draft Fans. Induced-draft fans and boiler gas recirculation
fans have ducted inlets and outlets with thermal insulation on the ducts and fan
casings, They may however produce excessive noise levels. The specification
should state the intent of having the sound-pressure levels no greater than spec-
ified at some designated distance from the fan, including the attenuating effect
of the duct wall and insulation. Octave-band sound power or pressure levels
should be specified in the manufacturers proposal so the design engineer can
evaluate the resulting sound-pressure level.
In addition to the near-field noise the induced-draft fan system may radiate
noise from the top of the stack. To control this noise a specification should be
adopted that defines either the allowable sound power radiating from the stack
or acceptable noise level at some far field such as a distance of 1000 ft.
If the sound-pressure level is specified, an acceptable measurement procedure
shall be agreed upon to check compliance.
6.5.4 Roof and Wall Vent Fans. Roof and wall vent fans should be specified
to meet the octave-band sound-power levels necessary to meet the neigh-
borhood and OSHA criteria. They can be tested in accordance with AMCA STD
300-67 [l].
6.5.5 Air Conditioning and Ventilating Fans. Air conditioning and ventilat-
ing fans should be specified to meet octave-band sound-power levels that will
limit the noise in the occupied area to the noise-control criteria selected for the
particular area. They can be tested in accordance with AMCA STD 300-67 [l].
Some sound attentuation is provided by the ductwork, filters, and coils in the
ducts.
6.5.6 Motors. The free-field sound-pressure levels from electric motors can
be specified in accordance with IEEE Std 85-1973 (R 1980) [8].
6.5.7 Control Valves. Control valves can produce excessive noise under

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

some operating conditions. Quieter valves with special quiet trim can be
obtained, or the valve body and adjacent piping can be covered with acoustical
insulation to reduce noise. However, the cost of doing this is expensive if it is
done for all control valves. A better procedure is to ask the valve supplier for
the sound level and spectra of the valves and then provide quieter valves or
covering for only those valves and their adjacent piping which are likely t o
produce excessive sound levels.
6.5.8 Boiler Feed Pumps. Boiler feed pumps and their drives can be housed
in enclosures. These enclosures may be modules or permanent construction.
The many appurtenances on the equipment can make the application of
enclosures difficult. Enclosures around each pump and its drive allow mainte-
nance work on one unit without noise exposure from the other pump.
6.5.9 Main Turbine Generators. The main turbine generators are well cov-
ered with metal enclosures and generally produce noise levels of approximately
95 dB(A) or less in conventional turbine rooms for medium-size turbine gener-
ators, without any sound-absorbing materials on the walls or ceiling.
6.5.10 Burners. The noise levels due to the burners and the boiler are not
excessive because the normal insulation and metal lagging on the boiler walls
provide reduction in noise.
6.5.11 Piping. Noise associated with fluid flow may be transmitted through
pipe walls. Fuel gas piping can be covered with acoustical insulation in addition
to the usual antisweat insulation, if it is found to be a noise problem after the
plant is in service. The same is true of condensate piping. A high-temperature,
high-pressure pipe has heavier walls and heavier thermal insulation but may
need acoustical treatment if the velocity and pressure drops are high.
6.5.12 Cooling Towers. Blower fans and falling water are the main sources
of noise in cooling towers. The manufacturer can provide representative values
of sound levels which should be reviewed with regard for neighborhood criteria.
Relocating the cooling towers is one of the solutions if a problem exists. Two-
speed fan motors can be provided and operated at lower speed under low-load
conditions at night where the criteria are more stringent.
6.5.13 Soot Blowers. Soot blowers will usually produce noise levels above
90 dB(A). However, their intermittent operation prevents them from overexpos-
ing plant personnel. If need be, some attentuation of noise can be achieved
through quiet valves, larger piping, and better fitting wall boxes.
6.5.14 Pulverizers. Pulverizers and their motors can be noisy. To date, the
only noise control that has been applied has been to enclose the pulverizers as
a group in one room. It may not be practical to acoustically insulate them.
6.5.15 Aspirators. The airflow through opened aspirator doors will usually
produce excessive noise levels. The only practical solution is personal hearing
protection.
6.5.16 Safety Valves. Unmuffled safety valves when operated can produce
excessive noise levels in the surrounding community. While their operation is
infrequent, in some installations it may still be advisable to provide muffling.
Muffling may also be provided for steam blow-off operations,

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6.5.17 Transformers. Transformers can be specified with a standard A-

weighted sound-level rating, in accordance with NEMA TR1-1980 [9], or have
sound levels lower than standard. These lower sound levels are provided at
extra cost by the manufacturer by providing larger than normal cores or by
double-wall construction. An alternative is to accept the standard sound level
for the size and style of the transformer, and then to place the transformer in a
full or partial enclosure with or without interior sound-absorptive treatment.

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

7. Noise-Control Techniques

7.1 Introduction. The selection and application of appropriate noise-control

measures for equipment in an existing power plant are a very broad and com-
plex problem. Instrumentation, measurement techniques, analysis of sound spec-
trum to pinpoint the noise source, matching of the sound spectrum with the
sound transmission loss of an acoustical device so that maximum attenuation
may be gained, and theoretical analysis of sound in a power plant are discussed
in this section.
The extent of noise reduction needed in a power plant is determined from a
noise survey of the plant and a comparison of the results with the allowable
sound levels. A more detailed survey may be required in the problem areas to
determine the cause(s) of excessive noise. General approaches to noise reduc-
tion in existing power plants and known engineering or administrative tech-
niques for each are presented in this section. The scientific principles involved
and the three major categories of acoustical treatment-source, path, and
receiver-are also discussed.

7.2 The Noise Survey

7.2.1 Determination of the Noise-Survey Objective. To develop a proper
plant noise-control program, it is essential to determine the noise-control objec-
tive. This will generally include two aspects
(1) In-plant noise exposure of plant personnel
(2) Community exposure to plant noise or the noise produced by the plant at
the property line.
The present regulations for in-plant personnel exposure follow the guidelines
of 90 dB(A) for 8 h of exposure and for higher levels progressively lower expo-
sure time is allowed to the maximum limit of 115 dB(A) for 15 min or less.
When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise
exposure at different levels, their combined effect shall be considered, rather
than the individual effect of each. The use of an equation to determine whether
the mixed exposure exceeds the limit value is explained in the Occupational
Safety and Health Standards [161, Section 1910.95, Table G.16.
A plant noise-control program will depend very much on the ability to com-
pare plant personnel exposure with equipment noise source sound levels. A
combination of both values will determine the plant equipment which is critical
for the operators and needs noise control.
Time and motion studies can be made to determine exposure to specific job
tasks; by computation the accumulative exposure of the employee to any com-
bination of tasks can be determined.
By examining the actual exposure-time chart in a particular plant, one can
select the most economical approach for attenuating various noise sources. In a
-- hypothetical case where the auxiliary operator is overexposed according to the

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Table 8
Case I, Cumulative Overexposure
Allowable
Noise Level at Exposure Time
Work Location HourslDay Work Location HourslDay C"/T"
C" dB(A) T" Noise Rating
Control room 3 < 90 >a 0

Operating floor 1 96 3.5 min - - - 0.286

3.5

Mezzanine floor 1 100 2 = 0.5

Boiler area 1 < 90 >a 0

Ground floor 1 97 3 = 0.33

Yard 1 < 90 >a 0

2 1.12

regulations, it is observed that the turbine-generator and two air compressors

(combined) produce the same level of 95 dB(A). If the operator spends the
same amount of time inspecting the turbine-generator and the compressors, the
most economical step is to attenuate the noise from the two air compressors
due to their ease of modification. A similar approach can be taken for other
cases where different equipment has approximately the same sound level and
the same operator's exposure.
7.2.1.1 Case Histories. Two case histories that illustrate the application of
[16], Table G.16 are as follows:
7.2.1.1.1 Case I, Overexposure. This case shows the cumulative expo-
sure of an operator who works throughout the plant and consequently is
exposed to various noise levels. See Table 8.
Since the noise rating exceeds unity, the daily exposure is above the permis-
sible limit, although the total exposure at each sound level is below the permis-
sible duration for that level.
7.2.1.1.2 Case 11, Underexposure. This case shows the cumulative expo-
sure of an operator who roves in the plant and is exposed to various noise
intensities. See Table 9.
Since the noise rating is less than unity, the daily exposure of the operator is
within the OSHA permissible limit 1161.
7.2.1.2 Community Noise Exposure. Community exposure to plant noise
presents a more complex problem than plant personnel exposure. Here the per-
tinent noise criterion is established by the state or community annoyance cri-
teria.
In any case, before implementing a sound-control program for an existing

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Table 9
Case 11, Cumulative Underexposure
Allowable
Noise Level a t Exposure Time
HoursIDay Work Location HourslDay C/T
Work Location C dB(A) T Noise Rating
Control room 7 < 90 > 8 0

Ground floor 20 min 97 3 0.333

3
= 0,111

Mezzanine floor 20 min 100 2 ~-

0.333 - 0,167
2

Operating floor 20 min 96 3.5 min - -

0333 - 0.095
3.5
2 0.373

station, it is preferable to take daytime and nighttime measurements along the

plant perimeter and in the nearest community for weekdays and weekends.
These values can be used to check the expected results and to make correc-
tions if necessary.
Some states have promulgated noise codes that require a one-third octave-
band analysis to detect prominent discrete tones. An octave-band analysis may
not be sufficient for a noise survey in these states.
7.2.2 Selection of the Team and Equipment Required for the Survey.
Experience with sound surveys in various plants reveals that a team composed
of two is appropriate for conducting a sound survey. While one person takes
measurements, the other can record them. Sometimes more information is
required, such as taking pictures of the various pieces of equipment, and a third
person may be of assistance.
If the time of survey is limited or there is more than one plant to be surveyed,
two or three teams can operate simultaneously.
The minimum equipment needed for a thorough plant sound survey consists
of
(1) Sound-level meter
(2) Octave-band analyzer
(3) Microphone wind screen
(4) Calibrator for the analyzer and sound-level meter
(5) Sound-level data forms to record measurements
The equipment may be supplemented by a recorder for a detailed study of the
critical noise sources. Also, in certain areas there is a need for a narrow-band
analyzer to detect prominent discrete tones.
7.2.3 Selection of Measuring Locations and Time of Survey Inside and
Around the Plant. The sound survey is based on the exposure of plant person-
nel, and should concentrate on the major noise sources which are critical. This

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includes noise sources which may have noise levels of 90 dB(A) and above,
such as
(1) Forced draft fans and motors
( 2 ) Boiler feed pumps
(3) Steam dump valves
(4) Pulverizers and turbine-generators
In addition, it is useful to measure noisy areas where plant operators move
around and are consequently exposed t o noise, such as: compressor building,
demineralizer building, and ground floor elevation. The guiding factor in estab-
lishing the noise-exposure measuring locations in the plant area should be the
path traveled most frequently by one or more persons in the plant, such as the
auxiliary operators and the yard persons.
A very critical noise source is the steam dump to the atmosphere which can
be released unexpectedly and create a severe noise hazard to plant personnel.
This type of noise is particularly offensive in nuclear plants where the discharge
to the atmosphere can last for long periods of time and may pose a community
annoyance problem. Thus, near-field and far-field sound measurements should
be taken from this noise source.
The two most difficult problems in obtaining true sound readings during a
plant survey are the isolation of individual pieces of machinery from the other
plant equipment and the determination of the influence of room acoustical char-
acteristics on the measured sound levels.
The first problem can be resolved by taking sound measurements during out-
ages. Equipment such as forced-draft fans, compressors, and pumps should be
operated alone and can be measured with a good degree of isolation.
During normal plant operation, sound measurements taken at various dis-
tances from equipment with a one-third octave-band analyzer will help reveal
tones that are often the most predominant noise sources in the area. Acoustical
treatment of these tones will contribute much towards an effective sound-
control program.
The influence of room acoustics will be evident at higher sound levels in
highly reverberant rooms. This fact should be kept in mind when correlating a
manufacturers noise rating of equipment and measurements taken during a field
survey. It indicates that any noise-reduction effort shall consider the building
acoustics, particularly where a sheet metal or concrete building is used.
Some standards recommend four key-measuring positions in a rectangular
array around the plant equipment for sources which are not highly directional.
When the source is highly directional, measurements at more than 20 different
locations may be required. The preferred height of the microphone above the
floor is approximately 1.5 m.
7.2.4 Selection of Measuring Locations and Time of Survey at the Plant
Property Line. Measuring points should be established around the plant prop-
erty and measurements should be taken, preferably during the day and at night.
There are no set rules which establish how many measuring locations are
required around the plant perimeter. This depends upon the location and orien-

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

tation of the plant, local regulations, and the proximity of residential areas.
Since wind can upset the sound-level readings, it is good practice to take meas-
urements when there is minimum wind. Wind screens have been devised to
reduce microphone sensitivity to wind noise, but their usefulness is limited to
velocities below 20 mi/h. A good practice is to carry an anemometer when taking
outdoor measurements, thus eliminating the need to estimate wind velocity.
The sound level is affected by atmospheric pressure; therefore, if the
atmospheric pressure at the site is significantly different from 760 mm of mer-
cury a correction shall be made to the measurements.
A minimum of A-weighted network and octave-band readings are recom-
mended for indoor and outdoor plant measurements. For most cases a range of
63 Hz-8000 Hz center frequencies for the octave-band spectra will be sufficient.
The 16 Hz and 31.5 Hz bands have received attention due to complaints about
low-frequency noise from residents bordering industrial sites and should be con-
sidered when residents are located close to the plant.
7.2.5 Selection of the Plant Load. Some noise sources produce their high-
est noise level at a high load and other sources at a low load. For example, a
boiler feed pump coupling produced a 4 dB(A) higher sound level at a station
load of 550 M W than at 350 MW. Conversely, the turbine control valves pro-
duced a 4 dB(A) higher sound level at a load of 350 MW than at a station load
of 550 MW.
A sound survey should include measurements taken at different loads, both
in-plant and at the boundary line, to pinpoint the highest noise level emanating
from a particular piece of equipment. This is important for base load plants that
may operate at a variable output because of maintenance problems.
Subsequent acoustical treatment of plant equipment will be based on the
most frequently occurring high noise level found during the variable load opera-
tion.

7.3 Data Interpretation. Proper interpretation of the measured sound-level

data is a significant part of the overall noise-reduction program in an existing
power plant. Misinterpretation of the sound-level data can result in an unneces-
sary expenditure of time and money.
To determine the sound-radiation characteristics of the equipment, its acous-
tic environment shall be properly understood. See Section 4. Once the sound-
level data and the relevant equipment and environment information are
obtained, the next step is interpretation of the data.
7.3.1 Data Reduction. Sound data has to be processed and displayed in a man-
ner suitable for interpretation. For source identification and noise-control work, it
is advantageous to express the noise-measurement signal in the form of a fre-
quency spectrum because the effect of applying acoustical treatment, vibration
reduction, and other kinds of noise control are frequency dependent. The octave-
band analysis is a convenient form of a frequency spectrum. See Section 2 .
Octave-band analysis is often insufficient for specific noise-source identifica-
tion and noise-control work because it can only provide a general indication of

97
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

3
3
2

3
0

3
2

-
N

I
>Uz
w
3
E
U

0
0
0
cf

0
0
0
N

98
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

whether measured noise is a high or low frequency. For specific noise-source

identification, narrow-band techniques are available and prove to be more effec-
tive. In Fig 31 an example that compares full octave, one-third octave, and
narrow-band frequency spectrums analysis is illustrated showing a noise meas-
urement recorded on tape in the vicinity of a power-plant noise source. The
signal is compared using octave-band filters, one-third octave-band filters, and a
narrow-band filter (15 Hz constant bandwidth).
As the narrow-band analysis illustrates, the noise is made of a small number
of pure-tone frequencies. By using a one-third octave-band analyzer there is only
a broad indication of high-frequency tones. Octave bands yield no information in
this case regarding the presence of pure tones.
Octave band and one-third octave-band spectra can be useful in noise-control
work because a broad range of frequencies that need attenuation is easily dis-
cernable. In Fig 31, attention should be directed towards attenuation of the
noise levels of the frequencies in the range of 500 Hz-8000 Hz. An enclosure
around this noise source should be designed to emphasize midrange and high-
frequency noise attenuation.
If one objective is an investigation into the mechanism by which the noise is
generated, then the narrow-band spectrum is necessary. By using the appropri-
ate analyzing techniques, pure-tone frequencies can be pinpointed to within
2 Hz.
7.3.2 Corrections to the Measured Sound-Level Background Noise. Dur-
ing a noise survey around an operating machine, it is often difficult to determine
the true sound level of the machine because of the background noise in the
room. Accurate sound-level measurements can be obtained around a source if
the ambient noise can be reduced to a level at which it will not contribute to
the measurement. Sound measurements should be made with and without the
source operating, if possible (see 4.3). If the difference between these two meas-
urements is 4 dB or greater, the actual sound level of the source alone can be
approximated by applying the correction given in Table 10.
Often, station design precludes the isolation of background noise because it is
impossible to carry out a steady-state operation of certain noisy power-plant
apparatus independent of the operation of other noise sources located in the

Table 10
Correction for Ambient Sound-Pressure Levels
Difference Decibels (dB)
Between SPL measured with
sound source operating and
ambient SPL alone (dB) 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0

Correction
Subtracted from source operat-
ing to obtain SPL due to sound
source alone (dB) 2.2 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4

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vicinity. In such an environment, it is more difficult to interpret sound-level

measurements.
There are several techniques which can be used to help identify noise sources
in this type of an environment and to provide useful data for noise control
studies in the plant.
7.3.2.1 Near-Field Measurements. Near-field noise measurements can be
very useful in source identification. For free-field measurements the microphone
locations should be no closer than the wavelength of the lowest frequency of
interest. For 120 Hz, the measurement distance is approximately 10 ft distance
from the area. For most noise sources located indoors in a power plant, it is
impossible to obtain meaningful data at such a distance from a machine. This is
due to the reverberation effects of the room and the proximity of other equip-
ment. One way to reduce the reverberation effect is to make the measurement
location close enough so the noise is due to direct radiation from the source.
This can be checked by scanning the noise levels while backing straight away
from the source. Ideally, the sound level should drop 6 dB for each doubling of
distance from the acoustic center of the source. Realistically, this sound-level
drop-off may not exceed 3 dB because of the proximity of the floor and
vagueness concerning the acoustic center of larger noise sources. For some
power-plant sources, measurement locations will be required as close as 0.25 m
to 1 m from the surface of the source to reduce the influence of the reverberant
field.
7.3.2.2 Barriers and Partitions. For smaller rooms or station lower deck-
ing where the height is less than 5 m, the background noise can be reduced by
the use of temporary portable barriers. A lead curtain, placed between a back-
ground noise source and the measurement location, will block the direct trans-
mission path of the external source and improve measurement accuracy. This
technique will be most effective where the curtain spans the entire height of the
room since reflections around the curtain, by way of the floor and ceiling, will
be reduced.
7.3.2.3 Sound-Level Contours. In most cases the ultimate goal of a plant
noise study is compliance with personnel noise-exposure regulations. To facili-
tate identifying noisy areas and correlating them with plant personnel exposure,
it is often useful to display the data as sound contours using a grid network
technique as shown in Fig 32. These contours can also be useful in determining
whether administrative controls (rotating plant personnel) are a feasible alter-
native to engineering controls.
7.3.2.4 A-Weighted Network. Another effective tool when considering per-
sonnel exposure in data interpretation is the A-weighted network, because per-
sonnel exposure levels are based on an A-weighting system. As an example,
measurements are taken on the turbine deck of a 350 MW unit, with machinery
located as shown in Fig 33. Octave-band analyses of measurements taken at
three locations are compared in Fig 34. It is evident that there is a predominant
peak at 63 Hz, which dominates the operating floor area, and it appears to be
generated from the boiler feed pump and from the turbine-generator.

100
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

/f WALL

94 dB ( A ) -/

92 d8 ( A ) J'

'89 '89 '88 '88 '88 '87

Fig 32
Sound Contours

E G 3 3f
EG33 GENERATOR AND TURBINE --

Fig 33
Turbine-Generator and Boiler Feed Pump
Measurements Locations

101
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

t
10 dB

W L . .

2
1
n
z
2
W
>
Q
I
k
U I
0

63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (HZ)

o NEAR BOILER FEED PUMP (1)

x NEAR TURBINE-GENERATOR (2)
A AMBIENT (3)

Fig 34
Octave-Band Analyses at Three
Locations on Turbine Deck

102
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

0 NEAR BOILER FEED PUMP (1)

x NEAR TURBINE GENERATOR (2)
A AMBIENT (3)

Fig 35
A-Weighted Octave-Band Analyses at
Three Locations on Turbine Deck

A closer look at the data however shows that this peak is not of primary
concern when the goal is in compliance with personnel noise-exposure regula-
tions. These regulations are concerned with the A-weighting scheme applied at
each octave band. Under these criteria it is seen in Fig 35 that high-frequency
noise from the boiler feed pump (1000 Hz-8000 Hz) is pushing up the overall
A-weighted sound level in the room. To reduce the A-weighted sound level, the
boiler feed pump is considered first even though the initial inclination may be to
work on the main turbine because of its size.
7.3.2.5 Load Dependent Noise Sources. Noise levels can vary with the
load on the unit. Some noise sources produce their highest noise level at a high
load and other sources at a low load. For example, a boiler feed pump pro-
duced a 4 dB higher sound level at a station load of 550 MW than it did at a

103
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

Fig 36
Boiler Feed Pump

63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

FREQUENCY (Hz)

Fig 37
Turbine Control Valve Chest

104
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

station load of 350 MW, as shown in Fig 36. Conversely, the turbine-control
valve chest produced a 4 dB higher sound level at a load of 350 MW than at a
station load of 550 MW, as shown in Fig 37. Thus, a sound survey should
include measurements takert at different plant loads to pinpoint the highest
noise level emanating from a particular piece of equipment.
7.3.2.6 Narrow-Band Analysis. Since a noise measurement taken in an
operational power plant can contain contributions from a number of sources, it
is important to be able to locate the source of discrete frequency noise. Narrow-
band analysis can be a useful tool in identifying noise sources.
As an example, this technique is used inside a 750 MW plant. An extensive
sound survey is conducted on the turbine deck and on lower levels. One meas-
urement location is 3 ft from a valve on a lower plant level. Two other points
are on the turbine deck, 3 ft from the turbine, as illustrated in Fig 38. Figure 39
shows data from these three points displayed as narrow-band spectrum plots.

Fig 38
Location of Measuring
Points on Turbine Deck

105
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Fig 39
Narrow-Band Spectrum Plots

As can be seen in Fig 39, all three measurement locations show significant
peaks at 2600 Hz intervals. For each of these peaks the valve shows consistently
higher sound levels. For example, at the 2600 Hz peak, the valve sound level
is approximately 9 dB higher than the level associated with the low-pressure
turbine.
Since the peaks are of the greatest magnitude in the vicinity of the valve, it is
a good indication that the peaks are characteristic of the valve. Even though the
valve is located on a lower level, it has a significant influence on the sound
levels associated with the main turbine-generator on the turbine deck. This can
be accounted for because an open well is located on the high-pressure end of
the machine which permits valve noise to emanate up into the turbine hall. The
sound spectrum recorded near the low-pressure turbine then shows the smallest
peaks at 2600 Hz intervals because it is farthest away from the well. Noise
traversing from floor to floor will tend to be a universal problem when attempt-
ing to obtain accurate noise measurements because open wells are rather com-
mon in power plants.
7.3.3 Data Interpretation of Community Noise. Power-plant noise sources
that influence community ambient-noise levels shall be identified. The first step
in this process is the collection of noise data at the complaint location or at a
position prescribed by local code for the accurate measurement of ambient-
noise levels. The next step is the interpretation of this data.

106
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

70

60

m
a
3.
0
N
r
L
-
m 50
-
U
J
w
>
w
J
w
K
2 40
rn
w
LT
4
0
2
3
a
0
z 30 NOISE \
4.
cp \
w \
> \
<
+
U
0
20

10 I 1 I 1 I 1 I
31.5 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
OCTAVE BAND CENTER FREQUENCY (Hz)

Fig 40
Sound-Pressure Level of Complaint and
Residual Ambient Noise as a Function of
Frequency in Octave Bands
(Distance from Plant is 2000 ft)

Narrow-band analysis can be a very powerful tool for analyzing community

noise. By comparing the results of narrow-band analysis with the sound spec-
trum of the residual (excluding plant noise source) ambient-noise level, one can
pinpoint the major sources. A s an example, we will examine the influence of
noise generated by induced-draft fans on the ambient-noise level. Figure 40
compares, as a function of frequency in octave bands, the sound-pressure level
of the residual ambient level to the sound spectrum during emission of the

107
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Std MO-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

60

I D F A N TONES

10 I I I I I I 1
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

FREQUENCY ( H I )
A N A L Y S I S BANDWIDTH 6 Hr

Fig 41
Narrow-Band Analysis of Complaint Noise
with Sound-Pressure Level Plotted
as a Function of Frequency

objectionable noise. In this example, a complaint was registered at a distance of

2000 ft from the plant. Although one can easily perceive the increase in noise
level due to the plant, it is rather difficult to pinpoint the exact source. Figure
41 illustrates a narrow-band analysis (6 Hz bandwidth) of the noise recorded at
the location of the complaint during emission of the offensive noise. Prominent
tones appear at 150 Hz and 300 Hz indicating the presence of a discrete noise
source. Calculations show that the blade-passing frequency of the induced-draft
fans matches these tones. Consequently, the fan system shall be acoustically
treated.
Studies have shown that power-plant noise levels measured in a community
at a distance from the plant may vary even though the noise emission from the
plant is steady. These noise levels may vary by as much as 20 dB due to the
effects of weather conditions. Wind speed and direction, and snowy or rainy
conditions influence noise levels. The variation of background noise caused by

108
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Fig 42
Variation of Background Noise Caused by
Meteorological Conditions
(a) Noise Recorded Near Power Plant
(b) Noise Recorded During Same Time Span
but in a Residential Area Some Distance
from the Plant

meteorological conditions is illustrated in Fig 42(a) and (b). In Fig 42(a) the
noise recorded close to the plant is plotted as a function of time, while in Fig
42(b) the noise level is recorded in a nearby residential area as a function of
time. Note that while the plant noise is steady, the residential recorded noise
varies significantly.
The load level of the power plant can also affect community noise levels.
Normally the plants contribution to community noise levels is greater at higher
loads: During nighttime operation, load demands are usually less than daytime
output requiring the throttling of valves. Consequently, more pronounced pure
tones may be generated.
The type and magnitude of noise on which a complaint is lodged is important.
Whether it is a pure tone or a pulsating noise may be indicative of the source.
The time and date of the initial complaint should also be noted. Knowing
whether the noise repeats at the same time every night or occurs only on week-
ends is very important in determining the source. The geographical relationship
between the power plant and the complaint location is also of importance. For
example, a transformer was determined to be the source of complaint even
though it was 10 000 ft from the lone complaining resident. The noise emanating
from the transformer funneled through valleys, was reflected by the atmosphere,
and finally propagated to the general location of the complaint.

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If the noise data is statistically analyzed, the percentage of pulsating, tonal,

and prominent tone characters should be evaluated as a function of time. Such
an analysis can help determine the time during which a narrow-band analysis
should be made.
The human ear can play an important role when interpreting community
noise. One who is familiar with plant machinery noise may be able to detect a
prominent noise generator by listening to the noise at the location of the com-
plaint. This technique should always be supplemented by narrow-band analysis
of the noise.

7.4 General Approaches to Noise Reduction. General approaches to noise

reduction in existing power plants, known engineering or administrative tech-
niques for each, and the scientific principles involved are presented in this sub-
section. The three major categories of acoustical treatment, that is, source, path,
and receiver are also discussed. As background information, probable sources
of noise in a power plant and possible methods of reduction for each are listed.
Once the attenuation device has been installed, experience has taught that a
follow-up sound survey should be conducted to determine if the selected noise
criteria have been met or if rearrangement of the work schedule, an administrative
control, shall be invoked to reduce the overall noise exposure of employees.
It is not the intent of this guide to offer a specific solution to a particular
noise problem. The methods, procedures, and techniques for this are adequately
presented in instruction manuals for the equipment used to measure, record,
and plot the noise spectrum or in handbooks and textbooks on noise control.
This literature should be consulted for assistance in any theoretical analysis.
Furthermore, the determination of the economic feasibility of any stated or
implied engineering or administrative control or technique can only be deter-
mined by a detailed analysis of each specific noise problem.
7.4.1 Noise-Reduction Methods. Four basic methods are generally employed
to reduce noise.
7.4.1.1 Sound Absorption. When sound waves strike soft, porous surfaces,
air flows in and out of the minute pores in the material because of the pressure
fluctuations produced by sound. Frictional force converts sound energy into
heat and tends to reduce the sound level. By definition, the sound-absorbing
ability of a surface can be expressed in terms of its absorption coefficient.
The absorbent material on the active side of an enclosure absorbs some of
the incident energy and provides a barrier effect without increasing the sound
pressures in surrounding areas.
7.4.1.2 Sound Isolation. Sound isolation is the technique of preventing the
transmission of sound from a source to a receiver by means of a barrier. The
sound attenuation of nonporous materials used in barriers is quite difficult to
calculate since it depends on mass, stiffness, and the manner in which a barrier
is constructed. The parameter used to define the acoustical power reduction
through a nonporous material is the sound transmission loss (TL) measured in

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decibels. The transmission-loss response of a panel, for example, can be sepa-

rated into three frequency regions.
7.4.1.2.1 Region 1, Stiffness Controlled and Resonances. At very low
frequencies, sound transmission is controlled primarily by panel stiffness. As the
frequency increases, a fundamental resonance or damping-controlled region is
observed where a number of panel resmances requiring mass and stiffness
occur.
7.4.1.2.2 Region 2, Mass Controlled. Above the first few resonances,
transmission loss results from the inertia of the panel opposing incident waves
and is controlled by panel mass. In the mass-controlled frequency range of a
panel, the transmission loss is proportional to the mass of the panel and
increases at approximately 6 dB per octave. Doubling the surface weight
(weight per unit of thickness) of the panel material can increase the sound
transmission loss from 5 dB to 6 dB.
7.4.1.2.3 Region 3, Wave Coincidence Controlled. The mass controlled
region of the panel may extend from two or three times the lowest resonance
frequency to the critical frequency. The critical frequency is the frequency at
which the bending wavelength of the panel and the acoustical wavelength of the
radiated sound wave from the panel are identical. Above the critical frequency,
the panel stiffness is again important in determining the transmission loss.
Ribbed panels are often used to construct large ducts. The analysis of the trans-
mission loss of such panels is complicated by the fact that both the bending
stiffness and the average mass of the composite panel are affected. In general,
the resonant frequencies are shifted, and if the ribs occupy a significant area of
the panel, the transmission loss of the ribbed panel is higher.

7.4.1.3 Vibration Isolation. Vibration isolation is a reduction in the capac-

ity of a system to respond to an excitation and is attained by the use of a
resilient support. Relative to audible noise control, vibration isolation is useful
for reducing the transmission of energy from sources of vibration, such as
pumps or motors, into attached structures which reradiate the energy as air-
borne noise.
An isolation system usually consists of several vibration isolators (resilient
supports) installed between a vibration source and the attached structures. The
isolators may be constructed of metallic springs, elastomeric elements (for
example, rubber, silicone, and urethane), pad-type elements (for example, cork,
felt, and fiberglass), or flexible structure elements (for example, cantilever
beams acting in flexure).
Care should be exercised in the design and installation of vibration-isolated
equipment. Rigid connections for piping and electrical conduits shall be avoided
to prevent energy transmission through secondary paths. Isolation of sources
having the center of gravity higher than the isolation support system may
require stabilizers to prevent rocking, or possibly overturning, due to horizontal
forces.

7.4.1.4 Vibration Damping. Vibration damping can be used to reduce the

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amplitude of the offending frequency and should be considered prior to install-

ing the equipment.
Vibration damping is the dissipation of energy with time or distance. Relative
to audible noise control, damping may be useful for reducing noise radiated
from vibrating structures by reducing the vibration amplitude of forced reso-
nances, speeding up the decay of free vibrations produced by impacts on the
structure, and attenuating structure-borne waves propagated throughout the
structure.
The most effective use of damping for controlling audible noise is in its appli-
cation to large, thin metallic panels which are easily excited and are efficient
radiators of airborne noise. There are three basic methods of applying damping
treatments to such panels: surface damping, constrained layer damping, and
spaced layer damping. In all three cases, damping is achieved through cyclic
deformation of a high-loss viscoelastic material whose performance depends
critically on its temperature and the frequency of the vibration.
7.4.1.4.1 Surface damping utilizes the viscoelastic material applied
directly to the surface of the vibrating panel. These materials are available in
solid sheet form, which may be applied with an adhesive, and in liquid form,
which may be applied with a brush, trowel, spray gun, or roller. A near-optimum
thickness for the viscoelastic layer is approximately 1.5 times the thickness of
the panel to be damped. If vibrational amplitudes are still high after the use of
this thickness, other noise-control procedures should be investigated.
7.4.1.4.2 Constrained layer damping utilizes the viscoelastic material
sandwiched between the panel to be treated and an added rigid sheet. Con-
strained layer damping dissipates energy primarily through shear deformation of
the material, whereas surface damping dissipates energy primarily through
extensional deformation of the viscoelastic material.
Spaced layer damping utilizes the viscoelastic material spaced away from the
surface to be damped by a spacing layer. The spacing layer should ideally not
store any energy, be rigid and shear, and be constructed so that elements in the
spacing layer normal to the panel to be damped remain normal during panel
vibration (honeycomb structures tend to behave in this manner when used as
spacing layers). The spaced viscoelastic layer dissipates energy primarily
through extensional deformation similar to the surface-damping treatment. How-
ever, the spacing layer tends to increase the energy dissipation due to increased
extensional deformation. Spaced layer damping is more applicable to heavier
and stiffer structures than the other methods.
7.4.2 Categories for Noise-Reduction Treatments. Noise abatement tech-
niques may be categorized as source, path, or receiver treatments. Any treat-
ment for sound attenuation may employ one or more of the four basic methods
for noise reduction.
7.4.2.1 Source Treatment. As a general rule, it is best to quiet equipment
by some form of source treatment. In some cases, the actual sound level gener-
ated by a piece of equipment can be reduced by internal design. For example,
power transformers are designed to meet noise-level criteria specified by

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NEMA TR1-1980[91 but lower noise-level transformers can be obtained from the
manufacturer at a higher initial price. In many control valve applications, the
valve body can be designed to accommodate various forms of special trim
which reduce noise by controlled multipath expansion and therefore reduce
velocity and noise.
Treatment of internal equipment noise generated by friction, impact, tur-
bulence, imbalance of rotating parts, fluid cavitation, pressure drops, mass flow,
magnetic attraction, or other motions due to change in velocity of moving parts
is most effectively done and generally more economical during preliminary
design, before the new or modified machine leaves the drawing board. For exist-
ing power-plant equipment, changing to a quieter design by modification or
retrofit, or by replacing partially depreciated equipment with new quiet equip-
ment, if available, is often very expensive, inconvenient, and sometimes impossi-
ble from a practical viewpoint.
7.4.2.2 Path Treatment. Sometimes it is impossible to reduce sound levels
of high horsepower and high-speed machinery to acceptable levels by internal
design changes alone. Compromises on size, weight, accessibility for mainte-
nance, and convenience in operation may also fail to reduce noise to acceptable
levels. In this case, additional sound control will be necessary after the machine
has been built. In general, any method which is prescribed to reduce noise
between the origin or source and a microphone or the ear of the listener
(receiver) is defined as path treatment.
Some of the main devices which are being used for path treatment are
(1) Acoustical enclosures
(2) Mufflers
(3) Plenums
(4) Lagging
(5) Acoustical shields or barriers
(6) Absorbent coatings and ceiling septums
(7) Vibration isolation
(8) Vibration damping
(9) Various combinations of these devices
Selection and usage of a particular type of path treatment is often a difficult
task and depends on the sound spectrum being radiated from the source and
the nature of the path it takes to the ear of the receiver.
7.4.2.2.1 Acoustical Enclosures. An acoustical enclosure may consist of
a single solid, laminated, multilayer, or sandwich-type panel which has a solid
outer shell, space for one or more fibrous or l i m p mass inner fillers, and an
absorbent liner with a retainer for holding the liner or filler in place. The liner
may consist of a perforated inner sheet which has sufficient strength to be self-
supporting or it may be a soft, porous material which adheres to or is attached
to the existing structure.
For maximum attenuation, the shell that blocks the transmission of noise
shall be nearly airtight with a sealant or flexible material used around all piping,
electrical, or other penetrations to minimize noise leaks. Thinner shells may be

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used, particularly on attached enclosures, provided they are sufficiently damped

and stiffened so that they will not reradiate noise as the result of mechanical or
airborne excitations. Internal damping materials are particularly useful in the
fundamental resonance frequency range.
Acoustical enclosures often have fair insulating characteristics and tend to
trap heat which shall be dissipated by some mechanism to prevent overheating.
Since they are nearly airtight, or should be, to be effective sound attenuators,
some form of ventilation, forced or natural, shall be provided. This is accom-
plished with fans, coupled with mufflers, and acoustical louvers.
7.4.2.2.2 Mufflers (Silencers). Mufflers permit the flow of the fluid
while confining noise within the enclosure or piece of equipment. Mufflers are
usually divided into two major categories, reactive (reflective) and dissipative
(absorptive). A purely reactive muffler does not depend on the presence of
sound-absorbing material but utilizes reflective characteristics and the attenua-
tion properties of conical connectors, expansion chambers, side-branch reso-
nators, and tail pipes to accomplish sound reduction. The purely reactive
muffler is seldom applied in broad-band noise applications due to its inherent
narrow-band performance and the inherent pass-band characteristics of the
design. Where relative broad-band performance is obtained, as with the snubber-
type muffler, the category is best described as low reactive.
Dissipative mufflers have relatively broad-band noise-reduction characteristics
and are usually applied to noise-control problems associated with wide-band
noise spectra such as fans, centrifugal compressors, jet engines, and gas tur-
bines. They are also used where a narrow-band noise predominates, but the
frequency varies because of a wide range of operating conditions.
Acoustical features of reactive and absorptive mufflers may be combined to
cover the entire audible frequency range of 20 Hz-20 000 Hz.
Mufflers are available from several suppliers who can be of valuable assis-
tance in the selection of the most suitable muffler type and size for a given
application, if provided with the following parameters:
(1) Type of application and service
(2) Noise spectrum
(3) Required insertion loss, dB
(4) Properties of fluid (mass flow rate, temperature, and density)
(5) Allowable pressure drop
(6) Maximum size and weight
After a muffler is sized, it shall be incorporated in the overall system design
in such a manner as to prevent regeneration of noise by excessive velocity or
turbulence.
7.4.2.2.3 Plenums. A plenum chamber is a combination muffler and
enclosure generally used to admit low-velocity cooling and combustion air with-
out leaking excessive noise.
An unlined duct or pipe is an almost perfect wave guide and there is no
attenuation due to spherical divergence since the wave cannot spread. A perfect
acoustical transmission line has a constant cross section and therefore has the

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same acoustical impedance throughout its length. To block the transmission of

waves, the acoustical impedance of a pipe shall be changed. This can be done
by changing the cross-sectional area, inserting a perforated screen, branching
into a tank, or using a plenum chamber.
7.4.2.2.4 Lagging. Lagging is the action of covering something with a
material. In power-plant equipment, the main purpose of this covering is to
reduce the transmission of heat or sound waves, or both, from piping, ducting,
furnaces, equipment boundaries, etc. Lagging is quite useful in reducing the
noise radiated from piping and ducting. It differs from an enclosure in that it is
applied directly to the radiating surface. Acoustical lagging usually consists of
one or more layers of a porous material combined with a nonporous outer shell.
Porous fillers such as glass, fiber, or mineral wool support the protective outer
shell, damp it, and isolate it from direct contact with the vibrating source. A
layer of lead or lead-coated vinyl may be used as the protective outer shell or
beneath the outer shell to provide a limp-mass layer and increase the laggings
inertia opposing incident sound waves. The thickness of the outer metal shell
becomes a trade-off between the sound transmission loss attained and the prob-
lems encountered during field fabrication.
7.4.2.2.5 Acoustical Shields or Barriers. The propagation of noise
between a source and the receiver can also be reduced by using an acoustical
shield or barrier. Noise reduction is limited by diffraction of sound waves
around the barrier, with its effect being greater at lower frequencies. The basic
reduction attained from a barrier depends on its height, the distance from
source to barrier and barrier to receiver, the wave length of sound at a par-
ticular frequency, and the presence of other reflecting surfaces.
The distance from the barrier to the receiver should be much greater than the
distance from the source to the barrier. The general rule used in placing bar-
riers is to put them as close to the source or the receiver as possible and to
make them as wide and high as possible to provide the longest possible path.
Baffles, curtains, and three-sided partial enclosures-with or without a top-
tend to redirect sound and are most effective in reducing high-frequency, short
wavelength sound.
Barriers without absorbent material on the source side should be used with
caution. They serve the function of changing the radiation pattern of sound
which may have the undesirable by-product of increasing the sound-pressure
level at some other point.
7.4.2.2.6 Absorbent Coatings and Ceiling Septums. Absorbent coatings
and the soft, porous active layer of a paneled enclosure reduce reverberant
noise within a room. Absorbents convert to heat only the energy that reaches
them. They may reduce sound levels as much as 3 dB-5 dB.
A ceiling septum reduces the reverberant noise and the noise transmitted to
the floor above.
7.4.2.2.7 Receiver Treatment. Reducing noise by receiver treatment or
personal protection is generally not considered to be an engineering method of
noise control, but it is a very important part of an overall noise-control program.

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For existing power plants, it may be the only economically feasible method of
employee protection from intermittent exposure to high noise levels.
Personal protection devices consist of ear plugs of various types, ear muffs,
or earphones. Properly fitted ear plugs and muffs can provide up to 25 dB
attenuation in some frequency bands.
Another personal protection measure which may infringe on path treatment
instead of receiver treatment is to enclose the operator(s) of a piece of equip-
ment in an air-conditioned enclosure, such as a cab or booth. A three-sided
partial enclosure with a top and windows for viewing is an effective technique.
After source and path treatment, the two major categories for the engineering
methods of noise control, have proven to be unfeasible or unpracticable, the
next step in a noise-control program is administrative controls. See 7.7.

7.5 Selection of Noise Reduction Schemes for Different Noise Sources. The
acoustical engineer selects the most appropriate attenuation device for a spe-
cific area, room, or individual piece of equipment after identifying the noise
source by analysis of data obtained during a sound-level survey, determining
acceptable noise criteria, and reviewing probable attenuation techniques. The
most logical device from a noise-reduction viewpoint may not be economically
feasible or practical from a field-erection standpoint. The space available in an
existing plant, multiple penetrations (such as pipes, conduits, and cable trays)
that cannot be sealed airtight, the risk of overheating existing equipment, and
any acoustical device shall be partly removed or disassembled for inspection
and periodic maintenance of equipment are a few of the design parameters that
often prevent use of the most logical acoustical device. All of the design param-
eters should be considered in the selection of any noise attenuation device.
The attenuation techniques listed in Table 11 may be used as a guide in
selecting a device for the reduction of noise from equipment of like size and
type, and similarly located and mounted in a system where projected field use is
the same.
Table 11
Possible Sources of Noise and Possible Methods of Noise Reduction
1. Air Equipment
a. Compressors - acoustical block or paneled enclosure
Air intake and discharge - mufflers
Intake and discharge piping - lagging
Relief valves and vents - quiet trim or in-line silencers
h. Ejectors - lagging, mufflers
c. Open-air jets - quiet trim valves or mufflers
2. Boilers
a. Aspirated doors - wear hearing protectors when doors are opened
3. Coal Handling Equipment
a. Car shakers - provide acoustical booth for operator
h. Coal crushers - enclosure and vibration isolators
c. Feeder vibrators - enclosure
d. Mills or oulverizers - enclosure

(Continued on Page 117)

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Table 11 (Continued)
Possible Sources of Noise and Possible Methods of Noise Reduction
4. Engines
a. Emergency power diesel generator - enclosure
Intake and exhaust - muffler
Cooling fan - shroud intake or exhaust, or both
b. Fire pump diesel - same as above (This is an intermittent duty item.)
5. Electrical Equipment
a. Circuit breakers - mufflers
b. Motors (large) - enclosure and mufflers
c. Transformers - barrier or enclosure (Install in vault with sound absorption.)
6. Fans
a. Forced draft - enclosure, lagging, or duct silencers
i. Open Inlet. Enclosure or acoustical plenum with or without inlet silencers. Configuration
with fans on base slab and inlet ducted from opening near top of boiler may not require
inlet silencers. Air preheater and boiler act as noise sink for airborne noise traversing the
length of the duct. Lagging reduces radiated noise.
ii. Closed Inlet. Lagging or lagging and duct silencers, or both
b. Induced draft - lagging (A silencer may be required to reduce tonal noise.)
c. G a s recirculating - lagging
d. Primary air - lagging and inlet and discharge silencers (Use enclosure if inlets are open.)
e. Ventilating air - louvers and silencers
7. Precipitators
a. Rapper and vibrators - lagging and enclosures
8. Pumps
a. Ash sluice - lagging and enclosure
b. Boiler feed - located operating floor - enclosure
Located base slab - numerous penetrations and maintenance costs affect economic
feasibility of an enclosure in this case.
c. Condensate - lagging and enclosure
d. Condensate booster - lagging and enclosure
e. Fire - lagging and enclosure
9 Soot Blowers
a. Air flow - redesign of some of piping and valves which contribute to noise. Closer fitting
wall box on furnace.
b. Steam flow - same as above
c. Air motor drive - exhaust mufflers
10. Turbogenerators
a. Bearings - walk-in lagging and enclosure
b. Exciter brushes - lagging and enclosure
C. Exciter gears - enclosure
d. Exciter vent fans - install silencers in air inlet and discharge
e. LP turbine casing - seal openings in existing housing
f. Steam control valves - insulate with fiberglass and impervious covering
23. Reduction gearing - enclosure
h. Steam piping - reduce velocity, reduce number of bends and install acoustical/thermal
insulation.
11. Vacuum System
a. Cleaners - lagging and enclosure
b. Ejectors - lagging
c. Pumps - lagging and enclosure

(Continued on Puge 118)

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Table 11 (Continued)
Possible Sources of Noise and Possible Methods of Noise Reduction
12. Valves
NOTE: Quiet trim is usually limited t o replacement items or new facilities.
a. Pressure reducing - quiet trim, multiple step pressure reduction, in-line silencers, lagging,
heavier wall pipe, enclosures
b. Pressure relief - quiet trim, silencers, bell mouth, or tapered exit
c. Steam dump - quiet trim, silencer, heavier wall pipe, and lagging
d. Vent - quiet trim and silencers and plenums
13. Miscellaneous
a. Piping - heavier wall and lagging. Delete discontinuities such as sharp bends, and large
divergent sections. Provide quiet valves or silencers for atmospheric releases. Lower
velocity.
b. Ducting - lagging, turning vanes, addition of stiffeners, and heavier wall thickness
c. Intakes - silencer and louvers
d. Vents - silencers, quiet trim valves, and plenums
e. Housing and panels - lag or damp emitting housing and panels
f. Air and steam leaks - improve maintenance to minimize leaks

7.6 Follow-Up Sound Survey to Evaluate Noise-Control Measures. When

installation or field erection of the attenuation device has been completed, a
follow-up sound survey should be made to determine if the selected criteria
have been met. If noise levels are still excessive, reexamine the methods of
noise analysis and the attenuation device to determine if excessive noise levels
can be traced to
(1) Failure to identify the true noise source in the original or detailed survey
(2) Presence of a secondary source originally masked by the louder source
(3) Inferior materials, improper fabrication or installation of the noise-control
device, or a combination of these
(4) Failure to use the noisiest operating mode as the design basis
( 5 ) Improper selection or design of the attenuation device
Based on this evaluation, modify the existing device or add additional
attenuation to achieve the selected criteria.
It shall be remembered that two noise problems will rarely be exactly the
same, since each piece of equipment has its own noise signature. Comparison of
the data obtained during a follow-up survey and a previous survey will show that
measured noise reduction usually reflects the untreated noise from untreated por-
tions of the same source or from adjacent sources rather than the absolute per-
formance of the control measure. However, the experience and knowledge gained
by this evaluation may be used to improve the performance and reduce the cost of
future ambient noise projects, particularly in the design of new plants.

7.7 Administrative Control. Administrative control involves rearrangement of

work schedules to reduce the overall noise exposure of employees. The imple-
mentation of administrative control can prove to be as costly as the application

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of engineering control. In some cases, labor union contracts may have to be

rewritten before applying administrative control.
For newer power plants, where most employees are not stationed at a par-
ticular operator location, the actual noise exposure of employees may be diffi-
cult to estimate. The determination of typical daily exposures requires
(1) Knowledge of the industry
(2) Interviews with plant personnel to determine their work patterns and sta-
tions
( 3 ) A time and motion study using a sound-level meter and timing device or
personal noise dosimeter
Taking into account the mixed exposure times, it will be found that it is not
essential to reduce all equipment noise levels to 90 dB(A) to comply with cur-
rent OSHA exposure criteria.

7.8 Summary. The basic methods and techniques for noise reduction (see 7.4)
may be used not only in and around power plants, but also in and around other
industrial plants to produce a quieter environment.
Under engineering control for noise abatement, the two major categories of
treatment, source and path, have been discussed and the conclusion drawn that
source treatment is generally the most economical approach to noise reduction.
However, from the standpoint of an overall noise-control program, receiver
treatment through the application of administrative control is quite important
and shall be considered.
Numerous probable sources of noise and known attenuation techniques for
each have been listed and discussed. Experience has shown that once a noise
attenuation method has been employed, a follow-up sound-level survey should
be made to ascertain its effectiveness. Analysis of the follow-up data will aid in
the continuing search for more economical methods, techniques, and devices for
noise reduction in power plants.
The application of known techniques, the analysis and study of the results
achieved, and the reapplication of modified or improved methods to similar
noise problems is a process which shall be continued if the noise problems are
to be resolved effectively.

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8. Noise-Control Design Approach

8.1 Introduction. The noise-emission characteristics of various power-plant
equipment and possible noise-control procedures that can be utilized to reduce
these emissions have been discussed in Sections 5, 6, and 7. Although most of
the techniques can be applied as retrofit solutions to noise problems after the
plant becomes operational, it will generally be found that such retrofit will be
more expensive, more difficult to install, interfere more with equipment opera-
tion and maintenance, and be less effective acoustically than if planned and
implemented in the original plant design. Planning for noise control in the
design stages rather than attempting retrofit solutions to problems also allows
for the important options of either purchasing equipment that incorporates
available low noise design features or using alternate lower noise equipment
types.
An effective design noise-control program that will also be as economical as
possible requires much initial planning and coordination of many interrelated
design aspects throughout the design process. It should not be attempted with-
out first establishing noise-control design objectives. These should not only
define any numerical noise limits that are not to be exceeded but should also
set forth a general policy to be followed for making noise-control decisions in
situations where numerical limits cannot logically be defined. For example, firm
numerical design limits apply in the presence of environmental noise regulations
that set maximum permissible noise levels. In other instances, it may be more
desirable to establish a general design policy instead of setting firm limits on
noise levels. For example, the OSHA regulations are not based on the actual
noise level to which employees may be exposed, but are based on the accumu-
lated noise exposure dose. OSHA does however limit the maximum permissible
continuous noise level to 115 dB(A) for any length of exposure and the max-
imum permissible impulse noise level to 140 dB(A). It may therefore be a more
desirable design approach to establish a general policy regarding compliance
with these regulations which takes into account design cost and the influence of
employee exposure durations in certain plant locations rather than establishing
a firm design limit, such as 90 dB(A).
This section, while suggesting general considerations to be included in devel-
oping noise-control design objectives, does not recommend specific numerical
limits. Legal limits are addressed in Section 3. In the absence of legal restric-
tions, subjective evaluations of noise on people and the influence of noise on
human activity (for example, sleep and speech) shall be relied upon in deter-
mining desirable noise-control design goals. Considerable work is left to be
done in correlating these effects with power-plant noise. Until this work
advances further, it is advisable to maintain contact with the open literature in
trying to rate acceptable power-plant noise levels against these effects.

8.2 A Process for Establishing Practical Noise-Control Design Objec-

tives. Noise-control design objectives should address the two major categories

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of environmental noise (that is, noise emitted beyond the plant property line)
and in-plant noise (that is, noise within the property line). For either of these
two concerns, the development of realistic design objectives can follow a logical
four-step process
(1) Establish ideal noise-control objectives
(2) Determine conceptual noise-control procedures that are probable to
achieve the ideal noise-control objectives
(3) Evaluate the conceptual noise-control procedures and determine those
procedures that are feasible and, if required, will be implemented
(4) Determine realistic design noise-control objectives based upon the limita-
tions established by design procedures considered not feasible
The following subsections outline what is involved in each of the four steps:
8.2.1 Ideal Noise-Control Design Objectives. The purpose of developing
ideal noise-control design objectives is to generate a baseline for preliminary
evaluation of the impact of designing for noise control. These objectives set
forth numerical values with which to compare expected equipment noise emis-
sions and determine probable design noise-control procedures. The required
design procedures are conceptual in nature at this point and generally do not
consider feasibility from aspects other than acoustical. They do however serve
the important functions of allowing those responsible for making design deci-
sions to grasp the potential impact of noise control on the project and providing
the basis for evaluating the feasibility of potential noise-control/design features
from other aspects, such as cost, safety, maintenance, and operations.
Ideal noise-control design objectives are numerical limits that are selected to
ensure that the new power plant will not experience any noise problems at all;
neither from the standpoint of legal requirements nor from the standpoint of
annoyance. Ideal environmental design objectives should consider
8.2.1.1 Legal Requirements. The status of noise regulations that may
affect the new plant should be thoroughly investigated at federal, state, county,
and municipal levels (see Section 3). Ideal design goals should be based upon
existing noise regulations and on regulations that either have been proposed or
are likely to be proposed by governmental bodies.
8.2.1.2 Interference with Activities. Plant noise emissions should not
interfere with activities of surrounding neighbors. Major consideration should be
given to noise-sensitive activities such as sleeping, conversing, or activities
requiring concentration (for example, studying). In determining normal activities
which will be conducted around the new site, possible land use changes around
the site should be considered.
8.2.1.3 Ambient Noise Increases. Neighbors, particularly those in residen-
tial areas, will look upon excessive increases in ambient noise levels as a pollu-
tant that degrades the value and full enjoyment of their property. Ambient noise
surveys should always be taken around a new plant site that has existing neigh-
bors and these results should be weighed in setting ideal noise design objec-
tives. This is also important if there is a possibility of new neighbors moving in
prior to the completion and operation of the plant.

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Ideal in-plant noise design objectives should consider

(1) OSHA Regulations. These regulations set limits on employee noise-expo-
sure doses and not on the actual noise-exposure level. Ideal noise design goals
should establish design levels so that these regulations are met without the use
of work scheduling for compliance. Under the existing regulations, the design
level is 90 dB(A); however, there are indications that this may be reduced to at
least 85 dB(A) and will apply, retroactively, to all plants.
( 2 ) Offie Comfort and Speech Communication. Offices, control rooms, and
some plant areas such as workshops should have ideal design levels established
from the standpoint of comfort and good speech communication. Many refer-
ences address these goals such as noise criteria (NC) curves.
8.2.2 Conceptual Noise-Control Design Procedures. Having established
noise-control design objectives that will ensure no noise problems with the
completed plant (that is, the ideal objectives), the design procedures required to
achieve these goals should be determined. This will require a comparison
between anticipated noise emission levels of major plant equipment and the
ideal design noise-control objectives. At this point, these procedures should be
conceptual in nature but should be accurate enough to reflect probable major
design impacts based upon realistic expectations of the noise emissions of the
equipment and the effectiveness of design procedures in reducing these emis-
sions. The design noise-control procedures which should be considered are
given in Section 6. Conservative estimates of the noise emissions of major
equipment should be used based on past experience with similar or identical
equipment and on manufacturers information, if available.
8.2.3 Feasible Noise-Control Design Procedures. The ideal noise-control
design objectives and the conceptual design procedures described in 8.2.2 are
developed without concern for design aspects other than acbustical. With the
exception of applicable legal limits that specify maximum permissible noise lev-
els, these objectives should be tempered by consideration of other design
aspects. This consideration should involve individuals responsible for manage-
ment, safety, operations, maintenance, and engineering aspects of the project to
ensure that noise-control design procedures implemented are feasible and com-
patible in all respects with the new plant.
The cost aspects of noise control will be of particular significance. In evaluat-
ing the cost feasibility of implementing noise-control procedures, it is important
to consider that there are also costs associated with not using noise control to
reduce the noise levels. Some of these costs may include hearing loss compen-
sation claims, possible increased insurance rates, and lower employee produc-
tivity due to higher noise levels. The costs of not reducing noise levels in the
design will continue throughout the life of the new plant and are impossible to
estimate at this time.
8.2.4 Practical Noise-Control Design Objectives. Some of the design proce-
dures required to achieve the ideal noise-control objectives will not be feasible
from the standpoint of cost, difficulty of maintenance, or other important con-
siderations. This will establish limitations on the noise levels that can be

123
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

achieved. Because of the total absence of any benefits gained by reducing levels
due to secondary noise sources much below these limits, it is important to
determine these limitations. Those design procedures judged to be unfeasible
will determine the practical noise-control design objectives to be used for the
project.

8.3 Applications of Noise-Control Design Objectives. The four-step process

described in 8.2.4 for developing noise-control design objectives results in objec-
tives that
(1) Satisfy all legal requirements
(2) Weigh cost, safety, operations, and maintenance aspects
(3) Weigh potential noise problems not governed by legal requirements
(4) Prevent expensive and ineffective oversilencing of individual equipment by
considering the plant as an entire system in establishing the design objectives
It is significant to note that, in the development of the design objectives, a
considerable amount of the overall noise-control effort will have been accom-
plished. The development of design objectives using the four-step approach
defines the scope of noise-control effort. The individual responsible for noise
control is expected to ensure that the implemented design procedures are com-
patible with the practical noise-control design objectives that are established.

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

9. Bibliography

[Bl] ARCURI, K. Minimizing Noise in Steam Piping Systems, Power Engineer-

ing, vol 76, no 11, Nov 1972.
[B2] ARANT, J. B. How to Cope with Control Valve Noise, Instrumentation
Technology, March 1973, pp 37-43.
[B3] BANNISTER, R. L. Analysis and Control of Steam Turbine-Generator
Noise. Electric Utility Engineering Conference, March 1977.
[B4] BANNISTER, R. L. and CORTESE, A. A. Noise Control of Large Steam
Turbine Generators. IEEE/ASME/ASLE Joint Power Generation Conference,
Paper A 78 821-1, Dallas, TX, Sept 1978.
[B5] BANNlSTER, R. L. and NISKODE, P. M. Analysis and Control of Steam
Turbine-Generator Noise. Noise Control Engineering, Winter 1974.
[B6] BANNISTER, R. L. and PIZZIRUSSO, J. E. The Law and Acoustic
Enclosures, Machine Design. Cleveland, OH: Penton Publishing CO, June 1971,
pp 68-73.
[B7] BAUMANN, H. D. Control Valve Noise: Cause and Cure, Chemical
Engineering, May 17, 1971.
[B8] BOLT, BERANEK, and NEWMAN. Study of Community Noise Complaints
Due to Power-Plant Operations, Report no 2929, 1974.
[B9] BRIFFA, F. E. J., CLARK, C. J., and WILLIAMS, G. T. Combustion Noise,
Combustion, March 1974.
[BlO] CAPANO, G. A. and BRADLEY, W. E. Radiation of Noise f r o m Large
Natural Draft and Mechanical Draft Cooling Towers, ASME Paper 74-WA/
HT - 55.
[Bll] DeBIASE, JOHN L. Criteria and Design Specifications for Plant-Noise Con-
trol, Sound and Vibration, Sept 1972, pp 26 - 30.
[Bla] DIEHL, G. M. Design and Decisions in Machinery Sound Control, Com-
pressed-Air Magazine, Aug 1970- Nov 1971.
[B13] DIEHL, G. M. Think Quiet, Reprint from Compressed-Air Magazine, 1971.
[B14] DYER, I. and MILLER, L. N. Cooling Tower Noise, Noise Control, May
1959, pp 180-183.
[B15] GATLEY, W. S. Industrial Noise Control, Past, Present, and Future,
Mechanical Engineering, vol 93, no 4, April 1971, pp 29-37.
[B16] GRABKOWSKI, S. E., et al, Controlling Noise in a Large Steam Turbine-
Generator Room. Los Angeles, CA: Joint Power Generation Conference, IEEE
Paper F 77 815-4, Sept 1977.

125
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

[B17] GRABKOWSKI, S. E., MAC DONALD, J. and VAN SCHAICK, T. E. Evalua-

tion of Proposed Performance Test Code 36 for Sound Power Level Determina-
tion of Large Steam Turbine-Generators. ASME Transactions, Journal of
Engineering for Power, vol 98, series A, no 4, Oct 1976, pp 493-500.
[B18] GRABKOWSKI, S. E. and VAN SCHAICK, T. E. Sound Power Level Deter-
mination for Large Steam Turbine-Generators, ZEEE Transactions on Power
Apparatus Systems, vol 94, no 1, Jan-Feb 1975, pp 31-36.
[B19] GRASHOF, M. The Assessment of Noise from Industrial Plants by Direct
Measurement and by Calculation. Applied Acoustics, 1976.
[B20] HERZOG, RAYMOND E. Pinpointing Noise with Sound-Level Meters.
Machine Design, April 1973, pp 108-113.
[B21] HEYMANN, F. J., et al. Steam Turbine Noise-A Status Report. Portland,
OR: ASME-ZEEE Joint Power Conference, ASME Paper 75-Pwr-7, Sept 1975.
[B22] HOLLOWOOD, H. B. Electric Equipment Noise. American Power Con-
ference, April 20 -22, 1971.
[B23] JUDD, S. H. Noise Abatement in Process Plants. Chemical Engineering,
Jan 1971, pp 139-145.
[B24] KINGSBURY, HOWARD F. How to Control Mechanical Equipment Noise
in Buildings. Actual Specifying Engineer, July 1972, pp 79 - 88.
[B25] KRUCK, JOHN E. Power Plant Sound Control Program. New York, NY:
Ebasco Services, Inc, 1972.
[Bas] LANDIS, D. E. and BAESEL, H. D. Axial Flow Fans for Utility Service,
PaciJic Coast Electrical Association Engineering and Operating Conference,
March 20-21, 1975.
[B27] MYERSON, N. L. Noise Reduction in Pumps and Pump Systems. Noise
Control, vol 2, 1957, pp 27-32, 91.
[B28] PETERSON, A. P. G. and GROSS, E. E., Jr. Handbook of Noise Measure-
ment. Concord, MA: General Radio Company, 1972.
[B29] WINSHIP, R. D. and BARYNIN, J. Power Plant Noise. Combustion, Nov
1972, pp 29-35.
[B30] YERGES, L. F. Mechanical Equipment Noise and Vibration Control,
HeatinglPipinglAir Conditioning, July 1973.
[B31] Industries Rush to Silence, Iron Age, Dec 1971.
[B32] BERANEK, LEO L., Ed. Noise and Vibration Control. New York: McGraw
Hill, 1971.

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Appendixes
(These Appendixes are not a part of IEEE Std 640-1985, IEEE Guide for Power-Station Noise Control.)

Appendix A
Noise Legislation

Al. Federal Legislation

Al.l. Federal Register 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure [B61.

(a) Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when
the sound levels exceed those shown in Table A-1 when measured on the A
scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response. When noise levels are
determined by octave band analysis, the equivalent A-weighted sound level may
be determined as follows:
Equivalent sound level contours. Octave band sound pressure levels may be
converted to the equivalent A-weighted sound level by plotting them on this

Fig A1 (OSHA Fig G.9)

Band Center Frequency (Hz)
140

130 125

w
J 120
2
120 115
a
U:I
3
ul
110
UI
a:
a 110
n 105
z
3

100
100

95

90
90

30

100 200 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

BAND CENTER FREOUENCY [Hz)

The numbers in brackets preceded by the letter B correspond to those of the References listed
in A4. of Appendix A.

127
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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

graph and noting the A-weighted sound level corresponding to the point of high-
est penetration into the sound level contours. This equivalent A-weighted sound
level, which may differ from the actual A-weighted sound level of the noise, is
used to determine exposure limits from Table A-1.
(b) (1) When employees are subjected to sound levels exceeding those listed
in Table A-1, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If
such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table A-1, personal
protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within
the levels of the table.
(2) If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second
or less, it is to be considered continuous.

Table A-1 (OSHA Table G.16)

Sound level
db(A) slow
Duration per day, hours response
8 90
(i 9%
4 95
:3 97
2 100
1% 102
1 105
?h 110
/4 or less 115

When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise
exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered rather
than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: CUT1 +
C2/T2.. . . Cn/Tn exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered
to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified
noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level.
Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound
pressure level.
NOTE: Section 1910.95(c) through ( s ) and Appendixes A through I describe the hearing conserva-
tion program. These amendments are still under administrative review prior to final issuance.

A1.2. Guidelines to the Department of Labor Occupational Noise Stan-

dards, Bulletin 334, Rev 1971 [B71
(1) Introduction. Noise has long been recognized as an occupational cause of
hearing loss. Some companies have for many years taken steps to reduce noise
levels and the exposure of their employees to them. In promulgating noise
standards under the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act, the Department of
Labor merely made mandatory minimum standards which have proved practical
and effective in preventing hearing loss in many plants.
Measurement, control, and protection against noise is a somewhat technical
subject and one with which plant management, which is responsible for the

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

enforcement of safety regulations, may not be familiar. Therefore, this bulletin:

First, explains the terms used in Sections 50-204.10 and 1910.95 [BSI of the
Occupational Safety and Health Standards, as amended and first published in
the Federal Register on May 20, 1969.
Second, explains what is expected of the employer to be in compliance with
the requirements.
Third, specifies certain instruments, equipment, and procedures which will be
acceptable as a basis for judging compliance.
These latter points are of particular interest to technical personnel, either at the
plant or engaged on a consultative basis, to assist them in developing and carry-
ing out the required controls and procedures.
This bulletin is equally applicable to employers currently covered by the
McNamara-OHara Service Contract Act and by the Williams-Steiger Occupa-
tional Safety and Health Act of 1970.
(2) Determining Sound-Level Exposures and Permissible Limits. Basically,
Sections 50-204.10 [B6] and 1910.95 [B6] set maximum permissible noise levels
and exposures and explain the types of corrective action which shall be taken if
these noise levels are exceeded.
Al.1 (a) states:
(a) Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the
sound levels exceed those shown in Table 1 of this section when measured on
the A scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response.. ..
Loss of hearing occurs as a result of the cumulative effect of exposure to
sound above a maximum intensity and over a maximum duration in a given
period of time. For the purpose of this guide, the basic permissible intensity is
90 dB(A) for a duration of 8 h a day. The amount of sound energy absorbed
during such an exposure is considered to be the upper limit of a daily dose
which will not produce disabling loss of hearing in more than 20% of the
exposed population.
Table 1 indicates the duration of exposure to higher sound intensities which
will result in no more damage to hearing than produced by 8 h at 90 dB(A).
Employees shall not be exposed to steady sound levels above 115 dB(A),
regardless of the duration.
The A scale is one of several on the sound-level meter, a measuring instru-
ment used to determine sound intensity. On this scale, the instrument reacts in
much the same way as does the human ear in that it is much less responsive to
low-pitched tones than to those of higher pitch. The slow response is another
setting of the instrument that causes it to average out high-level noises of brief
duration (such as hammering), rather than responding to the individual impact
noises.
It is important to note that decibels are measured on a logarithmic rather
than a linear scale. Every increase of 10 dB represents an increase of approx-
imately 300% in sound pressure. A 100 dB noise is therefore 3 times as intense
as a 90 dB noise, rather than approximately 10% more intense, as might be
expected. Illustrated another way, if one machine produces a sound level of

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Std 640-1%5 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Table 1
Permissible Noise Exposures'
Sound level
db(A) slow
Duration per day, hours response
8 90
6 92
4 95
3 97
2 100
1% 102
1 105
% 110
Yi or less 115
'When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more
periods of noise exposure at different levels, their combined effect
should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If
the sum of the following fractions: CUT1 + C2/T2 . . . . Cn/Tn
exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to
exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a
specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure
permitted a t that level.

90dB, a second machine of the same kind placed next to it will result in a
combined noise level of 93 dB, rather than 180 dB, which might be expected.
( 3 ) Exposures at Different Sound Levels. Table 1 describes the method by
which several separate exposures to different sound levels during a day are to
be treated in determining whether or not the combined exposure is within per-
missible limits.
For example, assume that an employee works most of the day in an area in
which the sound level is 90 dB(A), but for 105 min out of each of 8 h, he is in
an area of 100 dB(A), and for one 15 min period each day, he is in an area of
105 dB(A).
This adds up to 6 at 90 dB(A): permissible duration of exposure, 8 h; 1: h at
100 dB(A): permissible exposure 2 h; and t h at 105 dB(A): permissible expo-
sure, 1 h. Tabulating it, we have:

Actual Time Permissible Time

C T
d3W (h) (h)
90 6 8
100 1: 2
I
105 -
4
1

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 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

These values expressed as an equation is as follows:

-6 + +175
+ - = -025
+ + + 6- = 7 2 15
-=1.87
8 2 1 8 8 8 8

This is greater than unity and therefore not permissible. Either the exposure to
the 100 dB(A) levels have to be eliminated or the exposure to 105 dB(A) elimi-
nated and the exposure to 100 dB(A) reduced to 0.5 h or 30 min so as not to
exceed the permissible total exposure. In addition; no further exposure at the
90dB(A) level is allowed.

0.25 = -2.0
6 + -
- = 6 + -
1 or - 0.50 = _
2.0= 1
8 1 2 8 2 2
(4) Impulse o r Impact Noise. The last sentence of Sections 50-204.10 [B6]
and 1910.95 [B6] states
Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound
pressure level.
This sets the upper limit of sound level to which a person should be exposed,
regardless of the brevity of the exposure.
In contrast with the 115 dB(A) upper limit for steady noise, the higher inten-
sity for impact noise is permissible because the noise impulse resulting from
impacts, such as hammer blows or explosive processes, is past before the ear
has time to react fully. Impact noise levels are to be measured only with an
impact meter or an oscilloscope.
(5) Converting Octave-Band Analyzer Readings. Many plants have done
much noise-control work based on measurements taken with the type of instru-
ment that measures the sound level at each of a number of frequencies, or
pitches, of the sounds produced rather than the overall total noise, as measured
by the sound-level meter. A chart is provided in the regulations to permit read-
ings obtained from an octave-band analyzer to be converted to corresponding
values as indicated in Table 1.
Sections 50-204.10 [B6] and 1910.95 [B6] (a) state
When noise levels are determined by octave-band analysis, the equivalent A-
weighted sound level may be determined as follows:
Equivalent sound level contours. Octave band sound pressure levels may be
converted to the equivalent A-weighted sound level by plotting them on this
graph and noting the A-weighted sound level corresponding to the point of high-
est penetration into the sound level contours. This equivalent A-weighted sound
level, which may differ from the actual A-weighted sound level of the noise, is
used to determine exposure limits from Table 1.
Figure A2 illustrates, in a general way, the response of a sound-level meter
working on the A scale. It minimizes, as does the ear, the low-frequency sounds
and emphasizes, as does the ear, the high-frequency sounds. Thus, a 90 dB read-
ing on the A scale may include as hlgh as 103 dB at 125 Hz, but will not accept
more than 85 dB at 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz.

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IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

140

125

120

115
0
z
3

110

105

100

z
A
W
Y 95
> a
2 2
3
0 Y
90

100 200 500 1000 2000 4000 8000

BAND CENTER FREQUENCY ( H r )

Fig A2
Band Center Frequency (Hz)

To illustrate the use of Fig A2 in converting octave-band readings into A-scale

sound-level-meter readings, two sets of values of octave-band readings have
been plotted. Series 1 shows readings at or below the 90 dB(A) curve, except at
2000 Hz, where the reading falls on the 95 dB(A) curve. In this case, the sound
level for use of Table A1 should be taken as 95 dB(A). In Series 2, all the
readings are below the 100 dB(A) curve, except at 1000 Hz, where the reading is
just on the curve. The value to be used in Table 1 would therefore be 100 dB(A).
A s noted in Fig A2, the actual sound levels measured with a sound-level
meter on the A scale may differ somewhat from the values determined by plot-
ting the readings from an octave-band analyzer on the graph. These differences,
for most sounds, are of the same order of magnitude as the errors to be
expected in the measurement and are not important. The intention is to provide
a simple and relatively accurate means of conversion from one system of mea-
surement to another to accommodate existing, effective plantwide programs.
(6) Variable Noises. Sections 50-204.10 [B6] and 1910.95 [B6] state the final
consideration in determining whether or not a permissible sound level is being
exceeded.
If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or
less, it is to be considered continuous.

132
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Where the sound-level meter on the A scale, at slow response, moves up from
a generally steady reading, for example, from 88 dB to 92 dB, at intervals of 1 s
or less, the high reading shall be taken as that to be used in Table 1.
As a corollary, intermittent sounds of brief duration at intervals greater than
1 s should, as far as practical, be measured as to intensity and duration, and the
total duration over a day be ascertained. This total should be entered in the
equation given in Table 1, Footnote 1, to determine the permissible limit. These
intermittent sounds, which can be measured with a sound-level meter, should
not be confused with impulse sounds of very short duration resulting from
impacts or explosions.
(7) Control Measures. Sections 50-204.10(b) [B6] and 1910.95 (b) [B6] refer
to control measures to be taken:
(b) When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in the
Table of Permissible Noise Exposures, feasible administrative or engineering
controls shall be utilized.. . .
The Department of Labor considers feasible to mean Capable of being done,
accomplished or carried out; capable of being dealt with successfully [B8].
(8) Engineering Noise-Control Measures. Engineering controls are those
which reduce the sound intensity either at the source of the noise or in the
hearing zone of the workers. For example,
(a) Maintenance
(i) Replacement or adjustment of worn and loose or imbalanced parts
of machines
(ii) Lubrication of machine parts and use of cutting oils
(iii) Properly shaped and sharpened cutting tools
(b) Substitution of machines
(i) Larger, slower machines for smaller, faster ones
(ii) Step dies for single operation dies
(iii) Presses for hammers
(iv) Rotating shears for square shears
(v) Hydraulic for mechanical presses
(vi) Belt drives for gears
(e) Substitution of processes
(i) Compression for impact riveting
(ii) Welding for riveting
(iii) Hot for cold working
(iv) Pressing for rolling or forging
(d) Vibration dampening
(i) Increase mass
(ii) Increase stiffness
(iii) Use rubber or plastic bumpers or cushions
(iv) Change size to change resonance frequency
(e) Reducing sound transmission through solids
(i) Flexible mountings
(ii) Flexible sections in pipe runs

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Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

(iii) Flexible shaft couplings

(iv) Fabric sections in ducts
(v) Resilient flooring
( f ) Reducing sound produced by fluid flow
(i) Intake and exhaust mufflers
(ii) Fan blades designed to reduce turbulence
(iii) Large, low-speed fans for smaller, high-speed fans
(g) Include noise level specifications when ordering new equipment
(h) Isolating noise sources
(i) Completely enclose individual machines
(ii) Use baffles
(iii) Confine high noise machines to insulated rooms
(i) Isolating operator. Provide a relatively soundproof booth for the oper-
ator or attendant of one or more machines.
Controlling noise at the source [see (8) (a)-(i)] is the ideal means of prevent-
ing noise-induced hearing loss. The results are relatively long lasting; the oper-
ator of the individual machine is protected, and the employees a t a distance
from it, and there is no need for wearing protective equipment or following
prescribed schedules of exposure. The measures listed in (h) (ii), (h) (iii), and
(i) will, if effective, limit the number of persons exposed to high noise levels,
but are unlikely to protect operators and those close to the noise sources.
A number of the listed controls can be accomplished quite inexpensively by
plant personnel. Others require considerable expense and highly specialized
technical knowledge to ensure the expected results. It is therefore strongly rec-
ommended that plants avail themselves of the services of competent acoustical
engineers in planning and carrying out their noise-control programs.
The Department of Labor expects employers to explore the possibility and
practicability of controlling noise by engineering and to take all feasible mea-
sures before resorting to use of administrative controls or of personal protective
equipment.

(9) Administrative Controls. If noise cannot be reduced to permissible inten-

sities through engineering controls, administrative controls should be developed
so as to limit the duration of workers exposure to noise levels above 90 dB(A)
to the times shown in Table AI. For example:
(a) Arrange work schedules so that employees working the major portion
of a day at, or very close to, the 90 dB(A) limit are not exposed to higher noise
levels.
(b) Ensure that employees who have reached the upper limit of duration
for a high noise level, in accordance with Table 1, work the remainder of the
day in an environment with a noise level less than 90 dB(A).
(c) Where the workhours required for a job exceed the permissible time for
one employee in one day for the existing sound level, divide the work among
two, three, or as many employees as are needed, either successively or together,
to keep individual noise exposure within permissible time limits.

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

(d) If less than full-time production of a noisy machine is needed, arrange

to run it a portion of each day, rather than all day for part of the week.
(e) Perform occasional high-level noise-producing operations at night or at
other times when a minimum number of employees will be exposed.
Measures such as these can often be instituted at little cost or effort, simply
by introducing noise exposure as a factor in production planning. While not as
satisfactory as controlling noise at its sources, administrative control measures
are more easily enforced than is the requirement to wear personal protective
equipment. For this reason it is preferred.
(10) Personal Protective Equipment. When engineering and administrative
controls fail to bring noise levels or duration of exposure to them below permis-
sible levels, the use of personal protective equipment is required, as stated in
Sections 50-204.10(b) [B6] and 1910.95 (b) [B6]
If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table,
personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound lev-
els within the levels of the table.
The use of personal protective equipment is considered by the Department of
Labor to be an interim measure while engineering and administrative controls
are being perfected. There will be very few cases in which the use of this equip-
ment will be acceptable as a permanent solution to noise problems.
Some methods of control, such as providing an isolation booth for operators
or conducting noisy operations when few employees are in the plant, may
require use of personal protective equipment by the operator when he must
emerge from his booth to make adjustments, or by those few employees who
carry on the noisy operation.
In addition, the regulations require both the provision and use of personal
protective equipment. It is up to the employer how to accomplish the latter. The
Department of Labor recommends however that an educational and promotional
program precede initiation of required use of such equipment, and continue as
long as necessary to achieve 100% acceptance by employees. In the absence of
an observable high proportion of use, the Department of Labor will consider the
lack of a training and promotional program as constituting a violation of the
regulation.
(11) Selection of Personal Protective Equipment. Cotton stuffed in the ears
has little value and will not be accepted by the Department of Labor because of
the relatively small attenuation (reduction of noise level) and the care that shall
be taken in using it.
Fine glass wool can be used instead of cotton because the attenuation that
can be achieved is very good. It is an acceptable protective device.
Wax impregnated cotton, when properly inserted in the ear, provides protec-
tion equivalent to that provided by plugs or muffs. If supervisors can ensure
that this material is properly used and fresh material is provided daily, then this
type of ear protection will be acceptable.
Properly fitted earplugs are essentially equal in attenuating ability to ear
muffs; either is acceptable to the Department of Labor. Plugs are inexpensive

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but shall be fitted to the individual. In addition, plugs, and any other type of
protector inserted into the ear, shall be issued by a physician or by a trained
person under the direction of a physician. Frequent checks shall be made to see
that the plugs are being properly inserted.
Ear muffs, though relatively expensive, may be issued by any designated per-
son in the plant, as the only fitting required is adjustment of the headband. This
makes it very easy for the supervisor to check on proper use of the muffs. Long
hair and spectacle or goggle temples will interfere with the seal made by the
cushioned edges of the muffs and will correspondingly reduce the actual
attenuation as stated by the manufacturer.
Regardless of the type of ear protector decided upon, its attenuation, as
stated by the manufacturer, shall be sufficient to reduce the noise level in the
workers ear to the level and for the duration prescribed in Table 1. The manu-
facturers stated values are determined under ideal conditions and therefore, as
a precaution, it is wise to assume that the attenuation actually attained in use in
the shop will be at least 5 dB less than the stated value.
The Department of Labor strongly recommends that any employee who is
exposed to high sound levels and requests ear protection be provided with it,
even if the duration of exposure is within the limits prescribed by Table 1.

(12) Hearing Conservation Program. Sections 50-204.10 [B6] and 1910.95

[B6] conclude
In all cases where the sound levels exceed the values shown herein, a con-
tinuing, effective hearing conservation program shall be administered.
Where the sound level in a working area has not been reduced to 90 dB(A) or
below by engineering means, and reliance must be placed on administrative
controls to limit duration of exposure, or on ear protection to reduce the sound
level actually reaching the ear, a hearing conservation program is required. The
program will be applied to all those employees whose work brings them either
steadily or infrequently into areas in which sound levels exceed 90 dB(A).

(13) Definitions.
continuing. A program will be in effect and in use for the duration that noise
levels above 90 dB(A) occur in the plant.

effective. Employees exposed to those noise levels above 90 dB(A) will not
suffer continuing deterioration of hearing acuity because of the exposure, and
incipient loss of hearing will be detected and necessary steps taken to prevent
further deterioration before serious hearing loss has occurred.

hearing conservation. Refers to audiometry; periodic checks of the noise level

in the areas in which employees are working.
NOTE: The entire range of actions required by Sections 50-204.10 [B6] and 1910.95 [MI are applicable.

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(14) Audiometry. Audiometric tests will be made of all individuals whose

exposure to noise levels equals or exceeds an 8 h time-weighted average of
85 dB. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that administrative controls in
use or ear protection devices provided are being adhered to or properly used
and are effective in preventing loss of hearing from the noise levels en-
countered.
At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer shall
obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above a time-
weighted average of 85 dB.
An audiologist, otolaryngologist, or qualified physician shall review the
audiograms to determine whether any significant threshold shift is work related
or whether there is need for further evaluation.
(a) Test Facilities and Procedures. The test booth or room shall meet the
criteria of ANSI S3.1-1977 [B2] for testing to a minimum level of 10 dB on the
IS0 1964 audiometric scale [B5].
The booth or room may be either prefabricated or locally built. Doors, gas-
kets, and other parts of the room or booth that may deteriorate, warp, or crack
shall be carefully inspected periodically and necessary repairs or replacements
made at once to ensure that successive audiometric tests of each individual are
directly comparable and will give a true evaluation of the individuals hearing
ability.
The operator of the audiometer should be positioned outside the room or
booth but able to see the interior through a window. The person being tested
shall face away from the operator and the audiometer to ensure that all his
responses are based on sound signals alone.
The test shall consist of an air conduction octave-band analysis, as described
in ANSI S3.1 1977 [B2] and shall include, at least, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz,
4000Hz, and 6000 Hz.
The audiometric tests shall be made by a person trained and skilled in
audiometric testing.
(b) Audiometers. The audiometer used to make these tests shall meet the
specifications of ANSI S3.6-1969 (R1973) [B3] for limited range and pure tone
audiometers.
The audiometer shall have a certificate of calibration before it is placed in
use, and shall be recalibrated each year thereafter. This calibration shall check
both frequency and intensity at each setting, rise time and overshoot, and elec-
trical and mechanical integrity. A current certificate attesting to such calibration
shall be readily available for inspection by the Department of Labor.
There shall be a statement on the audiometer indicating whether it is cali-
brated to the values of ANSI S2.451983/ASA 51 [B4] which is identical to IS0
R389-1964 [B5].
The audiometer shall be subjected to a biological check, preferably once a
week but at least once a month, or before each use of the instrument if it is
used less than once a month. The check shall be made by testing a person with
a known and stable audiometric curve. The monthly check should include

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movement and bending of cord, wire, and lead; knob turning, switch actuating,
and button pushing to ensure that there are no sounds other than the test tones.
A log of these checks shall be maintained and available for inspection.
(c) Records. In addition to the certificates and logs referred to in (13) (b), a
record of each audiogram made on each individual tested shall be available for
inspection. Records of audiometric tests shall indicate whether readings are
based on ANSI S2.45-1983/ASA 51 [B4] (IS0 R389-1964 [B5]). The complete
records on each employee required to be tested shall be retained for 1 year
following termination of employment or transfer to an area in which noise lev-
els above 90 dB(A) do not exist.
The records will be examined for evidence of any deterioration of hearing
acuity and of action taken to prevent further deterioration in those employees
found to suffer some loss of acuity. Conclusions as to the effectiveness of con-
trol measures taken will be based on examination of a significant number of
audiograms and not upon the basis of one or two cases.
(d) Audiometric Tests Outside of the Plant. If audiometric tests are done
outside the plant, the Department of Labor representative will also inspect the
facilities and test records and the same standards will apply.
Plant management will make arrangements for such inspection with the per-
son conducting the audiometric tests and may accompany the representative in
the inspection and review of records.
(15) Noise Surveys. A noise survey of each area in the plant in which sound
levels exceed 90 dB(A) shall be made at least once each year to ensure that
sound levels have not increased above those originally existing. The survey may
also establish that noise levels in some areas have been reduced to levels below
90 dB(A) and thereby justify discontinuing application of requirements for
administrative controls, ear protection, and audiometric tests of individuals in
such areas.
A noise survey of an area is recommended whenever a change is made in
either equipment or type of operations, so that significant changes in noise level
will be acted upon immediately.
Tests of noise levels will be made with a sound-level meter on the A-scale,
slow response. The use of octave-band analyzers or impact meters for control
or other purposes shall be in addition to, not in place of, tests made with the
sound-level meter.
The sound-level meter used will be one meeting the specifications in ANSI
S1.4-1983 [Bl].
Records will be made of such surveys showing
(a) The instrument used
(b) Date
(c) The time and location of such tests
(d) The machinery or equipment generating the noise
(e) The name of the person making the test
Test records shall be kept readily available for inspection for 1 year or until a
subsequent survey is made, if done more frequently.

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The noise survey will be made by an insurance carrier, a consultant, a repre-

sentative of a state health or labor department, or by a qualified individual des-
ignated by the company.
(16) Compliance Plan. Whenever a noise survey shows noise levels in excess
of those listed in Table 1, necessary steps to reduce the noise exposure to or
below those levels shall be ascertained and a detailed plan, with completion
dates for individual steps, shall be prepared.
Following the original survey that shows the existence of overexposures, the
steps in a typical compliance plan might include the following steps (not neces-
sarily in this order and some usually going on simultaneously):
(a) A detailed survey of sound levels and sound spectra to determine the
sources of excessive sound levels
(b) Initiation of engineering studies to determine methods for reducing the
sources of excessive sound levels
(e) Planning and initiation of feasible administrative controls, such as modi-
fying production schedules to divide noisy jobs among a number of people to
bring each below the permissible limit or spreading part-time noisy operations
(d) Initial audiograms for personnel excessively exposed
(e) Installation of a personal protective equipment program
( f ) Follow-up audiograms at appropriate intervals to assess effectiveness of
the personal protective equipment program and administrative controls
(g) Installation of engineering controls, or process changes to reduce noises
at their source
(h) Repeated noise surveys to measure effectiveness of the engineering
changes
When the compliance plan involves long-term engineering projects (for exam-
ple, one or two years), it may be revised from time to time as conditions
change. The orderly completion, on schedule, of the various phases of the com-
pliance plan, together with other components of the hearing conservation pro-
gram, will be considered in compliance with the regulation.

A1.3. Highlights of the Noise-Control Act of 1972

(1) Background of Legislation. Recognition of the fact that noise is an
environmental problem that affects people other than workers has been late in
coming.
Federal noise legislation first appeared in 1968 when Congress directed the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish rules and regulations to con-
trol aircraft noise.
At the state and local levels, laws tended to treat noise as a public nuisance,
and enforcement was difficult and spotty. More recently, some jurisdictions,
notably in California, Chicago, and New York City, have established new laws
and ordinances that are based on noise-generating characteristics of specific
equipment and therefore are easier to enforce.
The Clean Air Amendments of 1970 called for the establishment of an Office
of Noise Abatement and Control in the United States Environmental Protection

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Agency (EPA). The legislation also called for public hearings of environmental
noise and a special report to the Congress on the problem, incorporating the
results of the public hearings and other special studies. Information from this
EPA report and extensive Congressional hearings formed the basis of the Noise-
Control Act of 1972.
(2) The Effects of Noise. Half of the some 80 million people significantly
affected by noise (from transportation, construction activities, and other engine-
powered equipment and devices) are exposed to levels that can damage their
hearing or otherwise affect their health. Noise also interferes with communica-
tion and interrupts sleep-generally adding to the stress of modern life-with
some of the resulting physiological responses apparently chronic. For the aver-
age urban dweller, the fact that noise impinges upon the quality of the environ-
ment is probably the most impelling reason for quieting things.
( 3 ) The Noise-Control Act of 1972. The Noise-Control Act of 1972 represents
the first major federal attempt to eliminate excess noise at the design stage of a
wide variety of new consumer products.
The administrator of the EPA is required to develop and publish information
regarding permissible levels of noise, and then to set noise standards for prod-
ucts that have been identified as major sources of noise.
While aircraft noise control remains under the administration of the FAA, the
law gives the EPA an advisory role in formulating criteria and standards for
controlling this source of noise.
(4) Major Provisions. The EPA is directed to develop and publish information
on the noise limits required for protecting the public health and welfare and a
series of reports to identify products that are major sources of noise and to give
information on the techniques for controlling noise from such products.
Using the criteria thus developed, the EPA administrator is required to set
noise-emission standards for products that have been identified as major
sources of noise and for which standards are deemed feasible. The law requires
such standards to be set for products in the categories of construction equip-
ment, transportation equipment (except aircraft), all motors and engines, and
electrical and electronic equipment. It also grants authority to set standards
deemed feasible and necessary to protect public health and safety for other
products.
The EPA has authority to require the labeling of domestic or imported con-
sumer products as to their noise-generating characteristics or their effectiveness
in reducing noise. Manufacturers or importers of nonconforming or mislabeled
products are subject to fines of up to $25000 per day for each violation and to
imprisonment for up to one year. Manufacturers must issue warrants that at the
time of sale their regulated products comply with federal standards. They are
also required to maintain records and provide information, including production
samples, if requested by the EPA.
The EPA administrator also is to prescribe noise-emission standards for the
operation of equipment and facilities of interstate railroads, ,trucks, and buses.
All federal agencies are directed to use the full extent of their authority to

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

ensure that purchasing and operating procedures conform to the intent of the
law. The EPA may certify low-noise emission products for purchase by the
federal government.
(5) Some of the Common Noisemakers. Aircraft, transportation equipment
(most notably trucks), and construction equipment are major sources of
environmental noise. Recently, the booming recreation industry has added a
new dimension to the problem as snowmobiles, trailbikes, and other engine-
powered devices have become more and more popular. By the end of 1970,
there were approximately two and one-half million motorcycles in the United
States, five times the number in use in 1960. The growing number of power
tools and devices in use in the home (manufacturers of power lawn-mowing
equipment have shipped nearly 89 million units since 1946) are also adding to
the din. It is not surprising, then, that from 22 to 44 million people have lost
part of the use of their homes because of aircraft and transportation noise.
(6) Aircraft Noise. Under the Noise-Control Act of 1972, the EPA administra-
tor was required by mid-1973 to make a comprehensive study of aircraft noise
and cumulative noise exposure around airports. Using this information, the EPA
is to submit to the FAA proposed regulations to control aircraft noise and sonic
booms. After a hearing and further consultation with the EPA, the FAA may
adopt or modify the proposed regulations. The FAA may reject the proposals if
it believes they are unsafe, technologically or economically infeasible, or not
applicable to certain aircraft. However, it must publicly explain its specific rea-
sons for rejection. A continuing review and consultation role is provided for the
EPA.
( 7 ) Citizen Suits. Any person may start a civil action on hidher own behalf
against any person or the United States and any other governmental agency for
violation of this act. Similarly, civil action may be brought against the adminis-
trator of the EPA or the FAA for failure to perform any nondiscretionary duty
under this law. Rights which a person may have under different statutes or the
common law to enforce a noise-control requirement are not restricted by this
law.
(8) An End to Noise Pollution. The comprehensive nature of the Noise-
Control Act of 1972 brings under federal regulation, for the first time, nearly all
of the major new sources of noise. An incentive now exists for the full employ-
ment of noise-control technology that is already available, and the day when
quiet is restored appears closer.

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A2. State Legislation

A2.1. Illinois Pollution Control Board Rules and Regulations, ch 8, Noise

Regulations, Aug 3, 1973, pt 1, General Provisions

Rule 101: Definitions. Except as hereinafter stated and unless a different

meaning of a term is clear from its context, the definitions of terms used in this
chapter shall be the same as those used in the Environmental Protection Act.
All definitions of acoustical terminology shall be in conformance with those
contained in ANSI Sl.1-1960 (R1976), Acoustical Terminology.
(a) ANSI: American National Standards Institute or its successor bodies.
(b) Constmction: On-site erection, fabrication, installation, alteration, dem-
olition or removal of any structure, facility, or addition thereto, including all
related activities, including, but not restricted to, clearing of land, earth moving,
blasting, and landscaping.
(c) Daytime hours: 7:OO am to 1O:OO pm, local time.
(d) dB(A): Sound level in decibels determined by the A-weighting of a
sound-level meter.
(e) Decibel (dB): A unit of measure, on a logarithmic scale to the base 10,
of the ratio of the magnitude of a particular sound pressure to a standard refer-
ence pressure, which, for purposes of this Chapter, shall be 20 micronewtons
per square meter (pN/m).
(f) Existing property-line-noise-source: Any property-line-noise-source,
the construction or establishment of which commenced prior to the effective
date of this Chapter. For the purposes of this subsection, any property-line-
noise-source whose A, B, or C land use classification changes, on or after the
effective date of this Chapter, shall not be considered an existing property-line-
noise-source.
(g) Impulsive sound: Either a single pressure peak or a single burst (mul-
tiple pressure peaks) for a duration less than one second.
(h) New property-line-noise-source: Any property-line-noise-source,the es-
tablishment of which commenced on or after the effective date of this Chapter.
(i) Nighttime hours: 1O:OO pm to 7:OO am, local time.
0) Noise pollution: The emission of sound that unreasonably interferes
with the enjoyment of life or with any lawful business or activity.
(k) Octave-band sound-pressure level: The sound-pressure level for the
sound being measured contained within the specified octave band. The refer-
ence pressure is 20 micronewtons per square meter.
(1) Person: Any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust,
estate, public or private institution, group, agency, political subdivision of this
State, any other State of political subdivision or agency thereof or any legal
successor, representative, agent or agency of the foregoing.
(m) Preferred frequencies: Those frequencies in Hertz preferred for acous-
tical measurements which, for the purposes of this Chapter, consist of the fol-

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POWERSTATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

lowing set of values: 20, 25, 31.5, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 315, 400,
500, 630, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3150, 4000, 5000, 6300, 8000, 10000,
12500.
(n) Prominent discrete tone: Sound, having a one-third octave-band sound-
pressure level which, when measured in a one-third octave band at the pre-
ferred frequencies, exceeds the arithmetic average of the sound-pressure levels
of the two adjacent one-third octave bands on either side of such one-third
octave band by:
(1) 5 dB for such one-third octave band with a center frequency from
500 Hz to 10 000 Hz, inclusive. Provided: such one-third octave-band sound-pres-
sure level exceeds the sound-pressure level of each adjacent one-third octave
band, or;
(2) 8 dB for such one-third octave band with a center frequency from 160
Hz to 400 Hz, inclusive. Provided: such one-third octave-band sound-pressure
level exceeds the sound-pressure level of each adjacent one-third octave band,
or;
(3) 15 dB for such one-third octave band with a center frequency from
25 Hz to 125 Hz, inclusive. Provided: such one-third octave-band sound-pressure
level exceeds the sound-pressure level of each adjacent one-third octave band.
(0)Property-line-noise-source: Any equipment or facility, or combination
thereof, which operates within any land used as specified by Rule 201 of this
Chapter. Such equipment or facility, or combination thereof, must be capable of
emitting sound beyond the property line of the land on which operated.
(p) SLUCM: The Standard Land Use Coding Manual (1969, United States
Government Printing Office) which designates land activities by means of
numerical codes.
(q) Sound: An oscillation in pressure in air.
(r) Sound level: In decibels, a weighted sound-pressure level, determined
by the use of metering characteristics and frequency weightings specifled in
ANSI S1.4-1983, Specification for Sound-Level Meters.
(s) Sound-pressure level: In decibels, 20 times the logarithm to the base 10
of the ratio of the magnitude of a particular sound pressure to the standard
reference pressure. The standard reference pressure is 20 micronewtons per
square meter.
(t) Unregulated safety relief valve: A safety relief valve used and designed
to be actuated by high pressure in the pipe or vessel to which it is connected
and which is used and designed to prevent explosion or other hazardous reac-
tion from pressure buildup, rather than being used and designed as a process
pressure blowdown.

Rule 102: Prohibition of Noise Pollution. N o person shall cause or allow

the emission of sound beyond the boundaries of his property so as to cause
noise pollution in Illinois, or so as to violate any provision of this Chapter of the
Illinois Environmental Protection Act.

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Rule 103: Measurement Techniques. Test procedures to determine whether

emission of sound is in conformance with this Chapter shall be in substantial
conformity with Standards and Recommended practices established by the
American National Standards Institute, Inc (ANSI) and the Society of Auto-
motive Engineers, Inc (SAE), and the latest revisions thereof, including ANSI
Sl.1-1960 (R 1976), ANSI S1.4-1983, ANSI S1.8-1969 (R 1974),-Type 1 Precision,
ANSI S1.11-1966 (R 1976), ANSI S1.13-1971 (R 1976) Field Method, SAE 5-184.
The Agency may adopt procedures which set forth criteria for the measure-
ment of sound. Such procedures shall be revised from time to time to reflect
current engineering judgment and advances in noise measurement techniques.
Such procedures, and the revisions thereto, shall not become effective until filed
with the Index Division of the Office of the Secretary of State as required by
An Act concerning administrative rules, approved June 14, 1951, as amended.

Rule 104: Burden of Persuasion Regarding Exceptions. In any proceeding

pursuant to this Chapter, if an exception stated in this Chapter would limit an
obligation, limit a liability, or eliminate either an obligation or a liability, the
person who would benefit from the application of the exception shall have the
burden of persuasion that the exception applies and that the terms of the
exception have been met. The Agency shall cooperate with and assist persons in
determining the application of the provisions of this Chapter.

Rule 105: Severability. If any provision of these rules or regulations is

adjudged invalid, or if the application thereof to any person or in any circum-
stance is adjudged invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity of this
Chapter as a whole or of any part, subpart, sentence or clause thereof not
adjudged invalid.

Part 2, Sound Emission Standards and Limitations for Property-Line-Noise-

Sources. All terms defined in Part 1 of this Chapter which appear in Part 2 of this
Chapter have the same definitions specified by Rule 101 of Part 1 of this Chapter.

Rule 201: Classification of Land According to Use

(a) Class A Land. Class A land shall include all land used as specified by
SLUCM Codes 110 through 190 inclusive, 651, 674, 681, through 683 inclusive,
691, 711, 762, 7121, 7122, 7123 and 921.
(b) Class B Land. Class B land shall include all land used as specified by
SLUCM Codes 397, 471 through 479 inclusive, 511 through 599 inclusive, 611
through 649 inclusive, 652 through 673 inclusive, 675, 692, 699, 7124, 7129, 719,
721, 722 except 7223 used for automobile and motorcycle racing, 723 through
761 inclusive except 7311 used for automobile and motorcycle racing, 769
through 790 inclusive, and 922.
(c) Class C Land. Class C land shall include all land used as specified by
SLUCM Codes 211 through 299 inclusive, 311 through 396 inclusive, 399, 411
except 4111, 412 except 4121, 421, 422, 429, 441, 449, 460, 481 through 499

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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

inclusive, 7223 and 7311 used for automobile and motorcycle racing and 811
through 890 inclusive.
(d) A parcel or tract of land used as specified by SLUCM Code 81, 83, 91
or 922, when adjacent to Class B or C land may be classified similarly by action
of a municipal government having zoning jurisdiction over such land. Notwith-
standing any subsequent changes in actual land use, land so classified shall
retain such B or C classification until the municipal government removes the
classification adopted by it.

Rule 202: Sound Emitted to Class A Land During Daytime Hours. Except
as elsewhere in this Part 2 provided, no person shall cause or allow the emis-
sion of sound during daytime hours from any property-line-noise-source located
on any Class A, B or C land to any receiving Class A land which exceeds any
allowable octave band sound pressure level specified in Table 1, when measured
at any point within such receiving Class A land, provided, however, that no
measurement of sound pressure levels shall be made less than 25 feet from
such property-line-noise-source.

Table 1
Octave Band Allowable Octave Band Sound Pressure Levels (dB) of Sound
Center Frequency Emitted to any Receiving Class A Land from
(Hertz) Class C Land Class B Land Class A Land
31.5 75 72 72
63 74 71 71
125 69 65 65
250 64 57 57
500 58 51 51
1000 52 45 45
2000 47 39 39
4000 43 34 34
8000 40 32 32

Rule 203: Sound Emitted to Class A Land During Nighttime Hours. Except
as elsewhere in this Part 2 provided, no person shall cause or allow the emission
of sound during nighttime hours from any property-line-noise-source located on
any Class A, B or C land to any receiving Class A land which exceeds any allow-
able octave band sound pressure level specified in Table 2, when measured at any
point within such receiving Class A land, provided however, that no measurement
of sound pressure levels shall be made less than 25 feet from such property-line-
noise-source.

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Table 2
Allowable Octave Band Sound Pressure Levels (dB) of Sound
Octave Band
Emitted to any Receiving Class A Land from
Center Frequency
(Hertz) Class C Land Class B Land Class A Land
31.5 69 63 63
63 67 61 61
125 62 55 55
250 54 47 47
500 47 40 40
1000 41 35 35
2000 36 30 30
4000 32 25 25
8000 32 25 25

Rule 204: Sound Emitted to Class B Land. Except as elsewhere in this Part
2 provided, no person shall cause or allow the emission of sound from any
property-line-noise-source located on any Class A, B or C land to any receiving
Class B land which exceeds any allowable octave band sound pressure level
specified in Table 3, when measured at any point within such receiving Class B
land, provided, however, that no measurement of sound pressure levels shall be
made less than 25 feet from such property-line-noise-source.

Table 3
Allowable Octave Band Sound Pressure Levels (dB) of Sound
Octave Band
Emitted to any Receiving Class B Land from
Center Freauencv
(Hertzj Class C Land Class B Land Class A Land
31.5 80 79 72
63 79 78 71
125 74 72 65
250 69 64 57
500 63 58 51
1000 57 52 45
2000 52 46 39
4000 48 41 34
8000 45 39 32

Rule 205: Sound Emitted to Class C Land. Except as elsewhere in this Part
2 provided, no person shall cause or allow the emission of sound from any
property-line-noise-source located on any Class A, B, or C land to any receiving
Class C land which exceeds any allowable octave band sound pressure level
specified in Table 4, when measured at any point within such receiving Class C
land, provided however, that no measurement of sound pressure levels shall be
made less than 25 feet from such property-line-noise-source.

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Allowable Octave Band Sound Pressure Levels (dB) of Sound

Octave Band
Emitted to any Receiving Class C Land from
Center Frequency
(Hertz) Class C Land Class B Land and Class A Land
31.5 88 79
63 83 78
125 78 72
250 73 64
500 67 58
1000 60 52
2000 54 46
4000 50 41
8000 47 39

Rule 206: Impulsive Sound. No person shall cause or allow the emission of
impulsive sound from any property-line-noise-source located on any Class A, B,
or C land to any receiving Class A, B or C land which exceeds the allowable
dB(A) sound level specified in Table 5, when measured at any point within such
receiving Class A, B, or C land, provided however, that no measurement of
sound levels shall be made less than 25 feet from the property-line-noise-source.

Table 5
Allowable db(A) Sound Levels of Impulsive Sound Emitted to
Classification of
Designated Classes of Receiving Land
Land on Which Property-Line-
NoiseSource is Located Class C Land Class B Land Class A Land
Daytime Nighttime
Class A Land 57 50 50 45
Class B Land 57 57 50 45
Class C Land 65 61 56 46

Rule 207: Prominent Discrete Tones

(a) N o person shall cause or allow the emission of any prominent discrete
tone from any property-line-noise-source located on any Class A, B, or C land to
any receiving Class A, B, or C land, provided however, that no measurement of
one-third octave band sound pressure levels shall be made less than 25 feet
from such property-line-noise-source.
(b) This rule shall not apply to prominent discrete tones having a one-third
octave band sound pressure level 10 or more dB below the allowable octave
band sound pressure level specified in the applicable table in Rules 202 through
205 for the octave band which contains such one-third octave band. In the appli-
cation of this sub-section, the applicable table for sound emitted from any exist-
ing property line noise source to receiving Class A land, for both daytime and
nighttime operations, shall be Table 1 (Rule 202).

147
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Rule 208: Exceptions

(a) Rules 202 through 207 inclusive shall not apply to sound emitted from
land used as specified by SLUCM Codes 110, 140, 190, 691, 7311 except as used
for automobile and motorcycle racing, and 742 except 7424 and 7425.
(b) Rules 202 through 207 inclusive shall not apply to sound emitted from
emergency warning devices and unregulated safety relief valves.
(c) Rules 202 through 207 inclusive shall not apply to sound emitted from
lawn care maintenance equipment and agricultural field machinery used during
daytime hours. For the purposes of this sub-section, grain dryers operated off
the farm shall not be considered agricultural field machinery.
(d) Rules 202 through 207 inclusive shall not apply to sound emitted from
equipment being used for construction.
(e) Rule 203 shall not apply to sound emitted from existing property-line-
noise-sources during nighttime hours, provided, however, that sound emitted
from such existing property-line-noisesources shall be governed during night-
time hours by the limits specified in Rule 202.

Rule 209: Compliance Dates for Part 2

(a) Except as provided in Rules 209(f), 209(g), 209(i) and 209(j), every
owner or operator of a new property-line-noise-source shall comply with the
standards and limitations of Part 2 of this Chapter on and after the effective
date of. this Chapter.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this Rule 209, every owner or oper-
ator of an existing property-line-noise-source shall comply with the standards
and limitations of Part 2 of this Chapter on and after twelve months from the
effective date of this Chapter.
(c) Every owner or operator of an existing property-line-noise-source who
emits sound which exceeds any d o w a b l e octave band sound pressure level of
Rules 202, 203, 204, or 205 by 10 dB or more in any octave band with a center
frequency of 31.5 Hertz, 63 Hertz or 125 Hertz shall comply with the standards
and limitations of Part 2 of this Chapter on and after eighteen months from the
effective date of this Chapter.
(d) Except as provided in Rules 209(f), 209(g), and 209(h) every owner or
operator of an existing property-line-noise-source required to comply with Rule
206 of this Chapter shall comply with the standards and limitations of Part 2 of this
Chapter on and after eighteen months from the effective date of this Chapter.
(e) Every owner or operator of an existing property-line-noise-source
required to comply with Rule 207 of this Chapter shall comply with the stand-
ards and limitations of Part 2 of this Chapter on and after eighteen months from
the effective date of this Chapter.
(0 Every owner or operator of Class C land now or hereafter used as
specified by SLUCM Codes 852 and 854 shall have three years from the effective
date of this Chapter to bring the sound from necessary explosive blasting activi-
ties in compliance with Rule 206, provided that such blasting activities are con-

148
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POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

ducted between 8:OO am and 5:OO pm local time, at specified hours previously
announced to the local public.
(g) Every owner or operator of Class C land now and hereafter used as
specified by SLUCM Code 4112 shall have three years from the effective date of
this Chapter to bring the sound from railroad car coupling in compliance with
Rule 206.
(h) Every owner or operator of Class C land on which forging operations
are now conducted shall have three years from the effective date of this Chap-
ter to bring sound from the impact of forging hammers into full compliance
with the limits specified in Rule 206 for emissions to any receiving land.
(i) Every owner or operator of Class C land now and hereafter used as
specified by SLUCM Code 291 shall comply with the standards and limitations
of Part 2 of this Chapter on and after two years from the effective date of this
Chapter.
0) Every owner or operator of Class C land now and hereafter used as
specified by SLUCM Code 7223 and 7311 when used for automobile and motor-
cycle racing shall comply with the standards and limitations of Part 2 of this
Chapter on and after two years from the effective date of this Chapter.

A2.2. State of New York Adopted Rules of Procedure Regarding Certifica-

tion of Major Steam Electric Generating Station Noise, Part 75.
Section
75.1 General Requirements
75.2 Exhibit K Present Environmental Sound Levels
75.3 Exhibit L Facility Conceptual Design, Construction, Operation, and Mainte-
nance Characteristics Affecting Environmental Sound Levels

75.4 Exhibit M: Impact of Facility Construction, Operation and Mainte-

nance on Environmental Sound Levels
Section 75.1 General Requirements. (a) As used in this Part:
(1) The term daytime means the period from 7:OO am to 7:OO pm
(2) The term evening means the period from 7:OO pm to 1O:OO pm
(3) The term nighttime means the period from 1O:OO pm to 7:OO am
(4) The term noise sampling time period means one of the 12 time periods
shown on Table L1.
(5) The term area of noise impact means that area in which the on-site
construction, operation, or maintenance of a proposed facility during any noise
sampling time period would probably cause an ambient sound level increase of
five or more decibels on the A weighted scale.
(6) The term noise sampling area means the area within the area of impact
plus one-quarter mile beyond the boundary of the area of noise impact.
(7) The term noise sensitive land use means any land use which may be
adversely affected by an increase in the ambient sound level and includes a
hospital, house of worship, outdoor amphitheater, auditorium, nursing home,
library, residential structure or area, and educational institution.

149
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

(8) The term noise sampling location means the general area containing the
specific sampling points at which measurements are taken.
(b) The information on present environmental sound required by subdivi-
sions (a) and (b) of section 75.2 shall:
(1) Include data collected during noise sampling time periods within 18
months prior to the date on which the application is filed;
(2) Be based upon generally accepted measuring and recording techniques;
(3) Contain a statement of the bases for determining the number and loca-
tion of noise sampling points adequate to determine that the measurements
taken are representative of the site and area of noise impact;
(4) Contain a statement of the bases for determining the number of observa-
tions made at each sampling location adequate to determine that the data is
statistically reliable;
(5) Be based upon data collected in weather conditions which do not create
a bias in the data, such as winds, rain, sleet, hail, falling snow, or thunder;
(6) Be based upon field measurements made during normal ambient condi-
tions when significant temporary changes in sound patterns have not occurred,
such as transportation strikes and closed streets, except that this restriction
shall not apply if there is a generally acceptable method for adjusting data to
reflect any temporary change in sound patterns; and
(7) Unless circumstances indicate or require that measurements should be
made at a greater height or closer to a vertical reflecting surface, be based upon
measurements taken four to five feet above the ground and at least 12 feet from
a vertical sound reflecting surface.
(c) In providing the information on present environmental sound levels
required by subdivision (b) of section 75.2, the applicant shall indicate:
(1) The time, location and date of measurement;
(2) Appropriate meteorological data, including air temperature, relative
humidity, and wind speed and direction; and
(3) The name and pertinent training and experience of the persons respon-
sible for the measurement.
(d) (1) For each instrument and microphone combination used to measure
sound level or frequency, the applicant shall state the:
(i) Name;
(ii) Make;
(iii) Type; and
(iv) Method and date of calibration.
(2) Only measurements from sound measuring equipment that meets the
Type 1 specifications of the American National Standards Institute (S1.4-1971)
may be used to satisfy the requirements of this Part.

75.2 Exhibit K: Present Environmental Sound Levels. (a) The applicant

shall submit overlays for the ambient noise sampling area showing ambient
sound contours for each note sampling time period at intervals of five decibels
on the A weighted scale.

150
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

(b) For the noise sampling area for each noise sampling time period at each
location, the applicant shall submit, in tabular form and, with the exception of
the information required by paragraph (3), graphic form, a summary of the
results of observations showing:
(1) The frequency occurrence distribution, with a class interval or cell size of
five decibels or less;
( 2 ) A cumulative percentage curve;
(3) The peak sound measured in decibels on the A weighted scale, slow
response; and
(4) The frequency, duration, and octave band pressure level of any pure tone.
(c) The applicant shall submit an overlay or overlays showing each noise
sampling location and each noise sensitive land use within the noise sampling
area.

75.3 Exhibit L: Facility Conceptual Design, Construction, Operation and

Maintenance Characteristics Affecting Environmental Sound Levels. For
each
(1) Major source of construction related noise during the period of facility
construction, and
(2) Facility component which will be a major source of noise during facility
operation or maintenance, the applicant shall estimate, based upon the manufac-
turers specifications, if available, or experience at a comparable plant, or tech-
nical literature, the average and maximum sound levels in decibels on the
A weighted scale and, in the case of a pure tone sound, the octave band sound
level in decibels and the frequency. In presenting the information required by
the preceding sentence, the applicant shall, for each sound level, state the asso-
ciated distance from the sound source. Additionally, the applicant shall state the
times of the year, week, and day each such noise would be generated and any
measure or measures proposed to minimize such noise, including the use of low
noise producing equipment or components.

75.4 Exhibit M: Impact of Facility Construction, Operation, and Mainte-

nance on Environmental Sound Levels. (a) The applicant shall evaluate the
noise impact associated with the construction of a facility. The applicant shall:
(1) Provide such overlays as may be necessary to show any projected shift,
resulting from facility construction, in any ambient sound level contour shown
on the overlays required by subdivision (a) of section 75.2; and
(2) Submit a statement evaluating any such shift in ambient sound levels and
the effect of such shift on any noise sensitive land use, including an estimate of
the number of people affected within the area of noise impact.
(b) The applicant shall evaluate the noise impact associated with the oper-
ation and maintenance of a facility. The applicant shall:
(1) Provide such overlays as may be necessary to show any projected shift,
resulting from facility operation at full load and from facility maintenance, in
any ambient sound level contour shown on the overlays required by subdivision

151
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

(a) of section 75.2; and

(2) Submit a statement evaluating any shift in ambient sound levels and the
effect of any such shift on noise sensitive land uses, including an estimate of
the number of people to be affected within the area of noise impact.

Table L-1
Noise Sampling Periods
Season Day Time
Winter Monday through Friday Daytime
Winter Monday through Friday Evening
Winter Monday through Friday Nighttime
Winter Saturday or Sunday Daytime
Winter Saturday or Sunday Evening
Winter Saturday or Sunday Nighttime
Summer Monday through Friday I Daytime
Summer Monday through Friday I Evening
Summer Monday through Friday I Nighttime
Summer Saturday or Sunday Daytime
Summer Saturday or Sunday Evening
Summer Saturdav or Sundav Nighttime
The requirement is for any of the five weekdays

152

-
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

A3. City Noise Ordinances

A3.1. Communities with Noise Legislation

"Municipal Noise Ordinances: 1975. The enactment of city noise ordinances
continues to grow in the United States. Compiled below is the current list of
539 municipalities with noise regulations, up 23% over the 1974 figure of 440.
These ordinances now affect a combined population of over 66 million people.
"There is a continuing interest in enacting legislation with quantitative noise
emission limits which replace nonquantitative or general nuisance provisions.
"The ordinances are organized by category: Nuisance, Zoning (land use), Vehi-
cles, Recreation Vehicles, Railroads, Aircraft, Construction and Building. New
categories this year are Recreational Vehicles, Railroads, and Construction.
Regulations containing acoustical criteria are referred to as performance type
regulations, while those without noise emission limits are nonquantitative and
difficult to enforce. Land use regulation through the zoning process is still the
largest single category of noise control, with a 41%increase over 1974. All cate-
gories have grown significantly in the number of acoustical criteria enactments.

111 43 12 26 42 22
93 17 6 5 55
M 4? U1 508 442 509

1970
Jurisdiction Powlation
I7 412
8?.3ai
10 487
e? 973
28.691
Lorn l a 19.783
long 8zac11 358 633
tns Altos H , I b 6.853
Lcr ingeler 2.816.05i
Los Banor 9.188
Lywood 43.353
IN?ONA Yarlcca 13.845
llajrlah
Phoenn. .
26.177
581.55?
0
c
-- J
c
-
K
-- -- -- -- Uen'o Pail
Yonwe,
26 826
26 302
Tempt
Tucsm
..
.
.
_.
.. .
...
62.s37
262.93;
P
0
0
E
m - - L - -
- - - - - -
Nerark
N r r ~ o i lBeach
27,153
49 422
hcrito 31.0%
ARKANSS 361,561
Litfir Rock
rlhr 81.11
..... 132,125
57.389
E
2 -
-- -- -- -- -- -- 77.365
36 02J
55.SSF.
'lliDi!4!A 112.951
&antra 62.125 24.610
16C.7M 16.6~5
43.Ti7 7.676
166 716 Pmr-rnind 79 043
33,416 ROSS 2.742
63 M6 Sarramcnto 254 413
ba.871 Salinas 56.633
19,580 San baclrno 13.031
72,fbU San Grmaidmo 104.251
2.oai San C m t n l c 17.063
18.216 Szn Dicpo 696.769
88.462 San irancsco 715 614
52.273 Sam MIIWS 3.8%
15 620 San lorc 445,779
1.834 Sin kanCro 66 698
31.826 San Matro 18 -1
165.172 San Rclac: 38.92
100.859 Sanla Barba a 7C.?15
Cirdwa 41,021 Sanata Clara 67.717
Grorm Crwz 121.371 slnla IC Svrinks I4 7%
CknEal* 132.752 M a Yana 32 i 4 9
Glendora 31,349 Santa 8oa 1 3 8a.289
Ya,irrL 93.058 Santa Rosa 50.0%
Hm4 12.252 Saurrltto 6.158

153
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

:: 2 a s
E
2 .EP E E

.
1970 f 1970 $ f
I'opuiation Z'WP I 8 P
.--
Jurisdiction Jurisdiction PoDulation
-
S m Yadey ..... 59 83L U - - MI& 3;619 c - -
- -
..
South tl hkmle. 13 442 U - - 72586
South Gale . . . .
Sunspalr . . . . . .
..
56.939
45 a3 E n - - -
TJIIU-'
I m p .~. . . . . . . . . . . . .
.m................
298.740 E -
<- --
--
hac, . . . . . .
Iwiancc . . . . . . . .
14.724
134 5&
-
m a n
0 - -
c -
E of8JSurtbkld . . . . . . . .
v m e . .~. . . ~. . . . . .
3.613
'6.878
14.211 E
-
Victomille . . 10.u5 U - - Vulmia Cndens . . . . . . . 2.592 2 - --
c -
COLOiiPOO
Amadz . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49.083
west urmi . . . . . . . . .
I& PJhn L a c h . . . . .
Wmtu Hawen . . .
5.989
27.132
16.136 o
0 - o
Aspen . . . . . 2,404
Aurora. . . . . . . . . 74 974 ctmu
Bould?r . . . . . . . . . 66.870 Alma ................. 3.156
Colorado Springs . . 135 NO UlJntl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 697.421
Denver ......... 514.618 Clmllh . . . . . . . . . . 4.987
Orllon r....... I82 Cmolton . . . . . . . . . . 13 520
tnglewood . . . . . . . . . . . 33 695 Cbrton ................ 2.669
Fort Collins ....... 43.337 Colkge P J h ............ 18.203
LakewcDd .... 92.i81 tolumbus .............. 154. I68
Littlclon .............. 16.466
- Riape . . .
y..heat 3.795
krdele . . . . . . . . . . . .
DJC& . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.733
782
COI!NCCTlCUT Oanielsrille . . . . . . . 310
Errlin . . . . . . . . 16149 U
a n
--
- -- -- m-- m--
- Decatur . . . . . . . . . .
D m ............
21.943
220
Bridgeport . . . . 156,542 E

- -- --- --
farnqton . 14390 0 P 0 FlOnIY %Jnch. ........ 161
tlarllord . . . I58017
- -- -- 2- fwesl Park, . . . . . . . . . .
6nIlin . . . . . . . . .
19.994
22.134
Ne* daven . . . . 137.707 0 0
Slontng!on . . . . issgn I I I I I Hawilk . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,567
westpart . . . 27 414 Kinasland . . . . . . . . . . . 1.631
..........
Lake CiIy 2.306

.
OCUXPRE .........
Loultvllls 2.691
Wilnim&an 80386 U E 0 - - - - - Macon . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .
HogntIt
122.423
16.4GO
DlSTFlCI 01 COLUYBll Nnnan . . . . . 11.205
0 t r t : ~ lof Columb,a 756.510 Cl 0 - - - - - Peazhtret . ,
City ,
RlncOn . . . . . . . .
753
1.854
1tERIOA Rimdale ...... 2.521
Anna Maria . 1,404 Savannah ........ 118.345
Allantis 844 ipnc .......... 136
Bal Harta Village 2.104 Warnu Robins .. ,.., 33.491
E J marbcr
~ 4,723 Wapeslmro 5.530
Ba) Lale 18
BKK~Raton 28 506 IIIWLII
Cape Cana.eral 5.131 ll0ffilUl" ......... 324.811 0 I - - - - -

.
C.eawz'rr 52.074
mulo
- - - - -
Cocca Beach I I 555
Car11 Cables
Dama
. 42.494
9 819
Boise . . . . . . . . .
Idaho Fills ......
14.9W
35.776
D
-
C
--
1
-- -- -- -- --
DayIona Beach ~7.6a2 sOCIttlb . . . . .. . 40,035 0
Decrlield k a c h 19 577
Deland . . . . . . . .
~ ~ 11.641
&IIJVBeach , , 19.915
CdWJ!Cr .... 3.3a
-
iM LsuCefdak
1 Ulers . . .
139.590
32.563
......
57239 - -- 8 E -
0 - - - - -
-
8 - - - - -
31.152 80.318 0
uJlrUlWlk
HJ!lJndJh
..........
.........
64,510
32,292
4,235
u.237 --
L
-- m- -- -- -- -- a-
Hialeah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102.452 27.291
- 6 - - 8 - -
-- 00 - -- -- 0- --
nlJl?tb C J l h S . . . 1.076 12.G6 0
n3llpxd . . . . . . . . 106.873 126.963 0
t&WSltJd . . . . . . . . 19 022 141.370 C
. . . . . .
l n a m ihofes 691 4942 0 - U - - - - -
hCbJsWl!k . . . . . 528.865 32.800 O P P Q - - I I -
LJke Bucna YlSIJ . . . . . 22

. -- - -
45 091 IXD11YA
---
Ldd~td
Lahe PJlk . . . . . . 7.921 lvmsnlk . . . . 138.i64 o n R U
. . -
Late Worlh . . . . . . .
LaudCrdak b~ l h r .
25.934
2.441 %mn6 '. . .
175.:15 D
1 0 7 . ~ 8 ~c
U
o
0
e m -- o- --
-- --
&J
LqhthJrsr Pam1 ..... I 1 160 In<ianapolis . . . 145.73
- - - - - 0
-
- - 0
UadurJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.169 Cqatr Ouner 982
Margate . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,153 b d h Bcnd . . . . . . . . . 125.580 0 - 0 - -
Yelbvufn 40.236
MlMl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IOWA
R -
--- --- o0 --
334.859
M.ml kach .......... t9.141 M a r falls.. . . 29.597 0 0 D
Ymmi S h o r t s . . . . . . . . 9.541 b n c n l Blulls . . . . . 60.3:8 D -- C i7
c - --
MtrJmJr . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.384
21.132
0a.c:wt
DesMoines
........
. . .
91.459
2M.587
D
0 - E -
m -
-- -- 0- --
kW7h hJdCIdJk ....... 5.648 Dvbuque . . . . . . . . . . .
hllr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
62.309
- -
0 0
m -
--- --- --- ---
h f l h Miami ............ 42.970 6.668
S ~ m C i l [ : . . . _ . .. . . . D -
D -
M h PJlm bJCh . , , . , . . 12.056 82.925 0 0
Oakland Park ...........
Oldmar ..............
19.lM)
2.090
Stmbe . . . . . . .
WJtCflOO . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.591
15.533
0
0
B
- - - - - -
............. 12.924
...............
~~

OrMO 97.565
h l l J I I M . ........... 29.512
Plan1 C i r . ............. 15.781
h l l d J S Nk ........... 28.525

.
hk LXh bfdmt . . 8.315
h a D J m Buch ......... 3e.544 IfKWCKV
Cmengton . . . . . . . . . . . . - 0 0 - -- 0- --
- -- 0- - --
R n W J LaCb ........... 21.401 52.535 0
..........
Redinm ylorcr.. ......
..........
SL h N l l M l [
SJfJSOtI ..............
2.111
216.232
44.631
Lbi*gton
b ~ ~ ~ v . ~. l. l . e. . . . .
108,131
361.412
U
W -
M h0
- ......... 1.1125 LOUISIANA
t J t m Rouge.. .........
IlnOdem~ . .~. . . . . . . . .
165,963
593.471
0 - 0
0 G - - -
- 0 -- - --0

154
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

1970 1970
Jurisdiction mpulation Jurisdiction
___. --
YAWUNO
Baltimore 905 759
Cumb-rland 29 724
RKkVllk 41 54.4
tklLIus1n . . . . . . . .
YASUCllUSfTlS ~aCkinlJch . . .
Acton ............ 15.770 -mmonton . . . . .
Bustun . . . . . . . . Y1.070 wcr
COcCQtd . . . . . . 16.148
Fall " C l ... 96.898
Milford . . . . . . . . . 19.352
Mcwlon . . . . . . . . . . 91.163 O -
Ptllsf~eld . . . . . . 57.C20 - E
......
Springfield
6orceslcI . . . . . .
163.905
176.512
- I
- -
q 0 -
0 - 0 -
Ann Arbor 99 197 O D c -
Augusta lownshtv 1016 c - YJrta:e . . . . . . . . . . 3 -
Bewrl" YdIS 13.598 0 - Maynod.. . . . . . . . . . . c -
Bmtn'gham 26,170 0 - Morrlsto*n . . . . . . . C -
Cornslock 5.003 m - Naa? C -
Dearbarn lo4 199 0 - Newlin c -
1.512 893 0 -
(klroll
Farmm Ion
Grand gapids
10.329
197,649
0
0
-
0
l a t h ha'eoon
htrth WildiJDo - -
r , -
Wltlq . . . . . . 2 -
KalamazGo a5 555
23 817
0 0
B P
Ocean C n y . . . . . c -
Mcr#dmTo*nshv Orange G i l l . . . . .
Millord 0 699 -
n
I
i
Parsaic . . . . . . . . . . . . :I
Ponljac . . . . . . . 85.279 c -
Ravenna .......... 51 0 - 0 -
Sacinan . . . . 91 a43 E O
1rq . . . . . . . . . 39 419 0
u n
- :I
warre,, . . . . . . . . 179.260 C .
Vmtland . . . . . 86.749 K m m n
vlpn.,ng . . . . . . 5L 560 0 - C .

MlMllLSOli
B omin 81 970
c- -
tun
Cannon falls 2 155
u -
I D
Colvnibia Heqhls 23 837 m -
MlnncaFnlls
RQcheSle;
434.m
53 156
Svmwt
ltcnlari . . . . . -
n -
SI Paul 309.828 Vinelare . . . .
a
-
rl -
-

MISS1SSIPPI
Whn? c -
C -
Iachwn 153.~ m m
- m
MISSOURI
BridEeton 19.992 e :
Clldslsne 23.422
WmGaiidgt m -
Crandrlcr 17.456 YiIICO
lndewndenct 111,662
507.330
.i?"rfq"c . . c 2
trlltp II-
622.236 Lor !!.amor ..... i. -8
Irn.096
3.376
- 3
nut - m
nu 61 581 c -
b,eal falls 60 W1 u -
Helena 22 730 u -
w~saau!a 25 497 3 -
0 0
Ifll:su 3 -
Bra: sic I 2 187
Lmoh
McCnok
Id* 518
8 f85
us --
z n m
-
m
Omana 3Jb 929
Scuttshlu~l 14 507 -
- I
Sidnrr 6 258 U
r
-
- -
ULVLOA
u -
bs Vejar 125 787 0 - C
0 -
NEW "i*PSP'PE
Mancb*slrI 87 754 1,592 c l -
57.681 c -

.
MEW JERSLI 620 E -
P91KS6 . . . . . . . . 6 094 2 4.814 c -
Arbuq Pirk
8 nne
..... 16.533
12 703
- 2.167 c. -
c -
: h e
Y
8.754
BX"ll*. . , . .. 34.613 m Burlington 35.930 0 -
&rkeky Heighlr .... 13 078 Carolina Beach 1.663 n -
Bliljmbeld ...... 52,059 U Cnrbafo 3.412 0 -
konlon ......... 9.261 m C~UWIntii 25.537 D -
. . . .
Badentorn
& anlm . . . . . . .
4.490
6.741
0
0 - Concord
COWK
18,464
160
0
0
-
-
ditnmn . . . . . . . . . 11.991 0 Durham 95.438 0 -
CJlndcn . . . . . . . . . . . .
cape Y* . . . . . . . .
102.551
4.392
0
C - hytlltlmlk
Fwerl City
53.510
7.179
0
0
-
-
Cl,IlO" ........... 82.437 8 Franklin 2.336 0 -
Clmlon ..... 1.742 C luauar Varina 3.576 0 -
corbln ............. 2s a GJsJia ....... 47,I43 0 -
Dcm ............ 15.039 0 Gibsonvtlle , . . , 2.OIE 0 -

155
 IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

1970
Jurisdiction Jurirdlction Population
coldstoru
GreLnsbcrr. . . . .
26.8l(r
144076
0
i:
-- -
0
-- -- -- -- -- UMI C I l O U I I A
ColvmDia ............. 113.WZ
-- -- -- --
nicko 20569 U - - - - - - -
High?wni I..::'. : 63.204 U -- -- ---
ilorenii . . . . . . . . . . 25.937
Kingr Mountain 8(05
-- -- - - - - HLlll DAKOTA
--- --- --- --- --
Kinslon . . . . . . 72.33 c Lemm.7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.456
*Ire 8cach ... 0
Laurmbu;g . . . . .
3q4
8.859 0
0
-
-
-- --
Sicux Falls ............. 72,486
Lumbcrloo . . . . . . . 16.961
- --- --- --- ---
---
RIXtt*LI
Mad son
Maitro
.....
. . .
2,081
541
2
0
--- -- t h l t l r s w ~ a .... . . . . . . .
Kiny.prt ..............
119.923
31.939
Marian . . . . . . . . . .
- - - -
0
Mom? . . . . . . . . . .
3.335
11.282 0 -
- -- -- -- -- -- Kmxntb ............... 276.293
MI. Pleasant . . . . . . . . . 1.174 U -- -
Nm@m . . . . . . . . . . . . .
llutlnlk ...............
621.530
44.003
...... ....
- - - -
2 0
Ner errn 1466@
- - --
--- --- --- ---
~

nmtnn ........ ;,a57 0

rffytl" S. . . . . . . . . . 123.793
3.383
C
0
-- 0
-- --
mu
*rurilb ........ 121.010
* a t m ................
Roanoke F!apis : . 13.500 C -
-- - - - - --
193.862

--
. . . . .
'
0 kanc . . . . . . . . . . . 117.548
Rocky Mount
..........
y.2Iy
649 0 - - - -
- - - - -- &r:.Ffntl
'. : ::::.:;.: 204.525
-- ---
ROW1 844.401
SalisbJr
seaboarg ..:.
Sllvel Cltj . .
' .
22.515
(11
4,689
2
0
0 - -- -- -- -- -
II
fell mr
..............
fIt0
.............
322.261
393.476
Sou!hem Pines
Staterwllt .
. . . .
. .
5.937
19.996
U
0
-- -- --- --- - -- - --- -
-
.............. 81.137
I1.232.0i
o 97 457
larboro
Thml,r,l,a
....
. . . . . .
9.423
15.230
3.182
0 -m-
--- -- -- -- -- -
--
3c.507
I h lI
--- - - - -
YaICrre 0
---
3,148 0 78.381

--- --- --- --- ---

w a i t torest. . ' .'
2.382
Walnul Cove .... 1,213 0
654.15j
Warran
Washington
Wilminplon . .
. .
...
. . 2.701
8,961
0
0
C
-- -- - - - - -- Wuhit, l i l t s ....
30.497
96,265

-- -- -- --
46.169
Winston-Salem
Winton
..
. .
132.913
917
0
U*-
B
-
E
- nu
Ogdm............... 69,478
hrp ................. 9.131
ROZlM DAKOTA
Bisnlark ..... 34,703 2 - - - - - - - b m n ........
&H bM City . . . . . . . . .
2.005
175,865
OHl9
A h " 215.525 0 110.927 - 0 -
9,902 C 174.284 . E -
152.5?4 0 89.580 0 - -
m

.--
750 903 0 Hamplan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125.779 c c 0
YO 075 0 a Yorpolt "5. ........ 1% I 7 1 a
- - -

.
243.bC1 a
12.367
.-.
hdblk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rctunond . . . . . . . . . . .
307.951
249.621
--
U
0
-
-
-
36.306 d
Vir#inii k a c h ..... 172.106

.
6: 941 0

.
383 818 3 WASMUCM
1).05; U blterve . . 61.102 m - -
Calitls P I x e 4.510 G - 0 -
Meefia . . . . . . 3.455 - 0 -
D
0 - Pd:r,afi
Rti:lind
......
......
X.W
26.2SJ
o
m - -
c -
kaWt -

.
532,531 - I -
0 0
hohawh
Smtrsc
5.114
IlO.S!i
E E C -
c - - - -
I! TacmJ
Wall. Walla
154.581
25.619
= : c -
u -
6

.
- 4a ' -
C
- Irkma 45.w - c -

1W.571
12 686
129.231
2 631
0
U
0
(I

D
--
--
---
--
---
rnCElStN
Mahn .
IIbIwYUkee
RKcm
5 p
. . . . .
........
...............
~ .U. . . . . . . . . . . . .
113.258
711 372
95,162
6.258
E
cl
8
3
.;-
.
0

-
E
.

L,
-
-

-
--
-.-
i.w.o5a ?!Is
uO.ll7 =Pet ............ 39.361 5 - -
102.564
i8.070 - - ;beyeme . . . . . . . . . . .
Lrnk . . . . . . . . . . .
(0.914
7.112
m
3
-
-
a
D
-
-
I& .......... 4.w7
MOM ISUED
Crinrtm ...... m -- -- lmrtan ,. . . . . . . . . . . . .
lrlrd . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.95
s.m5 - - -
b s l RandcMe ...... B
......... m M* ....... a,m,en
!!
-- --
?mUcbet E 0
ho*.J?Kt. . . . . . . . .
WY*Tk . . . . . . . . . . . .
-

NOTE: The current list of municipalities with noise regulations are available at any public library in the
United States. The listing has been reproduced here for the convenience of the users of this guide.

156
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

A3.2. Chicago Noise Regulations

Department of Environmental Control, News on Noise in Chicago. A
new ordinance, directed at urban noise sources, becomes effective July 1, 1971.
The ordinance incorporates recommendations made by acoustical consultants in
a report on urban noise submitted to the city.
Extensive public hearings were conducted by the Environmental Committee
of the Chicago City Council in which representatives from industry, conserva-
tion groups, environmental organizations, medical authorities and interested cit-
izens presented their viewpoints. After weighing the testimony from the public
hearings and the recommendations of the consultants, the City Council unani-
mously passed a comprehensive noise ordinance on March 10, 1971.
How Sound i s Measured. The most commonly used yardstick for measuring
sound pressure on the ear is the decibel (dB) scale. The hearing threshold -
the point where one begins to hear - starts at zero decibels. Leaves may rustle
at 10 to 20 decibels, hardly an assault to the ear. A conversation overheard at
three feet is around 60 decibels. Since the ear winces most at high pitch sounds,
experts use sound level meters based on what is called an A scale. This A scale
gives greater weight to high tones to measure noise likely to be annoying or
harmful. A rock group might produce music which could run as high as 120
decibels A weighted dB(A).
New Restrictions. Manufacturers must certify that the following vehicles,
construction and industrial equipment, agricultural equipment, powered com-
mercial equipment and other powered equipment for residential areas and recre-
ational vehicles sold in Chicago meet the noise limitations of the ordinance.
Noise from these products will be measured with instruments to find the dB(A)
level at a distance of 50 feet from the vehicle.

Motorcycles
Manufacture Date Noise Limit bv dB(A1
Before Jan 1, 1970 92
After Jan 1, 1970 88
After Jan 1, 1973 86
After Jan 1, 1975 84
After Jan 1, 1980 75

Vehicles w i t h Gross Weight of 8000 lb or More

Manufacture Date Noise Limit by d&A)
After Jan 1, 1968 88
After Jan 1, 1973 86
After Jan 1, 1975 84
After Jan 1, 1980 75

157
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Cars, Other Motor Vehicles or Cycles

Manufacture Date Noise Limit by dB(A)
Before Jan 1, 1973 86
After Jan 1, 1973 84
After Jan 1, 1975 80
After Jan 1, 1980 75

Construction and Industrial Equipment, including Tractors, Bulldozers, Drills,

Loaders, Power Shovels, Cranes, Derricks, Motor Graders, Paving Machines, Off
Highway Trucks, Ditchers, Trenchers, Compactors, Scrapers, Wagons, Pavement
Breakers, Compressors and Pneumatic Powered Equipment - Pile Drivers are
not Included

Manufacture Date Noise Limit by dB(A)

After Jan 1, 1972 94
After Jan 1, 1973 88
After Jan 1, 1975 86
After Jan 1, 1980 80

Agricultural Tractors and Equipment

Manufacture Date Noise Limit by dB(A)
After Jan 1, 1972 88
After Jan 1, 1975 86
After Jan 1, 1980 80

Powered Commercial Equipment Twenty Horsepower or Less for Occasional

Use in Residential Areas includes Chain Saws, Pavement Breakers, Log Chip-
pers, Powered Hand Tools and the Like

Manufacture Date Noise Limit by dB(AI

After Jan 1, 1972 88
After Jan 1, 1973 84
After Jan 1, 1980 80

Powered Equipment in Residential Areas for Repeated Use such as Lawn-

mowers, Small Lawn and Garden Tools, Riding Tractors, Snow Removal Equip-
ment

Manufacture Date Noise Limit by dB(A)

After Jan 1, 1972 74
After Jan 1, 1975 70
After Jan 1, 1978 65

Snowmobiles
Manufacture Date Noise Limit by dB(A)
After Jan 1, 1971 86
After June 1, 1972 82
After June 1, 1974 73

158
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Dune Buggies, All Terrain Vehicles, Go-Carts, Mini Bikes

Manufacture Date Noise Limit by dB(A)
After Jan 1, 1971 86
After Jan 1, 1973 82
After Jan 1, 1975 73

Noise Responsibility Does Not End with Manufacturer. Under the ordinance
the manufacturer is required to turn out products that will meet prescribed
noise levels. The user of these products is also subject to limitations. He must
see that the product is kept in good working condition so that it will not give
off more noise than the manufacturer intended. He cannot modify or change the
product to make it louder, and in operating the following restrictions must be
met. These restrictions apply to the total noise from a vehicle or any combina-
tion of vehicles. Noise limits will be measured at a distance of 50 feet from the
following vehicles.
Restrictions by Speed for Operation of Motor Vehicles with Manufacturers
Gross Volume Weight of 8000 lb or more, and Any Combination of Vehicles
Towed by Same

Noise Limit bv dB(AI

For Posted Speed Limits
Date 35 mi/h or Less Over 35 milh
Before Jan 1, 1973 88 90
After Jan 1, 1973 86 90

Motorcycles
Noise Limit bv dB:A>
For Posted SDeed Limits
Date 35 mi/h or Less Over 35 mi/h
Before Jan 1, 1978 82 86
After Jan 1, 1978 78 82

Any other Motor Vehicle and Any Combination of Vehicles Towed by Same
Noise Limit bv dB(AI
For Posted Speed Limits
Date 35 milh or Less Over 35 mi/h
After Jan 1, 1970 76 82
After Jan 1, 1978 70 79

Operational Standards f o r Recreational Vehicles. On property zoned for

business or residential use, the following limitations must be maintained during
operation:
Date Noise Limit by dB(A)
Before Jan 1, 1973 86
After Jan 1, 1973 82

159
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Engine Powered Boats. Engine powered pleasure vessels, engine powered

crafts or motorboats operating in Chicago harbors or any waterway in the city
or on Lake Michigan within two miles of the corporate limits of the city are
subject to the following regulations:

Date Noise Limit by dB(A)

Before Jan 1, 1975 85
After Jan 1, 1975 76

Noisef r o m Buildings. (In Business and Commercial Districts). Noise will be

measured at the boundaries of the lot. This includes noise from such activities
as production, processing, cleaning, servicing, testing and repair of materials,
goods, or products. Noise levels from any of these functions cannot exceed
62 dB(A).
(In Manufacturing Districts) In districts zoned as manufacturing (light to
heavy), noise is measured at district boundaries. The noise limitations range
from 55 dB(A) to 61 dB(A). Where manufacturing zoning boundaries meet busi-
ness and commercial zoning boundaries, the noise limit is also measured at the
boundary district and ranges from 62 to 66 dB(A).
Vibrations. Any vibration that can be felt beyond the property line in any
zoning district, whether manufacturing, business, commercial or residential, is in
violation of the ordinance. Instruments are not needed to determine the vibration.
Horns or Audible Signal Devices. Motor vehicles not in motion may not
blow horns or sound audible signal devices. Moving vehicles may blow horns
only in an emergency. Sounds coming from ice cream vendors would be subject
to this part of the ordinance.
Public Performances. Public performances, such as parades and concerts,
are not subject to the operating performance standards of the ordinance. A city
permit is necessary for such performances.
Other Restrictions of the Ordinance. (Retained from 1957 Ordinance)
- No loud noises in public ways.
- No performance of musical instruments in public places.
- No blowing of steam whistles at factories or plants except for emergencies.
- No boisterous noise from buildings.
- No building construction operations between 9:30 p.m. and 8:OO a.m., except
for public improvements.
- No standing on private property for vehicles in excess of four tons for more
than two minutes (bus turn arounds exempted).
Penalties for Violations. First offense - $15 to $300.
Second and subsequent offenses in any 180-day period - $50 to $500, or six
months in County Jail, or both.

160
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

A4. References
[Bl] ANSI S1.4-1983, American National Standard Specification for Sound-Level
Meters.'2
[B2] ANSI S3.1-1977, American National Standard Criteria for Permissible
Ambient Noise During Audiometric Testing.
[B3] ANSI S3.6-1969 (R 1973), American National Standard Specifications for
Audiometers.
[B41 ANSI S2.45-1983/ASA 51, American National Standard Electrodynamic Test
Equipment for Generating Vibration - Methods for Describing Equipment Char-
acteristic~.~~
[B5] IS0 R389-1964, Standard Reference Zero for the Calibration of Pure-Tone
audiometer^.'^
[B61 29 CFR 1910.95 OSHA, Occupational Noise Standards.'j
[B7] 29 CFR Bulletin 334, Guidelines to the Department of Labor's Occupational
Noise Standards.
[B8] Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, MA: G. and C. Merriam
Company.

ANSI publications are available from the Sales Department, American National Standards
Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
This publication is available from the Sales Department, American National Standards Institute,
1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018. Copies are also available from the Acoustical Society of Amer-
ica, 335 East 45th Street, New York, NY 10017.
l4 IS0 publications are available from the Sales Department, American National Standards
Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
l5 OSHA publications are available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration, US
Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210 or from the nearest regional or area office of the
United States Department of Labor.

161
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

Appendix B

Publications Applicable to Power-Station Noise

ABMA Procedure for the Measurement of Sound from Large Field-Erected

Steam Generators.I6 The purpose of this procedure is to set forth a method for
the measurement and recording on data sheets of the sound-pressure levels of
large f ield-erected steam generators and their immediate auxiliaries.

ABMA Procedure for the Measurement of Sound from Packaged Boiler Units.
The purpose of this procedure is to provide a standard test for the measure-
ment of airborne sound from packaged steam or hot water generators (boilers),
using water or other fluids, and from liquid phase heaters.

AGMA 295.04-77, Specification for Measurement of Sound on High-speed Helical

and Gear Units.I7 The specifications and procedures apply to sound measure-
ment, testing methods, and limiting values of direct air-borne sound generated
by a gear unit, and the auxiliary equipment required for its operation, whose
prime mover is not integral with the unit.

AGMA 297.0233, Sound for Enclosed Helical, Herringbone, and Spiral Bevel
Gear Drives. The purpose of this standard is to present the instrumentation and
procedure to be used for sound measurements of enclosed helical, herringbone,
and spiral bevel gear drives and to present typical maximum A-Weighted sound
levels. This standard includes the instrumentation and procedure necessary for
the determination of the gear unit sound level or octave-band sound-pressure
levels.

AGMA 298.01-1975, Sound for Gearmotors and In-Line Reducers and Increasers.
The purpose of this standard is to present the instrumentation and procedure to
be used for sound measurements of gearmotors and in-line reducers and
increasers and to present typical maximum A-weighted sound levels.

AMCA STANDARD 300-1967, Test Code for Sound Rating.I8 This code estab-
lishes a practical method of determining the sound-power level of an air-moving

l6ABMA publications are available from American Boiler Manufacturers Association, 950 N. Glebe
Rd, Suite 160, Arlington, VA 22203.
"AGMA publications are available from American Gear Manufacturers Association, 1901 North FY
Myer Drive, Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22209.
'*AMCA publications are available from Air Movement and Control Association, 30 W. University
Dr, Arlington Heights, IL 60004.

162
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

device (AMD). The test set-ups are designed t o represent general usage of the
AMDs tested.

AMCA BULLETIN 301-1965, Standard Method of Publishing Sound Ratings for

Air-Moving Devices. This bulletin establishes a standard method of publishing
sound ratings for air-moving devices. This bulletin applies to
(1) Centrifugal fans
(2) Axial and propeller fans
(3) Power roof and wall ventilators
(4) Steam and hot water unit heaters
It is intended that this bulletin shall also apply to central station heating,
ventilating and air-conditioning units.

AMCA PUBLICATION 303-1973, Application of Sound-Power Ratings for Ducted

Air-Moving Devices. AMCA sound-power level ratings are indicators of the
sound generated by an air-moving device when operated at various points
within its normal operating range. The ratings are obtained from tests con-
ducted by the method described in AMCA STANDARD 300-1967, Test Code for
Sound Rating, and are published in accordance with AMCA BULLETIN 301-1965,
Standard Method of Publishing Sound Ratings for Air-Moving Devices.

AMCA PUBLICATION 311-67, Certified Sound-Ratings Program for Air-Moving

Devices. The purpose of the certified sound-ratings program is to give the buyer,
specifier, and user of air-moving equipment increased assurance that published
sound ratings are reliable. At the same time, the program establishes standard
testing and rating methods and ensures the manufacturer that competitive
ratings have been checked by an impartial authority.

ANSI Sl.1-1960 (R1976), American National Standard Acoustical Terminology.

ANSI S1.2-1962 (R1976), American National Standard Method for the Physical
Measurement of Sound (Partially Revised-see S1.13-1971 and S1.21-1972). This
standard applies primarily to airborne sound produced by apparatus which nor-
mally operates in air. These sounds shall be nonimpulsive and of sufficient dura-
tion to be within the dynamic measuring capabilities of the instruments used.

ANSI S1.4-1983 (ASA 4783), Specification for Sound-Level Meters. This standard
provides the minimum requirements for three basic types of sound-level meters:
Types 1, 2, and 3 with performance requirements that become progressively less
stringent, proceeding from Types 1 to 3. Provision is made for a special purpose
sound-level meter-type S.

ANSI publications are available from the Sales Department, American National Standards
Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.

163
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

ANSI S1.6-1984 (ASA 53-84), Preferred Frequencies, Frequency Levels, and Band
Numbers for Acoustical Measurements (Agrees with IS0 266-1975).

ANSI S1.7-1970, Method of Test for Sound Absorption of Acoustical Materials in

Reverberation Rooms (see ASTM C423-77).

ANSI S1.8-1969 (R1974), American National Standard Preferred Reference Quan-

tities for Acoustical Levels. Reference quantities are stated in units of the Inter-
national System (Systeme International SI), and also in centimeter-gram-second
(cgs) and British units.

ANSI S1.10-1966 (R1976), American National Standard Methods for the Calibra-
tion of Microphones (see also IEC 327-1971). In this standard, methods are
described for performing absolute and comparison calibrations of laboratory
standard microphones.

ANSI Sl.11-1966 (R1976), American National Standard Specification for Octave,

Half-Octave, and Third-Octave Band Filter Sets (see also IEC 225-1966).

ANSI S1.12-1967 (R1978), American National Standard Specifications for Labora-

tory Standard Microphones.

ANSI S1.13-1971 (R1976), American National Standard Methods for the Measure-
ment of Sound-Pressure Levels. (Partial revision of S1.2-1962). The purpose of
this standard is to provide uniform guidelines for measuring and reporting
sound-pressure levels observed under different environmental conditions. This
standard is intended to assist in the preparation of test codes for
(1) Determining compliance with a specification, ordinance, or acoustical
criterion
(2) Obtaining information to assess the effects of noise on people or
equipment.

ANSI 3.4-1980 (ASA 3780), Procedure for the Computation of Loudness of

Noise. This standard specifies a procedure for calculating the loudness experi-
enced by a typical listener under the conditions of a diffuse field with a broad-
band spectrum which is essentially steady-state.

ANSI S5.1-1971, Test Code for the Measurement of Sound from Pneumatic
Equipment (see CAGI Test Code 1969).

ANSI S6.1-1973, Qualifying a Sound Data Acquisition System (see SAE 5184-1978).

ARI STANDARD 575-1979, Standard for Method of Measuring Machinery Sound

164
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

Within Equipment Rooms.20The purpose of this standard is to establish a uni-

form method of measuring, recording, and specifying the sound-pressure level of
machinery installed in mechanical equipment spaces. This standard applies to
water-chilling systems, pumps, and similar operating machines and parts
thereof, which for reasons of size or operating problems cannot practically be
evaluated by the procedure of ASHRAE 36-72, Methods of Testing for Sound
Rating Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Equipment.

ASA STD 3-1975, Test-Site Measurement of Noise Emitted by Engine Powered

Equipment.21This standard presents test-site measurement methods for deter-
mining the maximum noise emitted by motor vehicles, public conveyances, con-
struction and industrial machinery, and residential and recreational devices
powered by engines operating on petroleum-based fuels, coal, steam, electricity,
or other source of energy.

ASHRAE 36-72, Methods of Testing for Sound Rating Heating, Refrigerating, and
Air-conditioning Equipment." This standard establishes a method of testing
heating, refrigerating, and air-conditioning equipment to determine the sound-
power levels in frequency bands.

ASTM C423-84, Standard Test Method for Sound Absorption and Sound Absorp
tion Coefficients by Reverberation Method.23This method covers the measure-
ment of the sound absorption of acoustical materials in a diffuse sound field.
When a material is in the form of an extended plane surface, such as an acous-
tical ceiling or wall treatment, the results shall be given as sound absorption
coefficients.

ASTM E9083, Standard Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound

Transmission Loss of Building Partitions. This recommended practice covers the
laboratory measurement of airborne sound transmission loss of building parti-
tions such as walls of all kinds, floor-ceiling assemblies, doors, and other
space-dividing elements. The sound transmission loss is defined in terms of a dif-
fuse incident sound field, and this is intrinsic to the test procedure.

ASTM E336-77, Standard Recommended Practice for Measurement of Airborne

Sound Insulation in Buildings. This recommended practice establishes uniform
procedures for the determination of field transmission loss, that is, the airborne

2o ARI publications are available from Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, 1501 Wilson

Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209.

21ASApublications are available from Acoustical Society of America, 335 East 45th Street, New
York, NY 10017.
*2 ASHRAE publications are available from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-
Conditioning Engineers, 1799 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
fsASTM publications are available from the American Society for Testing and Materials, 1916 Race
Street, PhiLdelphiq PA 19103.

165
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

sound insulation provided by a partition already installed in a building. This

recommended practice gives measurement procedures for determining the field
transmission loss in nearly all cases that may be encountered in the field-no
limitation to room-to-room transmission is intended.

ASTM E477-84, Standard Method of Testing Duct Liner Materials and Prefabri-
cated Silencers for Acoustical and Airflow Performance. This method covers the
laboratory testing of duct liner materials, integral ducts, and in-duct absorptive
silencers used in the ventilation systems of buildings.

CAGI TEST CODE (1969), CAGI-PNEUROP Test Code for the Measurement of
Sound from Pneumatic Equipment.24 (see ANSI S5.1-1979). The purpose of the
code is to provide standard test procedures for the measurement of airborne
sound from pneumatic equipment. This code applies to compressors and pneu-
matic equipment and specified procedures and operating conditions acceptable
and expedient for use by nonspecialists and by acoustical engineers.

DEMA TEST CODE (1972), for the Measurement of Sound from Heavy-Duty
Reciprocating Enginesz5 The purpose of this document is to establish a stand-
ard procedure for measuring, recording, and reporting data in acoustic surveys
at engine installations. This code applies to heavy-duty internal combustion
engines and driven equipment, such as generators, pumps, or compressors, and
specifies procedures and operating conditions acceptable and expedient for use
by nonspecialists and by acoustic engineers.

IEC 34-9 (1972), Rotating Electrical Machines, Part 9 Noise Limitsz6 A-weighted
sound levels have been adopted for this standard. When the machine being
tested emits one or more pure tones of significant intensity, the A-weighted
level is not sufficient and the recommendation provides for the use of fre-
quency band analysis in such cases. This recommendation covers rotating elec-
trical machines in the following power and speed ranges: 1 kW-400 kW and
600 r/min -3750 r/min.

IEC 123 (1969), Recommendations for Sound-Level Meters.

IEC 179 (1973), Precision Sound-Level Meters. This recommendation applies to

sound-level meters for high precision apparatus for laboratory use, or for accu-
rate measurements in which stable, high-fidelity, and high-quality apparatus are

24CAGI publications are available from Compressed Air and Gas Institute, 1230 Keith Blvd,
Cleveland, OH 44115.
29 DEMA publications are available from Diesel Engine Manufacturers Association, 14600 Detroit
Avenue, Suite 712, Cleveland, OH 44107.
26 IEC publications (International Electrotechnical Commission) are available from the Sales
Department, American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.

166
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

required. This recommendation does not apply to apparatus for measuring dis-
continuous sounds or sounds of very short duration.

IEC 179A (1973), First Supplement to Publication 179 (1973) Precision Sound
Level Meters, Additional Characteristics for the Measurement of Impulsive
Sounds. This recommmendation specifies the characteristics of an apparatus for
measuring sounds of short duration, single impulses, and sequences of impulses
(pulses).

IEC 225 (1966), Octave, Half-Octave and Third-Octave Band Filters Intended for
the Analysis of Sounds and Vibrations. See ANSI S1.ll-1966 (R1976).

IEC 327 (1971), Precision Method for the Pressure Calibration of One Inch
Standard Condenser Microphones by the Reciprocity Technique. See ANSI
S1.10-1966 (R1976).

IEC 402 (1972), Simplified Methods for Pressure Calibration of One-Inch Con-
denser Microphones by the Reciprocity Technique. The object of this recom-
mendation is to specify a method of absolute pressure calibration of one-inch
condenser microphones used in laboratories for conventional measuring pur-
poses, without requiring the highest obtainable accuracy.

IEC 486 (1974), Precision Method for Free-Field Calibration of One Inch Stand-
ard Condenser Microphones by the Reciprocity Technique. The object of this
recommendation is to specify methods of measuring certain characteristics of
standard condenser microphones with high accuracy, so that discussions
between testing authorities may be based on clearly expressed and reproducible
results.

IEEE Std 85-1973, IEEE Test Procedure for Airborne Sound Measurements on
Rotating Electric Ma~hinery.'~ This test procedure defines approved methods
for conducting tests and reporting results to effect the uniform determination of
rotating electric machine sound under steady-state conditions with an accuracy
of 3 dl3 tested in free field, reverberant field, and semireverberant field acous-
tical environments. This procedure assumes the presence of pure tones or the
predominance of discrete frequencies in the sound spectrum.

IS0 R31 PART VII-1965, Quantities and Units of Acoustics.28

IS0 R131-1959, Expression of the Physical and Subjective Magnitudes of Sound

or Noise.

271EEE publications are available from IEEE Service Center, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ
08854.
28 IS0 publications are available from the Sales Department, American National Standards

Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.

167
IEEE
Std 640-1985 IEEE GUIDE FOR

IS0 266-1975, Acoustics-Preferred Frequencies for Acoustical Measurements.

See ANSI S1.6-1967 (R1976).

IS0 R354-1963, Measurement of Absorption Coefficients in a Reverberation

Room. This recommendation describes how a reverberation room should be
used to measure, under specified conditions, the sound absorption coefficients
of acoustical materials used as wall or ceiling treatments, or the sound absorp-
tion of separate objects, such as furniture, persons, or space absorbers.

IS0 R357-1963, (Supplementary to IS0 R131-1959) Expression of the Power and

Intensity Levels of Sound or Noise.

IS0 R495-1966, (Superseded by IS0 37403746) General Requirements for the

Preparation of Test Codes for Measuring the Noise Emitted by Machines. This
recommendation is concerned with the procedures to be followed in the objec-
tive measurement of the noise emitted by machines. The aim is to indicate the
general principles by which specific test codes for noise measurements may be
formulated.

IS0 532-1975, ACOUSTICS-Method for Calculating Loudness Level.

IS0 R2151-1972, Measurement of Airborne Noise Emitted by Compressor/Prime-

Mover Units Intended for Outdoor Use. This recommendation specifies a
method of determining the airborne sound emitted by compressor/prime mover
units intended for outdoor use and gives instructions for conducting the tests
and reporting the results.

IS0 R1680-1970, Test Code for the Measurement of the Airborne Noise Emitted
by Rotating Electrical Machinery. This recommendation was drafted in accord-
ance with IS0 R495-1966, and gives the detailed instructions for conducting and
reporting tests on rotating electrical machines, to determine the airborne noise
characteristics under steady-state conditions. This test code for the measure-
ment of noise applies to rotating electrical machines such as motors and gener-
ators of all sizes without limitation of output or voltage, when fitted with their
normal auxiliaries.

NEMA MGl-78 (Rev 8, Nov 84, Motors and Generators, Methods of Measuring
Machine Noise.29 (See IEEE Std 85-1973).

NEMA MG3-1974 (R1979), Sound Level Prediction for Installed Rotating Elec-
trical Machines. This document provides a method of predicting approximate
sound-pressure levels in industrial and commercial areas. The method is

2y NEMA publications are available from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, 2101 L

Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037.

168
 IEEE
POWER-STATION NOISE CONTROL Std 640-1985

intended for estimating sound-pressure levels and should not be construed as a

guarantee of results. It requires a knowledge of the sound levels, location of all
sound sources, and room characteristics. For simplicity, emphasis is placed on
the use of overall A-weighted sound levels.

NEMA TR1-80 (Rev 2, Apr 1983), Transformers, Regulators, and Reactors (Sec-
tion 9-04 Audible Sound-Level Tests). This standard lists test conditions and
measurement procedures for determining the audible sound level associated
with transformers under field conditions.

NFP(A) T39.12-1970 (R1975), Method of Measuring Sound Generated by Hydrau-

lic Fluid Power Pumps.30 This standard considers only sound directly radiated
from hydraulic fluid power pumps in terms of loudness, disregarding installa-
tion effects. Its purpose is to establish a uniform basis for measuring, reporting,
and accurately comparing the sound levels of such pumps.

SAE ARP 866A (1975), SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice, Standard Values
of Absorption as a Function of Temperature and Humidity for Use in Evaluating
Aircraft Flyover Noise.31 This document describes a method by which values
can be obtained for the absorption of sound in air over a wide range of temper-
ature and humidity conditions. The purpose here is to consider only the classi-
cal and molecular absorption of sound energy by the atmosphere.

SAE 5184 (1978), SAE Recommended Practice, Qualifying a Sound Data Acquisi-
tion System. See ANSI S6.1-1973. Various SAE vehicle noise standards require
use of a sound-level meter which meets the requirements of International Elec-
trotechnical Commission, IEC 179 (1973), Precision Sound-Level Meters, and
ANSI S1.4-1971 (R1976), American National Standard Sound-Level Meters. The
purpose of this recommended practice is to provide a procedure for determin-
ing if an acoustical data acquisition system has performance equivalent to such
a meter.

NFP(A) publications are available from the National Fluid Power Association, 3333 N. Mayfair
Road, Milwaukee, WI 53222.
"SAE publications are available from the Society of Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth
Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096.

169
 IEEE
Std 640-1985

A Analyzers
octave-band, 95, 96
Absorption Anemometers, 97
air, 43; Fig Aspirators, 91
as noise reduction method, 110, 113, Attenuators, 22, 56
115 Audiometry, 137, 138
atmospheric, 43; Fig 1 1 , 44
coefficient, 39, 40, 41
atmospheric, Fig 1 1 , 44
B
definition of, 15 Barrier, 100, 111, 113, 115
of various materials, Table 5 , 40 effects, 44
effective room, 39, 40, 42 Boilers, Table 7 , 64; 91; Table 11, 116
Acoustic Burners, Fig 27, 82; 91
absorption, 39, 40, 41
coefficient of materials used in,
Table 5 , 40; 41
C
of path, 110 Calibrators, 95
of receiver, 110 Case histories, 94; Table 9, 95
of source, 110 Circuit-breakers, Table 7 , 65;
characterization of rooms, 26, 39 Table 1 1 , 117
environment, 51, 52, 55, 56 Compressors, 59, 66, 68, 69; Fig 2 5 , 81;
shadow, 46 Fig 6, 60; 61; Table 7 , 63;
sources, 19, 62, 63, 64, 65 Table 1 1 , 116
treatment, 26
Air
absorption, 43; Fig 1 1 , 44 D
equipment, Table 1 1 , 116
Amplifiers, 22, 56 Damping
gain of, 21 constrained-layer, 112
Analysis Data
octave-band, 27, 59, 95, 97; Fig 31, 98; interpretation, 97, 99, 100, 103, 105,
99; Fig 3 4 , 102 106, 107, 108, 109, 110
A-weighted, 32; Fig 6, 33; reduction, 97, 98, 99
Fig 35, 103 Decibel, 20
center and cutoff frequencies for, combining readings, 29
Table 3 , 28 definition of, 15
combining readings for, 31 Design
converting to A-weighted values, building, 88, 89
Table 4, 31; 131, 132 Devices
of calculating-machine noise, hearing protection, 49, 116, 135, 136
Fig 4 , 29 personal protection, 116, 135, 136
one-third octave-band, 27, 59; Fig 3 1 , 98; Diffuse field, 51
99 Direct field, 32, 34, 51, 53, 54, 100
center and cutoff frequencies for, Directivity, 19, 20
Table 3 , 28 characteristics, 39
narrow-band, 27, 59; Fig S I , 98; 99, factor, 35, 38, 42
105, 106, 107; Fig 4 1 , 108 typical values of, Fig 7 , 35
IEEE
Std 640-1985 INDEX

index, 35, 38 Fields

definition of, 36 sound
in hemispherical space, 36 effect of absorption on, 39-42
Drives, auxiliary, Table 7 , 62 effect of reflections on, 39
free field, 32, 34
of directional source, 34, 35, 36, 38,
E 39
reverberant field, 42, 43
EX
Filters, 32, 99
human, 110
Fluid-wall interaction, 70
Elastic waves, 19
Foliage, 44
Electrical
Force
conduits, 111
as noise source, 59
equipment, 89
Frequency
machinery, 70-73
analyzers, 56, 57
Electromagnetic forces, 68, 70-72
bands, 27
Enclosures
center and cutoff, Table 3 , 28
acoustical, 113, 114
critical, 111
Engines, Table 6, 60; Table 11, 117
distribution, 19, 22
Environment
response
free-field, 32, 34, 51, 53, 54, 100
for SLM weighting characteristics,
Environmental
Fig 3, 26
impact requirements, 46
of meters, 22
noise, 13
spectra, 14, 97
Protection Agency (EPA), 48, 55
center and cutoff, Table 3, 28
Equipment
Furnaces, 73, Fig 27, 82
coal handling, 59; Table 7 , 65;
Table 1 1 , 116
mechanical, 59, 60; Table 6, 61; 89
sound levels, 13, 14, 89
specifications, 89, 90, 91, 92 G
Gears, Table 6, 60; 72
Generators, Table 6, 60
F
steam, Table 6, 60
Fans, Table 6, 60; Table 7 , 63; t,urbine, 59; Table 6, 60; 66-68;
Figs 21 -22, Figs 15 and 16, 76; 91, 96, 100;
79; Table 11, 117 Fig 33, 101; Fig 34, 102;
axial flow fans, 59, 66, 88, 90, 96, 107; Fig 35, 103; 106; Table 11, 117
Table 11, 117 Grinders, Table 6, 60
induced draft fans, 59, 90, 108;
Table 11, 117
primary air fans, 59, 90
seal air fans, 59
Federal
H
legislation, 47, 48, 122, 127-141 Heaters, Table 7 , 64
Field Hemispherical space, 34, 36
free field, 32, 34, 51, 53, 54, 100 Housing
reverberant, 42, 43, 51, 52 Department of, 48
semireverberant, 51 urban development, 48

172
 IEEE
INDEX Std 640-1985

I control, 26, 97
administrative, 118, 119, 134, 135
Inhomogeneities cost of, 123, 124
atmospheric, Fig 1.2, 45; 46 design objectives for, 13, 121- 124
Inverse square law, 20 evaluations of measures for, 118
generalized model for, 87, 88, 89
L measures, 88, 133, 134
planning, 13, 87, 121
Labor program, 13, 14, 59, 83, 93, 116
Department of, 47 determination, 14
Lagging, 113, 115 distribution, 54
Legislation, 13, 47, 48, 49 duct, 71
emission, 13
energy, 26, 59
environmental, 13
Machine data interpretation for, 106- 110;
calculating, 29 Fig 40, 107; Fig 41, 108;
Machines, 26 Fig 42, 109
measurement points for, Fig 8, 37, 38 exposure to, 94, 95
calculating, Fig 4, 29 laws and regulations, 47
Magazine measurement of, 49, 52, 54, 55
Sound and Vibration Magazine, 48 noise-control design, 122
Meters noise-control planning, 87, 93
indicating, 22, 56 explosion, 59
Microphones, 22, 53, 54, 56 flame, 73
location of, 96, 100 flow-induced, Table 6, 61; 69, 70
wind screens, 95 generation, 59, 67, 68
Moisture separator-reheater, 67 impact, 59; Table 6, 61
Motors, 59; Table 6, 60; 90, 96; levels, 14
Table 11, 117 contribution to, 53, 54
Mufflers, 113, 114 combining, Fig 5 , 30
extrapolation of, 14
NEMA specifications, 112, 113
N nonsteady, 19
Noise offensive, 108
aerodynamic, 59, 68, 69 overexposure to, 94; Table 9, 95
ambient, 52, 53, 54; Table 10, 99; 100, prediction, 14
106; Fig 40, 107; 108; pulsating, 109, 110
Fig 42, 109; 122 reduction, 13, 14, 26, 52, 118
background, 52, 53, 54, 59, 100, 106, approaches to, 110, 112 - 116
107, 108, 109, 122 categories for noise-reduction
blade, 59 treatments, 112
broadband, 71 methods for, 110-112, 119
cavitation, 69, 70 selection of method for different
combustion, 59, 73 noise sources,
community, Table 11, 116-118
equivalent level (CNEL), 54, 55 source, 52, 53, 54
exposure, 13 sources, 19; Table 7, 62-65
complaint, 13 characteristics of, 19
IEEE
Std 640-1985 INDEX

combustion processes as, 73 Ordinances

compressors, 68, 69 local, 48, 97, 122, 153-157
directivity characteristics of, 39 OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health
examples of types of, Table 1, 20 Administration
fans as, 59, 66 regulations, 13, 47, 54, 87, 89, 93,
frequency spectra of, 14 103, 119, 121, 123
identification of, 14, 59, 97, 99,
100, 103, 105, 106, 109, 110
load dependent, 105 P
motors as, 70-72
point sources, 32, 35 Panels, 111, 112
pumps as, 68, 69 Partitions, 100
selection of noise-reduction methods Piping, Table 6, 61; Table 7 , 64; 66, 67,
for, Table 11, 116-118 68, 70, 91, 111; Table 11, 118
transformers as. 72, 73 Pitch, 22
turbine-generators as, 66 -68 Plant
typical power levels for, Fig 1, 23 configuration, 87, 88
valves as, 57, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70 load
occupational effect of level on environmental
and noise-control design, 122, 123 noise, 109
and noise-control planning, 87, 93 selection of, 97
exposure to, 13, 49, 52, 54, 93, 94 location, 87, 88
guidelines to standards, 47 Plants
measurement of, 52, 54 fossil power, 14
steady, 19 turbines in, 67; Figs 15 and 16, 76
survey, 14, 59, 116, 138, 139 new, 118
determining objectives of, 93-95 environmental impact requirements
follow-up, 118 for, 46
interpreting data from, 97, 99, 100, noise predictions for, 14
103, 105-110 nuclear power, 14, 96
selecting locations and time for, turbines in, 67; Figs 15 and 16, 76
95-97 Plenums, 113, 114, 115
selecting team and equipment for, Precipitation
95 atmospheric, 43, 44, 108
transient, 57 Precipitators, Table 7 , 64; Table 11, 117
variable, 132, 133 Pressure
vortex, 59 atmospheric, 97
Noise Control Program
Acts of 1972, 47 hearing conversation, 47, 136
design, 13, 121-124 Pulverizers, 73, 91, 96
highlights of, 139, 141 Pumps, Table 6, 61; Table 7 , 63;
Nuclear Table 11, 117
power plants, 14, 96 boiler feed, 59, 60;
Regulatory Guide, 47, 48 Table 7 , 63; 68, 69;
Figs 17 and 18, 77;
Figs 19 and 20, 78; 91, 96, 100;
0
Fig 33, 101; Fig 34, 102;
Octave bands Fig 35, 103; Fig 3 6 , 104; 105,
A-weighted 32; Fig 6, 33 Table 11, 117
analyzers, 95, 96 centrifugal, Table 6, 60

174
 IEEE
INDEX Std 640-1985

R limitations of, 26
measurement of, 26, 32, 97, 100,
Radiation 103, 127, 128
far field, 34, 35 occupational exposure to, 49
near field, 34, 35, 52, 53, 100 typical, Fig 2 , 24
Radius, equivalent, 38 near field, 34
Recorder power, 20
graphic level, 57 definition of, 15
Regulations, 47, 48, 49 pressure, 20
state and local, 48 definition of, 15
Resonances, 111 propagation, outdoors
Reverbant atmospheric absorption, 43
field, 42, 43, 51, 52 barrier effects, 44
rooms, 42, 43, 90, 96 foliage effect, 44
behavior of, 43 precipitation effects, 43, 44
Reverberation time refraction by atmospheric
definition of, 41 inhomogeneities, Fig 12, 45; 46
measurement of, 52 radiation, 19, 26, 59, 88
Rooms near-field, 34
acoustic characteristics of, 26, 39, 96 far-field, 34
reverberant, 42, 43, 90, 96 reflections, 39
Rotating turbo-machinery, 59, 66-69 spectra, 14, 97
definition of, 19
examples of, 74-85
S
measurement of, 26, 27, 56, 57, 59, 83
Septums transmission loss, 110, 111
ceiling, 113, 115 speed of, 46
Shields waves, definition of, 19
acoustical, 100, 110, 111, 113, 115 Sound level
Shock waves, 70 contours, 100; Figs 32 and 33, 101
SLM weighting characteristics, Fig 3 , 26 data forms, 95
Soot blowers, 91 measurement, 21, 22, 27, 29, 31, 32,
Sound 39, 43, 129, 130
absorption, 110 directivity factor in, 35, 36
atmospheric, 43; Fig 11, 44 effect of reflection on, 39
by atmospheric precipitation, 43, 44 environmental, 49, 52, 54, 55;
by foliage, 44 Fig 40, 107
by outdoor barriers, 44 far field, 34, 35
attenuation, 44 for directional source, 34, 38, 39
energy, 19 free-field, 32, 34, 51, 53, 54, 100
distribution as function of frequency, in hemispherical space, 34, 36
27 instrumentation for, 55, 57, 95
far field locations for, 53-55; Fig 38, 105
intensity, 20 mean, 36, 38
definition of, 15 near field, 34, 35, 52, 53, 100
measurement of, 21 occupational, 52, 54
isolation, 26, 110, 111 point sources, 32
levels, 22, 26 prescribed measurement points for
A-weighted, 59, 131, 132 machines, Fig 8, 37; 38
as single number rating, 26 reverberant field, 42, 43, 51

175
IEEE
Std 640-1985

semireverberant field, 51 Steam dump, Table 7 , 64; Table 11, 118

statistical, 54 Surface damping, 112
types of, 52-55
meters, 22, 56, 95
Sound power T
level
band levels, 27 Tape recorders, 57
definition of, 21 Temperature gradients, Fig 1.2, 45; 46
for directional source, Fig 10, 42 Towers
for nondirectional source, F i g 9, 41 cooling, Table 6, 60; 73, 74; Fig 29, 84;
for various sources, Fig 1, 23 Fig S O , 85; 91
in free field, 32, 34 Turbines, 59; Fig 38, 105; Fig 39, 106
in hemispherical space, 34
in reverberant field, 42
measurement of, 21, 22, 27, 29, 31, V
32, 39, 43, 129, 130
octave-band levels, 27 Valves, Table 6, 61; Table 7 , 64
Sound pressure control, 57; Table 7 , 64; 66-70;
level 90, 91; Fig 37, 104; 105, 106
ambient, Table 10, 99; Fig 40, 107 pressure reducing, 69; Table 11, 118
analysis of, 27 relief, Table 11, 116, 118
combining readings for, 29; safety. Table 7, 64; Fig 26, 81; 91;
Fig 5 , 30; 31 Table 11, 116
definition of, 21, 22 steam dump, Table 7 , 64; 96;
directivity factor for, 36 Table 11, 118
directivity index of, 36 turbine admission, Fig 13, 74;
effect of absorption on, 39-42 Fig 14, 75
effect of reflections on, 39 Vibration, 59; Table 6, 61; 69-72
for directional sources, 34, 38, 39; control, 26
Fig 10, 42 damping, 111- 113
for nondirectional sources Fig 9, 41 isolation, 111, 113
for turbine-generators, 66, 67 Viscoelastic materials, 112
in free field, 32, 34 Vortex
in hemispherical space, 34 noise, 59
in reverberant field, 42, 43 shedding, 68
mean, 36
measurement of, 21, 22, 27. 29. 31,
32, 39, 43, 129, 130 W
Source treatment, 110, 112, 113, 119
Speech interference Water hammer, 70
levels, 13, 87 Weighting
Standards characteristics, SLM, Fig 3, 26
occupational noise. 47 networks, 22; Table 2, 25; 32
Stations Windage, 70, 71
pressure-reducing, 59 Wind effects, Fig 12, 45; 46, 97, 108

176

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