#DECIBLE MEETER MANUAL#

The user's manual provided by the instrument manufacturer provides most of this information. It is important that you understand the calibration, operation and reading the instrument you use. The most common instruments used for measuring noise are the sound level meter (SLM), the integrating sound level meter (ISLM), and the noise dosimeter. What types of instruments are used for measuring noise? However, noise dosimetry (such as personal noise exposure measurements) is necessary if the workplace noise levels vary throughout the day or if the workers are fairly mobile.

If the workplace noise remains steady, workers are stationary throughout the shift, and measurements are representative of a typical day, the noise survey data can be used to determine if there is a potential exposure to harmful noise levels and if additional measurements are required. The second step is to determine personal noise exposure levels that is, the amount of noise to which individual employees are exposed. The initial measurements are noise surveys to determine if:

Conditions during both a typical and atypical shift (noise sources, activities, shift length, etc.).

The temporal pattern of noise - continuous, variable, intermittent, impulse.

The sources of noise, and times when the sources are operating.

The purpose of measurement: compliance with noise regulations, hearing loss prevention, noise control, community annoyance etc.

The person making the measurement must understand: Before taking field measurements, it is important to determine the type of information required.

Decible meeter