HERRING STORER ACOUSTICS

Suite 34, 11 Preston Street, Como, W.A. 6152

P.O. Box 219, Como, W.A. 6952
Telephone: (08) 9367 6200
Facsimile: (08) 9474 2579
Email: hsa@hsacoustics.com.au

Acoustics: Back to basics

Fundamentals of Acoustics
Presented by
Tim Reynolds
Fundamentals To Cover
Common Noise Sources

 Some Basic Definitions Noise Source Decibel Level dB(A)

Jet Takeoff (100m) 130

 Basic Terminology Live rock band 120

Chain Saw 110

 Criteria Lawn Mower 100

Diesel Truck, food blender 090

 Noise Sources and Typical Examples Dishwasher 080

Freeway Traffic at 15m 070

 Basic Noise Controls Conversation 060

Quiet Suburb 050

Library, living room 040

Quiet rural area 030

020

010

Threshold of hearing 000

Definitions
Decibel (dB) The human ear has a vast sound-sensitivity range of a thousand billion to one. The decibel
is a logarithmic unit that allows this range to be compressed into a somewhat more
comprehensible range. The decibel is ten times the logarithm of the ratio of a sound level
to a reference sound level. Decibel noise levels cannot be added arithmetically since they
are logarithmic numbers.

dB(lin) Decibel measurement without any adjustment.

dB(A) Decibel measurement according to the "A" weighted scale. The human ear does not
respond equally to the same sound pressure at different frequencies. The "A"
weighting has predetermined adjustments made at certain frequencies to make the
measured sound level approximate to the response of the ear.
 Leq Equivalent Continuous Sound Level. The Leq measurement integrates these
fluctuations in noise to give the equivalent continuous level containing an equal
amount of energy over the time of measurement.

LA1 Represents the A-weighted noise level which is exceeded for 1 per cent of the
measurement period.
LA10 Represents the A-weighted noise level which is exceeded for 10 per cent of
the measurement period.

LA90 Represents the A-weighted noise level which is exceeded for 90 per cent of the
measurement period. Also often used to represent background noise level.

Sound Pressure Level (SPL) The sound pressure level is the noise level of a sound measured at a point using a
standard noise level meter relative to a standard noise level (2x10-5 N/m2).

Sound Power Level (SWL) The sound power level of a source is the sound energy emitted by the source. The
sound power level of a source cannot be measured directly, but is calculated based
on measured sound pressure levels at a known distance (10-12W).

Noise level measurements can be broken down into Octave or 1/3 Octave Bands, with the following centre frequencies.
 Measurement 1 - Time History
Noise Level LA10 Overall LAEq Overall LA90 Overall

64

62

60

58

56

54
SPL (dBA)

52

50

48

46

44

42

40
1
3
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
31
33
35
37
39
41
43
45
47
49
51
53
55
57
59
Time (Sec)
 Measurement 2 - Time History
Noise Level LA10 Overall LAEq Overall LA90 Overall

60

58

56

54

52
SPL (dBA)

50

48

46

44

42

40
1

11

13

15

17

19

21

23

25

27

29

31

33

35

37

39

41

43

45

47

49

51

53

55
Time (Sec)
CRITERIA
Environmental Noise
Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997

Internal Noise Levels

AS/NZ 2107:2000 Acoustics - Recommended design sound levels

and reverberation times for building interiors

Others

Building Code of Australia (BCA) – Part F5

GreenStar
ENVIRONNEMENTAL PROTECTION (NOISE) REGULATIONS 1997

The allowable or assigned noise level at the surrounding locales is

prescribed by the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997.

Baseline Assigned Outdoor Noise Level

Assigned Level (dB)
Premises Receiving Noise Time of Day LAma
LA10 LA1
x
0700 - 1900 hours Monday to 45 + 55 + 65 +
Saturday (Day) IF IF IF
0900 - 1900 hours Sunday and Public
40 + 50 + 65 +
Holidays (Sunday / Public Holiday
IF IF IF
Day)
Noise sensitive premises
40 + 50 + 55 +
1900 - 2200 hours all days (Evening)
IF IF IF
2200 hours on any day to 0700 hours
35 + 45 + 55 +
Monday to Saturday and 0900 hours
IF IF IF
Sunday and Public Holidays (Night)
Commercial premises All hours 60 75 80

The influencing factor is calculated for the usage of land within two circles,
having radii of 100m and 450m from the premises of concern.
Penalties are also applied for annoying characteristics.

• Tonality
• Modulating
• Impulsiveness
Tonality
45.0
40.0
35.0
Noise Level (dB(A))

30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
dB(A)

31.5 Hz

100 Hz
125 Hz
160 Hz
200 Hz
250 Hz
315 Hz
400 Hz
500 Hz
630 Hz
800 Hz
1 kHz

2 kHz

4 kHz
5 kHz

8 kHz
1.6 kHz

2.5 kHz

6.3 kHz

10 kHz
25 Hz

40 Hz
50 Hz
63 Hz
80 Hz

1.25 kHz

3.15 kHz
1/3rd Octave Band Centre Frequency (Hz)

Penalties
Where tonality is present Where modulation is present Where impulsiveness is present
+5 dB(A) +5 dB(A) +10 dB(A)
AS/NZ 2107:2000

AS2107 has the following recommended noise levels within an office

building:

Satisfactory Maximum

Boardrooms and conference rooms 30 dB(A) 40 dB(A)

Corridors and Lobbies 45 dB(A) 55 dB(A)
General Office Areas 40 dB(A) 45 dB(A)
Private Offices 35 dB(A) 40 dB(A)
Reception Areas 40 dB(A) 45 dB(A)
Tea Rooms 40 dB(A) 45 dB(A)
Toilets 50 dB(A) 55 dB(A)

Other Criteria Used are Noise Ratings (NR) Curves

 160
NR CURVES

140

120
NR 20
NR 30
100 NR 40
NR 50
Noise Level (dB)

NR 60
80
NR 70
NR 80

60 NR 90
NR 100
NR 110
40 NR 120
NR 130

20

0
31.5 62.5 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
Octave Band Centre Frequency (Hz)
 160

140

120
NR 20
NR 30
NR 40
100
NR 50
Noise Level (dB)

NR 60
80 NR 70
NR 80
NR 90
60
NR 100
NR 110
NR 120
40
NR 130
Return Air

20

0
31.5 62.5 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000
Octave Band Centre Frequency (Hz)
GREENSTAR
For Example, under Office Design there are point available for Acoustics.

Under IEQ-12 there are up to two points available where it is demonstrated that
for 95% of the project’s NLA does not exceed the ‘Satisfactory’ ambient internal
noise levels in accordance with AS/NZS 2107:2000.

One point is awarded for building services design, where within the entire base
building general office space, noise from the building services does not exceed 40
dB(A) Leq.

One point is awarded for the overall building, where within the base building
office space, the sound level does not exceed 40 dB(A) Leq (assuming open plan
offices).
Building Code Of Australia

Part F5 of the BCA 2013 'Sound Transmission and Insulation'.

Part F5 of the BCA 2013 details the requirements for sound transmission and
insulation of residential type buildings.

It is noted that Part F5 of the BCA 2013 is only applicable to the residential sections
of the development.

Basic Criteria

Walls between Apartments Rw + Ctr not less than 50

Walls to corridor Rw not less than 50
Floors Rw +Ctr not less than 50
 ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE

Typical Example of Exhaust Fan

Being 67 dB(A) at 3 metres

(This is Sound Power of 87 dB(A))

Neighbour at 50 metres away

Reduction for distance is 24 dB(A)

Noise level at residence is 43 dB(A)

However, with penalty of +5 dB(A) for tonality,

assessable noise level would be 48 dB(A).
Say Influencing Factor was 1 dB(A),
then assigned noise level would be :

Premises Assigned Level (dB)

Receiving Time of Day
Noise LA 10 LA 1 LA max

0700 - 1900 hours Monday to Saturday 46 56 66

0900 - 1900 hours Sunday and Public Holidays 41 51 66
Noise
sensitive 1900 - 2200 hours all days 41 51 56
premises
2200 hours on any day to 0700 hours Monday
to Saturday and 0900 hours Sunday and Public 36 46 56
Holidays

Noise emissions from mechanical services are :

- Steady state
- Would operate for more than 10% of time

Applicable
Exceedance to
Assessable Noise Level, Assigned LA10
Applicable Times of Day Assigned Noise
dB(A) Noise Level
Level (dB)
(dB)

0700 - 1900 hours Monday to Saturday 46 +2

0900 - 1900 hours Sunday and Public Holidays 41 +7
48 1900 - 2200 hours all days 41 +7
2200 hours on any day to 0700 hours Monday to
36 +12
Saturday and 0900 hours Sunday and Public Holidays
Possible Noise Control :

• Barrier
• Enclose in plantroom
• Reduce speed
• Located equipment further away from neighbours
• Attenuators
• Acoustic Louvres
 Noise Reductions with Unpodded Silencers

SWL (Linear) SWL (dB(A) Level at residence

With 1D unpodded Silencer With 2D unpodded Silencer
100.0

90.0

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0
dB(A)

125

250

500

1K

2K

4K

8K
63
 Noise Reductions with Acoustic Louvres

SWL (Linear) SWL (dB(A) Level at residence

With 300mm Acoustic Louvre With 600mm Acoustic Louvre
100.0

90.0

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0
dB(A)

125

250

500

1K

2K

4K

8K
63
 NOISE PATHS

Also need to consider regenerated noise.

 INTERNAL DESIGN TO CONTROL NOISE
Supply Air

 Bends
 Internal Insulation
 Acoustic Type Flexible Ductwork
 Add attenuators

Also consider :

 Air velocity
 Design to registers
 INSERTION LOSS OF FLEXIBLE DUCT
300 Diameter, 3m length

Plain Flex Acoustic Flex

35

30

25
Insertion Loss dB

20

15

10

0 1K

2K

4K

8K
125

250

500
63

Octave Band Centre Frequency (Hz)

 Noise Reductions with Flexible Duct

SWL (Linear) SWL (dB(A) With Plain Flexible Duct With Acoustic Flexible Duct

95.0
90.0
85.0
80.0
75.0
70.0
65.0
60.0
55.0
50.0
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
dB(A)

125

250

500

1K

2K

4K

8K
63
RETURN AIR

 Bends without Turning Vanes

 Return Air plenums
 Add attenuators

Noise Reductions - Bends

SWL (Linear) SWL (dB(A) With Turning Vanes Without Turning Vanes

95.0
90.0
85.0
80.0
75.0
70.0
65.0
60.0
55.0
50.0
45.0
40.0
35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
dB(A)

125

250

500

1K

2K

4K

8K
63
Breakout

Need to consider :

 From flexible connections

 Flexible ductwork

Also need to consider Regenerated Noise

From Fantech
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