Noise Control Practices

Dr. Wesam Al Madhoun

 Noise

 Before We Discuss Noise Control Let’s Review

Some Noise Concepts

Noise Measurements
 Noise Levels are Expressed as Decibels (dB)
dBA DEVICE
45 - 37 Computer
43 - 40 Refrigerator
58 – 56 Cloths Dryer
83 - 76 Garbage Disposal
89 - 84 Vacuum Cleaner
105 - 95 Leaf Blower
104 - 100 Circular Saw
 1+1+1 Does Not Equal to 3
The Decibel is a Logarithmic Unit of Measure So
We Can’t Simply Add Numbers.

“Shake and Roll”

 How We Perceive Noise

 High Frequency Noise

 Power Tools, Saws, Grinders

 Other High RPM Equipment
 Sudden Release of Pressure

 High Frequency Noises Deflect Easier, Are

Easier to Shield, Are Easier to Insulate.
 Low Frequency Noise

 Power Presses
 Pumps, Compressors
 Other Low RPM Equipment

 Low frequency Noises Can Travel Around and

Through Objects and Are Harder to Shield and
Absorb
 Harmful Effects

 Harmful Effects of Noise Are Related to the

Noise Dose

Is the Noise Harmful?

Ask Yourself:
How Loud, How Long, How Many Times?
 Noise Dose is a Combination

 Intensity of Noise (how loud)

 Duration of Noise Exposure (how long)
 Frequency (how many times during the day are
they exposed to such a noise)
 Noise

 Regulated as an 8 hour Time Weighted

Average (TWA)

 An 8 hr TWA of 90 dBA is designated as a

Noise Dose of 100%
 First Rule of Thumb

 5 dB Halving Rule

 For Each 5 dB Increase in Noise, In order to be

Equivalent to the Previous Dose You Must Half
the Allowable Exposure Time
 Equivalent Dose of 90 dBA Over an 8
Hour TWA Period

 95 dBA over 4 Hour TWA Period

 100 dBA over 2 Hour TWA Period
 105 dBA over 1 Hour TWA Period
 110 dBA over ½ Hour TWA Period
 Duration (How Long)

 The 5 dB Rule Can Be Useful in Estimating

Whether a Noise or an Activity Would Result

in Employees Being Exposed to Noise In

Excess of the PEL

 Example

 An Employee Must Enter a Pump Room and

Conduct Preventative Maintenance

 The Small Portable Sound Level Meter Reads 105

dBA Inside the Pump Room

 How Long Could the Employee Stay in the Pump

Room Without Exceeding the Dose Equivalent
Noise Exposure of 90 dBA over an 8 hour TWA?
 Answer

 Employee Noise Exposure for 1 Hour at 105

dBA Would Be the Dose Equivalent Exposure of
90 dBA for an 8 Hr TWA

Administrative Controls
 Likewise, Limiting Employee Exposure Time to
Noise Can Help Reduce the Possibility of Hearing
Loss
 Watch Where You’re Standing
 Employee Noise Exposures Often Depend on
How Close They Are to the Noise Source

Distance

 Noise Quickly Decreases as You Move Away

from the Noise Source
 6 dB Double Distance Rule

 Noise Will Decrease 6 dB Each Time You

Double the Distance (free field, point source

only)
dB Rule Would Not Apply 6
dB Rule Would Not Apply 6
 Distance From the Noise Source
 Is It Possible to Move the Employee
Workstation or the Noise Source?

 Moving the Employee or the Noise Source

Doesn’t Eliminate the Loud Noise, it Just
Reduces the Employee Exposure to it!
 Think Out Loud
 In Moving the Source, Have You Created
a Problem for Someone Else?

Isolation Methods
Can You Isolate the Noise Source or The
Employee From the Noise Source?
 Enclosing the Employee

 The Cab of Heavy Earth Moving Equipment is a

Good Example. They are Insulated (and Air
Conditioned).
 Isolation Methods

 Install Barriers Between the Employee and

Noise Source
 Enclose the Noise Source
 Enclose the Employee
 Think Out Loud

Be Careful When Constructing Barriers or

Enclosures.

Noise May be Deflected Backwards Off the

Barriers or the Walls of the Enclosure Which Can
Increase the Noise Intensity on the Noise Source
Side.

Employees who Must Service Equipment or

Conduct Work in Those Areas May Now be
Exposed to Greater Noise than Before
Deflection of Sound Waves in Enclosure
Creates Louder Noise
 Noise Absorbing Material

The Good
Noise is Absorbed, It’s Gone, It Wouldn’t Bother
Anyone Anymore

High Frequency Noises are Easier to Absorb

 The Bad

 Some Types Can be Fragile

 Some Types Can be Hard to Clean

 Some Can Be Expensive

 The Ugly

 Some Types Can Be Very Expensive

 Some Types Won’t Hold Up to Chemicals or

Moisture

 Some Types Can be Combustible

 Consideration of materials used

Climate
Ease of installation
Durability - resistance to degradation from compression,
moisture, decomposition, etc.
Ease of replacement at end of life
Cost effectiveness
Toxicity
Flammability
Environmental impact and sustainability
Glass

Brick
Hardwood
Softwood
Fiberglass rigid panel
Cementitious foam Polystyrene

Air-entrained concrete
 Transmitting Vibration

Noise and Vibration Can Be Transmitted to



Other Surfaces Which Then also Transmits

Noise
 Controlling Noise Generated by Vibration
Sources
 Springs, or Isolation Material under Motors and Large
Equipment

 Ensure Plates, Covers, Doors, and Access Panels are

Securely Attached

 Bent or Warped Shafts on Motors and Fans Can Create

Vibration

 Bad Bearings, Flywheels, Pulleys, Fan Blades, and Belts

 By the Way

Poor Maintenance Can Be a Major Source

of Noise Exposure and One Which is Often
Consider Economically Feasible.
 Controlling Noise Created By Released Air

 Muffler systems on Pneumatic Equipment When

Available

 Reduce Air Pressure if Possible

 Discourage the Use of Compressed Air for Cleaning

Purposes
 You May Not Be The First
Person To Ask

Contact the Manufacturer of the

Equipment and Request Assistance in
Determining Ways to Help Decrease
Noise Output of the Machines
 Hearing Protection
 Hearing Protection is not a Noise Control Method

Hearing Protection does not Reduce Employee

Noise Exposure,

It Reduces the Potential Harm Which Could

Otherwise Result in an Unprotected Employee
 Hearing Protectors

 Like Respirators, They are Only Effective if

Used Properly

 Ear Plugs and Other Types of Hearing

Protection Have Limitations on How Much
Protection They Can Provide
Noise Management Strategy
 The techniques employed for noise control can be
broadly classified as:

Control at source

Control in the transmission path

Using protective equipment.

 Noise Control at Source

Reducing the noise levels from domestic sectors:

 The domestic noise coming from radio, tape recorders,
television sets, mixers, washing machines, cooking operations
can be minimized by their selective and judicious operation.

 By usage of carpets or any absorbing material, the noise

generated from felling of items in house can be minimized.
Maintenance of automobiles:

Regular servicing and tuning of vehicles will reduce the

noise levels.

 Fixing of silencers to automobiles, two wheelers etc., will

reduce the noise levels.

Control over vibrations:

The vibrations of materials may be controlled using proper

foundations, rubber padding etc. to reduce the noise levels
caused by vibrations.

Low voice speaking: Speaking at low voices enough for

communication reduces the excess noise levels.
Prohibition on usage of loud speakers:
 By not permitting the usage of loudspeakers in the habitant
zones except for important meetings / functions.

Selection of machinery:
Optimum selection of machinery tools or equipment reduces
excess noise levels.

Maintenance of machines:
Proper lubrication and maintenance of machines, vehicles
etc. will reduce noise levels.

For example, it is a common experience that, many parts of

a vehicle will become loose while on a rugged path of journey.
If these loose parts are not properly fitted, they will
generate noise and cause annoyance to the driver/passenger.

Similarly is the case of machines. Proper handling and

regular maintenance is essential not only for noise control but
also to improve the life of machine.

Control in the transmission path

The change in the transmission path will increase the length

of travel for the wave and get absorbed/refracted/radiated in
the surrounding environment.
Installation of barriers:

Installation of barriers between noise source and receiver

can attenuate the noise levels.

For a barrier to be effective, its lateral width should extend

beyond the line-of-sight at least as much as the height.

The barrier may be either close to the source or receiver,

subject to the condition that, R <<D or in other words, to
increase the traverse length for the sound wave.

It should also be noted that, the presence of the barrier itself
can reflect sound back towards the source.
 At very large distances, the barrier becomes less effective
because of the possibility of refractive atmospheric effects.
Design of building:
The design of the building incorporating the use of suitable
noise absorbing material for wall/door/window/ceiling will
reduce the noise levels.

The approximate reduction of outside noise levels using

typical exterior wall construction is given at Table 6.

Green belt development:

The degree of attenuation varies with species of greenbelt.

The typical attenuation of noise levels by trees is presented

at Fig. 7 (a) and (b).

The statutory regulations direct the industry to develop

greenbelt four times the built-up area for attenuation of various
atmospheric pollutants, including noise.
 Using protection equipment

Protective equipment usage is the ultimate step in noise

control technology, i.e. after noise reduction at source

and/or after the diversion or engineered control of

transmission path of noise.

The first step in the technique of using protective equipment

is to gauge the intensity of the problem, identification of the
sufferer and his exposure to the noise levels.

The usage of protective equipment and the worker's

exposure to the high noise levels can be minimized by -:

Job rotation: By rotating the job between the workers

working at a particular noise source or isolating a person, the
adverse impacts can be reduced.
Exposure reduction: Regulations prescribe that, noise level
of 90 dB (A) for more than 8 hr continuous exposure is
prohibited.

Persons who are working under such conditions will be

exposed to occupational health hazards.

The schedule of the workers should be planned in such a way

that, they should not be over exposed to the high noise levels.

Hearing protection: Equipment like earmuffs, ear plugs

etc. are the commonly used devices for hearing protection.

Attenuation provided by ear-muffs vary widely in respect to

their size, shape, seal material etc.

Literature survey shows that, an average noise attenuation up

to 32 dB can be achieved using earmuffs.
 Traffic Control Measures

Reducing road traffic noise at source:

(a)imposing permissible noise emission limits;

(b) promoting the use of public transport; and

(c) cracking down illegal vehicle modifications such as

muffler alterations

Land use planning:

(a)zoning land and planning urban projects with the
consideration of the noise factor;

(b) building bypasses and ring roads; and

(c) establishing buffer zones on each side of a road.

 Resurfacing roads with low-noise materials:

 Resurfacing roads with low-noise materials to reduce noise

from tire friction.

 Generally speaking, low-noise pavement can attain a reduction

of noise from 3 dB(A) to 5 dB(A).

 Installing double-glazed windows and air-conditioning for the

affected residents

 Adopting advanced construction methods

 employing a jointless construction method for elevated roads

and bridges; and

 installing sound-absorbing panels on the underside of elevated

roads.
 Prohibition of certain vehicle types (usually trucks) from a
particular route or restricting vehicles from operating during
noise sensitive times of the day.

 The prohibition of trucks from a major roadway can

produce up to an 8 to 10 dB reduction in noise, at times
providing an adequate traffic management abatement
measure.