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SPL metering, logging, alarm
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<blockquote data-quote="Brad Weber" data-source="post: 98338" data-attributes="member: 114"><p>Re: SPL metering, logging, alarm</p><p></p><p>George brings up some very good points but I take the view that OSHA and NIOSH do only address 8 hour periods and that references to shorter periods are included only to address how to relate varying levels of less than 8 hour duration to an overall 8 hour exposure. This gets into the general issue that exposure as it relates to hearing loss is a function of level and duration/time and that documenting only the levels, even if logged over time, does not by itself really address exposure as that is addressed by a statistical combination of level and duration.</p><p></p><p>Perhaps some basic points but if you are trying to address hearing loss or damage then a) most of the references such as OSHA and NIOSH address the effects of long term exposure, b) they address the exposure of individuals rather than just the SPL levels, c) they tend to address both administrative/passive and engineering/active responses and d) there may be different criteria for enacting a hearing monitoring system for exposures below those requiring direct action. A concept that many do not seem to realize is that OSHA and NIOSH do not restrict or even actually address the sound levels themselves, you can have any noise levels for any length of time, only that you have to limit the resulting exposure for individuals. Thus NIOSH and OSHA are likely difficult to directly apply to your situation. That does not mean you may not use information in them as a guideline for whatever you do, but you might have to be careful of exactly what it is seen as representing.</p><p></p><p>Another potential factor is the frequency response. OSHA and NIOSH use A-weighted overall SPL levels which are really not appropriate for reflecting the perceived loudness at higher levels. As others have noted, systems with the same same perceived loudness but varying frequency response may have quite different A-weighted SPL levels (or systems with the same SPL and different responses may have a different perceived loudness). So if it is the perceived loudness and not just potential hearing damage that is the issue then assessing only the overall A-weighted levels may not provide all of the relevant information.</p><p></p><p>On the aesthetics, most acoustical measurement equipment is going to be more focused on functionality, accuracy and reliability than aesthetics and you'll find few brands that are well known outside the industry, even B&K is probably not a well known brand name to the general public.</p><p></p><p>I guess the overall point is that you may need to decide what it is that you are really trying to do and achieve before looking at what hardware may be appropriate. It may be that something as simple as the Extech unit you referenced is all that is needed, however that or a simple logging SPL meter is not going to actually address loudness or exposure. And what is the intent of any measurements? Documenting or making apparent that they are producing sound levels that they consider as potentially causing hearing damage may not to be in Owner's best interests unless they actually act upon it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Brad Weber, post: 98338, member: 114"] Re: SPL metering, logging, alarm George brings up some very good points but I take the view that OSHA and NIOSH do only address 8 hour periods and that references to shorter periods are included only to address how to relate varying levels of less than 8 hour duration to an overall 8 hour exposure. This gets into the general issue that exposure as it relates to hearing loss is a function of level and duration/time and that documenting only the levels, even if logged over time, does not by itself really address exposure as that is addressed by a statistical combination of level and duration. Perhaps some basic points but if you are trying to address hearing loss or damage then a) most of the references such as OSHA and NIOSH address the effects of long term exposure, b) they address the exposure of individuals rather than just the SPL levels, c) they tend to address both administrative/passive and engineering/active responses and d) there may be different criteria for enacting a hearing monitoring system for exposures below those requiring direct action. A concept that many do not seem to realize is that OSHA and NIOSH do not restrict or even actually address the sound levels themselves, you can have any noise levels for any length of time, only that you have to limit the resulting exposure for individuals. Thus NIOSH and OSHA are likely difficult to directly apply to your situation. That does not mean you may not use information in them as a guideline for whatever you do, but you might have to be careful of exactly what it is seen as representing. Another potential factor is the frequency response. OSHA and NIOSH use A-weighted overall SPL levels which are really not appropriate for reflecting the perceived loudness at higher levels. As others have noted, systems with the same same perceived loudness but varying frequency response may have quite different A-weighted SPL levels (or systems with the same SPL and different responses may have a different perceived loudness). So if it is the perceived loudness and not just potential hearing damage that is the issue then assessing only the overall A-weighted levels may not provide all of the relevant information. On the aesthetics, most acoustical measurement equipment is going to be more focused on functionality, accuracy and reliability than aesthetics and you'll find few brands that are well known outside the industry, even B&K is probably not a well known brand name to the general public. I guess the overall point is that you may need to decide what it is that you are really trying to do and achieve before looking at what hardware may be appropriate. It may be that something as simple as the Extech unit you referenced is all that is needed, however that or a simple logging SPL meter is not going to actually address loudness or exposure. And what is the intent of any measurements? Documenting or making apparent that they are producing sound levels that they consider as potentially causing hearing damage may not to be in Owner's best interests unless they actually act upon it. [/QUOTE]
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