Professional industrial noise measurement encompasses machinery noise assessment, sound power level determination, occupational noise exposure monitoring, and regulatory compliance documentation. Industrial noise is one of the most significant occupational health hazards worldwide, and accurate measurement is essential for protecting workers, meeting legal obligations, and designing effective noise control measures. Bedrock Elite Class 1 sound level meters provide the measurement accuracy and capability required for all aspects of industrial acoustic work.
Industrial noise measurement has two distinct but related aspects: measuring the noise that workers are exposed to (occupational noise exposure, leading to personal noise dose and Lex,8h calculations), and measuring the noise emitted by machinery and equipment (sound power level determination, required for CE marking, noise labelling, and source identification for noise control). Both require Class 1 instrumentation for regulatory submissions and legal defensibility.
Applicable Standards
ISO 9612 — determination of occupational noise exposure (engineering method); calculation of Lex,8h and LEP,d
ISO 11200 series — noise emitted by machinery and equipment; general measurement conditions
ISO 3744 — determination of sound power levels in a free-field over a reflecting plane
ISO 3745 — determination of sound power levels in anechoic and semi-anechoic rooms
ISO 3746 — determination of sound power levels using a survey method
EU Directive 2003/10/EC — minimum health and safety requirements for workers exposed to noise; action and limit values
EN ISO 11690 — recommended practice for the design of low-noise workplaces
Recommended Instruments
Bedrock Elite i10 — Class 1 with 1/3 octave analysis, dual-channel FFT, statistical analysis (Ln percentiles), data logging. Suitable for occupational noise surveys, sound power measurements, and detailed frequency analysis for noise control engineering.
Bedrock Elite i9 — Class 1 with 1/1 and 1/3 octave analysis, Ln percentiles, data logging. Excellent for occupational noise assessment and environmental noise measurements around industrial sites.
Bedrock SM90 — Class 1 sound level meter with 1/1 octave and data logging for occupational noise surveys and environmental monitoring around industrial facilities.
Common Industrial Noise Measurement Scenarios
Workplace noise surveys per ISO 9612 to determine which workers require hearing protection and hearing surveillance
Sound power level determination of new machinery for CE marking per ISO 11200 series
Noise assessment for noise control engineering projects — identifying dominant noise sources using 1/3 octave and FFT analysis
Environmental noise impact assessment for industrial facility planning permits
Noise at work risk assessments under EU Directive 2003/10/EC — identifying areas above 80 dBA and 85 dBA action values