Protocol For Ambient Level Noise Monitoring

Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi
Comments and suggestion are invited on the protocol for ambient noise monitoring.
Your comments/suggestions should reach to Dr. D. Saha Addl. Director & I/c Air Lab
Division. E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Protocol for Ambient Level Noise Monitoring
1.0 Purpose:
This protocol presents the protocol for Ambient Noise monitoring to be

carried out on routine basis or to address the public complaints. The
objective is to monitor the noise level at a particular site or as described in
the complaints. The data generated by the method shall also evaluate with
prescribed noise level standards.
2.0 Introduction:
The unit of noise is decibel, one-tenth of a bell and denotes as d(B),

however the monitoring unit is considered as dB(A) Leq denotes the time
weighted average ‘A’ of the level of sound in decibels on scale A and it has
been found related to human hearing. Thus in, dB(A)Leq, denotes the
frequency weighting in the measurement of noise and corresponds to
frequency response characteristics of the human ear. The unit of frequency
is hertz (Hz) and is defined as the number of compressions and rarefactions
per unit time (sec.). Human hearing is sensitive to frequencies in the range
of about 20-20,000 Hz (the audio frequency range).
Sound pressure is used as the fundamental measure of sound (amplitude)

as it is measurable directly by any standard instruments. The weakest
sound pressure disturbance that can be detected by an “average” person at
1,000Hz has been found to be 20 µN/m2 and the largest 107 µN/m2.
Because of such a wide range, the use of a linear pressure scale has been
found to be non-scientific. It has been found convenient to employ sound
pressure level, a quality, which is proportional to the logarithm of sound
pressure. By this, the sound pressure range of interest is compressed
between 0 to 130 dB.
3.0 Site Selection Criteria:
Site of an area shall be selected such that it meets the land use pattern as
prescribed in the standard e.g. Residential, Commercial or Silence Zone.
(A) General:
1. The station should be located at the ambient level i.e. away from the
direct source, away from any vibration and any obstruction.
2. Categorize the area with land use pattern.
(B) Specific:
Always use tripod stand at above the ground level of 1 to 1.5 m for areas.
Hand held monitoring should be avoided.
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(C) Case Specific Locations:
 DG Sets up to 800 kW at about 1 m distances from all sides. DG Sets

more than 800 kW at about 1 m distance of acoustic enclosure.
Concerned State PCBs / PCCs may regulate the norms with minimum
reduction of 25 dB(A) to see the effectiveness of the enclosure.
 Petrol and Kerosene Gensets Sound power level is measured in anechoic
room so as to have segregated noise level.
 Fire crackers 4 m from the bursting point, there shouldn’t be reflecting
surface around 15m radius.
 Vehicle 0.5m from the exhaust point.
(D) Positioning of the instrument:
 Microphone must be placed 1.2 -1.5m above the ground level.

 In dry conditions with a wind speed of less than 5 m/s.
 Isolate the instrument from strong vibration and shock.
4.0 Selection of Noise level meter:
Noise measurements will be made with a Type 1 integrating sound level

meter with free-field microphone which meets the Accuracy of noise
measurement as per IEC 804 (BS 6698) Grade I or ANSI Type I or equivalent
IEC 61672-1(2002-05) Class-I.
5.0 Calibration:
Make sure that the instrument is properly calibrated. Measurements should

be accepted as valid only if the calibration level from before and after the
noise measurement agrees to within 1.0 dB. The sound level meter and
calibrator will hold a current calibration certificate traceable to national
standards.
Start the calibrator and put on 1 KHz frequency calibration on two values 94
dB and 114 dB. If instrument is shows more than ± 0.3 dB differences adjust
the calibration. Calibration is done O.K. now instrument is ready for
monitoring.
6.0 Monitoring time:
The monitoring should be carried out minimum 75% of the prescribed Day
time (06.00 am to 22.00 pm) and Night time (22.00 pm to 06.00 am).The
exercise has to be carried out for 6 to 8 hrs. in the said time frame of day &
night. It is always preferable to have large number of data sets thus 1sec
sampling frequency is recommended.
7.0 Monitoring Parameters:
Leq, L10, L90, L50, Lmax, Lmin, (with 1 sec sampling period at all locations).
8.0 Monitoring Protocol:
The following criteria will be observed when undertaking the noise

monitoring:
Page 2 of 5
a) During ambient noise monitoring sound comes from more than one
direction, it is important to choose a microphone and mounting which
gives the best possible Omni directional characteristics;
b) The noise measurement equipment will be supervised continuously during
the monitoring period and notes will be made of the date, time and
prevailing weather conditions;
c) Immediately prior to and following each noise measurement session the
accuracy of the noise level meter shall be checked using an acoustic
calibrator generating a known sound pressure level at a known
frequency.
d) Noise measurements should not be made in fog and rain;
e) A wind shield will be used at all times to prevent interference of reflecting
noise;
f) As far as is practicable, the pause facility on the noise measurement

equipment will be used to exclude extraneous noise (e.g. low flying
aircraft and road traffic passing in front of the microphone) so that the
results recorded are representative of the site noise or if possible for road
traffic/other source background noise can be eliminated from final
reading by using the following formula:
10.0 Monitoring records:
(i) The date, time, location and duration of the measurement;

(ii) All predominant noise sources will be noted, which may include
extraneous noise such as road traffic, aero-planes and other activity;
(iii) Weather conditions will be recorded including wind speed and
approximate direction, cloud cover, rain and ground frost;
11.0 Monitoring data submission:
The particulars of the measurements recorded by the noise level meter shall
be furnished in the monitoring data sheet, as at Annexure I. A typical flow
chart may be adopted for uniformity in the monitoring.
12.0 Monitoring Inferences:
The monitoring inferences should be drawn on the basis of final data sheet
viz. compliance to the specified standard, violation of standard, average Leq,
noise intensity L50, L90 etc. and suggest corrective action.
Page 3 of 5
Annexure-I
Data sheet for Ambient Noise Monitoring
Description of Location: Date:
Noise Level Meter
Make :
Model :
Serial No. :
Calibration Result of Noise Level Meter
Calibration 94 dB at 1000 Hz 114 dB at 1000 Hz
Initial
Final
Sampling Rate
Sound Parameters (dBA)

S.
Time duration File No.
No.
Leq L10 L50 L90 Lmin Lmax
Average L equivalent dB(A)
Monitoring team & signature
Notes: (1) The method for calculation of average Leq: To convert average of dB(A), each value is to be
divided by 10, followed by antilog and finally calculate arithmetic mean. The final value is converted in
logarithm, (2) monitoring must be carried for 75% of the prescribed day time and night time for legal
compliance, (3) Lmax and Lmin are toe reported hourly basis and (4) L50 & L90 also recorded to understand the
intensity of the noise for further course of action.
Page 4 of 5
Type of Monitoring
Type of Location
Sensitive/Residential/Commercial/Industrial
Identify the Source for ambient Noise

Locations for monitoring, Calibration of Instrument, Monitoring Duration,
Monitoring data, Data sheet
Follow the procedure as given in protocol for Monitoring
Inferences / Conclusion (Day Time / Night Time)
Further monitoring
Identify the Source for ambient Noise & Suggest control measures
Page 5 of 5

Protocol For Ambient Level Noise Monitoring

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What is the purpose of ambient noise monitoring according to this protocol?

What is the purpose of ambient noise monitoring according to this protocol?

What are the main steps involved in ambient noise monitoring?

What are the main steps involved in ambient noise monitoring?

Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi

Protocol for Ambient Level Noise Monitoring

This protocol presents the protocol for Ambient Noise monitoring to be

The unit of noise is decibel, one-tenth of a bell and denotes as d(B),

Sound pressure is used as the fundamental measure of sound (amplitude)

3.0 Site Selection Criteria:

(C) Case Specific Locations:

 DG Sets up to 800 kW at about 1 m distances from all sides. DG Sets

(D) Positioning of the instrument:

 Microphone must be placed 1.2 -1.5m above the ground level.

4.0 Selection of Noise level meter:

Noise measurements will be made with a Type 1 integrating sound level

Make sure that the instrument is properly calibrated. Measurements should

6.0 Monitoring time:

7.0 Monitoring Parameters:

8.0 Monitoring Protocol:

The following criteria will be observed when undertaking the noise

f) As far as is practicable, the pause facility on the noise measurement

10.0 Monitoring records:

(i) The date, time, location and duration of the measurement;

11.0 Monitoring data submission:

12.0 Monitoring Inferences:

Data sheet for Ambient Noise Monitoring

Description of Location: Date:

Noise Level Meter

Calibration Result of Noise Level Meter

Calibration 94 dB at 1000 Hz 114 dB at 1000 Hz

Sound Parameters (dBA)

Average L equivalent dB(A)

Monitoring team & signature

Identify the Source for ambient Noise

Follow the procedure as given in protocol for Monitoring

Inferences / Conclusion (Day Time / Night Time)

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