Assessment of Noise with Low Frequency Line Spectra

Abstract

Many small power plants have been built in Denmark in recent years. These plants are often situated near dwellings giving rise to complaints about annoyance of low frequency noise and vibration indoors. Normally the annoying low frequency noise is in the frequency range 10–200 Hz. Since it is created by combustion engines the noise has a line spectrum. In Denmark the A-weighted total level in the frequency range 10–160 Hz L_{pA, LF} is used for assessment and legislation about low frequency noise exposure in dwellings. From our experience solving practical low frequency noise and vibration problems L_pA,LF seems to overestimate the annoyance of very low frequency noise whereas noise with the major spectral content near 160 Hz seems to be underestimated. This problem is discussed based on our experience.

References

Miljøstyrelsen (The Danish Environmental Protection Agency) (1997). Orientering fra Miljøstyrelsen Nr. 9 1997 “Lavfrekvent stoj, infralyd og vibrationer i eksternt miljø”. (English translation of the title: Low Frequency noise, infra sound and vibrations in the external environment”).

ISO 389–7 (1996). “Reference zero for the calibration of audiometric equipment — Part 7: Reference threshold of hearing under free-field and diffuse-field listening conditions”, International Organization for Standardization, Geneve.

Assessment of Noise with Low Frequency Line Spectra — Practical Cases

Abstract

References