Assessment and Regulation

of
Low Frequency Noise
Geoff Leventhall
Noise and Vibration Consultant
geoff@activenoise.co.uk
1
Low Frequency Noise
Frequency range:
about 10Hz to 200Hz
Which is:
the HVAC rumble region
2
 Starting point
Will the noise be audible?
Too much reliance is placed on
“the threshold”.
Will the noise be annoying?
Very variable subjective
responses.
3
 120

Watanabe and
Møller 1990
100

4 10 20 40 80 160 Hz
Sound pressure level dB

80
107 97 79 51 32 18 dB
60

40

20

ISO226:2003
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Frequency Hz

LF Median Hearing threshold 4

 Statistics of the Threshold
“The Threshold” is the 50% (median) of
young people 18~25 years
One standard deviation approx 6dB
68% within +/- one standard deviation
•About 16% are > 6dB more sensitive
than threshold.
•About 2% are >12db more sensitive than
threshold
5
ISO 7029:2000
Statistical distribution of hearing
thresholds as a function of age
Covers 125Hz to 8000Hz.
At 125 Hz: 10% of 60 year old males
have a threshold of –4dB or lower.
Which means at least 4dB better hearing
sensitivity than the median 18 year old.
(Hearing loss occur at higher frequencies.
8000Hz: 10% of 60 year old thresholds + 10dB)
6
 10%, 50% and 90% hearing thresholds
Zwicker and Fastl 7
Characteristics of LF HVAC Noise

Fluctuations - say up to ± 10dB

Measurement gives the average level

A Criterion should take fluctuations

into account e.g. levelling of RC2

8
 600

400
Linear level mV

200

-200

-400

-600 0
0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
Time sec

Waveform of HVAC throbbing noise

RMS 175mv Level variation +7dB, -12dB
9
 Analysis HVAC Throb Noise (0.3 Hz)

70

60
BEATS?
50
Level dB

40

30

20

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300
Frequency Hz

Analysis HVAC throbbing noise 10

 Measurement problems

A criterion requires measurement.

Problems at low frequency of:
•Temporal
•Spatial
variations
11
Temporal variations
Short term
• Waveform fluctuation

Long term
• Full load to system off

12
 Spatial Variations
Room modes at low frequencies

Effect of distance from source

13
The “Dimensions” of Noise

1. Frequency or level
2. Average Level v. Frequency
(Spectrum)
3. Fluctuations with time
4. Subjective response

14
Subjective response
Noise is only one of the factors
which combine to give our total
subjective response.
Noise sensitivity is important,
depending on the individual, the
situation etc etc
What percent do we protect?
15
Determination of limits
• Percent to protect?
Greater than 50%?
• Does an audible noise annoy?
Depends on the listener

16
Criteria
• Denmark
• Poland
• Sweden
• Netherlands
• Germany

17
18
 Types of Criteria
Weighting curve
Summation over frequency range
Limit curve
1/3 octave frequency analysis
related to a criterion limit

19
 Denmark
Low Frequency
0
A-Weighting LpA,LF
-100 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

-20
Weighting dB

-30
-40
Summation of 10Hz to 160Hz
-50
-60 1/3 octave bands
-70
-80 20
 Denmark - Weighting Curve
Infrasound Low Normal noise
LpG frequency limit
noise LpA,LF LpA
10 –160Hz
Dwelling, evening
and night 85dB 20dB 30dB / 25dB
Dwelling, 30dB – day and
day 85dB 25dB evening
Classroom, office
etc 85dB 30dB 40dB
Other rooms in
enterprises 90dB 35dB 50dB
Plus 5dB penalty for impulsiveness 21
 LF Limit Curve
120
Level limit dB

100
80
60
40
20
0
0 50 100 150

1/3 oct frequency Hz

22
 120
DIN 45680 Limit Method

100

80
Limit leve ldB

60

40

20

0
8 10 12.5 16 20 25 31.5 40 50 63 80 100
1/3 octave frequency Hz
23
24
 NR35 up to 500Hz
90

80

70

60

?
Level dB

50

40

30
NR 35 A - weighted levels greater
20
than 40dBA at low frequencies
10

0
31.5 63 125 250 500 25
Frequency Hz
Conclusions
• The fixed “hearing threshold” is a
fiction
• Low frequency noise at low levels
annoys some listeners
• Use of average levels hides
annoying characteristics

26
We need to
• Place less reliance on
“the threshold” when making
decisions
• Get rid of NR (ASHRAE RC OK)
• Assess fluctuations in the noise

27