The Institute for Development & Application of Sound Materials (DASM) is one of the most reliable, well-known, independent, reputable, and transparent consulting companies in Vietnam. Whether you are a large enterprise, an SME, or an individual customer, we have solutions tailored to your health and safety.
Driven by a passion for creating value from health and safety, DASM ensures that you will receive appropriate assessments for your business and facilities.
Understanding Noise & Noise Surveys
If your workplace is noisy to the extent that you cannot converse with colleagues without shouting to be heard over a distance of 2 meters, your workplace or business needs to conduct a noise survey and assessment.
In technical terms, a noise survey involves using sophisticated sound measuring devices to help determine the “sound environment” of a specific area.
There are various types of noise surveys based on the function and environment of the workplace.
A noise survey evaluates various aspects of the sound environment, including environmental noise surveys and other important factors.
What is a noise survey?
A noise survey typically involves using complex sound measuring equipment such as Class 1 sound level meters, external environment microphones, and low-noise microphones to describe the sound environment of the workplace.
Some of the main types of noise surveys we will discuss are as follows:
Occupational Noise Risk Assessment
TCVN 7878-1:2018 replaces TCVN 7878-1:2008.
TCVN 7878-1:2018 is fully equivalent to ISO 1996-1:2016.
TCVN 7878-1:2018 was compiled by the National Technical Committee on Acoustics TCVN/TC 43, proposed by the General Department of Standards Metrology and Quality, and published by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The TCVN 7878 standard, Acoustics – Description, measurement, and assessment of environmental noise, consists of two parts:
TCVN 7878-1:2018 (ISO 1996-1: 2016), Part 1: Basic quantities and assessment methods.
TCVN 7878-2:2018 (ISO 1996-2: 2017), Part 2: Determination of sound pressure levels.
In practice, any method of describing, measuring, and assessing environmental noise relates in some way to human responses to noise. There are many adverse consequences of increased environmental noise, but the exact relationship between noise levels and response continues to be a topic of scientific debate. Additionally, it is crucial that all methods used are practical within the general context of political, economic, and social frameworks where they are employed. For this reason, many different methods are currently used worldwide for various types of noise, creating significant challenges for international comparison and understanding.
The general purpose of the TCVN 7878 (ISO 1996) standard series is to contribute to the international harmonization of methods for describing, measuring, and assessing environmental noise from all noise sources.
The methods and procedures described in this standard are intended for noise from various noise sources, either individually or combined, which cause overall noise exposure at a location. With current technology, long-term annoyance noise assessment is best conducted using the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level, referred to as the “assessment level.”
The purpose of the TCVN 7878 (ISO 1996) standard series is to provide authorities with a document on methods for describing and assessing noise in residential environments. Based on the principles outlined in this standard, national technical standards and corresponding acceptable noise limits can be established.
In general, all industries must comply with workplace noise control regulations. The purpose of occupational health surveys is to inspect and control the amount of noise or sound that employees are exposed to at work.
One of the most important benefits of noise risk assessments is that they protect employees’ hearing along with many other benefits. If an employee is exposed to noise levels exceeding 80B(A) daily or weekly, conducting an occupational noise survey and risk assessment becomes necessary by law. If an employee is exposed to 85dB(A), conducting an occupational noise survey and risk assessment is necessary to comply with regulations. Furthermore, protecting hearing, health checks, and hearing tests are highly encouraged.
To conduct an occupational noise survey, DASM experts will visit the client’s specified location to review current regulations aimed at protecting hearing and safety from excessive noise. At the same time, they will measure the level of noise exposure that employees face. After conducting the site survey, we will provide a report including recommendations that demonstrate compliance with noise identification and assessment regulations.
Background Noise Surveys
Background noise surveys measure the daily variations in noise levels of an area. They are often required for planning applications and by local authorities. The purpose is to ensure that new construction will not create disruptive noise or be adversely affected by the existing noise levels in the area.
Although background noise surveys can be completed with a few on-site measurements, we recommend leaving the measuring equipment in place for several days to obtain a detailed assessment.
With a detailed assessment, we evaluate different areas/sounds in the environment, such as daytime variations and characteristics like the dawn chorus (believed to be caused by high-energy electrons trapped in the Van Allen radiation belts) or temporary noise from boiler flues that might be overlooked.
Noise Impact Assessments
Noise impact assessments are in-depth noise evaluations that go beyond basic background noise surveys.
Noise impact assessments are necessary for planning applications and are required by local authorities to determine the environmental impact of new construction. This includes assessing the surrounding noise environment and comparing this with measurements or predictions of the noise generated by the new construction.
If the proposed residential construction impacts existing noise sources, an assessment must be conducted to ensure that the living environment both inside and outside is suitable and acceptable without placing any undue burden on nearby noise sources.
Noise impact assessments are also conducted to measure the current state.
To ensure compliance with all noise-related regulations and to demonstrate good neighborliness, all industries are required to check the noise levels they emit.
Noise Annoyance Surveys and Expert Witness Services
Noise is unwanted sound that disrupts human life in various ways. Noise is not necessarily always loud or annoying. The characteristics of noise can affect how noise is perceived.
If a development project is believed to cause noise, a noise survey will be conducted to assess the impact of industrial and commercial noise sources in noise-sensitive areas.
When there are complaints about high noise levels, a survey should be conducted to measure the noise. Noise annoyance surveys assess the decibel level of the noise, the spectral content of the noise (pitch), background noise levels in the absence of the noise, etc., considering the frequency and duration of the noise, the characteristics of the area, and the timing of occurrence.
Surveys for Other Types of Noise
There are many other types of noise surveys that can be conducted, and at DASM, we are ready to provide separate surveys based on the specific needs of clients. For example, entertainment venues often install noise-limiting devices to ensure that excessive noise generated inside does not adversely affect neighbors.
DASM supports businesses by conducting a simple noise survey to check the level produced within the facility, while also assessing community impact based on permissible noise levels.
For detailed consultation, please contact us via the Hotline at 0968018216 of the Sound Material Development & Application Institute (DASM)!
