Noise - Acceptable dBA Level
The main advantage with dB(A) - the A weighted noise or sound measurement - is
- its adaption to how the human ear responses to sound - the human hearing, and
- the possibility to measure noise with "low cost" instruments
Maximum acceptable Equivalent Sound Level - Leq - at some locations:
| Location | Effects | Maximum Leq (dBA) | Time (hours) | Time of day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | sleep disturbance, annoyance | 30 | 8 | night |
| Living area | annoyance, speech interference | 50 | 16 | day |
| Outdoor living area | moderate annoyance | 50 | 16 | day |
| Outdoor living area | serious annoyance | 55 | 16 | day |
| Outdoor living area | sleep disturbance, with open windows | 45 | 8 | night |
| School classroom | speech interference, communication disturbance | 35 | 8 | day |
| Hospitals patient rooms | sleep disturbance, communication interference | 30 - 35 | 8 | day and night |
Related Topics
• Acoustics
Room acoustics and acoustic properties, decibel A, B and C, Noise Rating (NR) curves, sound transmission, sound pressure, sound intensity and sound attenuation.
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