Technical guide: Measuring and analysing industry noise and music noise Publication 1997 June 2021 This replaces publication 280 published January 1991 Authorised and published by EPA Victoria Level 3, 200 Victoria Street, Carlton VIC 3053 1300 372 842 (1300 EPA VIC) epa.vic.gov.au EPA guidance does not impose compliance obligations. Guidance is designed to provide information to help duty holders understand their obligations under the EP Act 2017 and subordinate instruments, including by providing examples of approaches to compliance. In doing so, guidance may refer to, restate or clarify EPA’s approach to statutory obligations in general terms. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied on as a statement of the law. Because it has broad application, it may contain generalisations that are not applicable to you or your particular circumstances. You should obtain professional advice or contact EPA if you have any specific concern. 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Visit epa.vic.gov.au/language-help for next steps. If you need assistance because of a hearing or speech impairment, please visit relayservice.gov.au 2 Technical guide: Measuring and analysing industry noise and music noise Contents 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1. Overview .............................................................................................................................................................................. 7 1.2. Audience and purpose .............................................................................................................................................. 7 1.3. Disclaimer ...........................................................................................................................................................................8 2. Glossary of terms............................................................................................................................................ 9 2.1. Terms defined in the Environment Protection Act, the Regulations and in the Noise Protocol ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 2.2. Other terms in use in this guide ...................................................................................................................... 10 3. Industry noise ................................................................................................................................................. 14 3.1. Noise limits .......................................................................................................................................................................14 3.1.1. Urban area method........................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.1.2. Rural area method ............................................................................................................................................................. 15 3.1.3. Base noise limits and night period limit ........................................................................................................... 15 3.1.4. Aggravated noise ................................................................................................................................................................ 15 3.1.5. Establishing Background levels .............................................................................................................................. 16 3.1.6. Road traffic noise measurement for background relevant areas (rural area method) ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 3.2. Assessing industry noise ...................................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.1. Assessment location......................................................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.2. Alternative assessment location and criteria for noise measurement .................................. 23 3.2.3. Effective noise level ...........................................................................................................................................................25 3.2.4. Duration adjustment ....................................................................................................................................................... 26 3.2.5. Adjustments for noise character............................................................................................................................ 27 3.3. Assessing industry noise from multiple premises ............................................................................ 30 3.3.1. Assessment criteria for multiple industry ...................................................................................................... 30 3.3.2. Assessing multiple premises ...................................................................................................................................... 31 3.4. Measuring industry noise from existing premises ............................................................................33 3.4.1. Measurement point .......................................................................................................................................................... 33 3.4.2. Measurement point affected by atmospheric conditions ................................................................ 34 3.4.3. Indoor measurement ...................................................................................................................................................... 35 3.4.4. Adjustments for measurement position.......................................................................................................... 36 3.5. Proposed new industry or extension of existing premises ....................................................... 39 3.5.1. Predicting industry noise ............................................................................................................................................. 39 3.5.2. Noise calculation algorithms................................................................................................................................... 40 3.6. Reporting requirements .........................................................................................................................................41 3 Technical guide: Measuring and analysing industry noise and music noise 3.6.1. Assessment report ............................................................................................................................................................. 41 3.6.2. Reporting requirements for noise measurements .................................................................................. 42 3.6.3. Reporting requirements for industry noise predictions ..................................................................... 42 4. Noise from entertainment venues and outdoor entertainment events ....................... 44 4.1. Outdoor entertainment venues ......................................................................................................................45 4.2. Outdoor entertainment events ...................................................................................................................... 46 4.3. Indoor entertainment venues ........................................................................................................................... 47 5. Music noise from outdoor entertainment venues and events ........................................... 48 5.1. Music noise from outdoor entertainment venues and events................................................ 48 5.1.1. Outdoor entertainment venues within the Docklands noise attenuation area .............. 48 5.2. Assessing music noise from outdoor entertainment venues and events ...................... 49 5.2.1. Assessment location........................................................................................................................................................ 49 5.2.2. Alternative assessment location