Quieting: a Home Owner's Practical Guide to Noise Control
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
NBSIR 75-668 Quieting: A Home Owner's Practical Guide to Noise Control Raymond D. Berendt, Edith L. R. Corliss and Morris S. Ojalvo* Sound Section Mechanics Division Institute for Basic Standards National Bureau of Standards Washington, D. C. 20234 *Engineering Division National Science Foundation Washington. D. C. 20550 March 1975 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS NBSIR 75-668 QUIETING: A HOME OWNER'S PRACTICAL GUIDE TO NOISE CONTROL Raymond D. Berendt, Edith L. Corliss and Morris S. Ojalvo* Sound Section Mechanics Division Institute for Basic Standards National Bureau of Standards Washington, D. C. 20234 *Engineering Division National Science Foundation Washington, D. C. 20550 March 1975 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Secretary NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Richard W. Roberts. Director . QUIETING! A Homeowner's Practical Guide to Noise Control by Raymond D. Berendt, Edith L. R. Corliss and Morris S. OJalvo ABSTRACT This publication is a guide offering practical solutions for the ordinary noise problems that a person is likely to meet in his home, while traveling and at work. The discussion describes the ways in which sounds are generated, travel to the listener, and affect his hearing and well being. Recommendations are given for controlling noise at the source and along its path of travel, and for protecting the listener. The guide instructs the reader by way of "Warning signs" on ways and means of determining whether prolonged exposure to a noisy environment may be hazardous to his hearing. General principles for selecting quiet appliances are given. The remedies for noise problems deal both with prevention and with selection of quiet alternatives to existing noise sources. Ways of searching for the sources of noise and the paths over which they travel to the listener are described. A detailed index is given for individual noise sources and the solutions to the problems they present. General ways of looking for inherently quiet homes ajid travel accommodations are described. In a final chapter, there are suggestions for enlisting commvinity help where large external sources of noise must be quieted, such as those arising from public tremsportation and public utilities KEY WORDS: Airborne and structure-borne sounds; annoyance; appliance noise; health and hearing hazards; household noise; legal and community action; loudness; noise control and abatement. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION WHAT IS NOISE? • 1-1 HOW DOES NOISE ORIGINATE? 1-1 THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SOUND OR NOISE 1-4 Decibel, usually written dB Sound level meter A-weightlng, dB(A) Frequency and pitch Loudness, soiind pressure and intensity Phons Pure tone and broadband noise CHAPTER 2 NOISE AS A HEALTH HAZARD PRECAUTIONS 2-1 WARNING #1 ' . WARNING #2 WARNING ; HEARING PROTECTION 2-A Situations to avoid Signs of hearing loss Noisy activities that should be limited HOW TO AVOID RISKING YOUR LIFE AT NOISE LEVELS NOT DAMAGING TO HEARING 2-5 Lesson 1 Provide for sounds of emergency vehicles Lesson 2 Take frequent rests in quiet areas Lesson 3 Avoid startle reactions . Lesson h Control noise at source CHAPTER 3 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF NOISE REDUCTION ^ SOURCE-PATH-RECEIVER CONCEPT • . 3-1 NOISE CONTROL AT THE SOURCE 3-1 Select Quiet Equipment iii Page REQUIREMENTS FOR QUIET OPERATION 3-2 1. Reduce Impact or Impulsive Forces 2. Reduce Speed in Machines and Pressure and Flow in Fluid Systems 3. Balance Rotating Parts h. Reduce Frictional Resistance 5. Isolate Vibrating Elements Within the Machine 6. Reduce Radiating Area 7. - Apply Vibration Damping Materials 8. Reduce Noise Leakage From the Interior of the Appliance 9. Choose Quieter Machinery When Replacing Appliances NOISE CONTROL OF THE TRANSMISSION PATH 3-10 FACTORS AFFECTING TRAVEL OF SOUND 1. Absorption: Soaking Up Sound 2. Sound Reflection: Bounding of Sound 3. Reverberation: The Re-echoing of Soiond U. Diffraction: The Bending or Squeezing of Sound "QUIETING" IN THE PATH 3-15 1. Separate the Noise Source and Receiver as Much as Possible 2. Use Sound Absorbing Materials 3. Use Sound Barriers and Deflectors h. Use Acoustical Lining 5. Use Mufflers, Silencers or Snubbers 6. Use Vibration Isolators sind Flexible Couplers 7. Use Enclosures PROTECT THE RECEIVER ..... 3-17 USE EAR PROTECTORS ALTER WORK SCHEDULE IS THERE AN ACOUSTICAL PERFUME? CHAPTER h NOISE CONTROL AT HOME TRANSMISSION OF AIRBORNE AND STRUCTUREBORNE NOISE ..... 4-1 "SOUNDING BOARD" EFFECT 4-2 Page FLANKING NOISE TRANSMISSION 4-3 GENERAL SOLUTIONS FOR NOISE CONTROL IN THE HOME 4-4 SOUND ABSORPTION VS SOUND INSULATION 4-5 KITCHEN NOISE . • 4-6 INSTALL DOORS CONTROL APPLIANCE NOISE 1. Vibration Isolate Appliance from the Floor 2. Isolate Appliance from the Wall 3. Isolate Appliance from Cabinet Enclosure / U. Isolate Cabinet Enclosiire from Wall 5. Isolate Small Appliances 6. Cushion Impact Noise in the Cabinets ?• Apply Vibration Damping Material 8. Install Acoustical Lining 9« Install Exhaust Fans on Rubber Mounts 10. Install Acoustic Ceiling 11 . Install Carpet or Foam-Backed Tile 12. Quieting of Large Appliances RECREATION OR PLAYROOMS 4-11 CORRIDORS, HALLS, STAIRCASES 4-12 IMPROVING THE PRIVACY OF YOUR BEDROOM, STUDY OR BATH AREA 4-12 IMPROVING THE SOUND INSULATION OF WALLS .......... 4-13 IMPROVING THE SOUND INSULATION OF FLOOR-CEILING CONSTRUCTIONS 4-15 CONTROL OF FLOOR SQUEAKING . 4-16 CONTROL OF STAIR SQUEAKING 4-18 CONTROL OF HEATING, VENTILATING AND AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM NOISE 4-18 CONTOOL OF PLUMBING NOISE 4-27 CHAPTER ^ HOW TO INSULATE YOUR HOME AGAINST OUTDOOR NOISE Reducing the Intrusion of Neighborhood Noise 5-2 Reducing the Intrusion of Traffic Noise ......... 5-3 Reducing the Intrusion of Aircraft Noise 5-4 CHAPTER 6 SELECTING A QUIET HOME OR APARTMENT SITE (or hov to avoid making the same mistake twice) Selecting a Quiet Residential Area 6-1 Selecting a Quiet Location Within a Housing or Apartment Development 6-2 6-3 Selecting a Quiet Apeirtment Unit Within the Building • • V Page CHAPTER T A TROUBLE-SHOOTING GUIDE HOW TO LOOK FOR LEAKS 7-3 REMEDIES 7-4 LAST RESORTS 7-6 INDEXED CATALOG OF SPECIFIC NOISE PROBLEMS AND REMEDIES . 7-14 CHAPTER 8 NOISE CONTROL AT THE OFFICE NOISE SOURCES 8-1 REDUCING THE NOISE 8-1 EXTRANEOUS NOISE 8-3 PRIVACY BETWEEN OFFICES 8-3 PRIVACY IN OPEN-PLAN OFFICES 8-4 CHAPTER 9 NOISE CONTROL WHILE TRAVELING AUTOMOBILES 9-1 1. Select a "Quiet" Automobile 2. Drive at Slover Speeds 3. Drive with Windows Closed h. Use Air Ventilators 5. Use Slow Fan Speed 6. Turn Off the Radio 7. Select Quiet Tires 8. Balance Car Wheels 9. Reduce Windshield Wiper Noise BUSES AND TRAINS 9-3 AIRPLANES 9-3 SELECTING A "QUIET" MOTEL OR HOTEL 9-3 SELECTING A "QUIET" ROOM 9-5 CHAPTER 10 POLITICAL AND LEGAL ACTION — WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS INTRODUCTION 10-1 FEDERAL NOISE REGULATION 10-2 STATE AND LOCAL REGULATION 10-3 CORRECTIVE ACTION PROGRAMS ....... 10-4 LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD NOISE PROBLEMS 10-5 BIBLIOGRAPHY B-1 vi QUIETING A HOME OWNER'S PRACTICAL GUIDE TO NOISE CONTROL Raymond D. Berendt , Edith L. R. Corliss and Morris S. OJalvo* Institute for Basic Standards National Bureau of Standards Washington, D. C. 2023^4 Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION WHAT IS NOISE? One humorous definition holds that "Noise is what your neighbor makes." Of course, we all make noise ourselves, but we especially resent the intrusion of sounds that we do not choose to hear. Thus, noise may be defined as "unwanted sound." So\ind becomes unwanted because it is capable of interfering with our ability to relax or to concentrate, to work or play, sleep, study, or communicate. In short, it invades our privacy and disrupts the enjoyment and full use of our surroiindings . At worst, it can affect our hearing, performance, and behavior; noise can impair both physical and mental well-being. Excessive noise represents a major public health hazard, and indeed millions of workers risk permanent hesiring loss from exposure to noise in their work. Not only is much of this noise unnecessary, but it is avoidable. Most experts will agree that modern technology for noise control can be applied to reduce much noise to acceptable levels. Often noise arises through thoughtlessness and neglect, and may be remedied by attention to a relatively few basic principles. The objective of this Consumer Guide is to explain and illustrate in a simple manner how many of the commonly encountered noise problems can be alleviated or even eliminated. HOW DOES NOISE ORIGINATE? Generally speaking, noise is produced when an object or surface vibrates rapidly enough to generate a pressure wave or distiarbance in the surrounding air. Air is a rather springy, elastic substance composed of small particles called molecules. The elasticity is due to the tendency of these moleciiles to spring back to their original positions of rest whenever they are deflected or displaced by some outside disturbance or force. As a sound wave travels through the air, the pressure fluctuations cause the * Engineering Division, National Science Foundation, Washington, D. C. 20550 1-1 molecules to vibrate back and forth about their normal positions of rest. In so doing, they bump neighboring molecules, imparting motion to them and then, rebounding back and forth, return to their original positions. The disturbed molecules collide with others in the same manner. The disturbance travels through the air by successive collisions, much as a billiard cue ball will impart motion to a line of billiard balls. Although each of the balls moves with the disturbance, each returns to its original position after collision with the next successive ball; only the end ball, which makes no further collision, moves forward beyond its rest position. In a similar fashion, the vibration imparted to the air travels in a chain-reaction manner from one air molecule to another until it eventually reaches our ears.