INDUSTRIAL PLANTS: NOISE EMISSION UDC 534.

83

Key words: Test method, industrial plants, noise

CONTENTS Page 9 ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT 6

SCOPE 9.1 Environmental Correction 6
FIELD OF APPLICATION 9.2 Background Noise Correction 9
2.1 Nordtest Sphere Method 10 WEATHER CONDITIONS 9
2.2 Nordtest Box Method
11 ACCURACY 9
REFERENCES
12 NORDTEST SPHERE METHOD 10
DEFINITIONSAND NOTATION 12.1 Measurement Surface 10
4.1 Definitions 12.2 Key Microphone Positions 10
4.2 Notation 12.3 Additional Microphone Positions 12
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR 12.4 Calculation of Source Strength 12
MEASUREMENTS 12.5 Information to be Reported 12
5.1 Measurements 3 13 NORDTEST BOX METHOD 12
5.2 Choice of Microphone Positions 4 13.1 Measurement Surface 12
ENERGY AVERAGE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL 4 13.2 Key Microphone Positions 13
13.3 Additional Microphone Positions 15
INSTRUMENTATION
13.4 Near-Field Correction 15
7.1 General
13.5 Calculation of Source Strength 15
7.2 Calibration and Verification
13.6 Information to be Reported 16
7.3 Microphones
ANNEX A: Guidelines for Selecting an 17
SOURCE DEFINITION
Appropriate Method
8.1 Reference box
8.2 Characteristic Dimension ANNEX B: General Corrections and Calculations 2 0
8.3 Acoustic Centre
8.4 Source Directionality

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NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 2

1 SCOPE 2.1 Nordtest Sphere Method

This Nordtest engineering method specifies a method for The Nordtest Sphere Method specifies that sound pressure
measuring sound pressure levels at prescribed positions levels shall be measured at microphone positions over part of
surrounding stationary noise sources at industrial plants and a sphere enclosing the noise source under test. The required
calculating the source strength based on the measured sound sphere radius may be quite large. This limits the application to
pressure levels. situations with a favourable acoustic environment.
Information on source-directional characteristics is obtained
The source strength is useful for calculations of sound when the Nordtest Sphere Method is applied.
pressure levels in areas adjacent to industrial plants and for
comparing noise emission by equipment from various 2.2 Nordtest Box Method
manufacturers. The Nordtest Box Method specifies that sound pressure
levels shall be measured at microphone positions on the
For the purpose of this Nordtest method the source strength surface of a notional box enclosing the noise source under
is a measure of the part of the source sound power which is test. The distance from source to box surface is allowed to be
relevant for the calculation of sound pressure levels at some quite small. This means that the box method is applicable
distance from the source. Sound radiated vertically upwards under unfavourable acoustic conditions. No information on
is neglected in this measure, and the measurement positions source-directional characteristics is obtained when the
are chosen in such a way as to ensure that the sound radiated Nordtest Box Method is applied.
at angles between 0º and 20º above the horizontal is
measured. The sound radiated in this angle interval is most 3 REFERENCES
relevant when calculating sound pressure levels in the
NT ACOU 041, Sound Level Meters: Verification procedure.
environment. In general the source strength includes
information on source-directional characteristics in the
IEC Publication 225, Octave, half-octave and third-octave
horizontal plane. If a noise source only radiates into nearly
band filters intended for the analysis of sound and vibrations.
horizontal directions and at the same time is nearly
omnidirectional in the horizontal plane, the source strength is
IEC Publication 651, Sound level meters.
approximately equal to the sound power level of the source.
IEC Publication 804, Integrating-averaging sound level
Measurements are made in situ outdoors, and the source
meters.
strength is calculated in octave bands and overall
A-weighted. Whenever possible source-directional
IEC Publication 942, Sound calibrators ‘).
characteristics are determined.

“Environmental Noise from Industrial Plants. General

This Nordtest method is best suited for individual industrial
Prediction Method”, Danish Acoustical Institute, Report No.
noise sources. In Annex A reference is given to other methods
32, Lyngby, 1982.
suitable for measuring noise emission from entire industrial
plants or from large parts of such plants. Reference is also
4 DEFINITIONS AND NOTATION
given to relevant standards for sound power measurements.
4.1 Definitions
For the purpose of this standard the following definitions
apply.

4.1.1 Acoustic centre: The position of a point source

yielding the same sound pressure level in the environment as
2 FIELD OF APPLICATION
the noise source under test.
This Nordtest method is applicable to any stationary industrial
noise source although the large number of microphone 4.1.2 Characteristic dimension: Half the diagonal of the
positions necessary for extended sources may make it box enveloping the reference box and its images in adjoining
impractical for such sources. reflecting planes.

Measured data are primarily intended for use as input in a 4.1.3 Environmental correction K: Correction for
prediction method assuming that each source can be deviation of test environment from an ideal free field above a
regarded as an equivalent point source. Thus, care must be reflecting plane or in front of two or three reflecting planes.
taken to define the noise source in such a way that it is
possible to estimate its acoustic centre.

Measured data can also be used in noise control work and for
comparisons between noise emission from different plants or
machines. ‘) At present at the stage of draft.
 NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 3

4.1.4 Horizontal directionality: Directionality determined S ref Area of reference box surface b-n21
from results of measurements in one horizontal plane only. T Reference time interval [sl
4.1.5 Measurement distance: The distance between the
v Volume of room b-n31
reference box and a parallelepipedical measurement surface. a Distance from reference box to [ml
measurement box
4.1.6 Measurement radius: The radius of a hemispherical b Distance from microphone to vertical [ml
measurement surface. reflecting plane
do Characteristic dimension of the source [ml
4.1.7 Measurement surface: A hypothetical surface of
area S enveloping the source. The microphone positions are t-02 Height of microphone positions [ml
located on this surface. 11 Length of reference box [ml
12 Width of reference box [ml
4.1.8 Near-field error correction: Correction for sound
energy which is not passing the measurement surface at right 13 Height of reference box b-4
angles. n Number of discrete sound pressure L-1
levels associated with operating
4.1.9 Reference box: A hypothetical surface which is the conditions Nos. 1 . . . n
smallest rectangular parallelepiped which just encloses the
source. It usually terminates on one or more reflecting planes. t, . . . t, Durations of operating conditions ISI
tr Reverberation time [sl
4.1.10 Reflecting plane: A plane sound-reflecting surface Directional correction in direction @ WI
extending at least half a wavelength (usually about 1.5 m)
beyond the projection of the measurement surface on the
Wavelength of sound in air at octave [ml
band centre frequency
sound-reflecting surface.
Index i Indicates microphone position No. i L-1
4.1.11 Source strength: The level of the part of the sound
power of the source which is radiated into nearly horizontal
5 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MEASUREMENTS
directions and therefore is relevant for the sound pressure
levels in the environment around industrial plants. 5.1 Measurements
The overall A-weighted and octave band sound pressure
I
4.2 Notation levels within the frequency range 63 Hz - 8000 Hz shall be
measured. The frequency bands 31.5 Hz and 16 kHz are
E Near-field error correction [dB]
optional.
K Environmental correction [dB]
L eq,T Energy equivalent sound pressure level [dB] The measurement time interval at each microphone position
shall be chosen so as to contain relevant operating conditions
LP Sound Pressure Level. This symbol [dB]
of the source.
may denote either an Leg-value or an
L pmax-value
For steady noise the recommended measurement time
LP Energy average sound pressure level [dB] interval is 1 minute. Lq should be measured. For slow
L pm= Maximum sound pressure level, [dB] fluctuations depending on the operational modes of the
time weighting F source the measurement time interval must be long enough to
include exactly one or more than three full operational cycles
LW Total source strength [dB]
of the source. If various operating modes are very long-
Lw 6-w Source strength in direction @ [dB] lasting, Leq,r may be determined according to the procedure
N Number of microphone positions L-1 given in Annex B.
0 Projection of source-acoustic centre i-1 Some industrial noise sources (e.g. pneumatic filter cleaning
on the ground
equipment) emit sound impulses at more or less regular
R Radius of hemispherical measurement [ml intervals. Noise limits in the environment are sometimes
surface specified as maximum sound pressure levels (time weighting
Distance from source to microphone F) from such sources. When relevant the source strength
position corresponding to maximum noise emission can be
R’ Distance from source to microphone [ml determined using this Nordtest method. In that case Lpmax,F (in
position via reflection from vertical plane octave bands) from at least five noise impulses should be
measured in each microphone position and the arithmetic
S Area of measurement surface b-n21
mean value should be used as the measurement result from
%I Reference surface area = 1.0 [m21 that position.
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 4

5.2 Choice of Microphone Positions 7.2 Calibration and Verification

Each measurement method prescribes that certain At least before and after each series of measurements an
microphone positions are used. In practice, however, these acoustical calibrator shall be applied to the microphone for
positions are not always accessible during in situ calibration of the entire measuring system.
measurements, or the measurement results from some of the
positions may be in error due to unfavourable conditions. At least once every two years instrument performance shall be
Individual positions may e.g. have to be moved or even checked to verify that they comply with the above IEC
omitted due to local disturbances of various kinds. Such publications. Calibrator performance, however, shall be
deviations from the method specifications must be accurately checked annually. This verification shall be made according to
described in the measurement report, and their effects on the NT ACOU 041 or equivalent.
measurement results must be evaluated.

7.3 Microphones
6 ENERGY AVERAGE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL The microphones shall be equipped with windscreens. During
the measurements they shall point towards the source in such
Based on the measured octave band sound pressure levels an
a way as to get the best free-field response in the direction
energy average value, q, is calculated by means of Equation
perpendicular to the measurement surface. In corner
(6.1):
positions on a parallelepipedical measurement surface the
angles with the adjacent sides of the measurement surface
shall be 45º.
G=lOlg
( ; 2-10
i-l
10
) (6.1)

N is the number of microphone positions.

Lpi is the sound pressure level measured in
microphone position No. i after correction for
8 SOURCE DEFINITION
the influence of background noise, cf.
Section 9.2. The source under test should be defined as small as possible.
It is then possible to make an accurate description of the
In cases when environmental corrections shall be applied, cf. operating conditions and the position of the acoustic centre of
Section 9.1, the octave band energy average value, q, is the source.
calculated by means of Equation (6.2):
For practical reasons it is, however, often necessary to define
L Di -
Ki the source in such a way that it is composed of several
different sound sources. In such cases the inclusion of several
-i;;=lOlg
( ;2 10
i=l
10
)
(6.2) equally strong sources
should be avoided.
at different heights above the ground

Ki is the environmental correction to be applied

to the measurement result from microphone
position No. i.

8.1 Reference box

The reference box is a notional parallelepipedical surface just
enclosing the source under test. Protruding elements of the
7 INSTRUMENTATION source, which are not significant radiators of sound energy,
should be disregarded. In case the source under test is
7.1 General situated too close to reflecting planes for microphone
The instrumentation shall meet the basic requirements of IEC positions to be allowed in the space between the source and
Publication 651 for type 1 sound level meters. As it is the the reflecting planes, the reference box shall be extended to
energy equivalent sound pressure level which is usually terminate on these planes. Whether or not microphone
measured, it is recommended that an integrating-averaging positions can be allowed depends on the possibility of
sound level meter complying with the specifications in IEC determining the environmental correction K (cf. Section 9.1)
publication 804 for type 1 instruments is used. Calibrations with sufficient accuracy.
shall comply with IEC Publication 942, type 1 calibrators.
Octave band filters, realtime analyzer, etc., used shall meet Usually the reference box has between 3 and 5 free sides.
the requirements of IEC Publication 225. All instruments shall Sometimes, however, it may degenerate into one single plane
be operated according to manufacturer specifications. surface, cf. Figure 1.
 NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 5

I I
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Fig. 1 Examples of reference boxes (dashed lines).

a) Free opening: flat reference “box”

b) Opening in a reflecting plane: flat reference
“box”

c) Source near a reflecting plane: reference box

terminating on that plane (5 free sides)

d) Source on the ground: reference box

terminating on the ground (5 free sides)
e) Source near 2 or 3 reflecting planes:
reference box terminating on 2 (or 3)
reflecting planes, with 4 (or 3) free sides

8.2 Characteristic Dimension

The characteristic dimension d, of the source is defined as
half the diagonal of the box enveloping the reference box and
its images in adjoining reflecting planes, Figure 2. Thus , if I,,
,
I*, and I3 denote the length , width and height respectively of
the reference box, d, is calculated according to Equation
(8.1):

- Flat reference “box” d, = d(l,/2)* + (12/2)*

- Reference box terminating

on one reflecting plane Id, = d(l,/2)* + (12/2)* + Is2
I (8.1)
- Reference box terminating, I
on two reflecting planes d, = d(l,/2)* + 12* + 13*

- Reference box terminating I

on three reflecting planes d, = d I,* + 122 + 132
I
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 6

8.3 Acoustic Centre 9 ACOUSTIC ENVIRONMENT

When sound pressure levels in the environment generated by Ideally the test environment should be free from reflecting
industrial noise sources are predicted, each source is obstacles outside the reference box and measurement
represented by an equivalent point source at the acoustic surface so that the source radiates into a free field above a
centre of the real source. sound-reflecting plane. When this is not the case, the
measurement distance can either be made so short that the
In the vertical plane the acoustic centre is assumed to be at a influence of reflected sound can be neglected or the reflecting
height of two thirds the height of the reference box unless the planes can be used to delimit the measurement surface. To
reference box contains a dominating noise source. In the satisfy the definition (4.1.10 ) for reflecting planes it may
latter case the acoustic centre is chosen as the position of this become necessary to restrict the size of the measurement
dominating noise source. surface.

The position of the acoustic centre in the horizontal plane is It may be possible to suppress reflections by applying
often less critical. In general the horizontal position of the absorbing material or by using special measurement
acoustic centre can be assumed to be at the geometric centre techniques. This is not further dealt with in this Nordtest
of the box formed by the reference box and its images in method.
adjoining reflecting planes, i.e. the point marked “O” in
Figure 2. In cases when the environment does not correspond to the
above ideal condition, the results of measurements shall be
If the acoustic centre is taken at the position o f a dominating corrected for the influence of the non-ideal environment. The
noise source, this shall be reported. environmental correction, K, is then applied to the
measurement results from each microphone position.

At sources such as ventilation pipes and flue gas exhausts

with high flow speeds care shall be taken to avoid unwanted
influence of the flow on the measurement results by choosing
microphone positions in areas with sufficiently low flow
speeds.
8.4 Source Directionality
If a preliminary survey indicates that the overall A-weighted
source strength in one direction exceeds that of any other
direction by more than 6 dB, the directionality should, if
possible, be estimated by using the sphere method, cf.
Section 12.

For the purpose of this Nordtest method which is primarily

intended for application in connection with calculations of
sound pressure levels in the environment around industrial
plants according to the joint Nordic prediction method the
definition in Equation (8.2) applies:

L,,,(Q) = Lw + AL@ (8.2) 9.1 Environmental Correction

In principle the environmental correction can be determined
Lw(@) is the source strength in the direction
by means of a reference sound source as described in IS0
defined by the angle in the horizontal plane
3744, Annex A. The strength of the reference sound source
[dB]
must be known from a calibration performed in a free field
LW is the total source strength, i.e. averaged above a reflecting plane, IS0 3745 or 3744.
over all values of Q, [dB].
AL@ is the (horizontal) directional correction The use of a reference sound source is, however, laborious,
[dB] and the inaccuracy of the K-values determined is of the same
order of magnitude as the K-values themselves. Thus, at
Note: The effect of reflections from the ground surface is industrial noise sources it is more reasonable to estimate the
included in the ground correction in the joint environmental correction K on the basis of theoretical and
Nordic prediction method. The definition in empirical considerations. The following guidelines can be
Equation (8.2) is different from the definition of the applied in situations when more accurate information is
Directivity Index in IS0 3744. unavailable.
NORDTEST METHOD
NT ACOU 080 7

Flat reference “box”

d, = j/(1,/2)* + (12/2)*

planes

box at three reflecting planes

Fig. 2 Examples illustrating reference box and characteristic

source dimension, d o
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 8

Refelcting Obstacle - K is approx. 0 dB when the propagation distance R’ of

the sound reflected from an obstacle is more than twice
When a microphone position is between the noise source and the propagation distance R of the direct sound, i.e.
a sound-reflecting obstacle, K is normally in the interval 0 < K when
d 6 dB. In the special case of a large box-shaped sound
source multiple reflections occur between the box surface R’>2R (9.3)
and the reflecting obstacle. The increase in sound pressure
level caused by multiple reflections cannot be predicted in a - When the distance b from the microphone position to
simple way and therefore measurements under such the reflecting obstacle is larger than R/10 and at the
conditions should be avoided. In other cases the following same time (9.3) is not satisfied, i.e.
guidelines can be applied:
R/10<b b>A, and R’ <2R (9.4)
- K is approx. 6 dB when the distance from the
microphone position to the reflecting obstacle is smaller then the value of K can be taken from Table 1.
than 10 % of the wavelength h, of the sound (1/1 -octave
bands), i.e. when Table 1 Environmental correction K due to a sound
reflecting obstacle.
b<O.l 4, (9.1)
b/R [-] < 0.1 0.1 -0.3 0.3-0.5 > 0.5
AC is the wavelength of sound in air at the octave
K [dB] 3 2 1 0
band centre frequency (cf. Annex B).

Note: K is between 6 dB and 3 dB when the

microphone distance b from the reflecting Porous Ground Surface
obstacle is more than 0.1 . A, and less than If the ground surface is not acoustically hard, the measured
A,. In this interval of distances K varies so sound pressure levels change due to the effect of the porous
rapidly with varying distance that such ground.
microphone positions should be avoided.
- When the ground surface between source and
- K is approx. 3 dB when the distance b from the microphone position is acoustically porous (e.g. grass),
microphone position to the reflecting obstacle is larger but conditions otherwise are ideal, the environmental
than the wavelength A, of the sound (1/1 -octave bands), correction can be taken from Table 2.
but smaller than one tenth of the distance from the
source to the microphone position, i.e. when Table 2 Environmental correction K due to a porous
ground surface.
A,<b<R/lO (9.2)
Frequency [Hz] 63 - 500 1000 - 8 000
R is the distance from the source to the microphone
K [dB] 0 -1
position.

r Reflecting
Obstacle

k-b--,
E
Microphone
RY
/,-
Source *

Fig. 3 Illustration of distances from source to

microphone position.
R: Direct sound
R’: Reflected sound
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 9

Reverberant Conditions 10 WEATHER CONDITIONS

If a source is placed in a room, the sound pressure levels This Nordtest method can normally be applied in all kinds of
increase due to reverberation. weather provided no background noise from wind or rain
interferes with the measurement results.
- When the noise source is in a room with the ratio of any
two dimensions not greater than 3:1, with a volume V
[m3] and reverberation time t, [s], the environmental The propagation of sound outdoors is influenced by the
correction K is approx. the same in all microphone weather conditions. The effects of varying weather conditions
positions. K can be estimated by means of Equation are important at large distances.
(9.5):
In practice the measurement distances will hardly exceed 50
or 100 m in source strength measurements. This only happens
when the source is large and the microphone height required
is 10 m in such cases.
S [m*] is the area of the measurement surface. t, is
usually frequency-dependent.
This means that the effects of varying weather conditions are
negligible.

11 ACCURACY
9.2 Background Noise Correction
The accuracy of the source strength determined according to
The background noise level shall be measured in at least one this Nordtest method depends on many parameters.
of the microphone positions while the source under test is not
operating, and the measurement results shall be corrected for
the influence of background noise. A low background noise level and a favourable acoustic
environment combined with a large measurement distance in
The corrections are made as shown in Annex B. general lead to accurate results whereas less favourable
conditions give larger uncertainty.

The Nordtest Sphere Method and the Nordtest Box Method

The Nordtest Box Method does not permit source
can be applied when the background noise level is at least 3
directionality measurements. This can lead to an
dB below the total sound pressure level from both the source
overestimation of the strength of directive noise sources in
under test and the background noise.
certain directions while significant underestimation is less
likely to occur.
If the sound pressure level with the equipment operating is
less than 3 dB above the background noise level, the
If the strength of a broad band industrial noise source
measurement results may be used only to indicate that the
equipment noise level is below the background noise level. If operating under the same conditions is measured according
possible the measurements shall be repeated at another time to this standard at different locations the standard deviation of
or closer to the source in order to reduce the influence from results is expected to be as shown in Table 5. The
background noise. measurement uncertainty expressed as a 90 % confidence
interval is approx. ±1.7 times the standard deviations from
Table 5.
If the source under test cannot be stopped for background
noise measurements, the background noise level has to be If the noise contains prominent discrete tones in one or more
estimated. The test report shall include information on how octave bands the measurement uncertainty is larger than for
this estimate was made and the estimated background noise broad band noise sources in these bands. An evaluation has
level. to be made in each individual case.

Table 5 Standard deviation of measured strength of broad band industrial noise sources.

Frequency [Hz] 63 125 2 5 0 - 500 1000-4000 800 Total

A-weighted
Standard 4 3 2 1.5 3 2
deviation [dB]
 NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU080 10

12 NORDTEST SPHERE METHOD 12.2 Key Microphone Positions

The Nordtest Sphere Method is applicable for testing any The key microphone positions are placed on a circular path at
industrial noise source provided the acoustic environment a height of 0.6 x R and a horizontal distance from the sphere
allows measurements to be made at distances from the centre of 0.8 x R, Figures 4 and 5.
source equal to at least twice the characteristic dimension of
the source. The microphone height shall be at least 1 m even if
0.6 x R < 1 m, and the microphone height can be limited to
Under such conditions this method is recommended. 10 m in cases when 0.6 x R > 10m.

12.1 Measurement Surface There are 4 key microphone positions. Key microphone
position No. 1 shall be chosen as the point on the circular path
When the reference box terminates on one reflecting plane
(Figure 4) at which the highest value of the overall A-weighted
(Figure 2), the measurement surface is a hemisphere (Figure 4
sound pressure level occurs.
and Figure 5a). When the reference box terminates on two or
three reflecting planes (Figure 2), the measurement surface is
Note: In case of (rotational) symmetry in a horizontal
a 1/4-sphere or a 1/8-sphere, respectively (Figure 5b-c).
plane, e.g. as in many vertical fan outlets, only one
microphone position is needed.
The centre of the measurement surface is the centre of the
reference box plus its images in any nearby reflecting
The remaining 3 key microphone positions on the hemisphere
surfaces, i.e. the point marked “O” in Figure 2.
are placed evenly distributed on the circular path as shown in
Figures 4 and 5.
The radius R of the sphere should be made as large as
possible within the constraints given by the acoustic
When the source is at two reflecting planes, key microphone
environment (background noise, ground effect, reflections).
position No. 2 is at the point dividing the circular path in two
. Equation (12.1) shall be satisfied.
equally long parts, and key microphone positions Nos. 3 and
(12.1) 4 are at 1 m from the wall, Figure 5b.
R>2.d,

Furthermore no point on the measurement surface shall be When the source is at three reflecting planes, key microphone
less than 1 m from the nearest point on’the reference box. positions Nos. 2 - 4 are placed in a similar way, Figure 5c.

Measurement Surface7

Fig. 4 Circular path on hemispherical measurement

surface.

o Microphone positions
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 11

b)

Fig 5 Spherical measurement surfaces and microphone

positions around a reference box
a) on one reflecting plane
b) at two reflecting planes
c) at three reflecting planes
0 key microphone positions
0 additional microphone positions
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 12

12.3 Additional Microphone Positions n = 1 when two reflecting planes are present
near the source
In cases when the difference between any two values of the
overall A-weighted sound pressure level measured at the key n = 2 when three reflecting planes are present
microphone positions exceeds 6 dB, additional microphone near the source
positions are required.
Note: The value of AL * according to Equation
When the reference box terminates on one reflecting plane, 4 (12.4) is applicable for calculations of sound
additional microphone positions Nos. 5 - 8, shall be chosen pressure levels in directions in front of the
as shown in Figure 5a. These positions are on the same reflecting plane(s).
circular path as the key microphone positions, but rotated 45º
relative to these around the vertical axis. 12.5 Information to be Reported
The following information, when applicable, shall be reported:
When the source is at two or three reflecting planes, two
additional microphone positions, Nos. 5 and 6, shall be 4 A thorough description of the sound source under test
chosen located on the same circular path as the key including its operating conditions, the position of its
acoustic centre, and the dimensions of the reference
microphone positions at points dividing the circular path as
shown in Figure 5b-c. box.

b) A sketch showing the locations of the microphone

12.4 Calculation of Source Strength positions.
Total Source Strength 0) The measurement radius R and microphone height h.
The total source strength, Lw, in each octave band is d) The overall A-weighted source strength rounded to the
calculated by means of Equation (12.2): nearest decibel.

S e) The octave band source strengths rounded to the

Lw=&+lOlgs [dB] (12.2) nearest decibel.
0
f) The directional correction, AL@, based on overall
A-weighted and octave band sound pressure levels.
h = Energy average value of sound pressure
9) Description of test environment including ground
levels from all microphone positions,
surface and reflecting obstacles.
Equation (6.1) or (6.2) as appropriate [dB]
f-0 Environmental corrections, Ki, applied in each
S =Area of measurement surface, Equation
(12.3) [m*] microphone position.

S O = Reference area = 1 m* 13 NORDTEST BOX METHOD

The Nordtest Box Method is applicable for testing any
2 π R* (hemisphere)
S=
{ π R* (1/4 sphere) [m*]
l/2 π R* (1/8 sphere)
(12.3)
industrial noise source. It is often the most appropriate
method to use at sources situated in less favourable acoustic
environments, e.g. where the background noise level is high
or in the presence of sound-reflecting obstacles.
R is the radius of the measurement surface [ml.
The Nordtest Box Method requires a large number of
Directional Characteristics microphone positions at large sources and/or at short
The directional correction, AL@, shall be calculated by means distances. No information on source-directional
of Equation (12.4) when additional microphone positions are characteristics is obtained.
required, cf. Section 12.3.
13.1 Measurement Surface
ALQi = (Lpi - Ki) - & + 3n [dB] (12.4) The measurement surface is a parallelepiped (box), the sides
of which are parallel to and at a distance a from the sides of the
Lpi = Octave band sound pressure level in reference box.
microphone position No. i (after correction
for background noise) [dB] The distance a shall be larger than 0,15 m, and it should be
= Environmental correction in microphone larger than 1 m. The distance a should be made as large as
Ki
position No. i [dB] possible within the constraints given by the acoustic
environment (background noise, ground effect, reflections).
G = Energy average sound pressure level,
Equation (6.1) or (6.2) as appropriate [dB] If a small distance a is chosen, the accuracy is reduced,
n = 0 when one reflecting plane is present near especially at low frequencies and at the same time the
the source necessary number of microphone positions becomes large.
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU080 13

13.2 Key Microphone Positions The heights h, and h2 shall be at least 1 m, and in cases when
The key microphone positions shall be chosen as shown in h, or h2 is larger than 10 m, the microphone heights exceeding
Figure 6: one position at the midpoint of each free vertical side 10 m can be made 10 m or lower.
of the measurement box and one position at each free corner
of the measurement box. In cases when (I3 + a)/2 < 1 m, h, is chosen in the interval
1 m d h, d h2.
Note: In case of (rotational) symmetry in the horizontal
plane, e.g. as in many vertical fan outlets, only two In cases when I3 + a 2 10 m, h2 can be chosen in the interval
microphone positions are needed: one at a box lm<h2d10m.
side midpoint and one at a free box corner.
In cases when (I3 + a)/2 > 10 m, h, can be chosen in the
interval 1 m < h, d 10.

When h, or h2 is chosen in one of the intervals above, the

If the measurement box is close to the reference box, extra microphone positions should be chosen at the height where
microphone positions shall be chosen at the midpoint of each the highest overall A-weighted sound pressure levels are
free edge of the measurement surface. This is the case when expected to occur. h, and h2 may then coincide.
a is shorter than half the smallest side length of the reference
box (i.e. a < l,/2, a < 12/2, or a < 1,/2). When other heights than given by Equation (13.1) are used,
this shall be stated in the test report.
The heights of the key microphone positions are:
Similarly, if for some reason one or more microphone
h 1 = (I3 + a)/2
h2 = I3 + a } (13.1) positions is/are omitted, this shall be stated in the test report
and the reason for the omission shall be given.
-

NTACOU080 14
NORDTEST METHOD

. . . . IT /
............
;:; i::::::::;;;:;:~: ‘$, :.:
.......... ............... ..
y.:.:.:. .............. ::::::::.:.
..:...:.:.:.:.:.: 5 :.:.:. ...........
:.::::::::::::::.~..: .: ::.::.i:>:
. : ......... ..g$ ::::” : :,: _

Fig 6 Measurement boxes terminating on a) one, b) two

and c) three reflecting planes with key microphone
positions.
0 Sides and corners of the measurement box
A Extra positions to be used when the
measurement box is close to the reference
box
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 15

Fig 7 Example. illustration of key and additional

microphone positions.
0 Key positions
a Additional positions

13.3 Additional Microphone Positions E

Sref/S
Additional microphone positions are required if the difference [-] [dB]
between the overall A-weighted sound pressure levels 0 < S,,f/S s 0.4 0
measured at any two key microphone positions exceeds 6 dB 0.4 < S,,f/S d 0.7 1
and at the same time the distance measured along the 0.7 < S,,f/S s 0.9 2
measurement surface between any two adjacent key 0.9 < S,f/S < 1 .o 3
microphone positions exceeds 2a.

Table 7 Correction, E, due to near-field error.

These additional microphone positions shall be placed at the S = area of measurement box surface [m2]
same heights as the key microphone positions. They shall be S ref = area of reference box surface [m2]
evenly spaced between the key microphone positions in such
a way that the distance measured along the measurement
surface between any two adjacent microphone positions is
smaller than 2a, cf. Figure 7.
13.5 Calculation of Source Strength
The total source strength, Lw, in each octave band is
calculated by means of Equation (13.2):

s
L,=&E+lOlg~ [dB] (13.2)
0
13.4 Near-Field Correction
When the reference box dimensions are large compared with G = Energy average sound pressure level from
the measurement distance, a correction of the measured all microphone positions, Equation (6.1) or
sound pressure levels shall be made. For the purpose of this (6.2) as appropriate [dB]
Nordtest method the correction, E, can be taken from Table 7. E = Near-field error correction, Table 7 [dB]
S = Area of measurement box surface [m2]

S O = Reference area = 1 m2
Note: This correction takes into account the effect of
sound energy reaching omnidirectional No reliable information on source-directional characteristics
microphones from directions other than those can be obtained on the basis of results of Nordtest Box
perpendicular to the measurement surface. Method measurements.
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 16

13.6 Information to be Reported

The following information, when applicable, shall be reported:
4 A thorough description of the noise source under test
including its operating conditions, the position of its
acoustic centre, and the dimensions of the reference
box.
b) A sketch showing the locations of the microphone
positions.

c) The measurement distance, a, and the height(s) of the

microphone positions.
d) The overall A-weighted source strength rounded to the
nearest decibel.
e) The octave band source strengths rounded to the
nearest decibel.
9 Descripiton of test environment including ground
surface and reflecting obstacles.
9) Environmental corrections, Ki, applied in each
microphone position.
l-0 The applied near-field error correction, E.
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 17
ANNEX A

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING AN APPROPRIATE A . 5 Intensity Methods (IS0 9614 and Nordtest proposal
METHOD ELAB A86166)
The Intensity Methods specify that sound intensity level and
(This annex is not an integral part of the method) sound pressure level shall be measured on a surface
To select the most appropriate measurement method to use enclosing the noise source under test. The sound power level
at a particular source under test, the actual test environment, of the source is calculated from the sound intensity levels
measured. These methods are applicable to noise sources
the source characteristics (e.g. directional or not) and the ’
purpose of testing should be evaluated. placed in unfavourable acoustic environments. Both source
emission and background noise have to be stationary in order
In general the microphone positions should be located as far for intensity measurements to be useful.
away from the source as possible in order to obtain optimum
accuracy in the results of measurements. IS0 9614 prescribes intensity measurements at discrete
positions whereas the proposed Nordtest method prescribes
Table A.1 summarizes various aspects of method intensity measurements made while scanning along the
applicability. When a particular method is applicable under measurement surface.
the condition specified in the rows of the left column in Table
A.1 a plus sign is shown in the same row of the column
marked with the method name. (+) indicates limited
applicability. A.6 Reference Sound Source Methods (IS0 3747 and
NT ACOU 060 and NT ACOU 070)
A.1 Nordtest Sphere Method The Reference Sound Source Methods specify that sound
The Nordtest Sphere Method is an engineering method pressure levels shall be measured at microphone positions
specifying that sound pressure levels shall be measured at around the noise source under test.
microphone positions on a sphere enclosing the noise source
under test. The required sphere radius may be quite large. In the same microphone positions sound pressure levels
This limits the application to situations with a favourable produced by a reference sound source placed at one or more
acoustic environment. Information on source-directional positions near the source under test are measured. The sound
characteristics is obtained when the Nordtest Sphere Method power level of the source under test is then calculated taking
is applied. into account the deviations between measured reference
sound source data and corresponding data determined
A.2 Nordtest Box Method during calibration of the reference sound source.
The Nordtest Box Method is an engineering method
specifying that sound pressure levels shall be measured at The Reference Sound Source Methods are generally
microphone positions on the surface of a notional box applicable. They are suited for measurements in unfavourable
enclosing the noise source under test. The distance from acoustic environments. IS0 3747 is a survey method while
source to box surface is allowed to be quite small. This means NT ACOU 060 and 070 are engineering methods with more
that the box method is applicable under unfavourable strict requirements concerning reference source calibration
acoustic conditions. No information on source-directional and positioning during tests than those of IS0 3747.
characteristics is obtained when the Nordtest Box Method is NT ACOU 060 is applicable to noise sources which can be
applied. moved and with a characteristic dimension d, not exceeding
2 m. NT ACOU 070 is applicable to larger noise sources and
A.3 Process Plant Method (IS0 8297) to noise sources which cannot be moved.
The Process Plant Method is an engineering method
specifying that sound pressure levels shall be measured at
microphone positions on a contour surrounding the plant
A.7 IS0 3744
area. This method is applicable at industrial plants with
numerous noise sources and with principal dimensions in the IS0 3744 is an engineering method specifying that sound
horizontal plane. The entire plant is considered one noise pressure levels shall be measured in microphone positions on
source. No information on source-directional characteristics a hemisphere or box enclosing the noise source under test.
is obtained when this method is applied.
The necessary number of microphone positions (10 - 20) is
A.4 Extrapolation Method (IS0 WG20/N45) rather large, the maximum source dimension is limited to 15
The Extrapolation Method specifies that sound pressure m, and strict demands are made as to the quality of the
levels shall be measured at one or more microphone positions acoustic environment, e.g. environmental correction
in directions of particular interest, e.g. the direction of the K < 2 dB. Therefore this method is seldom useful in practical
nearest dwelling or residential area. The source strength in noise prediction work.
each direction is determined. The entire plant is considered
one noise source. The measurement distance is large, and a Information on soure-directional characteristics is obtained
favourable acoustic environment is required. when IS0 3744 is applied.
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 18
ANNEX A

A.8 IS0 3746 ISO/TC43/SCI/WG20/N45 *)

Acoustics - Determination of directional sound
IS0 3746 is a survey method requiring that sound pressure
power levels of large industrial noise sources -
levels are measured at 4 or more microphone positions on a
Engineering method (Draft proposal presented to
hemisphere or box enclosing the noise source.
IS0 Working Group 20, May 1986).

This method allows measurements in rather unfavourable ISO/DP 9614 *)

acoustic environments, e.g. environmental correction K < 7 Acoustics - Determination of the sound power
dB. No information on the source-directional characteristics levels of noise sources using sound intensity
and the octave band frequency spectrum is obtained, and measurement at discrete points.
thus this method is of limited interest in connection with NT ACOU 060
calculations of sound pressure levels in the environment. Noise sources: Sound power level; engineering
method using a reference sound source.
A.9 References
NT ACOU 070
IS0 3744 Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels Noise sources: Sound power level; engineering
of noise sources - Engineering methods for free- method using a reference sound source in situ.
field conditions over a reflecting plane.
Proposed Nordtest-method
IS0 3746 Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels “The determination of radiated sound power using
of noise sources - Survey method. intensity measurements in situ”. ELAB report
IS0 3747 Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels STF44 A861 66, Trondheim 1986.
of noise sources - Survey method using a
reference sound source.
IS0 8297 *)
Acoustics - Determination of sound power levels
of multi-source industrial plants for the evaluation
of the sound pressure levels in the environment
- Engineering method. *) At present at the stage of draft.
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 19
ANNEX A

Table A.1 Applicability of various measurement methods

under the conditions specified in the left column.
+ Applicable method
(+) Limited applicability

METHOD

F
-C
al
2
‘9
ks
s
ki
CONDITION
s

(+)
R>2d0 + (+) (+) (+) (+) ‘&I +

R<2d0 + + + + + + +

More than one reflecting plane + + + ? + + + +

Porous ground surface + + + + + + +
Multiple sources + + (+) (+)
Single source + + + + + + + +
Information on directionality + + + + + +

< 3 dB above background noise +

Environment correction > 2 dB + + + + + + + +

Environment correction > 7 dB + + + (+) + (+) (+)
Number of microphone positions 10- 4- 5- 3- 3- Ma- 1- Ma- 4- 3-
20 30 30 30 30 ny 8 ny 8 30
NORDTEST METHOD NTACOU 080 20
ANNEX B

GENERAL CORRECTIONS AND CALCULATIONS

(This annex is not an integral part of the method)

B.l A-Weighting
To convert linear octave band levels to A-weighted levels, the following weighting corrections shall be used:

Octave band centre 31.5 63 125 250 500 lk 2k 4k 8k 16k

frequency [Hz]
A-weighting -39 -26 -16 -9 -3 0 +1 +1 -1 -7
correction [dB]

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Lp,t - Lp,b [dB]

Fig B.l Diagram for determining the correction ∆L for

background noise, see text.

8.2 Energy-Equivalent Sound Pressure Level LP,t Lp,b

From a series of different sound pressure levels from a noise L,,, = 10 Ig [lo- 109 (B.2)
source working in various operating conditions, each
associated with a particular noise emission, Leq,r for the L p,s is the sound pressure level generated by the
reference time interval T may be calculated from Equation source under test.
(B.1): L p,t is the total sound pressure level from source
Lpn and background noise.
LPj
L eq,T = 10 Ig +lO~...+t,~lO~] L p,b is the sound pressure level of the back-
ground noise.

L pl . . . n is a discrete sound pressure level lasting If preferred Figure B.1 can be used. The abscissa is the
for a period, tI . . . t, difference Lp,t - Lp,b between the sound pressure levels of the
T is the total reference time interval. total noise (source and background) and the background
noise, respectively. As shown in Figure B.l a correction ∆L is
determined. This correction shall be added to the total sound
pressure level Lp,t in order to determine the sound pressure
8.3 Background Noise Correction
level L,,, of the noise from the source:
Corrections for the effects of background noise are made by
means of Equation (B.2): Lp,, = Lp,t + ∆L (B.3)
NORDTEST METHOD NT ACOU 080 21
ANNEX B

B.4 Wavelength of Sound in Air

For the purpose of this Nordtest-method the wavelengths of sound in air can be taken from the following table:

Octave band centre frequency 63 125 250 500 lk 2k 4k 8k

[Hz]
Wavelength λ c [m] 5.4 2.7 1.4 0.68 0.34 0.17 0.09 0.04