A Survey of Local Authority Noise Measurements

In pursuance of various statutory obligations, the scientific and technical staff of local authorities undertake a variety of measurements of environmental noise.Some aspects of the specifications of equipment and techniques to be used in these measurements are rather vague and imprecise.In particular, there is large variation in the specification of requirements for instrument calibration.A typical example is that of the regulations governing Noise Abatement Zones (1).In a schedule memorandum to the regulations, covering measurement and calculation of noise levels, the specifications require only that "the measurements should be carried out by competent staff".that "the acoustic performance of the measuring equipment must conform to the relevant standards" and that the calibration of the measuring equipment "must be maintained".