FAQs
Naturally, noise is unwanted sound, and we deal with the kind that can be disturbing, interfering, annoying, or hazardous to your hearing. That being said, there are a few questions we get a lot from our customers concerning the different aspects of noise and the terms used to describe them. You can find them below. If you are in need of any other clarifications, please feel free to reach out to us using the form to the left.
Driven by OSHA standards, corporate safety departments and insurance carriers, noise levels are typically set 85 dB-A as the high noise level. Individuals exposed to this noise are permitted to work an 8 hour shift with hearing protection. Administrative and engineered controls should be taken to reduce the employees noise exposure at 85 dB-A.
The sound pressure level designed to closely reflect the response of the human ear. We are less sensitive to low and high frequencies, thus an “A” weighted noise level is what we hear.
The Noise Reduction Coefficient of a product is the average absorption across four octave band center frequencies. (250 Hz., 500 Hz., 1000 Hz., 2000 Hz.) You can roughly estimate that a product with an NRC .75 will absorb 75% of the sound energy that hits it. The highest level is NRC 1.0.
A single number decibel rating of the transmission loss properties of a product. Doors, windows, walls, floors, etc. are tested to determine how much noise passes through. The testing determines a product's STC. The higher the number the better.
Noise is measured at your lot line. The neighbor’s home may be 400 feet from the lot line but codes state that you cannot send noise off your property. Communities may or may not have a noise ordinance for you to follow. If they do not have an existing ordinance you can be assured they will write one directed at you.