dB (A) Information

NOISE LEVELS - CALCULATION AND USE OF THE dB(A) 

  • The human ear is more sensitive to some frequencies than others.
  • In particular low frequency noises sound quieter than high frequency noises. In the 1930's, experiments were carried out on 11 people by Harvey Fletcher at the Bell Telephone Laboratories in New York to determine how loud tones of different frequencies sounded subjectively.
  • The 'A' frequency weighting or more commonly dB(A) is based on how loud various tones played at different frequencies sound compared to a tone of 40 dB, at 1000 Hz.
  • The 'A' frequency weighting corrections are shown below. 
  • Octave Band Centre Frequency, Hz        63      125     250       500      1000        2000         4000       8000 
  • 'A' frequency weighting correction        -26      -16      -9          -3           0              +1            +1           -1
  • The 'A' frequency weighting suggests that if a tone of 40 dB is played at 1000 Hz, a 40 dB tone played at 63 Hz would sound 26 dB quieter or be 14 dB(A).
  • Due to its simplicity and convenience, the 'A' frequency weighting has become popular and is now used for many different noise sources at different levels.
  • In fact, most legislation regarding noise is written using dB(A)s, in addition nearly all manufacturers of fans and other noise generating machines quote their noise levels in dB(A)s at 1, 1.5, or 3 metres assuming spherical distribution.
  • It is therefore important that we understand the 'A' frequency weighting and how dB(A)s are calculated. 

INFORMATION ON FAN NOISE TEST STANDARDS 

  • Where noted in the product data pages within this catalogue fan noise levels are tested to BS848 Part 2: 1985 "Fans for general purposes. Methods of noise testing".
  • This test standard describes methods that may be applied to calculate the sound power level of fans.
  • That is, the In-Duct method, the Reverberant Room method and the Free Field method.
  • The sound pressure level of a product is measured using one of these test methods.
  • A calculation is then used to convert the measured sound pressure levels to sound power levels. 

A CAUTIOUS WORD ON THE USE OF dB(A) LEVELS 

  • The dB(A) sound pressure level is used almost universally to describe the noise level of many items of noise emitting machinery.
  • However, published dB(A) sound pressure levels should be used for comparative purposes only, they are not designed to reflect actual installed noise levels.
  • The assumptions that are used to calculate the dB(A) are rarely replicated in real life situations and, therefore, published dB(A) values will not necessarily represent the actual noise levels that may be experienced on site.
  • In order to determine the actual dB(A) sound pressure level that may be expected from an installation, an acoustic analysis of the system, using sound power levels and considering the surrounding acoustic environment, should be performed. 

CALCULATING dB(A) NOISE LEVELS 

  • Published dB(A), or 'A' frequency weighted, sound pressure levels are theoretical values.
  • These are, in fact, calculated from the sound power level data and are quoted at a specified distance i.e., 1, 1.5, or 3 metres.
  • For example, using the Fantech model AP0804AP10/23 (duty 7000 l/s @ 80 Pa, inlet side), by applying an 'A' frequency weighting correction to the fan sound power levels for each frequency and then logarithmically adding the values from left to right the resultant overall sound power level for this unit will be 98 dB(A).
  • A further calculation is required to convert this value from the 'A' weighted sound power level to an 'A' weighted sound pressure level at a prescribed distance from the noise source i.e., 77 dB(A) @ 3m.
  • See page N-14 for a detailed example of this calculation. 
 
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TDE

The Multiflow TDE 500 to 710 range consist of fully cased, cylindrical models with circular mounting flanges at both ends and a wired terminal box.

RVF

The Mini Centrifugal Roof Fan series are the new type roof extract units available in 2 sizes and suitable for vertical and horizontal installation. The low noise external motor and high efficient backward bladed impeller meets the requirement of efficient ventilation in residential, commercial and light industrial applications.

Future 150

The Decor Series can be wall or ceiling mounted and is designed to exhaust stale and moist air from bathrooms, toilets, laundries etc. They are also suitable for ventilating all types of small or closed areas.

TD Silent

The Silent Series is a low profile mixed-flow in-line fan that produces low noise when in operation. It does this through a specifically designed perforated internal skin that directs sound waves produced inside the fan to a layer of sound absorbent material.

NEW!! TD-EVO

The low-profile TD-EVO 250 and 315 in-line mixed-flow fans for circular ducts have a unique design where the support bracket allows the motor and impeller assembly to be fitted or removed without dismantling the adjacent ducting.

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