UNIT-4

NOISE
CONTROL AND
SOUND
REINFORCEME
NT
NOISE

Noise is unwanted sound. Noise can be produced by many sources - man's vocal cord, a running
engine .The word noise is derived from the Latin term nausea. It has been defined as unwanted
sound, a potential hazard to health and communication dumped into the environment with regard
to the adverse effect it may have on unwilling ears.

In acoustic noise is defined as any undesired sound. Noise: a sound; a harsh disagreeable sound,
or such sound; a din. Pollution: an excessive or annoying degree of noise in a particular area, e.g.
from traffic or aero plane engines. Noise can be described as sound without agreeable musical
quality or as an unwanted or undesired sound. Thus noise can be taken as a group of laud, non
harmonious sounds or vibrations that are unpleasant and irritating to ear.

SOURCES OF NOISE

Most leading noise sources will fall into the following categories: roads traffic, aircraft, railroads,
construction, industry, noise in buildings, and consumer products

1. Road Traffic Noise: In the city, the main sources of traffic noise are the motors and exhaust
system of autos, smaller trucks, buses, and motorcycles. This type of noise can be augmented by
narrow streets and tall buildings, which produce a canyon in which traffic noise reverberates.

2. Air Craft Noise: The problem of low flying military aircraft has added a new dimension to
community annoyance, as the nation seeks to improve its nap-of the- earth aircraft operations
over national parks, wilderness areas , and other areas previously unaffected by aircraft noise has
claimed national attention.

3. Noise from railroads: The noise from locomotive engines, horns and whistles, and switching
and shunting operation in rail yards can impact neighboring communities and railroad workers.
For example, rail car retarders can produce a high frequency, high level screech that can reach
peak levels of 120 dB at a distance of 100 feet, which translates to levels as high as 138, or 140
dB at the railroad worker's ear.

4. Construction Noise: The noise from the construction of highways, city streets, and buildings
is a major contributor to the urban scene. Construction noise sources include pneumatic
hammers, air compressors, bulldozers, loaders, dump trucks (and their back-up signals), and
pavement breakers.

5. Noise in Industry: Although industrial noise is one of the less prevalent community noise
problems, neighbors of noisy manufacturing plants can be disturbed by sources such as fans,
motors, and compressors mounted on the outside of buildings Interior noise can also be
transmitted to the community through open windows and doors, and even through building
walls. These interior noise sources have significant impacts on industrial workers, among whom
noise- induced hearing loss is unfortunately common.

6. Noise in building: Apartment dwellers are often annoyed by noise in their homes, especially
when the building is not well designed and constructed. In this case, internal building noise from
plumbing, boilers, generators, air conditioners, and fans, can be audible and annoying.
Improperly insulated walls and ceilings can reveal the sound of-amplified music, voices, footfalls
and noisy activities from neighboring units. External noise from emergency vehicles, traffic,
refuse collection, and other city noises can be a problem for urban residents, especially when
windows are open or insufficiently glazed.

7. Noise from Consumer products: Certain household equipment, such as vacuum cleaners and
some kitchen appliances have been and continue to be noisemakers, although their contribution
to the daily noise dose is usually not very large.

TYPES OF NOISE

Noise has different types that play a big role in interfering or distracting the message that is
intended to be conveyed and received in the communication. All in all, there are four types of
noise namely

 Physical noise
 Psychological noise
 Technical noise
 Social noise

Physical noise refers to the interference caused by environmental factors such as ringing of a
doorbell.

Technical noise involves the failure of the medium of communication like an unclear phone line
or handwriting that is hard to decipher.

Social noise is a result of the social or cultural difference between the members involved in the
communication process.

Psychological noise refers to psychological factors that become cause of distraction and
interruption such as apprehension excessive emotion and prejudice. Also it depends upon the
mood of the receiver at the time of receiving of the message. If the receiver is in a different
mood, then he / she will interpret the message differently.

IMPACT OF NOISE ON HUMAN BEINGS

The effects of Noise Pollution on Human Being, Animal and property are as follows:
1. It decreases the efficiency of a man: Regarding the impact of noise on human efficiency
there are number of experiments which print out the fact that human efficiency increases with
noise reduction. A study in India suggested that reducing industrial booths could improve the
quality of their work. Thus human efficiency is related with noise.

2. Lack of concentration: For better quality of work there should be concentration, Noise causes
lack of concentration. In big cities, mostly all the offices are on main road. The noise of traffic or
the loud speakers of different types of horns divert the attention of the people working in offices.

3. Fatigue: Because of Noise Pollution, people cannot concentrate on their work. Thus they have
to give their more time for completing the work and they feel tiring.

4. Abortion is caused: There should be cool and calm atmosphere during the pregnancy.
Unpleasant sounds make a lady of irriative nature. Sudden Noise causes abortion in females.

5. It causes Blood Pressure: Noise Pollution causes certain diseases in human. It attacks on the
person’s peace of mind. The noises are recognized as major contributing factors in accelerating
the already existing tensions of modern living. These tensions result in certain disease like blood
pressure or mental illness etc.

6. Temporary or permanent Deafness: The effect of nose on audition is well recognized.

Mechanics, locomotive drivers, telephone operators etc. all have their hearing Impairment as a
result of noise at the place of work. Physicist, physicians & psychologists are of the view that
continued exposure to noise level above. 80 to 100 db is unsafe, loud noise causes temporary or
permanent deafness.

7. Effect on vegetation: Poor quality of Crops, it is well known to all that plants are similar to
human being. They are also as sensitive as man. There should be cool & peaceful environment
for their better growth. Noise pollution causes poor quality of crops in a pleasant atmosphere.

8. Effect on animal: Noise pollution damages the nervous system of animal. Animal looses the
control of its mind. They become dangerous.

9. Effect on property: Loud noise is very dangerous to buildings, bridges and monuments. It
creates waves which struck the walls and put the building in danger condition. It weakens the
edifice of buildings.

NOISE CURVE

The Noise Rating - NR - curves are developed by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) to determine the acceptable indoor environment for hearing preservation,
speech communication and annoyance.
In U.S. it is common to use the Noise criterion.

The noise rating graphs for different sound pressure levels are plotted at acceptable sound
pressure levels at different frequencies. Acceptable sound pressure levels vary with the room and
the use of it. Different curves are obtained for each type of use. Each curve is obtained by a NR
number.

Noise Rating - NR - is common used in Europe. The Noise Criterion - NC - is more common in
USA.

 NR 25 Concert halls, broadcasting and recording studios, churches

 NR 30 Private dwellings, hospitals, theatres, cinemas, conference rooms
 NR 35 Libraries, museums, court rooms, schools, hospitals operating theaters and wards,
flats, hotels, executive offices
 NR 40 Halls, corridors, cloakrooms, restaurants, night clubs, offices, shops
 NR 45 Department stores, supermarkets, canteens, general offices
 NR 50 Typing pools, offices with business machines
 NR 60 Light engineering works
 NR 70 Foundries, heavy engineering works

NOISE REDUCTION COEFFICIENT FACTOR OR NOISE REDUCTION FACTOR

The noise reduction coefficient (commonly abbreviated NRC) is a scalar representation of the
amount of sound energy absorbed upon striking a particular surface. An NRC of 0 indicates
perfect reflection; an NRC of 1 indicates perfect absorption.

TRANSMISSION LOSS

The ratio of the power at one point in a transmission system to the power at a point farther along
the line; usually expressed in decibels. The actual power that is lost in transmitting a signal from
one point to another through a medium or along a line is known as loss.

TRANSMISSION OF NOISE

Acoustic transmission in building design refers to a number of processes by which sound can be
transferred from one part of a building to another. Typically these are:

 Airborne transmission - a noise source in one room sends air pressure waves which
induce vibration to one side of a wall or element of structure setting it moving such that
the other face of the wall vibrates in an adjacent room. Structural isolation therefore
becomes an important consideration in the acoustic design of buildings

Highly sensitive areas of buildings, for example recording studios, may be almost entirely
isolated from the rest of a structure by constructing the studios as effective boxes
supported by springs. Air tightness also becomes an important control technique. A
 tightly sealed door might have reasonable sound reduction properties, but if it is left open
only a few millimeters its effectiveness is reduced to practically nothing. The most
important acoustic control method is adding mass into the structure, such as a heavy
dividing wall, which will usually reduce airborne sound transmission better than a light
one.

 Impact transmission - a noise source in one room results from an impact of an object
onto a separating surface, such as a floor and transmits the sound to an adjacent room. A
typical example would be the sound of footsteps in a room being heard in a room below.
Acoustic control measures usually include attempts to isolate the source of the impact, or
cushioning it. For example carpets will perform significantly better than hard floors.

 Flanking transmission - a more complex form of noise transmission, where the resultant
vibrations from a noise source are transmitted to other rooms of the building usually by
elements of structure within the building. For example, in a steel framed building, once
the frame itself is set into motion the effective transmission can be pronounced.
LAWS AND LEGISLAYION FOR NOISE CONTROL

(Note: For 10 or 16 mark you are supposed to discuss all the laws discussed below)

I. Cr.P.C.(Criminal Procedure Code) Section 133 : Under Crpc. Section 133 the magisterial
court have been empowered to issue order to remove or abate nuisance caused by noise pollution
Sec 133 empower an executive magistrate to interfere and remove a public nuisance in the first
instance with a conditional order and then with a permanent one. The provision can be utilized in
case of nuisance of environment nature. He can adopt immediate measure to prevent danger or
injury of a serious land to the public. For prevention of danger to human life, health or safety the
magistrate can direct a person to abstain from certain acts.

II. I.P.C.(Indian Penal Code) Public Nuisance 268-295:Chapter IV of Indian Penal code deals
with offences relating to public health, safety, ....decency , morals under Sections 268, 269, 270,
279, 280, 287, 288, 290 291 294. Noise pollution can be penalized with the help of above
section. Private remedies suits in the area may relate to public nuisance under A299. This article
punishment in case of Public nuisance law of torts covers. A person is guilty of public nuisance
who does any act or is guilty of an illegal omission which causes any common injury, danger, or
annoyance to the public or to the people in general who dwell or occupy property in the vicinity
or which must necessarily cause injury, obstruction danger or annoyance to persons who may
have occasion to use any public right. A common nuisance is not excused on the ground that it
causes some convenience or advantage. Whoever commits a public nuisance in any case not
otherwise punishable by this code shall be punished with fine, which may extend to Rs. 200.
III. Law of Torts Noise pollution is considered as civil wrong: Under law of torts, a civil suit
can be filed claiming damages for the nuisance. For filing a suit under law of torts a plaintiff is
required to comply with some of the requirement of tort of nuisance which as follows:

 There should be reasonable interference.

 Interference should be with the use & enjoyment of land.
 In an action for nuisance actual damage is required to be proved. As a general rule either
the presence or absence of malice does not matter. But in some cases deviation from the
rule has been made.

IV. Factories Act Reduction of Noise and Oil of Machinery: The Factories Act does not
contain any specific provision for noise control. However, under the Third Schedule Sections 89
and 90 of the Act, noise induced hearing loss, is mentioned as notifiable disease. Similarly, under
the Modal Rules, limits for noise exposure for work zone area have been prescribed.

V. Motor Vehicle Act. Provision Relation to use of horn and change of Engine: In Motor
vehicle Act rules regarding use horns and any modification in engine are made.

VI. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000

1 Short-title and commencement.

(1) These rules may be called the-Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. Definitions.- In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a) "Act" means the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986);

(b) "area/zone" means all areas which fall in any of the four categories given in the
Schedule annexed to these rules;

(c) "authority" means any authority or officer authorised by the Central Government, or
as the case may be, the State Government in accordance with the laws in force and
includes a District Magistrate, Police Commissioner, or any other officer designated for
the maintenance of the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise under any law for
the time being in force;

(d) "Person" in relation to any factory or premises means a person or occupier or his
agent, who has control over the affairs of the factory or premises;

(e) "State Government" in relation to a Union territory means the Administrator thereof
appointed under article 239 of the Constitution.
3. Ambient air guality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones.

(1) The ambient air quality standards in respect of noise for different areas/zones shall be
such as specified in the Schedule annexed to these rules.

(2) The State Government may categorize the areas into industrial, commercial,
residential or silence areas/zones for the purpose of implementation of noise standards for
different areas.

(3) The State Government shall take measures for abatement of noise including noise
emanating from vehicular movements and ensure that the existing noise levels do not
exceed the ambient air quality standards specified under these rules.

(4) All development authorities, local bodies and other concerned authorities while
planning developmental activity or carrying out functions relating to town and country
planning shall take into consideration all aspects of noise pollution as a parameter of
quality of life to avoid noise menace and to achieve the objective of maintaining the
ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.

(5) An area comprising not less than 100 meters around hospitals, educational institutions
and courts may be declared as silence area/zone for the purpose of these rules.

4. Responsibility as to enforcement of noise pollution control measures.

(1) The noise levels in any area/zone shall not exceed the ambient air quality standards in
respect of noise as specified in the Schedule.

(2) The authority shall be responsible for the enforcement of noise pollution control
measures and the due compliance of the ambient air quality standards in respect of noise.

5. Restrictions on the use of loud speakers/public address s1stem.

(1) A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used except after obtaining
written permission from the authority.

(2) A loud speaker or a public address system shall not be used at night (between 10.00
p.m. to 6.00 a.m.) except in closed premises for communication within, e.g. auditoria,
conference rooms, community halls and banquet halls.

6. Consequences of any violation in silence zone/area.

Whoever, in any place covered under the silence zone/area commits any of the following
offence; he shall be liable for penalty under the provisions of the Act:

(i) Whoever, plays any music or uses any sound amplifiers,

 (ii) Whoever, beats a drum or tom-tom or blows a horn either musical or pressure, or
trumpet or beats or sounds any instrument, or

(iii) Whoever exhibits any mimetic, musical or other performances of a nature to 44raq
crowds.

7. Complaints to be made to the authority.

(1) A person may, if the noise level exceeds the ambient noise standards by 10 dB(A) or
more given in the corresponding columns against any area/zone, make a complaint to the
authority.

(2) The authority shall act on the complaint and take action against the violator in
accordance with the provisions of these rules and any other law in force.

8. Power to vrohibit etc. continuance of music sound or noise.

(1) If the authority is satisfied from the report of an officer in charge of a police station or
other information received by him that it is necessary to do so in order to prevent
annoyance, disturbance, discomfort or injury or risk of annoyance, disturbance,
discomfort or injury to the public or to any person who dwell or occupy property on the
vicinity, he may, by a written order issue such directions as he may consider necessary to
any person for preventing, prohibiting, controlling or regulating:

(a) The incidence or continuance in or upon any premises of -

(i) Any vocal or instrumental music,

(ii) sounds caused by playing, beating, clashing, blowing or use in any

manner whatsoever of any instrument including loudspeakers, public
address systems, appliance or apparatus or contrivance which is capable of
producing or re-producing sound, or

(b) The carrying on in or upon, any premises of any trade, avocation or operation
or process resulting in or attended with noise.

(2) The authority empowered under sub-rule (1) may, either on its own motion, or on the
application of any person aggrieved by an order made under sub-rule (1), either rescind,
modify or alter any such order:

Provided that before any such application is disposed of, the said authority shall afford to the
applicant an opportunity of appearing before it either in person or by a person representing him
and showing cause against the order and shall, if it rejects any such application either wholly or
in part, record its reasons for such rejection.
 SCHEDULE
(see rule 3(l) and 4(l)

Ambient Air Quality Standards in respect of Noise

Area Code Category of Area/Zone Limits in dB(A) Leq *

Day Time NightTime
(A) Industrial area 75 70
(B) Commercial area 65 55
(C) Residential area 55 45
(D) Silence Zone 50 40

Note:

1. Day time shall mean from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.

2. Night time shall mean from 10.00 p.m. to 6.00 a.m.

3. Silence zone is defined as an area comprising not less than 100 meters around
hospitals, educational institutions and courts. The silence zones are zones which are
declared as such by the competent authority.

4. Mixed categories of areas may be declared as one of the four above mentioned
categories by the competent authority.

*dB(A) Leq denotes the time weighted average of the level of sound in decibels on scale
A which is relatable to human hearing.

A "decibel" is a unit in which noise is measured.

"A", in dB (A) Leq, denotes the frequency weighting in the measurement of noise and
corresponds to frequency response characteristics of the human ear.

Leq: It is energy mean of the noise level, over a specified period.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACOUSTICS LEGISLATURE AND ITS RELATION TO

AIRPORTS, RAILWAY STATION AND MRTS

(Note: If asked in 10 marks or 16 marks you should discuss the important features of The
Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and then proceed with the specified
place such as airport or railways)

Airports: .One cannot do much where an existing small aerodrome located in the outskirts of
the city had to be expanded to cater to the bigger and noisier aircrafts. A township has
automatically grown around it. At the same time, the development of the city had of necessity to
be pushed in that direction too. Having no choice, most of the communities around the
aerodrome have taken noise for granted and have now put up with it. The conditions at some
places have been unbearable. In Britain some dwellings near the aerodrome are acoustically
quietened at state expense.

 As far as possible the planners should disallow residential areas, hospitals and schools, to
be laid out within a certain area of the aerodrome.
 The new airports should be located way from the city and adequate boundary area should
be allocated for the purpose of residential construction can come up beyond that area. The
ear marked area can be 4-5 miles.

NOISE LEVELS OF SOME NOISY SOURCES

NOISY SOURCES/ AREAS NOISE LEVELS

(db)
1. Air traffic
(i) Jet, take-off at about 1000ft. 110-130
(ii) Propeller type take-off, at 90-100
130000-25000ft.
2. Rail traffic (100ft) 90-110
3. Heavy road traffic (highways) 80-90
4. Medium road traffic (main streets) 70-80
5. Light road traffic (side streets) 60-70
6. Industries 60-95

RAILWAY TRAFFIC NOISE:

The noise from railways is a vital source of disturbance to the community. The extent of
disturbance would, of course depend on the type of train (passenger, freight, etc.), its speed, the
frequency of the service and the time of occurrence. The noise from the horns whistles and steam
in addition to the noise and the vibration emanating from the movements of the train every time
it passes the community area

The condition of noise would be bad during the day-time, even with closed doors and windows,
the disturbance may be unbearable and conversation difficult. But the night-time conditions of
noise would certainly be most disturbing for the residence to have sleepless nights. In the view of
the above, any comprehensive development plan of a city must take into account the layout of
rail and road traffic the control of their noise will determine, to a great extent, the future well-
being of the community in that area. For the same reason, due attention should be paid to the
location of bus and truck depots, as also freight-transfer points. These are very important in
minimizing transport activity and consequent reduction in noise in the community areas.
Train noise levels

Track Noise Levels

 Freight trains (3000-4000 ft long) running at 15-25mph- 90db at 20 ft

 Freight trains (3000-4000 ft long) running at 15-25mph- 77db at 500ft
 Freight trains (3000-4000 ft long) running at 40 mph - 96db at 25ft

Engine noise Level

 Under all Operating conditions-97-105db at 50 ft

Reduction Measures

a) Inter Position of solid barrier: This may be in form of walls of different heights placed
between the source and the community even the existence of buildings (not used for
occupation) between the rail track and residential/commercial area in question would
help in the attenuation of noise.

a) Laying rails in Deep cut Track: A typical track with depth of 12 ft and walls sloping at
45degrees to the vertical is shown in figure. Results of measurements made in the track
are also shown in the above figure. It was noticed the attenuation effect of the cutting is
much more at higher frequencies than lower ones.

b) Planting of trees and Hedges at either side of the track: In Dense green woods the
attenuation of sound is 18 db per 1000ft at 500 cps. This is due to absorption of foliage
on one hand and multiple scattering on the other. The denser the barrier is the greater is
the attenuation effect.
Train noise Neighbourhood

The below table gives maximum acceptable sound pressure levels in various octave bands for
noises produced at night in residential area, assumed to be located near some commercial area
which produces noise levels lower than those given in the table.

MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE NIGHT TIME SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS IN VARIOUS OCTAVE BANDS FOR AN
URBAN RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY NEAR SOME INDUSTRY ASSUMING 10 TRAINS PASSING IN 8 HOUR
PERIOD.

Frequency band (cps) Max acceptable level(db)

20-75 83
75-150 69
150-300 62
300-600 54
600-1200 52
1200-2400 50
2400-4800 48
4800-10,000 47

These criteria are for typical township lying adjacent to the city which contains residential
commercial and industrial area.

CORRECTIONS TO THE ABOVE TABLE, IF THE CONDITIONS DIFFER FROM THOSE MENTIONED

Description of neighbourhood or noise Corrections to the above table(db)

conditions
Within Heavy Industrial Area +5
Urban Residential Area -5
Sub Urban Residential Area -10
Very Quiet Sub Urban Residential Area -15
Number of trains per 8 hour period is three +5
Number of trains per 8 hour period is one +10