Noise Directive made easy
March 1st 2006

In 2006, measuring the noise exposure of workers to the new EU Directive has become a more complex task than previously, as there are now six different levels to consider; three A weighted sound exposure levels and three C weighted peak levels. At the same time sound level meters are becoming more and more complex as designers try to make them more universal in application.

Pulsar Instruments are bucking this trend towards complexity and have introduced the Assessor, a computerised noise exposure instrument that is simple to use. It is simply turned On and it starts measuring the noise immediately; no setting up being required. While the Assessor is acquiring data, the current sound level is shown on the display.

After the desired noise is captured, the Stop button pressed and all the measurements required by the Directive are immediately computed by the internal microprocessor and presented on screen, as specified by the regulations. The exact noise exposure in Leq or LEX is shown together with the highest Peak level reached, plus the measuring time and any information flags.

Two other buttons are provided. One is a Calibrate button that allows the user to comply with codes of practice that insist that the meter shall be calibrated before and after each measurement.

The fourth button is coded Restart and is provided for example to allow a measurement to start before lunch, be halted for lunch, when there is no worker present, restarting the same measurement when work recommences; both these periods being then considered as a single measurement.

As an optional extra feature, memory storage can be specified at the time of order, when many sets of measurement data can then be stored in the memory of the Assessor and transferred to a pc for either print-out or further analysis. Further build options allow simple frequency analysis - also fully automatic - to allow Personal Protection Equipment, such as Ear Defenders, to be accurately specified.