Environment protection authorities (EPA's) and land-use planning bodies (Councils and government departments) assess the acceptability of noise received at noise sensitive premises, either for existing activities or proposed developments. This assessment involves a measurement of the sound level for comparison with some criteria. The measurement parameter used in the assessment varies between jurisdictions, both between countries and within countries. The parameters most commonly used are L_(AEq.t) and L_(A10.t) In this paper, the difficulties of using these parameters for assessment of continuous noise sources such as large fans and continuously operating process plant are discussed. Comparisons are given between jurisdictions in Australia, with notes on conditions in New Zealand.
展开▼
