svantek-logo-soundandvibration_UK
Consultores
Case Studies
Academy
SvanNET
svantek-logo-768x182-1.png

Impulsive sound

An impulsive sound is characterised by the sudden onset or brief bursts of sound pressure, typically lasting less than one second. The appropriate standard for measuring these sounds depends on the context of the noise source. ISO 1996-1:2016 provides a broad framework for the description and assessment of environmental noise in community environments. In contrast, BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 is the standard used to rate and assess industrial and commercial sound affecting residential areas in the UK.

Categorisation of Impulse Noise

Taking an environmental approach, ISO 1996-1:2016 classifies impulsive sound sources into three distinct categories based on their acoustic characteristics and intrusiveness: high-energy impulsive sources (such as large explosives or sonic booms), highly impulsive sources (such as drop-hammers or small arms fire), and regular impulsive sources (such as slamming doors or church bells).

hałas impulsowy

Industrial and Impulsive Sound

Under BS 4142:2014+A1:2019, an impulse is defined audibly as the sudden onset of a sound, the precise prominence and character of which are influenced by the emission source, propagation path, distance, and the residual acoustic environment.

To quantify this objectively, the onset is technically determined as the section of the positive slope on the time history of the A-weighted sound pressure level (using time weighting F) where the gradient exceeds 10 dB/s. This measured onset period begins the moment the gradient first surpasses 10 dB/s and concludes the moment it falls below this threshold, actively disregarding any slope irregularities that last less than 50 milliseconds. The overall magnitude of the impulse is then established by calculating its level difference, which is the exact decibel variance between the sound levels recorded at the defined starting and end points of this onset.

Positioning Measurement Points

Under BS 4142:2014+A1:2019, outdoor measurement locations must be chosen to provide results that are representative of the ambient and residual sound at the specific assessment location. Standard practice dictates that microphones are positioned at a height of 1.2 m to 1.5 m above the ground and at least 3.5 m from any reflecting surface other than the ground. These fundamental location criteria apply equally to both general industrial sound and impulsive sound.
When high residual sound levels or other factors prevent accurate measurement directly at the intended assessment location, BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 advises establishing a measurement point closer to the specific noise source. The data gathered at this closer location is then used in conjunction with appropriate calculation methods to estimate the precise sound pressure level at the actual assessment location.

sprzet do pomiarow halasu impulsowego

What equipment is suitable for impulse noise measurements?

For the measurement of impulsive sound, the instrumentation system—including microphones, recording devices, and accessories—must conform to the free-field requirements of BS EN 61672-1 Class 1. The equipment must be strictly capable of capturing the A-weighted sound pressure level with time weighting F (LAF) without being overloaded by sudden, sharp peaks, and the electrical noise floor of the measurement set-up must remain at least 10 dB below the acoustic background sound level. 

Ask about
noise or vibration measurements













    Please indicate the subject of your enquiry:

    I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data, i.e. my full name and e-mail address, by SVANTEK SP. Z O.O. with its registered office in Warsaw at ul. Strzygłowska 81 for the purpose of receiving marketing information on the products and services offered by SVANTEK SP. Z O.O. via electronic means of communication, in particular via e-mail, in accordance with the provisions of Article 10 sec. 1 and 2 of the Act on providing services by electronic means.

    I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data, i.e. my full name and phone number, by SVANTEK SP. Z O.O. with its registered office in Warsaw at ul. Strzygłowska 81 for the purpose of marketing activities with the use of telecommunications terminal equipment and automatic calling machines within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act.

    I hereby consent to receiving from SVANTEK SP. Z O.O. with its registered office in Warsaw at ul. Strzygłowska 81, via electronic means to the e-mail address I have provided, the newsletter and marketing information on the products and services offered by SVANTEK SP. Z O.O., within the meaning of the Act on providing services by electronic means.


    I declare that I have been informed that my data may be transferred to entities that process personal data on behalf of the Administrator, in particular to distributors - such entities process data on the basis of an agreement with the Administrator and exclusively in accordance with its instructions. In such cases, the Administrator requires third parties to maintain the confidentiality and security of information and verifies that they provide appropriate measures to protect personal data.

    Some of the entities processing personal data on behalf of the Administrator are established outside the EEA. In connection with the transfer of your data outside the EEA, the Administrator verifies that these entities provide guarantees of a high level of personal data protection. These guarantees stem in particular from the obligation to apply the standard contractual clauses adopted by the Commission (EU). You have the right to request a copy of the standard contractual clauses by sending a request to the Controller.

    I declare that I have been informed on my right to withdraw my consent to the processing of my personal data at any time, to access the provided personal data, to rectify, erase, restrict processing and object to the processing of my data, as well as the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the of the Personal Data Protection Office in the event of an infringement of the provisions of GDPR.

    svantek-logo-768x182-1.png