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Building Fan Noise Troubleshooting
Diagnose, & cure air exhaust fan, vent fan or other bulding fan & motor problems
- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about diagnosing the source and finding the cure for noises or sounds in or around buildings and their systems
Building fan or fan motor noise troubleshooting: causes & cures.
How to diagnose & fix noises traced to fans used in building ventilation systems, air condtioners, heat pumps, furnaces, kitchen or bathroom vents or other locations.
These articles discuss building noise control: how to inspect, diagnose & cure noise or sound problems in homes or commercial buildings.
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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
Sources of Fan Noises in Buildings & How to Control Fan Noises
Building fans are used for indoor air quality (whole house fans, attic vent fans, air to air heat exchanger fans, bathroom and kitchen vent fans).
Normal fan and vent noises
originating in the vent fan motor and the noise of air movement through the vent are measured in sones. A residential exhaust fan that is left on constantly and that runs at 400 CFM or below, should operate at a noise level of 3 sones or less.
Abnormal fan noise sources
include noises traced to fan motors (humming, rattling) or mechanical components such as a loose fan blade (ticking, rattling, banging) as well as possible electrical hazard noises (unsafe wiring or motor defects, hissing, etc.)
Usually if there's a noise complaint blamed on or thought to be originating at a fan or blower assembly we already suspect a specific fan, but don't rule out building noises traced to a variety of fan assemblies including
Fans used for building ventilation: attic exhaust vents, whole house ventilation systems, fans in appliances such as clothes dryers, microwaves and ovens or refrigerators, bath or kitchen exahust vent fans, continuously operating fans such as crawl space vent systems and radon mitigation system fans, and of course fans used in the air handler of heating and air conditioing air handlers.
There's also a fan inside of oil burners and in direct vent exhausted oil or gas appliances, and there may be a draft inducer fan on some heating equipment chimneys.
Fan or blower noises on heating and air conditioning systems may include ticking or clicking (fan blade hitting an obstruction), humming (motor troubles), rattling (loose fan pulley), squeaking (dry fan or fan motor bearings) and other sounds.
Air conditioner and heat pump systems use fans both in the indoor air handler (the blower fan) and outside at the compressor-condenser unit.
List of Sources of Noises Originating in a Blower or Fan
A fan motor or assembly that's having trouble and even a fan that is operating normally can create a varity of noises including the following:
- Air filter type:
Baffle type air filters are less noisy than mesh type air filters.
Proper match of filter size to duct size also affects sound level. Use the largest filter that fits the air handling system. - Air flow rate:
increasing the air flow rate or CFM in any exhaust fan or air handler system will increase the total noise level if all other factors remain the same.
Therefore don't over-size an air handler or exhaust fan beyond the requirements for its use. At higher CFMs over 1000 you can expect the fan to operate in the 6-8 sone level. - Air flow restrictions & obstructions,
besides those listed elsewhere in this list can cause hissing or whirring sounds. For example a dirty screen over a vent fan inlet or exhaust can increase fan or vent system noise.
- Dirt & grease deposits on exhaust fan blades
in any exhaust system will affect the fan noise level, both from the disruption of smooth airflow and possibly from a loss of perfect balance of the fan blades. - Dirt & grease deposits
on an exhaust fan inlet filter will restrict air flow and increase the fan noise level as air speed increases through smaller remainig openings. Inspect and clean the washable filter on kitchen range hoods and on other exhaust fans.
Really? Interestingly dirt deposits on the blades of a squirrell cage blower fan such as those used in air conditioning and heating furnace air handlers may actually decrease the noise level from that fan system.
That's because even a small amount of dirt on the curved blades of the squirrell cage fan will reduce the amount of air that it moves. You pay a price for that noise reduction in increased heating and cooling costs.
See BLOWER FAN ASSEMBLY CLEANING - Exhaust duct noise sources
in an exhaust fan system include the effects of restrictions in the ductwork caused by elbows or crimps that may increase the noise of air movement, as well as the following:
Air duct size, shape, length, material:
forcing air through smaller ducts increases the noise of air movement; for example a 10" diameter kitchen exhaust duct will be less noisy than an 8" or 6" duct moving the same total air volume in CFM.
Flexible ductwork, while convenient, has a rougher interior surface than smooth solid metal air ducts and so may be a bit noisier.
Air duct bends & elbows
increase the noise level of air moving through the exhaust duct system
Loose metal ductwork
connections or components that may cause rattling,
Exhaust duct leaks,
causing whirring or hissing noises
Exhaust duct termination caps or closures
may restrict air flow or may be lint or debris-blocked, causing hissing, rattling, flapping, or other noises.
See details at DUCT SYSTEM NOISES - Exhaust hood design:
sharp edges, protrusions, obstructions, and small sized exhaust hoods increase fan noise levels. - Intake or return air duct leaks
See AIR BYPASS LEAKS - noises from air leaking through any building opening including around air filters or in or out of HVAC ducts.
- Dirt & grease deposits on exhaust fan blades
- Backflow noise sources:
the location of the exhaust duct termination also can be a source of noises that re-enter the building.
If the exhaust vent terminates close to other mechanical equipment such as an air conditioner or heat pump compressor unit or if it terminates at a noisy sidewalk or street, those noises may be transmitted back into the building throught the duct system, perhaps at higher levels when the fan is not operating. - Bent or loose fan blade:
Clicking and ticking sounds at HVAC equipment are also traced to a loose or bent fan blade hitting an obstruction.
See FAN NOISES, HVAC
See also FAN NOISES in BUILDINGS - home - Blower fan type or design:
Squirrell-cage fan blowers, also referred to as a centrifugal blower fan, are less noisy than an air-ring fan that uses a traditional rotating blade fan.
Where high CFM air movement is required over 1000/1500 CFM, an inline exhaust fan or an outdoor-located exhaust fan will produce much less noise indoors than equivalent CFM capacity fans located inside.
Above 2000 CFM blower fans typically use a belt drive motor.
See BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING - Capacitor failing:
Some hvac techs report that a failing start/run capacitor at a compressor/condenser fan or air handler unit blower fan motor can cause ticking or clicking sounds, perhaps as a contactor relay tries repeatedly to start a motor.
Details are at TEST a MOTOR START or RUN CAPACITOR - Electrical component clicking snapping noises:
Watch out: sparking, arcing at electrical components including a fan relay or contactor or fan motor wiring itself is likely to presage a component failure and can risk fire or shock. - Electrostatic air cleaner:
Loud clicking and snapping that you hear in, at or near the air handler or through nearby HVAC ducts, especially when the blower unit first starts are often traced to a very excited electrostatic air cleaner who is zapping dust particles loosened when the air flow starts up.
See AIR CLEANER PURIFIER TYPES for more about electrostatic air cleaners. - Humming sounds at fans:
the fan motor is unable to start
HVAC fan noises are discussed further
at HVAC FAN NOISES where we also refer readers to still more detail about hard-starting motors
at MOTOR RESET BUTTON
FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER UNIT - ticking, clicking, humming, squealing, squeaking.
ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS for figuring out what may be wrong with the fan motor - Location of exhaust or vent fan motors & blowers:
placing the exhaust fan motor or blower assembly in a remote location such as in an attic (where code permits) will reduce the perceived level of fan noise inside the building provided that the remote location is at least 3 meters (15 ft) from the occupied interior space. - Loose fan mounting hardware or loose grille at compressor/condenser:
Clicking, rumbling, ticking, rattling, clang and clunk at startup or when a fan is running, especially at a compressor/condenser and occasionally at an air handler blower may be due to loose mounting hardware for the fan or loose protective grilles around a compressor/condenser unit or a loose blower fan compartment door.
Detailed
At FAN NOISES, HVAC and also
at COMPRESSOR CONDENSER NOISE - Mechanically-damaged or worn fan components,
even as simple as a bent fan blade, can cause wobbling of the fan assembly, fan motor shaft bearing damage, and thus increased fan noise.
The fan motor bearing design and type also affect the motor's noise levels. Generally a ball-bearing shaft support is quieter than a solid brass bearing because the solid bearing is more likely to become worn, loose, and rattling. - Rattling sounds at fans:
the fan motor shaft or fan blades are loose or a motor bearing is failing - Shape of air inlet devices at fans:
flat or angled openings at air inlets on louvers, return air inlets, fan air inlets, tend to produce more air-movement noise than rounded edges. - Sound attenuators and duct silencers for fans:
Sound attenuators for HVAC systems and vent systems, also referred to as air silencers, are devices placed in the ductwork to reduce the level of noise caused by air movement through the system. - Ticking or clicking sounds at fans:
The blower assembly or fan blades are loose, wobbling, and hitting an obstruction such as a protective grille or metal housing side
See CLICKING SOUNDS from air conditioner or heat pump system - a fan blade may be hitting a wire, grille, or obstruction - Ventilation system fan noises:
may be due to air movement through restrictions, motors, or other defects in building ventilation system fans.
See these fan system articles:
BATHROOM VENT FAN SIZING & NOISE RATINGS
EXHAUST FAN REPAIR
VENTILATION, EXHAUST ONLY
VENTILATION, SUPPLY-ONLY
VENTILATION, WHOLE HOUSE STRATEGIES
How to Convert Sones to Decibels or phones
1 sone = 40 dB or 40 phones, but
Watch out: the dB scale is logarithmic, not linear.
Conversion table: Sones to dB or phones |
|
| Sones | dB / Decibels / Phones |
| 0.06 (Hearing threshold) | 15 |
| 0.25 | 25 |
| 0.44 (Whispered speech) | 30 |
| 0.5 (Rustling leaves) | 32 |
| 1 (Typical refrigerator) | 40 |
| 1.4 (Typical dishwasher) | 45 |
| 2 | 50 |
| 3 (Typical office noise level) | 55 |
| 3.5 (Moderate dishwasher noise) | 58 |
| 4 (Normal conversation) | 60 |
| 7 (1200 CFM Modernaire floor fan on high speed) | 68 |
| 8 | 70 |
| 9.2 (Typical vacuum cleaner) | 72 |
| 16 | 80 |
| 32 (Typical lawnmower) | 90 |
| 64 (Typical leaf blower or power saw) | 100 |
| 128 | 110 |
| 256 | 120 |
| 724 (Jet plane takeoff) | 135 |
| 1024 (Police siren at 100 ft.) | 140 |
Notes to the table above
Watch out: noise levels over 82 dBA require hearing protection if you are withing 5 ft. of the noise source
ISO 532-2:2017 specifies a method for estimating the loudness and loudness level of stationary sounds as perceived by otologically normal adult persons under specific listening conditions.
It provides an algorithm for the calculation of monaural or binaural loudness for sounds recorded using a single microphone, using a head and torso simulator, or for sounds presented via earphones. The method is based on the Moore-Glasberg algorithm.
DIN 45631 Procedure for calculating loudness level and loudness
Formula to convert Sones to dBA
x sones = 10 log2 x + 40 phons or dBA
Formulat to convert dBa or phons to Sones
2(x - 40)/10 sones
Fan Noise Standards
- AMCA 1011-03 CERTIFIED RATINGS PROGRAM - PRODUCT RATING MANUAL FOR ACOUSTICAL DUCT SILENCERSPDF] (2010) AMCA, Air Movement And Control Association International, Inc., AMCA International 30 W. University Dr. Arlington Heights, IL 60004 www.amca.org Tel: +1 847-394-0150 Email: communications@amca.org retrieved 2018/08/28, original source: https://www.amca.org/assets/crpdocument/amca_10111.pdf
- ASTM E477-06a Standard Test Method for Measuring Acoustical and Airflow Performance of Duct Liner Materials and Prefabricated Silencers, available from https://www.astm.org/
- NEW YORK CITY CODE: INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT [PDF],. Chapter 12, INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT, retrieved 2017/08/01,original source: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/apps/pdf_viewer/ viewer.html?file=2014CC_BC_Chapter_12_Interior_Environment.pdf§ion=conscode_2014
1201.1 Scope.The provisions of this chapter shall govern ventilation, temperature control, lighting, yards and courts, sound transmission, room dimensions, surrounding materials and rodent proofing associated with the interior spaces of buildings - VENTILATION CODES & STANDARDS
Noises from Fans & Venting Equipment in Other Building Locations
Ventilation fans used in baths, kitchens, air to air heat exchangers, whole house ventilating fans, attic vent fans, gable end vent fans, and fans used in small appliances such as microwave ovens, even stereo systems can produce hums, clicks, and rattles as well.
To help separate normal fan operating noise from noise indicating trouble you'll want to read our discussion of fan noise level ratings measured in sones.
- AIR LEAK NOISES in BUILDINGS
- BATHROOM VENTILATION CODES SPECS where we describe fan noise and the use of sones as a measurement of fan noise.
- BATHROOM VENT FAN SIZING & NOISE RATINGS we discuss bath vent fan capacity requirements and noise issues
- DUCT SYSTEM NOISES above since the air moved by a fan may be hissing at duct leaks or may be producing other HVAC sounds.
- ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS
- FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
- FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER UNIT - ticking, clicking, humming, squealing, squeaking.
- FAN NOISES, HVAC wobbles, motor hum, depending on speed at air conditioning condenser/compresser unit or in air handlers
- KITCHEN VENTILATION DESIGN includes design specs and recommendations for kitchen exhaust fans
- MICROWAVE OVEN VENT INSTALL discusses those systems and their installation and properties
- VENTILATION, EXHAUST ONLY describes house ventilation fan noises and fan choices
- Fan convector heaters are discussed at FAN COIL & FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS & HYDRONIC COILS
- See VIBRATION DAMPENERS for a discussion of devices used to isolate noises produced by HVAC air handlers and blowers such as air conditioners and furnaces.
...
Continue reading at AIR LEAK NOISES in BUILDINGS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see these
Recommended Articles
- BATHROOM VENT FAN SIZING & NOISE RATINGS - fan noise ratings in sones, explained
- CHATTERING RELAY CONTROL SWITCHES
- FAN, COMPRESSOR / CONDENSER UNIT
- FAN NOISES HVAC
- NOISES, HVAC SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS - home
- NOISES, HVAC SOUND DESCRIPTIONS
- NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home - all sorts of building sounds & noises
Suggested citation for this web page
FAN NOISES in BUILDINGS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
Or see this
INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING NOISE DIAGNOSIS
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- ACGIH "A Guide For the Control of Audible Sound Hazards" 1st Ed., ACGIH, American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists, Threshold Limit Value for Physical Agents Committee, (2020) Website: acgih.org
- Acoustical Society of AmericaElaine Moran, ASA Office Manager, Suite 1NO1, 2 Huntington Quadrangle, Melville, NY 11747-4502
516) 576-2360, FAX: (516) 576-2377 email: asa@aip.org.
ASA is an excellent source of noise and sound standards. Quoting from the associations history page:
"From the Society's inception, its members have been involved in the development of acoustical standards concerned with terminology, measurement procedures, and criteria for determining the effects of noise and vibration. In 1932, The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), then called the American Standards Association, appointed the Acoustical Society as sponsor of a committee, designated as Z-24, to standardize acoustical terminology and measurements. The work of this committee expanded to such an extent that it was replaced in 1957 by three committees, S1 on Acoustics, S2 on Mechanical Shock and Vibration, and S3 on Bioacoustics, with a fourth, S12 on Noise, added in 1981. These four committees are each responsible for producing, developing a consensus for, and adopting standards in accordance with procedures approved by ANSI. Although these committees are independent of the Acoustical Society, the Society provide s the financial support and an administrative Secretariat to facilitate their work. After a standard is adopted by one of these committees and approved by ANSI, the Secretariat arranges for its publication by ASA through the American Institute of Physics. The ASA also distributes ISO and IEC standards. Abstracts of standards and ordering information can be found online on the ASA Standards Page. More than 100 acoustical standards have been published in this way; a catalog is also available from the Standards Secretariat (631-390-0215; Fax: 631-390-0217). The Society also provides administrative support for several international standards committees and acts as the administrative Secretariat (on behalf of ANSI) for the International Technical Committee on Vibration and Shock (TC-108)." - http://asa.aip.org/history.html - ANSI/ASA S12.60, Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools, 2002.
- [1] Connelly, Maureen, Hodgson, Murray, "Thermal and Acoustical Performance of Green Roofs", Sound Transmission Loss of Green roofs, [presentation, Session 1.5], Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, conference, awards, trade show, Baltimore MD, 30 April-2 may 2008. Web search 4/3/2011 original source: http://commons.bcit.ca/greenroof/publications/
2008_grhc_connelly_hodgson.pdf. These authors provide an excellent bibliography of references for sound transmission in buildings, including some of the references cited just below:- Sharp, BH 1973, Study of Techniques to Increase the Sound Insulation of Building Elements. U.S. Department of Commerce PB-222 829, Washington.
- Sharp, BH & Martin S 1996, "The Measurement of Aircraft Noise Reduction in Residences", Proceedings of Inter-Noise, Liverpool, 1996, pp. 2747-2752.
- Friberg, R 1973, "Transmission Loss and Absorption Factors for Corrugated Steel Roofs, Insulation on the Outside", Proceedings of Inter-Noise, Copenhagen, 1973, pp. 213-217.
- [2] Colbond, EnkaTech Note, "Acoustical Benefits of Roof Underlayments", Colbond Inc., PO Box 1057, Enka NC 28728, Tel: 800-365-7391, website: www.colbond-usa.com web search 4/3/2011, original source: http://products.construction.com/
swts_content_files/1329/E835617.pdf - [3] General Steel Corporation, "The Facts About the Acoustical Performance of Metal Building Insulation 2", Sound Transmission Class, General Steel Corporation, 10639 W. Bradford Road, Littleton, CO 80127, web search 4/3/11, original source: http://www.gensteel.com/insulation_facts-5a.htm
- [4] North American Insulation Manufacturers Association NAIMA, "Insulation Facts #58: The Facts About the Acoustical Performance of Metal Building Insulation", NAIMA, 44 Canal Plaza, Suite 310, Alexandria VA 22314, tel: 703-684-0084, website: http://www.naima.org/
- [5] Sarah Hager Johnston, Peregrine Information Consultants, Tel: 860-676-2228, Website: www.peregrineinfo.com Email: info@peregrineinfo.com
Research and writing for insurance, risk management, safety & health, business, and medical professionals. Quoting: Peregrine Information Consultants provides customized secondary research, technical information, and standards, news, current awareness services, writing, and editing to support U.S. clients in property/casualty insurance, risk management and loss control, occupational safety and health, consumer safety, business, retail, manufacturing, and other industries. - Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
- DEVELOPMENTS in NOISE CONTROL [PDF] NRCC, National Research Council, Canada, suggestions for noise control, sound transmission through block walls, plumbing noise control, noise leaks, and sound control advice. Web search 01/17/2011, original source: www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/ibp/irc/bsi/90-noise-control.html
- Thanks to audiologist Cheryl P. Harllee, licensed hearing specialist, for discussing noises and noise problems in preparation for this article. Ms. Harllee can be located at the Village Hearing Center, 249 U.S. Highway One, Tequesta FL 33469 561-744-0231
- [10] Fujitsu Room Air Conditioner, Wall Mounted Type, Heat & Cool Model (Reverse Cycle) [Heat pump units] Operating Manual, Models: ASU18RLXS ASU24RLXS ASU30RLX (indoor & outdoor units). Fujitsu General America, Inc., 353 Route 46 West, Fairfield, NJ 07004, Tel: (888) 888-3424, Tel-Service hotline: (866) 952-8324, Email: hvac@fujitsugeneral.com, Email service: servicehvac@fujitsugeneral.com , retrieved 8/30/12, original source: http://www.fujitsugeneral.com/PDF_06/OperationManual/%28OM%29ASU18-24RLX-30RLX.pdf [copy on file as FujitsuASU18-24RLX-30RLX.pdf]
- [11] Bauer, B., “Microphone Directivity”, Transactions of the IRE-PGA, July 1952, 10-20
- [12] Killion, M., et. al., “Real-World
Performance of an ITE Directional
Microphone”, The Hearing Journal, April
1998 - [13] Blauert, J.: Spatial hearing: the psychophysics of human sound localization; MIT Press; Cambridge, Massachusetts (1983)
- [14] "Localization of sound in rooms, the effect of visual fixation," [PDF] W.M.Hartmann, {Proceedings 11th ICA}, (Journal d'Acoustique) {3}, 139-142 (1983).
- [15] "Localization of a source of sound in a room," W.M. Hartmann, Proc. Audio Engr. Soc. Eighth International Conference, ed. S. Pizzi, pp 27-32, AES, New York (1990).
- [16] "Auditory Localization in rooms," W.M. Hartmann, Proc. Audio Engr. Soc. Twelfth International Conference, ed. S. Bech pp 34-39, AES, New York (1993). "Listening in a Room and the Precedence Effect," W.M. Hartmann, in
- [17] Binaural and Spatial Hearing} ed. R.H. Gilkey and T.B. Anderson, pp 191-210, L. Erlbaum Associates (1997).
- [18] "Localization of noise in a reverberant environment," [PDF] B. Rakerd and W.M. Hartmann, Proceedings of the 13th International Symposium on Hearing, Dourdon, France, 2003.
- [18] Medhi Batel et als., "Noise Source Location Techniques - Simple to Advanced Applications", Sound and Vibration, March 2003, retrieved 4/23/2013 original source www.sandv.com/downloads/0303bate.pdf [copy on file as Noise_Source_Location_Techs0303bate.pdf]
- Thanks to reader Sue Hazeldine, from the U.K. for discussing how she tracked down a whistling chimney noise to an antique hanging sign on the building exterior - 01/19/2010.
- Thanks to reader Michael Anderson, 8 May 2009, for discussing clicking sounds coming from air conditioning equipment.
- Thanks to reader Erna Ross who described loss of sleep due to a hissing noise at her home 06/15/2008.
- Marpac, produces white sound generators, a product that they identify as the Marpac sound conditioner. Marpac can be contacted at http://www.marpac.com/ or contact the Marpac Corporation, P.O. Box 560 Rocky Point, NC 28457 Phone: 800-999-6962 (USA and Canada) Fax: 910-602-1435 1-910-602-1421 (worldwide), 800-999- or email: info@marpac.com
- Sound Oasis sound conditioners are produced by Sound Oasis: http://www.sound-oasis.com/ email: info@sound-oasis.com or 1-866-625-3218
- Barrier Ultra-R super high-R building panels, produced by Glacier Bay, use Aerogel and are rated up to R-30 per inch, or in Barrier Ultra-r™ panels, R-50 per inch. The company also produces acoustic panels that are Ultra-db resistant and lightweight. Unlike the appliance insulation panels discussed in the original Q&A above on miracle insulation, these Areogel based panels will continue to retain some, though reduced insulating value if punctured, performing at perhaps R-9 per inch. The product is used in marine refrigerators, but in the future may be available as a residential construction product. The company is researching specialized products in medical, transportation, and aerospace applications. Contact: Glacier Bay, Inc., 2930 Faber Street, Union City, CA 94587 U.S.A., (510) 437-9100, Sales and Technical Information - sales@glacierbay.com
- Tremco, Tremco Global Sealants Division, 10701 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland OH 44104 - see www.tremcosealants.com/
- Ideal Tape, Inc., 1400 Middlesex St., Lowell MA 01853 - see www.abitape.com/tape/iframe_ideal.htm Tel: 1-800-284-3325
- 3-M Corporation, tape products, see solutions.3m.com/
- US EPA Noise Regulations & References
- Noise Control act - http://www.nonoise.org/epa/act.htm
- Quiet Communities Act - 1978
- Federal Regulations from the EPA's Office of Noise Abatement & Control - http://www.nonoise.org/epa/reg.htm
- Noise - a Health Problem - http://www.nonoise.org/library/epahlth/epahlth.htm - quoted below
Racket, din, clamor, noise. Whatever you want to call it, unwanted sound is America's most widespread nuisance. But noise is more than just a nuisance. It constitutes a real and present danger to people's health. Day and night, at home, at work, and at play, noise can produce serious physical and psychological stress. No one is immune to this stress. Though we seem to adjust to noise by ignoring it, the ear, in fact, never closes and the body still responds - sometimes with extreme tension, as to a strange sound in the night.
The annoyance we feel when faced with noise is the most common outward symptom of the stress building up inside us. Indeed, because irritability is so apparent, legislators have made public annoyance the basis of many noise abatement programs. The more subtle and more serious health hazards associated with stress caused by noise traditionally have been given much less attention. Nonetheless, when we are annoyed or made irritable by noise, we should consider these symptoms fair warning that other things may be happening to us, some of which may be damaging to our health.
- Protective Noise Levels - 1979, basis for many local noise ordinances and codes - http://www.nonoise.org/library/levels/levels.htm
This publication is intended to complement the EPA's "Levels Document,"* the 1974 report examining levels of environmental noise necessary to protect public health and welfare. It interprets the contents of the Levels Document in less technical terms for people who wish to better understand the concepts presented there, and how the protective levels were identified. In that sense, this publication may serve as an introduction, or a supplement, to the Levels Document.
- "Measurement of Highway-Related Noise", US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/measure/chap8.htm
- "Sound Decisions" 9/85 p.11 and "Soundproof Room" in 5/85 p.7 in The New England Builder, Box 97, East Haven, VT 05837 (802) 223-6123.
- "Noise and Vibration Control in Buildings", Robert S. Jones, McGraw-Hill Book Co., PO Box 400, Hightstown, NJ 08520-9989 #006431-8 [$47.50]
- "Shoptalk", Builder Magazine, NAHB, Feb. 1986 p. 138, Martin M. Mintz, AIA, Director of NAHB Technical Services - article about constructing soundproof floors using wood joists and plywood subfloors.
- Guide to Airborne, Impact, and Structure Borne Noise Control in Multifamily Dwellings", Federal Housing Administration publication.
- "Construction Principles, Materials and Methods", Olin, Schmidt, and Lewis.
- "Soundproofing a Music Studio", Gene DeSmidt, Fine Homebuilding, Taunton Press, 63 S. Main St., PO Box 355, Newton, CT 06470 No. 35, October/November 1986.
- "Building a Recording Studio", Jeff Cooper, Synergy Group, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, ISBN 0-916899-00-4.
- "The Book Nook" - how to build a quite room, Rodale's Practical Homeowner, October, 1987, p. 50-61. This issue, p. 98-99, has a good list of manufacturers/distributors of a range of noise control products such as acoustical sealants, ceiling systems, resilient channels, wall panels, window coverings, etc.
- Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
- In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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