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Table of typical sound levels in decibels dB (C) J Wiley & Sons Best Practices Steven BlissNoise Event Log
Use this Sound Localization Event Log to Find Building Noise Sources

  • 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 noise localization log: use this sound-event log to help determine the source of building noises or sounds. Using a log to record observations of noises related to time of day, weather, equipment operation, building occupancy and activities can help determine where building sounds originate: a process of sound localization.

In this article series we provide a series of detailed articles on reducing unwanted building noise levels through building design, insulation, sound isolation, and noise barriers. Our page top table of relative sound levels (left) is from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons

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Noise Localization Log Tracks Sound-Sources & Events

How to Find the Source of Building Noises by Keeping an Event Log

Table 5-14 is shown at the top of this page.

Two general approaches to tracking down the source of noises in buildings

  1. Where is noise loudest? Using people with acute hearing and/or supplementing with noise amplification equipment (some very inexpensive devices are available and can help, such as from Radio Shack), explore the building inside and out to get closest to the sound source. Add use of a mechanic's stethoscope.
  2. What conditions seem to correlate with noise production: Keep a log of factors that can help identify noise source such as

For unidentified sound sources, general advice on tracking down the source and cause of annoying building sounds and noises includes a procedure similar to our ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST, PROCEDURE.

To track a mystery-noise or sound to its source, try keeping a noise log, noting the following items - (print and use the table below if you find that helpful):

You can print this web page directly, or save it to a PDF file, or if you prefer, see


InspectApedia.com Sound & Noise Event Log
Used to Track a Building Noise to Its Cause or Source©

[Print this Page for use as a sound event diagnostic log]
Date & Time Observation Comments

Noise Observed: dates, times, description

   The date and time of the noise at each occurrence, especially when it was first observed
Noise Observers:   Who hears the noise? People's hearing ability varies widely; use someone with acute hearing to help track down noises; don't rule out medical conditions that can cause people to perceive noises that are neurological or bodily in origin
Building activities:   Activities: who is present in the building, people, animals; walking or moving around, using equipment, using plumbing, etc.
Apparent noise location, direction:   Probable noise origin by location: differences in noise perception between what is observed indoors, at different indoor locations, and outside. Where is the noise loudest?
Noise properties: describe the noise   Noise properties:
  • Noise occurrence correlated with any of the items in our noise checklist
  • Noise type: buzzing, hissing, bubbling sounds may be identified by matching what you hear to items in our List of Building Noises by Sound Source or Sound Types found beginning just below on this page.
Building Mechanical Equipment: air conditioner, heat, fans, water pump, water softener, appliances, etc. on or off at time noise was observed   What equipment is operating or turned off in the building; equipment may itself be making noise or heating or cooling equipment can cause temperature changes that lead to noises
Weather conditions:   What weather conditions might be pertinent such as wind, wind direction, temperature, temperature changes or shifts, rain, or freezing conditions
Site & neighbors:   Site activities: are there possible noise sources outdoors but near the building from neighboring buildings, power transformers, neighboring businesses, equipment, etc.
Sunlight:   Sun direction and sunlight levels - sunlight can correlate with thermal expansion of materials and thus noises
Temperatures:   Temperature changes: by noting temperatures and temperature changes we might trace noises to creaking, popping, squeaks etc. caused by thermal expansion and contraction of materials or to operating of heating or cooling systems
Wind:    Wind conditions: is wind blowing? From what direction, at what strength; does wind correlate with noise occurrence?
Building modifications, changes:   What has changed in the building that might be relevant such as installation or removal of equipment
Additional Noise Observations:    
     
     
Notes: 

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Question: what instrument can I use to track a noise to its source ? A mechanic's stethoscope is too limited

Is there an instrument available that could be used to locate sound source? The common mechanical stethoscope is not very effective in locating the constant 24 hr humming sound in my home. The sound is a droning 60 HZ constant, but there are other sources harmonizing with it. I managed to eliminate the sound sources one by one and I am now left with the last two major ones. I badly need some help because my health is starting to go. - C.M. 4/23/2013

Reply: six approaches used by acoustical engineers to pinpoint or localize noise and sound sources

I agree that a stethoscope is not where one would start in finding the source of a widespread building noise.

A mechanic's stethoscope is useful principally when one is checking specific machinery, surfaces, or objects for sound emanation. This tool does not quickly direct one to an area of a building when a noise is heard as ambient or widespread.

For moving from an ambient widespread noise to a source requires a combination of careful listening with methodological investigation such as keeping a noise-event log to relate sounds to changing conditions of time, weather, equipment in or out of operation, nearby activities, combined as well with visual inspection and occupant interviews.

Directional microphones are sold by a variety of vendors who supply some quite different models and technologies. But I'm not sure an affordable directional microphone will do a great job tracking down a building noise source.

I have not found good success at tracking down a "general" noise using pressure-gradient-type directional microphones - the common instrument used to pick up remote conversations or sounds. Since directional microphones pick up noise from any direction you can be fooled if a sound coming from direction A is bouncing off of a hard surface B at which you have aimed the device. [11][12][18]

In other words some skill and experience are needed to use such tools. soundonsound.com has an excellent, if technical, explanation of the types of microphone and their sensitivity to the actual direction of sound emanation.

My reading about directional mikes suggests that equipment is intended for the recording industry or for the hearing aid industry but not for sound localization.

Engineers use about six different methods to pinpoint the origin of sounds, procedures described by Mehdi Batel et als (2003) [18]. Six approaches to noise localization used by acoustic experts include

  1. Sound pressure mapping
  2. Sound intensity and selective intensity
  3. Near-field acoustic holography
  4. Non-stationary acoustic holography
  5. Beamforming (phased array technique)
  6. Inverse Boundary Element Methods (IBEM)

These approaches were tested and described for industrial applications such as the automotive industry and it does not appear that these methods, including a relatively new beamforming microphone array methods, are being used in residential noise complaint applications

. Some are quite costly, some are quite time-consuming to use. Beamforming for sound localization can examine large objects (a car in a wind tunnel, for example) and is a more rapid process that might work in or at buildings, particularly where we are less interested in the precise sound level and mostly interested in finding the sound source.[18]

If you can find an engineer who has access to beamforming sound-localization equipment, and if her employment and equipment costs are justified by your local noise problem, that approach may be what you need.

But before trying that more sophisticated and costly approach, a thoughtful site interview, investigation, and some data logging can very often find the source of a building noise. Perhaps these items will help you

Keep us informed on what success you have, as that may assist other readers.

On 2020-01-12 by (mod) - humming noise ever since swimming pool installed

Of course;

While very high voltage power lines can induce vibration in nearby metal materials, that's not something that would normally be audible.

Electrical buzzing humming sounds are common and might be

- a transformer

- a motor

- a failing electrical component

- something else I've not considered

See details at

HUMMING NOISES in BUILDINGS

ELECTRIC MOTOR NOISE DIAGNOSIS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NOISES

Watch out: don't rule out that excavation to build the in-ground pool cut or damaged some underground electrical cable or utility - if so that's of course very dangerous.

One of several steps an investigating engineer might take would be to check for voltage between your metal building components and the earth.

On 2020-01-12 by gonursing589

But again. It all started the day we actually filled t the new pool and connected the power.

I've shut down the main breaker.

Turned off the water at the curve and drained the lines. Including the fire sprinklers lines in the house

I've shut the gas at the main line, emptied the gas lines too.

I still herar the hum.

Shop is it possible for the pool ground connection to be picking up earth magbetism?

On 2020-01-12 by (mod) -

How odd. I can't make sense out of this electrical grounding scheme.

About buzzing, try a mechanic's stethoscope to see if you can confirm exactly what's vibrating.

On 2020-01-12 by gonursing589

The connection picture [shown above]

Metal column improperly used as pool electrical grounding? (C) InspectApedia.com gonursing

This is where to pool got grounded to the metal pole inside the patio pillar.

The pillar is a fake pillar, it just cosmetically covers the metal post. You can see the connection where they cut the patio, to ground the pool. Then they re-cemented it.

On 2020-01-12 1 by Leo Sancineto -

Leo Sancineto said:

I recently had an under ground pool put in. It seems ever since it was filled with water, my house started humming. A whooing kind of low resonating hum. I did notice the grounded my pool to the patios.

The patio is a covered patio with four metal poles holding up the patio cover. Theys screwed the pool grounding to one of these poles to ground my pool. Could this be the problem?

Did the pool need it's own grounding, separated from the metal patio poles?

Moderator reply

Leo

Electrical grounding of swimming pool electrical equipment is absolutely essential - and must be done properly so as not to kill someone.

One might ground a metal patio pole to make the pole and patio safer but I don't think that one would use a patio pole as THE electrical ground connection for electrical equipment.

IMO you need an on site electrician to check for current leaks where they don't belong.

On 2020-01-12 16:45:41.937451 by Leo Sancineto

I recently had an under ground pool put in. It seems ever since it was filled with water, my house started humming. A whooing kind of low resonating hum. I did notice the grounded my pool to the patios. The patio is a covered patio with four metal poles holding up the patio cover. Theys screwed the pool grounding to one of these poles to ground my pool. Could this be the problem?
Did the pool need it's own grounding, separated from the metal patio poles?
Gonursing at sbcglobal dot net
Feel free to e. Mail.

On 2018-06-11 by (mod) -

When a noise occurs at regular times or intervals that's often very helpful in tracking down the source. We simply need to look for what is turning on and off at those times.

On 2018-06-10 by Doug

@logan, did you figure it out yet? I have the exact same issue! Crazy!

On 2017-06-15 by Ms.S

Background info: I live in an older early 80's high rise in an area where a lot of new, huge condo highrises have been built. In the evening what sounds like mega-generators in orchestral synchronicity, all kick in.

The whooshing and metallic drone is extremely loud. That said, this is not my main issue as once I am inside, the loud noise isn't much of a bother.

My issue: Since about March or early April, I have been kept awake and sometimes even woken up by a low-frequency humming, vibrational "sound". (I put sound in quotes because it's not a clearly definitive noise in the traditional sense of the word).

The noise is more like a reverberation that I can almost feel. Perhaps low-frequency RESONANCE is a better descriptor. Anyway, since I first heard/felt the resonating hum noise in early spring, it's been an issue every night, starting up almost like clockwork at midnight and grows in intensity until about 4:30am.

Last night, it didn't hear it until 1:30am but normally it begins at 12am. It is NOT in my head as my husband hears it too. In fact, over the weekend were watching a late movie on Netflix and the noise started at its usual time.

By 12:30ishAM, the sound had grown so intense and bothersome, that had to pause the movie and walk around the apartment to try to pinpoint the location from which it came from. No use other than it being loudest in the master bathroom and the bedroom and barely noticeable in the guest bath on the other side of the unit.

When I go out onto our balcony I do NOT notice or hear it, but then again like I stated first, there's an incredible amount of combined "whooshing" noise from all HVACs and compressors/generators on out small street so they could simply be drowning out the hum when I'm outside. I don't know except that I only hear it inside and it grows increasingly louder and more intense until about 4:30am when it stops.

Question: What IS this stressful, unrelenting low frequency reverberating noise? Any thoughts as go what this could be? Where could it be originating from? An emergency generator? But where and why would it be affecting us so suddenly and only heard during certain hours (from 12-4:30am) every single night?

Thanks for reading. It's ruining my health as I can no longer sleep deeply (or worse, fall asleep some nights). I've tried earplugs but strangely enough, they INTENSIFY the noise. I have a Marpac but it also doesn't mask the sound resonance.

The building management doesn't seem to even understand what I'm trying to explain (I don't blame them as it makes me sound quite batty). I'm not crazy, I'm healthy and in my 30s, fit, no known hearing issues or early onset dementia, nor illnesses. I tend to be slightly sound sensitive but I've lived here for over 8 years and many other highly urban areas.

This is just crazy-making and sleep-depriving beyond belief.

On 2017-05-11 by (mod) -

Some industrial hygienists have experience in sound location and mitigation as do some home inspectors.

On 2017-05-11 by logan

i am hearing a constant hum in my home, almost as if a diesel engine is parked 5 bloacks away and running. this noise is 24/7 and still is audible with power to the house shut down from the panel ,

i had my meter on the outisde of the home replaced and that did not solve it, the noise sounds like it is coming from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. no matter which floor of the home (basement main or 2nd) and both ends of the house side to side and front to back , it is audible.

any suggestions as to what type of professional is best to solve this problem? it is becoming quite irritating


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SOUND EVENT LOG at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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