Relative noise levels - What do dB levels mean in real life
SPL - dB(A) Description
0 = Threshold of Hearing
10 = Empty recoding studio
20 = Rustling leaves
30 = Libray, night-time bedroom
40/50 = Living Room, Surburban
60 = Conversational speech
70 = Noisy office
80 = Average Surburban Traffic
85 = City centre traffic
90 = Heavy truck
98 = Average Discotheque
105 = Aircraft Noise on approach to landing
110 = Peak level at a very loud rock concert
120 = Pneumatic Drill - unsilenced
130 = Threshold of pain
140 = Large jet Aircraft on take Off at 40 metres
150 = Chest wall vibrates / giddiness
The smallest change in noise level that thehuman ear can hear is 1dB re 20 micro Pascal
EU Directive 2003/10/EC
What do these limitations mean for working times
Sound pressure level Maximum exposure in
dB(A) any 24 Hour period
dB(A) any 24 Hour period
80 24 Hours
82 16 "
85 8 "
88 4 "
91 2 "
94 1 "
97 30 minutes
100 15 "
103 7.5 "
106 3.75 "
82 16 "
85 8 "
88 4 "
91 2 "
94 1 "
97 30 minutes
100 15 "
103 7.5 "
106 3.75 "
EU Directive 2003/10/EC
Are these the same levels than we are used to ?
Probably not - in many European countries before this directive you didn’t need to take any action until noise levels reached 85 dB(A)
New limits Previous limits
Exposure limit for 200 Pa 200 Pa
instantaneous noise
instantaneous noise
Upper exposure 85 dB(A) 90 dB(A)
action level
action level
Lower exposure 80 dB(A) 85 dB(A)
action level
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