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Are All Sound Level Meters Alike?

The DEP (or another consultant) told you your noise problem isn't a violation?

They could be wrong.

In our experience, a lot of the noise that people complain about is low-frequency noise. This includes sounds like the bass beat from a nightclub and the the humming of mechanical equipment such as air conditioners, fans, washing machines, pumps and elevators .

The Noise Code and Building Code contain language that sets limits on such sounds, specifying maximum permissible levels for each frequency band. But measuring noise in separate bands requires a complex spectrum analyzer, which the DEP inspectors do not use. The meters they use measure in "dBA" only. This is a system that gives a single number measurement of all frequencies, but it is "weighted" to strongly discount the low frequency sounds.

Thus, the law is intended to protect you from low frequency noise, but the DEP has not yet obtained the right meters to measure it. Some other consultants also use the wrong type of measurments. Using the proper type of analyzer, we can measure the noise you hear and compare the results with the provisions of the applicable codes.