scope:

This code applies to wet and wet/dry (parallel path), open and closed circuit cooling towers, mechanical or natural draft. The equipment being tested is the cooling tower consisting of the structure (individual cell or tower) with the heat exchange surface, water distribution and collection system, and mechanical equipment in the case of a mechanical draft tower. If other sound producing equipment must be included in or excluded from the equipment being tested, particular reference shall be made to this effect in the test protocol and in the test report.

Purpose of the Test Code

The purpose of this code is to provide standard test procedures for measuring the near-field air borne sound from water-cooling towers with reproducible and consistent results. The results obtained can be used to demonstrate compliance with the guarantees offered by the manufacturer, compliance with noise safety ordinances, and as a basis to compare vendor offerings.

Different protocols are provided for both small and large towers. Section 8.0 Sound Measurements on Small Towers provides a methodology to determine free-field sound pressure levels and sound power calculations following a relatively simple protocol. Section 9.0 Sound Measurements for Large Towers provides two procedures, one for the determination of sound pressure levels affecting worker exposure and a second for determining partial sound powers and calculation of total sound power for large towers.

The choice of which measurement procedure is to be used shall be made by mutual agreement of the parties prior to the test.