scope:

This standard specifies:

• the noise emission values to be declared and the requirements for their presentation,

• product information that accompanies the declared noise emission values,

• the method for determining the declared mean A-weighted sound power level, L_WA,m, for a batch of machines, equipment, or products,

• the method for determining the standard deviation of production for the batch, if this quantity is to be optionally declared,

• The method for determining the expanded uncertainty for the declared mean A-weighted sound power level for a batch, if this quantity is to be optionally declared.

This standard is applicable to commercially available products that emit noise, including consumer products and household appliances, information technology products, industrial equipment, outdoor equipment and construction machinery, and other products. In general, and at the time of its initial publication, this standard does not apply to transportation vehicles (cars, motorcycles, trucks, trains, planes, unmanned aerial vehicles) or other moving equipment, but its scope may be extended to such products if relevant test codes are developed and published that apply the methods of noise emission declaration herein to such equipment and products. The declaration methods in this standard use noise emission data obtained in accordance with standards in the ANSI S12.5x series or ANSI S12.12 for determining the sound power levels of noise sources unless otherwise specified in relevant test codes.

The primary noise emission value to be declared is the mean A-weighted sound power level, L_WA,m. This value may optionally be supplemented by the standard deviation of production (see 3.12) and a statement of the uncertainty of the declared mean value (see 3.15).

Knowledge of the mean A-weighted sound power level permits comparison of the noise emission levels between similar products and facilitates predictions of installation or work-place noise immission levels in spaces where such products are used.

NOTE 1 This standard does not include procedures for the declaration of the noise emission levels for a single, individual unit of machinery or equipment but only for batches of machinery, equipment, or products (see definition 3.3). If an individual machine or unit is to be provided with its own noise emission declaration, it is assumed that it will be tested in accordance with one of the fundamental measurement methods (e.g., a standard in the ANSI S12.5x series) or an applicable industry test code, and that the information that is required to be reported by such a method or test code will serve the purposes of a noise declaration.

NOTE 2 For certain types of products and the purpose of their noise declarations, the sound power level may not be a sufficient enough description of the noise emission. For instance, if the product is large and spread out over a large area; if most of the noise is radiated from only a small portion of the (large) product; or there is a defined operator position, it may be desirable for the purchaser to know the sound pressure levels in the immediate vicinity of the sides of the product, in the vicinity of the primary sound radiation, or at the operator position in addition to the overall sound power radiated by the machine. This fundamental standard does not include the declaration of such sound pressure levels. However, there are several derivative standards and test codes that do address the measurement and reporting of the so-called emission sound pressure levels in the near vicinity of a machine or piece of equipment under test (see, for example, ANSI/ASA S12.10/Part 1 or ANSI/ASA S12.61).