scope:

This standard establishes acoustic noise limits and prescribes testing requirements and measurement procedures for determining conformance to the noise limits stated herein. The standard specifies sound pressure level limits and measurement procedures to promote personnel safety, speech intelligibility, and security from acoustic detection and recognition. Acoustical noise limits for determining conformance to community annoyance requirements are beyond the scope of this standard. Noise limits for community annoyance are covered by local laws and statutes. DoD materiel (motor vehicles, construction and material handling equipment, mobile generator sets, and portable air compressors) may have to comply with these local laws and statutes anywhere in the world they operate.

Purpose. This standard provides criteria for designing materiel having noise levels that:

a. Minimize the risk of permanent noise induced hearing loss,

b. Permit intelligible speech communication in noisy environments,

c. Minimize aural detection by an enemy, and

d. Provide acceptable habitability of personnel quarters including berthing spaces.

Applicability. This standard applies to the acquisition and product improvement of all designed or purchased (non-developmental items) facilities, systems, subsystems, and equipment that emit acoustic noise or contain sources of noise. This standard is intended to address noise levels emitted during the full range of typical operational conditions and over the life cycle of the system under consideration. It covers tests for steady-state noise for military vehicles, aircraft, ships, general equipment, portable shelters and impulsive noise from weapons and explosive-ordnance materiel. Fixed physical plant facilities, such as real estate and improvements thereto, and permanent habitable real property structures are covered under other DoD policy and standards.