A Simple Criterion for Low Frequency Noise Emission Assessment

There are many sources of Low Frequency Noise (LFN) in the environment and complaints about the effect of higher level LFN in the form in the form of “rumble”, a “feeling of pressure” and the resultant headaches and nausea have been known for decades. A number of different European methods have been suggested for assessment of LFN, all based on measured indoor noise levels. The administrative procedures used in individual countries to enforce any LFN criteria are quite different but they are all generally based on the assumption that the annoyance due to LFN is dependent on the relative SPL when compared to the threshold of audibility. In terms of simplicity of application, the determination of an overall noise level that could be used for assessment of LFN would be the optimum approach rather than requiring any detailed spectrum analysis and calculations. Ideally, LFN criteria should be set indoors where the LFN complaints normally occur. However, in planning terms, it is much easier to set criteria for the outside of residences. In this paper, we therefore propose criteria for the prevention of LFN complaints for both residential and commercial permisies based on the measured overall C-weighted SPL. We also consider the impact of LFN SPL fluctuations.