Versatile surveying with a hand-held sound intensity system

Assessing the power and location of noise sources has become easier with a unique system available from Brüel & Kjær, which uses sound intensity techniques - the 2270-G

This complete system consists of a hand-held sound level meter, sound intensity software and a sound intensity probe. It is unique in providing on-screen camera pictures of the measurement object and clearly displaying coloured sound power contours over the image, as well as providing reporting capabilities.

The system packages the best technique to perform sound power measurements in the field with a dedicated configuration that reduces the time and effort involved. The battery-operated, highly portable system allows one person to make sound intensity measurements, complying with the IEC 61043 sound intensity standard.

The 2270-G utilises a proprietary phase-calibration technique that allows users to make all measurements using just a single spacer between the two microphones on the sound intensity probe, covering a frequency range from 50 Hz to 10 kHz.

Excellent portability makes it ideal for any kind of survey work, from quick determination of noise sources inside trains or aeroplanes, to assessing the sound power of consumer goods and machinery during development.

For manufacturers of products such as washing machines, lawn mowers and electric motor devices - faced with increasing pressure to fulfill national and international standards on noise - this system is an ideal development tool.

It also enables manufacturers to investigate and assess individual component parts, such as those that come from sub-suppliers, further helping to predict noise output and ensure the final products comply with international noise level standards.

Data from 2270-G can be exported to Brüel & Kjær's PULSE platform of analysis software and displayed as 2D and 3D maps. The latest version also fulfils the sound intensity-based standards for sound power determination (ISO-9614-1, ISO-9614-2, ANSI S12.12, ECMA 160).

For further information, view website: www.bksv.com/Type2270G

Manage construction noise and
vibration compliance with a single solution

Brüel and Kjær offer its Construction Sentinel - a unique subscription based service designed to take away the headache of managing noise and vibration at construction sites.

Building on its success in noise management, Construction Sentinel combines noise with simultaneous ground vibration monitoring making compliance monitoring easier and more effective.

"Both noise and vibration has the potential to cause nuisance in the community, triggering complaints and excessive vibration can also lead to structural damage. If not managed properly then both can lead to costly delays in construction - and limits to operations," said Phil Stollery, head of product marketing for Brüel & Kjær
Environment Management Solutions

"Construction Sentinel not only simplifies the contractors work by allowing both noise and vibration to be managed from the same platform, it also enables users to identify the cause of vibration events by remotely listening to the noise on site, helping them to identify the cause and to establish if it was their responsibility."

Construction Sentinel is the latest in the Noise Sentinel family of environmental compliance management services, which Brüel & Kjaer is rolling out across the globe in applications such as Mining, Ports, Oil & Gas drilling, Wind farms and Entertainment venues.

Noise Sentinel alerts users in real time so they can take immediate action to reduce impact, as well as automatically compiling and distributing reports that show their compliance with legislation. Brüel & Kjær takes care of technology provision and operation, delivering the information customers need in real time over the internet using a standard web browser. Customers can access the service from anywhere to remotely manage noise and vibration at their construction site.

For further information, view website: www.bksv.com/construction or or e-mail: construction@bksv.com

NoiseSentinel the only option for London's Crossrail Project

Brüel & Kjær's real-time noise monitoring subscription service, NoiseSentinel, is set to ensure the compliance of the Crossrail construction works.

Crossrail is a large infrastructure project that will create a new rail link across London from west to east. Since significant amounts of the necessary construction work will take place in highly built-up areas, with night works required in some cases, noise compliance is a critical consideration for the building contractors.

The building contractors operating at the Liverpool Street site, BAM Nuttall Kier Joint Venture (BNK JV), turned to acoustic consultants Anderson Acoustics for a real-time noise management solution - in order to fulfill the Crossrail project's noise pollution obligations, and prevent operations being delayed.

According to Andy Knowles, Director of Acoustic Services at Anderson Acoustics, "Given the scale of this construction and constraints, a key requirement was high reliability of the noise monitoring system. Experiencing failures that could require construction work to be stopped is not an option. The capability to present the data in the right place at the right time was critical."
 
The NoiseSentinel system hardware is entirely owned and operated by Brüel & Kjær, allowing the building contractors BNK JV to avoid capital outlay on equipment, and to focus on their core business. This was also a key consideration for the consultancy Anderson Acoustics, who were attracted by the ability to completely outsource the monitoring part of their services, while being supplied with the data needed to provide consultancy services.
 
"Brüel & Kjær offers a highly professional and complete package that enabled our client to meet their obligations whilst not having to purchase and operate hardware. This means they are able to focus on effective management of noise from their works whilst freeing our resources to provide them with expert support on this complex issue." said Mr Knowles.
 
A web-based interface monitors and warns management staff of noise increases, with a trigger alerting them of any small noise increase above pre-determined threshold, warning that a noise limit may be close to being breached and mitigating action should be taken. Noise increases significantly above a pre-determined threshold will trigger an alert, as a noise limit may have been breached. A sound recording is automatically made whenever an alert is issued, and this is available to the site operators within seconds, so they can investigate the source of the noise and determine if it was construction noise or not.
 
At the Liverpool Street enabling works site, there are three noise-sensitive locations nearby where real-time monitoring is required as a condition of the Section 61 planning consent issued by the City of London Corporation. BNK JV also decided to install a fourth noise monitor on the construction site itself, so that events could be related back to this site with greater certainty.
 
According to Dan Saunders, European Sales Driver for Brüel & Kjær, "We are very pleased that our service is able to assist in the Crossrail construction project, and see it as a logical solution for large projects of this type - completely freeing the project drivers to focus on what they do best."

Brüel & Kjær in profile
Brüel & Kjær is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of sound and vibration solutions for use in a wide range of applications including: environmental noise measurements, building acoustics, vibration measurements and quality control for use in the automotive, aerospace and consumer industries, as well as by local authorities.

The company designs and manufacturer sound level meters, microphones and accelerometers, conditioning amplifiers, calibrators, noise and vibration analysers and software.

Brüel & Kjær also runs a variety of training courses throughout the year, from basic introductions on noise and it's effects to more specialised classes teaching customers how to get the most out of their equipment.

Free, online training courses - conducted by Brüel & Kjær expert engineers - run throughout the year too. For registration details and the latest planned web training sessions, view website: http://www.bksv.co.uk/Courses/Webinars.aspx

Brüel & Kjær has two laboratories in the Royston Facility which are UKAS accredited to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025. Brüel & Kjær can provide traceable or accredited calibration for sound level meters, microphones, calibrators, artificial ears, conditioning amplifiers and accelerometers.

Brüel & Kjær is a subsidiary of UK-based Spectris plc www.spectris.com which has annual sales of £902m and employs around 6,000 people worldwide across its four business segments. Brüel & Kjær has 1,050 employees worldwide, and is represented by sales offices in 55 countries.

For further information, view website: www.bksv.co.uk or e-mail: ukinfo@bksv.com

Theory into practice: Bruel & Kjaer UK
launches 2012 training course calendar

Leading sound and vibration expert, Bruel & Kjaer UK's newly launched 2012 training calendar offers a mix of theoretical and practical classes.

The company's training for the New Year includes a Vibration Testing for Engineers and Technicians course, which provides a practical introduction explaining how to interpret vibration test specifications and apply them to a vibration test system. It's designed for engineers new to the field of vibration testing, but it is also a useful refresher for more experienced users.

There's also an optional third day of training called Vibration Hands on Practical, which covers the LDS Laser usb Controller for sine, random, shock and mixed mode testing. It is mainly practical, putting into practice the lessons learnt on the first two days, including all project parameters, error messages and control methods, whilst observing resonance and Limit control on a test piece.

For environmental practitioners and consultants unfamiliar with the basics of acoustic measurement, there is the Theory and Practice of Noise Measurement course. The two day session provides a good, basic understanding of acoustic and measurement principles, encompassing many applications such as noise abatement, product labeling and building acoustics. Attendees will learn to carry out a host of noise measurements, correct set-up of measuring instruments and assessment of noise reports.

Attendees with Bruel & Kjaer UK maintenance contracts will receive a 10% discount, which is applicable for anyone with a current M1 and multi-year (3 to 5 years) agreement, registering for any course throughout the year.

Bruel & Kjaer also has a full calendar of its free, online training sessions throughout 2012, presented by its technical experts.

To see its full training course calendar, view website: http://www.bksv.co.uk/Courses/Training%20Courses.aspx