ISO 10847-1997 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 10847:1997 — Acoustics — In‑situ determination of insertion loss of outdoor noise barriers of all types. This International Standard specifies field measurement methods to determine the insertion loss produced by noise barriers (road, rail, industrial and other outdoor screens) under real‑world conditions.

Abstract

ISO 10847:1997 defines procedures for measuring the insertion loss of outdoor noise barriers by comparing sound levels with and without the barrier (direct method) or by estimating the equivalent “before” condition when only after measurements are possible (indirect method). It covers measurement layout, instrumentation, meteorological and environmental constraints, acoustic descriptors, data processing and reporting to ensure reproducible, comparable field assessments of barrier performance.

General information

• Status: Published — confirmed as current following ISO review on 25 March 2024.
• Publication date: 1997 (commonly cited as 24 July 1997; ISO edition listed as 1997/08).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 17.140.01 (Acoustic measurements and noise abatement in general).
• Edition / version: Edition 1, 1997.
• Number of pages: 13.

Scope

This standard applies to in‑situ measurement of insertion loss of noise barriers of all types sited outdoors. It establishes measurement principles and practical procedures for determining the reduction in sound pressure level at specified receiver positions produced by a barrier, including requirements for source and receiver placement, instrumentation, meteorological monitoring, environmental equivalence between “before” and “after” conditions, and reporting of results and uncertainties. The standard is intended for installed barriers and for assessment where “before” measurements are available or can be estimated.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of insertion loss and the conceptual basis for before/after comparison or equivalent-site estimation.
• Two principal measurement approaches: direct (before/after at same site) and indirect (estimation of before at an equivalent site).
• Detailed recommendations for microphone and source positions, receiver arrays and reference positions relative to the barrier and sound source.
• Required instrumentation performance (sound level meters/filters/calibrators), windshields, and simultaneous reference measurements.
• Meteorological and site‑condition controls (acceptable wind speeds, temperature differences, ground reflections and terrain equivalence) and limits for performing valid tests.
• Acoustic metrics to be reported (LAeq, LAE, octave/third‑octave bands, Lmax) and background‑noise criteria.
• Data processing, calculation of insertion loss, evaluation of uncertainty and guidance for reporting results.
• Procedural notes for special sources (e.g., traffic or rail noise) and for diagnostic or routine verification testing.

Typical use and users

Used by acoustic consultants, environmental noise engineers, transportation authorities, infrastructure designers, testing laboratories, research institutions and barrier manufacturers. Typical applications include performance verification after installation, design validation, comparison of barrier options, regulatory compliance assessments and field research into barrier effectiveness for road, rail and industrial noise sources.

Related standards

ISO 10847 is part of the body of acoustics and environmental noise measurement standards and is commonly used alongside standards addressing outdoor propagation, source‑level determination and measurement uncertainty. Typical related documents include standards for outdoor sound propagation prediction and site measurements, sound power/level measurement (for source characterisation), and uncertainty in acoustic measurements. National and regional codes for environmental noise measurement and barrier testing (and other ISO acoustic measurement standards) are often referenced together when applying ISO 10847.

Keywords

insertion loss, noise barrier, sound attenuation, in‑situ measurement, environmental noise, field testing, acoustic measurement, LAeq, measurement uncertainty, outdoor noise screening

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 10847:1997 is an ISO International Standard that specifies in‑situ field methods for determining the insertion loss (attenuation) produced by outdoor noise barriers of all types.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers measurement planning and layout, microphone and source positions, instrumentation requirements, meteorological and site‑condition constraints, acoustic descriptors, data processing, uncertainty considerations and reporting necessary to quantify barrier performance in the field.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Acoustic consultants, environmental and highway engineers, testing laboratories, transport authorities, barrier manufacturers and researchers use it for performance verification, design assessment and comparative testing of noise barriers.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 1997 edition is the standing edition and was reviewed and officially confirmed as current by ISO on 25 March 2024. It is therefore the current valid text at the time of that confirmation.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: ISO 10847 is part of the ISO/TC 43 suite of acoustics standards and is used alongside other acoustics and environmental noise standards (for example those addressing outdoor propagation, sound power/level measurement and measurement uncertainty). It is not a numbered multi‑part series itself but should be considered alongside related ISO measurement standards in acoustics.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: insertion loss, noise barrier, in‑situ measurement, environmental noise, LAeq, field testing, acoustics, barrier performance.