ISO 8297-1994 PDF

Full title and description

Acoustics — Determination of sound power levels of multisource industrial plants for evaluation of sound pressure levels in the environment — Engineering method. Specifies an engineering procedure for estimating the sound power levels of large, multisource industrial plants for use in environmental-noise evaluations. Measurements are made as unweighted octave-band sound pressure levels and results are reported as octave-band sound power levels and, if required, as A-weighted sound power levels.

Abstract

This standard defines an engineering method to determine the sound power output of large industrial installations that contain multiple noise sources. It is intended for plants whose main dimensions lie in the horizontal plane and which radiate sound substantially uniformly in horizontal directions. The method uses octave-band sound pressure measurements taken at specified locations and applies correction and calculation procedures to produce octave-band and optional A-weighted sound power levels for environmental assessment and planning.

General information

• Status: Published (confirmed by ISO review).
• Publication date: 22 December 1994 (ISO edition published December 1994; confirmation of the edition recorded 10 April 2024).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 17.140.20 (Acoustics).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (1994); amended by ISO 8297:1994/Amd 1 (published April 2021).
• Number of pages: 10 pages (main document).

Scope

ISO 8297:1994 applies to the engineering estimation of sound power levels from large, multisource industrial plants where sources are distributed and the plant radiates largely uniformly in horizontal directions. It is intended for environmental-noise evaluation (e.g., to assess plant contributions to nearby community noise) rather than for detailed source-by-source laboratory characterisation. The method specifies measurement locations, octave-band measurement procedures, calculation steps and reporting formats, and defines limitations on plant geometry and source distribution for which the method is suitable.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of applicability: large multisource plants with main dimensions in the horizontal plane and substantially uniform horizontal radiation.
• Use of unweighted octave-band sound pressure level measurements as the primary data.
• Specified measurement positions and procedures for outdoors and exposed façades/locations around the plant.
• Calculation method to convert measured sound pressure levels to octave-band sound power levels for the plant as a whole.
• Optional expression of results as A-weighted overall sound power levels in addition to octave-band results.
• Guidance on limitations, uncertainty contributors and when the engineering method is appropriate vs. more detailed techniques.
• Reporting requirements to ensure results are suitable for environmental assessment and comparison.

Typical use and users

Environmental acousticians, noise control consultants, plant engineers, regulatory agencies, local planning authorities, and acoustic test laboratories use this standard when estimating the overall sound power of complex industrial sites for environmental impact assessments, permitting, community-noise studies, and mitigation planning. It is commonly used where a practical, repeatable engineering approach is needed rather than detailed source-level laboratory testing.

Related standards

Standards commonly used together with or as complements to ISO 8297 include ISO 3744 and ISO 3746 (methods for determination of sound power using sound pressure), ISO 9614 (sound intensity methods), and the ISO 1996 series (description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise). National or regional environmental-noise guidance and measurement standards are also frequently referenced alongside ISO 8297 in regulatory and permitting work.

Keywords

sound power, environmental noise, industrial plant, multisource, acoustics, octave bands, A-weighting, engineering method, noise assessment, ISO 8297

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 8297:1994 is an ISO international standard that specifies an engineering method for determining sound power levels of large multisource industrial plants for use in environmental-noise evaluations.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers selection of measurement positions, octave-band sound pressure measurement procedures, calculation steps to convert measured levels into plant sound power levels, reporting formats, and limitations on applicability (plant geometry and source distribution).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental acousticians, noise control consultants, plant engineers, testing laboratories, and regulatory or planning authorities use it to estimate whole-plant sound power for environmental assessments, permitting and mitigation planning.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The edition was published in December 1994. It remains a published ISO standard and was confirmed in ISO's periodic review (confirmation recorded 10 April 2024). An amendment (ISO 8297:1994/Amd 1) was published in April 2021. Users should check for the latest confirmations or any further amendments before critical regulatory use.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It belongs to the body of ISO acoustics standards developed under ISO/TC 43 (Acoustics) and is used alongside related standards such as ISO 3744, ISO 3746, ISO 9614 and the ISO 1996 series for environmental noise assessment.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: sound power, industrial plant, multisource, environmental noise, octave bands, A-weighting, acoustics, engineering method.