Proposed criteria in residential communities for low-frequency noise emissions from industrial sources

Excessive low-frequency noise from open-cycle combustion turbine power plants has been recognized as a serious noise and vibration problem since the early 1970s. Yet, the problem still occurs, mainly because siting and specifying agencies are largely uninformed about the problem and because there are no standardized noise criteria in the U.S. to consult for guidance in avoiding low-frequency noise problems. Detailed sound pressure level measurements from five low-frequency problem sites are analyzed for support of a proposed criterion. The data are compared to noise and vibration thresholds. In addition, a small sampling of responses from residents to varied levels of low-frequency noise immissions is presented. This paper proposes a "C" weighted overall sound level criterion. The proposed criterion should be applicable to most industrial sources of steady low-frequency noise in addition to combustion turbines. (C) 2004 Institute of Noise Control Engineering.