Whether you are an independent noise consultant or a company health and safety officer, buying a sound meter of the required standard is vital. In the event of a claim, the measurements you have taken must be of a suitable level of precision in order to protect yourself and your company in court. Using these measurements, you must have either implemented or advised on a suitable course of action to minimise the risk of hearing loss.
These five top tips will help you make sure you are ticking all the right boxes when buying a sound meter, ensuring that you're protected against any litigious claims made against you.
- Choose an integrated sound level meter
- Make sure your sound meter is of the correct class
You must ensure that the class of your sound meter is suitable for the given industry or application. Class 2 meters are suitable for most occupational and industrial noise measurements, while the extra precision required for legal cases and environmental research usually calls for a Class 1 instrument.
- Ensure that it has a current calibration certificate
There is no use choosing a top-of-the range sound meter unless it is correctly calibrated. Your meter must carry a current calibration certificate, which is provided as standard with all models from PulsarInstruments.com. You will need to have it recalibrated by the manufacturer at least once every two years depending on how often you use it. You should also use a compliant acoustic calibrator before and after each use and again before turning the instrument off to ensure that noise regulations are met.
- Do not just choose the cheapest one you can find
When buying such products, do not be tempted by offers that seem too good to be true - they probably are. Instead, focus on making sure that your sound meter follows the guidelines above. Cheap meters will not have been subjected to the rigorous testing required by EU guidelines, meaning that they are unlikely to measure noise levels to the required level of precision. Just a couple of decibels could be the difference between safe and harmful noise exposure, so you really cannot afford to take any chances.
- Buy from a reputable manufacturer
The easiest way to make sure your noise meter is suitable is to buy from a reputable, well established manufacturer. For example, all meters from Pulsar Instruments have been thoroughly tested to ensure compliance with EU standards. They are all fully integrated, calibrated and compliant to at least Class 2, with most ranges offering Class 1 meters as well.