Method for the measurement and prediction of the impact of low-frequency noise at specific points-of-interest
Study contribute significantly to the amendment of DIN 45680
Within the scope of the turnaround in energy policy, the share of renewable energies is planned to be increased step by step in Germany. In this context, wind turbines as well as devices for the heating, ventilation and cooling of buildings are increasingly installed in residential areas, like, for example, cogeneration units and heat pumps. This trend continues, in particular as such a decentral use of such devices is politically desirable and supported. Often, the plants concerned are operated continuously around the clock in an immediate vicinity to residential and recreational areas. Thus, low-frequency noise is radiated also at night which increasingly leads to problems associated with the operation of such devices and plants. The large number of complaints shows that individually experienced annoyance caused by low-frequency noise including infrasound is crucial to noise control in residential areas, today more than ever.
According to the German Federal Immission Control Act (§ 5 BImSchG) in connection with the German Technical Instructions on Noise Control (TA Lärm, 6th general administrative regulation to the Federal Immission Control Act) harmful environmental impacts also include considerable annoyances caused by noise. The Technical Instructions on Noise Control in connection with the standard DIN 45680 (1997) are intended to serve for the protection and for taking precautions against harmful environmental impacts caused by low-frequency noise. However, in the past there were growing indications that the protection objective of a maximum permissible noise load as specified in DIN 45680 (1997) is not sufficient with regard to the plants installed within the scope of the turnaround in energy policy and that the knowledge regarding this problem is incomplete. For a long time, solutions have been sought. The currently required revision of the standard DIN 45680 of 1997 is intended to be according to the present state-of-the-art and thus help to solve problems in the assessment of low-frequency noise. Under the current new technical conditions for plants producing renewable energy there is a need for information regarding the measurement, assessment and evaluation of low-frequency noise.
In this respect, Müller-BBM’s study “Method for the measurement and prediction of the impact of low-frequency noise at specific points-of-interest for DIN 45680” decisively contributes to the amendment of DIN 45680 with a summary of relevant basic principles and new findings.
Measuring facility according to § 29b of the German Federal Immission Control Act
