BS EN ISO 3740:2019

What is ISO 3740 - Determination of sound power levels about?  

ISO 3740 gives guidance for the use of a set of twelve basic International Standards describing various methods for determining sound power levels from all types of machinery, equipment and products.  

ISO 3740 provides guidance on the selection of one or more of these standards, appropriate to any particular type of sound source, measurement environment and desired accuracy. The guidance given in ISO 3740 applies to airborne sound. ISO 3740 is for use in the preparation of noise test codes and also in noise emission testing where no specific noise test code exists.  

Note: The sound energy level mentioned in ISO 3741 to ISO 3747 is not addressed in ISO 3740 as it is not mentioned in any legal requirement. Its application is limited to very special cases of a single burst of sound energy or transient sound defined in ISO 12001. 

Who is ISO 3740 - Determination of sound power levels for? 

ISO 3740 on determination of sound power levels is useful for: 

• Acoustical engineers 
• People who specialize in the science of sound and vibration 
• Acousticians 
• Acoustic consultants and people who work in acoustic consultancies 

Why should you use ISO 3740  - Determination of sound power levels?  

Acoustics is the science concerned with the production, control, transmission, reception, and effects of sound. For many users of machinery, equipment, and products, the control of noise is a major issue that requires the effective exchange of acoustical information. In this context, the main flow of information goes from the manufacturer to the purchaser, installer, or user of the machines and products to describe the generated sound. 

Therefore, the sound power level, as the major parameter characterizing airborne noise emission of sound sources, needs to be determined by measurement. 

ISO 3740 assists the user with sound power levels which are beneficial for: 

• Declaration of the noise emitted under defined conditions 
• Verification of declared values 
• Comparison of the noise emitted by the machinery of various types and sizes 
• Comparison with limits specified in a purchasing contract or a regulation 
• Engineering work to control the noise emission of machinery 
• Prediction of noise exposure of workers in indoor or outdoor workshops 
• Prediction of noise in the environment 

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN ISO 3740: 2019 supersedes BS EN ISO 3740:2000, which is withdrawn. BS EN ISO 3740: 2019 includes some technical changes with respect to ISO 3740:2000. These include: 

• All of the basic standards covered by ISO 3740 with the exception of the ISO 9614 series have been revised