This International Standard specifies a method for determining the emission sound pressure levels of machinery or equipment, at a work station and at other specified positions nearby, in any environment which meets certain qualification requirements. A work station is occupied by an operator and may be located in open space, in the room where the source under test operates, in a cab fixed to the source under test, or in an enclosure remote from the source under test. One or more specified positions may be located in the vicinity of a work station, or in the vicinity of an attended or unattended machine. Such positions are sometimes referred to as bystander positions.

Emission sound pressure levels are determined as A-weighted levels. Additionally, levels in frequency bands and C-weighted peak emission sound pressure levels can be determined in accordance with this International Standard, if required.

A method is given for determining a local environmental correction (subject to a specified limiting maximum value) to be applied to the measured sound pressure levels to exclude the effects of reflections from reflecting surfaces other than the plane on which the source under test is placed. This correction is based upon the mean sound pressure level on a measurement surface, the sound pressure level measured at a specified position, and either an environmental correction or the equivalent absorption area of the test room.

With the method specified in this International Standard, results of accuracy grade 2 (engineering grade) or accuracy grade 3 (survey grade) are obtained. Corrections are applied for background noise and, as described above, for the acoustic environment. Instructions are given for the mounting and operation of the source under test and for the choice of microphone positions for the work station and for other specified positions. One purpose of the measurements is to permit comparison of the performance of different units of a given family of machines, under defined environmental conditions and standardized mounting and operating conditions.