PD CEN/TS 16272-7:2015

What is PD CEN/TS 16272-7-Determination of insertion loss in noise barriers about? 

PD CEN/TS 16272-7 is a standard that serves technical specifications for the determination of insertion loss in noise barriers, ensuring barrier performance and noise reduction in railway applications. PD CEN/TS 16272-7 specifies methods for determining insertion loss of outdoor noise barriers intended to shield railway noise. It specifies detailed procedures for in situ measurement of barrier insertion loss, including microphone positions, source conditions and acoustic environments of the measurement sites. 

PD CEN/TS 16272-7 allows one to measure the insertion loss of a given noise barrier at a given site, including meteorological conditions. It can be used for comparing insertion loss values of different types of barriers at the same site under given meteorological conditions by the “direct method”. PD CEN/TS 16272-7 gives a method for determining insertion loss: 

• From the level difference before and after the installation of noise barriers (the “direct method”) 
• When the direct method is not applicable because a barrier has already been installed, using an "indirect method" to estimate the sound pressure levels before installation of the barrier by measurement at another site which has been judged to be equivalent 

Note: PD CEN/TS 16272-7 does not cover the determination of the intrinsic acoustic characteristics of the barrier, for example, the sound insulation index and the sound absorption coefficient. 

Who is PD CEN/TS 16272-7-Determination of insertion loss in noise barriers for? 

PD CEN/TS 16272-7 on determination of insertion loss in noise barriers applies to: 

• Manufacturers of noise barriers and related devices 
• Dealers and importers of noise barriers and related devices 
• Contractors, construction and civil engineers 
• Railway maintenance authorities 
• Safety inspection services 

Why should you use PD CEN/TS 16272-7-Determination of insertion loss in noise barriers? 

Insertion loss is a performance requirement for noise barriers that is defined as the difference between sound levels measured before and after installation. The measurement of insertion loss requires certain conditions relating to the noise source, meteorological window, measurement time.  

PD CEN/TS 16272-7 provides users guidance on methods, instrumentation, acoustic environment, sources and source equivalence, measurement procedure, measurement uncertainty and test report that indicates the efficiency of the complete installation in attenuating noise. PD CEN/TS 16272-7 provides users guidance on prescribed principles for ensuring that sufficiently equivalent conditions are maintained between “before” and “after” cases to permit certain, reliable and repeatable determination of barrier insertion loss. 

The adoption of PD CEN/TS 16272-7 allows users to measure insertion loss, ensuring the quality, performance and longevity of noise barriers and related devices in railway applications.