The sound level meter (SLM) is the basic instrument for investigating and quantifying noise levels.

Sound level meters can be used to:
Identify and evaluate individual noise sources for abatement purposes; Aid in determining the feasibility of engineering controls for individual noise sources; Evaluate hearing protectors; Determine an employee’s noise dose whenever use of a noise dosimeter is unavailable or inappropriate; Spot-check noise dosimeter performance

Sound level meters used by OSHA meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard S1.4-1971 (R1976) or S1.4-1983, “Specifications for Sound Level Meters.” These ANSI standards set performance and accuracy tolerances according to three levels of precision (Types 0, 1, and 2) and apply to noise dosimeters and sound level meter calibrators as well.

Type 0 – is used in laboratories for precision and specialized research that require high-accuracy
Type 1 – SLMs have a wide frequency response range with a tighter measurement tolerances and are used when research, workfield, and law enforcement require precision. The Type 1 SLM is also preferred for the design of cost-effective noise controls
Type 2 – is used for general-purpose measurements. Most national standards permit the use of “at least a Class 2 instrument”

If you need assistance selecting or configuring a sound level meter for your sound or noise measurement application please contact us at toll free 1.866.363.6634 or email us at [email protected].