Workplace

Entertainment Noise Monitoring

We provide a range of solutions to cover entertainment noise and music event noise measurement and monitoring. People who work in the entertainment industries or music industries can be at risk of hearing loss, additionally, outdoor music events can cause noise nuisance or noise pollution.

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Entertainment Noise Monitoring

Learn more about the importance of entertainment noise monitoring
Regulations for Entertainment Noise

The EU Control of Noise at Work Regulations applies to the entertainment and music sectors. The music and entertainment sectors are defined in the Noise Regulations as all workplaces where:

a) live music is played, or

b) recorded music is played in a restaurant, bar, public house, discotheque or nightclub, or alongside live music or a live dramatic or dance performance.

Everyone involved in music and entertainment has a responsibility to help with noise management. Primary responsibility for complying with the Noise Regulations rests with the employer (may include concert promoters, event organisers, theatrical producers, contractors and publicans).

Your responsibility for managing noise exposure, depending on whether you are an employer, an employee, freelancer or self-employed, may be to:

  • Take reasonable care for your health and safety and that of others while at work;
  • Use control measures in accordance with any instructions given to you;
  • Make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded.

WHO Global Standards

The World Health Organisation (WHO), as part of their Make Listening Safe initiative, developed the Global standard for safe listening venues and events which provides a common understanding of safe listening in entertainment venues and events. The Standard comprises six “features” which, when implemented, allow audience members around the world to enjoy amplified music with protection of their hearing, while also preserving the integrity of the artistic experience:

  • Feature 1 Sound level limit: 2 below 100 dB LAeq, 15 min. An upper limit of 100 dB LAeq, 15 min is imposed, keeping sound safe and enjoyable for the audience.
  • Feature 2 Sound level monitoring: Live monitoring of sound levels is performed by a designated staff member using calibrated equipment. Such as permanent sound monitoring systems including the Quantum Indoor.
  • Feature 3 Venue acoustics and sound systems: Sound system and venue acoustics are optimized ensuring safe listening and improved sound quality.
  • Feature 4 Personal hearing protection: Hearing protection, such as earplugs, with appropriate instructions, are available to audience members.
  • Feature 5 Quiet zones: Designated quiet spaces are available, allowing audience members to rest their ears and thereby decrease the risk of hearing damage.
  • Feature 6 Appropriate training and information: Both audience members and staff are made aware of practical steps they can take to ensure safe listening.

Environmental Noise Pollution

Outdoor events, particularly those held during the summer, often involve noisy activities including music, fireworks, fairgrounds, public announcements, and generators. Most events like this are occasional, but when events occur regularly at the same time, this entertainment noise can become annoying to local residents for this reason many local authorities set out maximum noise levels for events which organisers need to adhere to.

The Environmental Protection Act 1990 does not specify decibel levels at which a statutory nuisance will occur. Noise measurements may be taken to determine whether the entertainment noise, for example, is a statutory nuisance, but it is the subjective assessment of an authorised Environmental Health Officer that will decide whether formal action is needed.

The most current guidance document used in the UK for the control of music noise at events is the ‘Noise Council, code of practice on environmental noise control at concerts, 1995’ (referred to as the ‘Pop Code’). You can read more about how to measure and monitor this noise in our free eBook A Brief Guide to the Pop Code for Event Organisers.

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Quantum Indoor

Watch the Quantum Indoor product video to find out more about how our Quantum Cloud platform can help you

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Entertainment Noise Monitoring

Choose Our Recommended Instruments for Entertainment Noise Monitoring
Quantum Indoor Noise Monitor
Quantum Indoor

Quantum Indoor is a remote noise monitor with built-in cloud connectivity, ideally suited for long-term occupational indoor monitoring.

Ideal for permanent occupational monitoring
Class 2 noise monitor to IEC 61672-1: 2013
Real-time alerts and triggers with audio capture
View live data from multiple locations simultaneously
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Original doseBadge

The doseBadge noise dosimeter is ideal for recording the noise levels experienced by an individual throughout the course of the day.

Dual channel instrument with noise profile data
Robust metal case perfect for working environments
LAeq, LCpeak and exposure value parameters
Tamper-proof with no external controls
Optimus Industrial Sound Level Meter with overlay
Optimus+ Industrial

Available as a Class 1 or Class 2 instrument, the Optimus+ Industrial integrating sound level meter is ideal for occupational noise exposure assessments in the workplace.

Quick settings for EU, OSHA, ACGIH and MSHA standards
VoiceTag audio note recording
Optional 1:1 octave bands for NR and NC calculation
Up to 32GB of memory for sophisticated measurements
Related Articles

Further reading related to the entertainment industry

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eBooks

A Brief Guide to the Pop Code for Event Organisers

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Understanding noise in the entertainment industry

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Is cloud technology the future for noise measurement?

Cirrus Research GmbH

Important Notice

Next week, Cirrus Research GmbH is moving to a new location. Due to the move, our European calibration lab will be closed from the 7th to 13th October.

During the move, our European team can still be contacted via telephone at +49 (0)69 95932047 or by email at [email protected]. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing more details about our new office.

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