DB Sound Meters

[Higgins]

I have a situation where a neighbor 2 blocks away from our church is complaining about the sound level of the chimes!

So I need to purchase a sound meter and measure the sound levels when the chimes ring, and then compare it to other churches in the area!

As there are a lot of DB meters on the market ranging in price from $30 to well over $1,200

Any assistance in this would be greatly appreciated!

AL

 

[neophyte]

You'll need to verify that the chimes are coming from your church first, and then test the decibel level at the neighbors premises. There have been instances were sound waves travel weirdly rather than dispersing, and the sound waves wind up much louder than you might expect. I heard of architectural problems were sound waves have wound up being amplified to the point of being a major problem, similar to the problems caused by shiny building focusing sunlight.

 

[G_P]

There's an apparently for that.

Literally.

Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[zkling]

Honestly, since it sounds like this could end up in legal matters. I think it would be best to pay someone "certified" to provide you with a report. Yea it may cost a bit upfront, but then you would have something solid for proof against any of the complaints. As mentioned above, you will need to take readings at the place of complaint, possibly on different days to account for temp/humidity/density changes in the air.

Here is the real question. What is a dB measurement going to do? Stop the neighbor from complaining? I doubt it. Excessive noise laws are pretty lax, just like acceleration laws, not a whole lot of concrete numbers to go against.

Best of luck, I have a feeling you are in for a long battle.

 

[Higgins]

The local village folks just roll their eyes with this complaint as they say the chimes are disturbing their horse!!!!! The local noise ordnance is very vague, and really could tell them to go pound sand!

I just need to determine the sound level at the bell tower, then 1 blk west, then 2 blks west.

There is a subdivision east of the church with 720 homes, and no one has complained over there! Will do the same measurements going east!

Village would be happy with that!

AL

 

[thoraudio]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=390-722

 

[cide1]

A professional would look at B&K, but they are very expensive. The one from parts express quoted earlier should be fine.

 

[comedyman809]

well. if your church doesnt like its neihbors and is looking to be hated by the locals, then keep the bells ringing, if the church would like to be friendly with the neihborhood, then do whats right.

the question you should ask yourself, is it worth the agrivation of politics, lawyers, fees, complaints, possible vandalism, graffiti, that sort of thing...etc...etc...

i would think a church would want more friends and less enemies.

i dont go to church, so if the church bells annoyed me, id hate the church, but if it was quiet, and didnt disturb me or my family, then the church and i would be at peace.

 

[A_Pmech]

Horse gets loose and eats a baby. ...

I'd pay money to see that...

 

[comedyman809]

remember, people pay taxes to live in their homes, they should have the right for a peaceful place to be, especially if you can control it.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

How loud is it? Louder than a conversation? Chances are it won't show up very well on a db meter given the distance and ambient noise of outdoors.

If you just want to compare relative loudness, just pick up an app for a smartphone for a couple bucks and you'll get a rough idea...if it's for legal purposes you'll need a professional to do it anyway.

 

[2010nctaco]

Surprised no one has asked this, but who was there first? Of the church was then they should have checked that before moving in. We have had that fight around here with people moving close to the speedway and then complaining about noise. What do they expect?

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Andybull]

There's an app for that.

 

[91bronc300]

How often do you ring the bells? Is it like a twice on Sunday kind of thing?

 

[cheechi]

Surprised no one has asked this, but who was there first? Of the church was then they should have checked that before moving in. We have had that fight around here with people moving close to the speedway and then complaining about noise. What do they expect?

Do realtors work on sunday in your area? That would be nice but most of the time I have to meet them on weekdays or saturday.

 

[Jazzman442]

If you have an I phone there are a few meters that are free apps. JL makes one that is really good. If you have an android I am sure there are some for that too.

Radio Shack has a nice portable DB meter.

 

[Higgins]

The church has been there for more than ten yrs.

The church bells toll at Noon and 6 PM

There are two sub-divisions. An older one to the west of the church where the complainer lives, and a newer sub-division to the east with over 700 homes. With in the past 10 yrs, she is the only one who has complained!

I'm just trying to quantify the level of the music played for everyone.

Yes, you can hear the music play provided your outside and isn't much louder than a normal conversation!

I'm tired of this lady complaining, and all I want to do is determine what the audio level is! Nothing more nothing less. As I'm biting the bullet for the equipment, I just want to purchase the correct equipment the first time!

AL

 

[Higgins]

If you have an I phone there are a few meters that are free apps. JL makes one that is really good. If you have an android I am sure there are some for that too.

Nope!

Don't have that fancy stuff!

AL

 

[tool_scrounge]

I like the Extech 407736: Dual Range Sound Lever Meter Sound level meter with ±1.5dB accuracy meets Type 2 standards. I personally would pay for the NIST traceable calibration version so there is no question of "was it in calibration?".

http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=18&prodid=238

 

[928'er]

Simple solution. Turn off the damn chimes.

A few years ago I lived in house where my backyard abutted a church parking lot. The "christians" were the noisiest, most inconsiderate neighbors I've ever had.

The worst was the organist who insisted on practicing at 7:00 am - EVERY f'ing morning. I was far enough away that I couldn't hear the music, just the UHHH, UHHH, UHHH, base line coming through the walls. If you think boom cars are bad, try living next to one that doesn't go away.

So, Mr. Higgins, the problem isn't the neighbors, it's you.

 

[2010nctaco]

Well, when buying a house that your spending a lot of money on it might be a good idea to check the area more than just one with a realtor. When I bought my house, I rode through the neighborhood in a Saturday night as well as other times to make sure there was nothing I didn't like going on. That's the buyers responsibility.
To many people these says expect that everyone else should cater to them. If there were lots of people complaining I would understand it being a big deal, but in this case it sounds like there is only one person complaining.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ImportTuner]

I have the "Decibel-O-Meter" app on my Android .. was pretty close when compared to an actual decibel meter.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have dB Meter Pro on my iPhone

 

[03protege]

The local village folks just roll their eyes with this complaint as they say the chimes are disturbing their horse!!!!! The local noise ordnance is very vague, and really could tell them to go pound sand!

The real issue is they own a horse, horse owners are PITA's.

Everything disturbs the horses and they get their pannies in a bunch about it all.

 

[SeattleKent]

That iPhone app or something like the Extech 407730 ($70 on Amazon) should server your purposes well. You will be able to attach a number to the sound and document what is going on.

Since the noise ordnance is vague, spending the extra money for a NIST calibrated meter will not do you any good. It might be worth it if you were trying to prove the chimes were under the specific db set in the ordnance. That is not the situation here.

Legally, it looks like you are on firm ground. Chimes twice a day two blocks away is not a nuisance. You could tell them to pound sand. A better approach would be to say "wow, the chimes are bothering you -- we'll investigate right away". Gather your data and then visit them again. "We measured the sound a 70 db. This is well below the noise of a car passing on the street or your neighbors stereo. It is extremely unlikely that whatever is bothering your horse is the chimes. Thanks for giving us the chance to investigate. I'm glad it was not the chimes since so many people in the town like the sound of the church bells."

 

[CNGsaves]

One old lady 2 blocks does not equate to complaint . . . rather an annoyance.

Likely can't hear it anyway . . . just wants something to do (ie a PITA) !!

 

[Higgins]

I like the Extech 407736: Dual Range Sound Lever Meter Sound level meter with ±1.5dB accuracy meets Type 2 standards. I personally would pay for the NIST traceable calibration version so there is no question of "was it in calibration?".

http://www.extech.com/instruments/product.asp?catid=18&prodid=238

TS,
Thank you for your comments..... Purchased one yesterday, will be here next week!!!

AL

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

I learned a lot about sound and sound ordinances when I owned a coffee shop that had bands on the weekend.

As the band started playing, I would check them at the property line by the neighbor who would call the police about the noise. If they were to loud I would have them turn it down and check it again.

What a pain in the ***... the neighbor was too

Your sound meter should have a "slow" setting: this will average out the sound in one second time periods.

Good luck.

Jim

 

[Steve Works]

Tell me about it, mate. I always have problems with an old man on my street. It seems the only thing he can hear are the frequencies I produce. lol
__________________________________
Steve Works
Dalimar