Sources of Noise

Noise is often categorised as follows:

Occupational Noise – Unwanted sound in the workplace, indoors, outdoors and caused by sources in the vicinity of the workplace;
Community Noise – Unwanted sound in a non-occupational setting, indoors or outdoors caused by sources over which an individual has little or no control. Community noise includes noise produced by neighbours; and
Consumer Product Noise – Unwanted sound at the position of a user or bystander of a noise producing product over which an individual may have some control, including noise in passenger compartments of vehicles, but excluding occupational and community noise.

Typical Noise Levels Associated with Different Sources

Noise emanates from a variety of sources. Examples of sources include:

Industrial – agricultural, manufacturing, workshops;
Commercial and leisure – entertainment, sports, and leisure premises, petrol stations, car washes, hot food premises, bars, restaurants, shops, offices, security alarms;
Domestic – DIY, music, television, parties, animal noise, shouting, house alarms and other neighbour noise;
Construction, demolition and road works;
Transport – road vehicles, railways, civil aircraft, military aircraft, delivery vehicles, vehicle alarms; and
Street noise – loudspeakers, ice cream van chimes, street traders and performers and public addresses.