How to Use a Noise Level Meter Effectively
How to use a noise level meter effectively
Monitoring noise levels isn’t just a technical requirement, it's a legal and safety obligation across many Australian industries. From factory floors to research labs, noise can impact both compliance and the wellbeing of workers. Under the Work Health and Safety Act, employers must manage risks associated with occupational noise exposure. In addition, environmental noise surveys are often mandatory for industrial operations. That’s where a noise level meter comes in. With over 60 years of NATA accredited calibration expertise, CISCAL has supported organisations across pharma, food production, biotech, and engineering to keep their equipment accurate and audit ready.
What is a noise level meter?
A noise level meter, sometimes called a sound level meter or decibel meter, measures sound pressure levels in decibels (dB). It captures real-time sound intensity to assess whether environments comply with safety and environmental standards.
Industries use them in different ways:
Pharmaceutical cleanrooms: ensuring HVAC systems meet sterility requirements without exceeding safe noise thresholds.
Food production lines: monitoring machinery noise for operator safety.
Research labs and universities: protecting sensitive experiments from disruptive noise.
Manufacturing plants: assessing machine noise levels against regulatory limits.
Accurate readings are critical not just for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and GMP, but also for reducing risks of hearing damage and workplace disruption.
Standards & compliance requirements
Noise monitoring isn’t optional, it's tied directly to Australian workplace laws and industry standards.
AS/NZS 1269.1 sets the framework for occupational noise management.
Safe Work Australia mandates exposure limits of 85 dB(A) averaged over 8 hours. Peak sound pressure should not exceed 140 dB(C).
Pharmaceutical and biotech facilities must demonstrate compliance with TGA, ISO, and GMP requirements during audits.
Food production and manufacturing companies must maintain a safe workplace under WHS regulations.
Choosing a NATA-accredited calibration provider ensures that your measurements stand up in audits and meet both national and international compliance requirements.
Types of noise level meters
Not all meters are created equal. The right instrument depends on your application.
Class 1 vs Class 2 (IEC 61672 standard):
Class 1 meters are more accurate, suitable for research, regulatory compliance, and legal cases.
Class 2 meters are less precise but acceptable for general workplace monitoring.
Portable handheld meters: ideal for spot checks on the factory floor.
Integrated logging meters: used for long-term monitoring, often required in environmental and industrial settings.
For example, a factory might use a portable Class 2 meter for quick daily checks, while a university research centre would rely on a Class 1 logging meter for controlled studies.
Calibration and setup
Even the most advanced noise level meter is only as reliable as its calibration.
Daily verification: Use an acoustic calibrator before each session to check accuracy.
Scheduled calibration: Meters should undergo full calibration at a NATA-accredited lab at least once a year.
Audit readiness: Calibration certificates provide traceable evidence of compliance.
Since 1963, CISCAL has been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by NATA, giving clients confidence that their instruments will perform with precision when it matters most.
How to use a noise level meter indoors
Indoor noise monitoring requires attention to setup for reliable results:
Position the microphone at ear height where employees are normally stationed.
Avoid placing meters near reflective surfaces like glass or walls, as they can distort readings.
Minimise background interference (air conditioning, unrelated machinery).
In pharma labs, this ensures HVAC systems do not compromise sterile conditions. In food QC rooms, it helps ensure safe working environments for quality staff.
Outdoor & industrial use
Outdoor monitoring adds another layer of complexity due to weather and environmental variables.
Always use a windscreen on the microphone to reduce wind noise.
Mount the meter on a tripod for stability and accuracy.
Use logging functions to capture changes over extended periods (e.g., during construction or plant operations).
Environmental noise monitoring must also comply with local council and environmental regulations, which often specify acceptable dB levels for industrial zones versus residential areas.
Recording & interpreting results
A noise level meter provides raw data – but knowing how to interpret it is critical:
<70 dB: Generally safe for long exposure.
>85 dB: Risk level requires assessment and potential hearing protection.
>100 dB: Harmful, even for short durations.
For workplaces, this data is used to perform noise dose assessments, which calculate an employee’s overall daily exposure. Reports generated can then be integrated into compliance documentation for audits and risk management.
Case studies across industries
Pharma labs: HVAC systems kept within safe dB ranges to avoid contamination risks while protecting technicians.
Food & beverage factories: Monitoring bottling lines and mixers to maintain compliance with Safe Work standards.
Biotech research centres: Reducing background noise that could interfere with sensitive genetic analysis.
Manufacturing plants: Long-term monitoring of heavy machinery to prevent unsafe exposure levels.
These real-world applications show how noise monitoring is essential for both compliance and operational efficiency.
Getting the most value from your CISCAL services
Noise monitoring isn’t just about buying the right instrument, it's about keeping it reliable year after year. With CISCAL’s NATA-accredited calibration, validation, and equipment solutions, you can:
Ensure traceable compliance with AS/NZS 1269.1 and Safe Work Australia standards.
Reduce downtime by detecting and resolving calibration issues early.
Protect employees’ hearing while maintaining productivity.
Whether you need one-off calibration, long-term asset management through the CIS CAL SMART Portal, or full-service compliance support, CISCAL helps you stay accurate and audit-ready.
Ensure accuracy and compliance with CISCAL’s NATA-accredited calibration services. From industrial sound meters to laboratory precision instruments, our experts keep your equipment compliant and your operations safe. Contact CISCAL today.