How do we arrive at noise standards?

Abstract

This paper describes the principal organizations responsible for the development of noise standards, discusses processes through which they are generated, and identifies the principal types of standards that exist. The majority of standards are developed voluntarily by the private sector, both in the USA and abroad. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) coordinates American federated national standards system which in acoustics includes professional societies such as ASA, SAE, and ASTM and industry organizations such as NEMA, CAGI, and OPEI. ANSI also is the U.S. member of the organizations responsible for developing voluntary international standards. Participation in the development of ANSI and international standards in acoustics is open to all who have a direct and material interest. Voluntary standards cover all aspects of acoustics, including measurement, instrumentation, propagation, noise control devices, and human response criteria. In the USA, government standards or regulations are pr...