Assessment of ambient sound and noise levels from anthropogenic sources has become standard practice across all industry sectors. The need for high quality measurement is also now widely acknowledged to meet the increase in regulatory targets and international requirements.
Our Approach
In partnership with Bath University and ZCAT Science, Seiche has developed wide expertise throughout the entire process of sound measurement. Our knowledge of equipment, field operation and data analysis enables the team to provide a complete suite of measurement services. We have technicians/acousticians on standby to complete in-field operations to a commercial time frame. Data analysts work in-house under expert guidance.
Seiche designs and manufactures to the precise requirements of a project. We work to the most appropriate guidance, drawing on recommendations from NPL and ISO PAS 17028. Our systems are configured for optimum signal-to-noise performance across all frequencies of interest for any particular application.
The means of deployment must suit the environment, to reduce interference noise and ensure a quality dataset. Information on current, temperature, depth, salinity and GPS location is recorded, as is any further supplementary data. Analysis assesses ambient noise and/or specified noise sources. Our focus is on appropriate metrics and bandwidths, typically; 1/3-octave bands, spectral density, root-mean-square (RMS) sound pressure level (SPL), tonal component analysis, peak-to-peak and sound exposure level (SEL). Analysis is conducted using a range of software, including MATLAB, PAMGuard and Raven. A quick turnaround of results is often required and Seiche can achieve this within 72 hours of receiving the data.
