Overview
ISO 3822-1:1999 - Acoustics - Laboratory tests on noise emission from appliances and equipment used in water supply installations - Part 1: Method of measurement - defines a laboratory method to measure and compare noise emitted by water‑supply appliances (draw‑off taps, in‑line valves, pressure reducers, water‑heating appliances, etc.). The standard specifies the test principle: mount the appliance on a rigid test pipe fixed to a test wall, measure the airborne sound radiated from the wall into a controlled test room, and express results after comparison with an installation noise standard (INS).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test principle: Sound generated by the appliance is transmitted via the test pipe to the test wall; airborne sound in the test room is measured and compared with the INS to obtain an appliance sound pressure level (Lap).
- Test room: Minimum volume 30 m³ (≈50 m³ recommended); opposite surfaces ≥2.3 m apart; reverberation time 1–5 s for octave bands 125 Hz–2 000 Hz; aim for a diffuse sound field.
- Test wall: Area 8–12 m²; single masonry or poured concrete wall with mass per unit area 100–250 kg/m².
- Test pipe and mounting: Galvanized steel tube, nominal bore 25 mm (ISO 65); rigid brackets and specified twin outlet/unions for appliance connection; distance from unions to first wall fixing 2–10 m.
- Background noise correction: Background must be ≥6 dB (preferably >15 dB) below combined signal. If 6–15 dB difference, apply the correction formula specified in the standard; report values at measurement limit when difference ≤6 dB.
- Measurement metrics: Octave band sound pressure levels (125–4 000 Hz) and A‑weighted results. Appliance sound pressure level Lap is computed from octave-band differences relative to the INS and expressed to the nearest decibel.
- Equipment and procedure: Requires calibrated sound level meters, octave‑band filters, hydraulic measurement instruments and standardized mounting/operating conditions (detailed in Parts 2–4).
Applications and users
Who uses ISO 3822-1:
- Acoustic test laboratories performing product noise measurements
- Manufacturers of taps, valves, water heaters and other plumbing appliances (R&D, QC, product characterization)
- Building acoustics consultants and specifiers assessing appliance noise impact in dwellings, hotels, hospitals
- Regulators, procurement teams and certification bodies requiring comparable laboratory noise data
Practical uses:
- Product development and noise reduction
- Comparative product data for catalogs and technical files
- Compliance testing, performance specifications, and procurement evaluation
Related standards
Normative references included by ISO 3822-1:
- ISO 7-1, ISO 49, ISO 65 (pipe fittings and threads)
- EN ISO 3822-2 / -3 / -4 (mounting and operating conditions for specific appliance types)
- EN 60651 (sound level meters), EN 61260 (octave‑band filters)
Keywords: ISO 3822-1, acoustics, noise emission, water supply installations, laboratory tests, installation noise standard, appliance sound pressure level.
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