Overview
ISO 3822-4:1997 - "Acoustics - Laboratory tests on noise emission from appliances and equipment used in water supply installations - Part 4" specifies mounting and operating conditions for special appliances (water heaters, shower fittings, float-operated and flushing valves, etc.) used when measuring noise emission from water flow. This second edition (1997) replaces the first edition and is part of the EN/ISO 3822 series that defines laboratory measurement methods for plumbing-related noise.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Defines test set-up and operating parameters for appliances that are not classified as draw-off taps or simple in-line valves.
- Test connections and mounting:
- Test pipe termination: galvanised union complying with ISO 49; changes in direction by long-sweep bends.
- Appliances must be mounted in normal use position; connecting pipes and fittings should reflect field installation.
- Specific appliance rules:
- Float-operated valves: tested in a standard test cistern (internal dimensions provided in the standard); connecting copper pipe length ≥ 10 diameters (≤ 300 mm). Tests at 0.3 MPa and 0.5 MPa; report highest sound pressure level during steady flow and closing.
- Flushing valves: direct connection to test pipe; discharge via hose to quiet outlet. Test flow pressures are specified in the standard (maximum static pressure when closed 0.7 MPa). Report highest level during steady flow and closing.
- Water heaters: test water temperature ≤ 25 °C; tests normally at 0.3 MPa and 0.5 MPa. Different procedures for cistern-type, closed storage, instantaneous closed-type and overflow/open-outlet heaters (including use of adjustable low-noise flow resistances).
- Flow control and measurement: Use of adjustable low-noise flow resistances and specified flow-rate settings for certain heater types; flow adjusters treated according to EN ISO 3822-2.
- Annexes: Normative annexes for low-noise flow resistances, adaptors, outlet fitting adaptors and shower handset arrangements; informative annex summarizing heater types and test configurations.
- Normative references: Links to related standards (e.g., ISO 49, ISO 711, EN ISO 3822-1/2/3).
Applications and practical value
- Enables reproducible, comparable laboratory noise measurements for plumbing appliances.
- Supports product development: identify and reduce flow-induced noise in valves, heaters and shower fittings.
- Used for compliance testing, certification, acoustic labeling and competitive benchmarking.
- Helps building services engineers and specifiers assess noise risk from water supply equipment in buildings.
Who should use this standard
- Acoustic laboratories and test houses
- Plumbing and sanitary product manufacturers (valves, water heaters, shower fittings)
- Certification bodies and conformity assessors
- Building services consultants, architects and product specifiers
Related standards
- EN/ISO 3822-1 (Method of measurement)
- EN/ISO 3822-2 (Draw-off taps and mixing valves)
- EN/ISO 3822-3 (In-line valves and appliances)
- Other referenced ISO standards for fittings, threads and material testing
Keywords: ISO 3822-4, acoustics, noise emission, water supply installations, laboratory tests, mounting and operating conditions, water heaters, flushing valves, float-operated valves, low-noise flow resistance.
Open preview (PDF)Acoustics — Laboratory tests on noise emission from appliances and equipment used in water supply installations — Part 4: Mounting and operating conditions for special appliances
