Adriano A. R. Barbosa^1,, Stelamaris R. Bertoli¹

As part of efforts to identify sources of noise pollution from construction, a methodology is developed here for the standardized assessment of noise from masonry saws, which are electric cutters that are commonly used in the industry. Such standardized assessments could aid the development of quieter machines and also of less disruptive and safer industrial practices. The proposed methodology compares the noise generated during cutting with that of free-running non-cutting equipment in accordance with ISO 3744:2010, which specifies methods of determining sound power levels of noise sources via measurement of sound pressure for an essentially free field over a reflecting plane. The cutting of the proposed standard load (concrete slabs) and different building materials was louder than the disengaged saw. The highest observed sound power level was 110.1 dB. The smallest difference observed between the cutting and disengaged saw was 5.5 dB. Noise generated by the saw was quantitatively assessed. The results allowed a standard material to be proposed for use in tests determining the sound power levels of masonry saws. This study also contributes to the analysis of occupational noise generation, considering the difficulties in obtaining previously reported values of the sound spectrum of masonry saws.

noise – measurement, tools, masonry saw, assessment, building material- standardization