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Certification Course

The Community Noise Enforcement Certification course, as taught at Rutgers University, is geared towards the state and local codes of New Jersey. While that is true, the basics of sound level measurement for enforcement purposes does not vary greatly from state-to-state, and many enforcement officers from outside of New Jersey have attended the course at Rutgers University. If your agency desires to train more than 3 or 4 officers, it is probably best to inquire about our on-site courses which can be customized to the codes in your jurisdiction.

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Community Noise Enforcement Certification Course

Day 1

1. The Fundamentals of Sound
   • Intensity
     • Units of Measurement and Reporting
     • Sound Level Meter Calculations of Sound Pressure Levels
     • Range of Human Hearing
   • Frequency
     • Units of Measurement and Reporting
     • Range of Human Hearing
     • Most Annoying Frequencies
     • Relative Response to Frequencies and Weighting Systems
   • Operation of Sound Level Meter(s)
     • Field Calibration
     • Timing
     • Manufacturer’s Requirements
   • Proper Technique
     • Use of Meter
   • Acceptable Weather Conditions
     • Parameters for Valid Readings
     • Measuring and Recording
2. Field Exercise to Familiarize Students with Use of Sound Level Meter
3. Measurement of Neighborhood Residual Sound Levels
   1. Neighborhood Residual vs. Extraneous Noise
   2. Strategies for Measurement of Background in Various Situations
4. Noise Measurement Report Form (Line-by-Line Review of Proper Completion)

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Day 2

1. The Mathematics of Sound Level Measurement
   • Determination of Optimal Measurement Time Intervals
   • Impact of Interval Choice on Final Calculated Levels
   • Calculation of Source Sound Level from Measured Total and Neighborhood Residual Sound Levels
   • Meter/Reader Tolerances
2. Field Exercise
   • Isolating Source Sound from Neighborhood Residual Sound
3. New Jersey Codes
   • State of New Jersey Noise Control Act of 1971. N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1 et. seq.
     • Brief Overview
   • New Jersey Administrative Code – Title 7, Chapter 29, Subchapter 1 – Noise Control (“NJAC 7:29”)
     – AND –
   • NJAC 7:29 Subchapter 2 – Procedures for the Determination of Noise from Stationary Sources
     • Readopted with Amendments – August 6, 2007
   • Review of Definitions
   • Word-by-Word Review of Codes
   • Specific Notation of Reporting Requirements Generated by Codes
   • Areas of Potential Courtroom Challenge
4. Model Ordinance for the State of New Jersey
   • Major Departures from NJAC 7:29
5. Enforcement
   • (N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.7)
   • Fines, injunctive relief, major vs. minor violations
   • Grace Period (CEHA agencies and their subcontractors)
   • Performance Violation vs. Nuisance Violation
   • Talking to the Facility Manager – or- The Art of the Bluff, and the Satisfied Complainant
   • Consent Orders
6. NJDEP Guideline to Conduct a Noise Control Program for Municipalities and CEHA Agencies
7. Enforcement Options
   • Performance Violation vs. Nuisance Violation
   • Fine vs. Consent Order
   • The Art of the Bluff

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Day 3

1. Review of Mathematics of Sound
2. Field Exercises
3. Development of a Solid Court Case (includes some review)
   • Meter/Calibrator
   • Reader Certification
   • Code Requirements
   • Procedure
4. Video Presentation: “Sound and Fury”
5. Physical and Psychological Impacts of Noise Exposure
   • Non-Auditory Impacts
   • Psychological Impacts
   • Strategies for Managing Agitated Complainants
6. Hearing, Hearing Loss
   • Physiology of Hearing
   • Mechanics of Hearing
   • Impacts of Noise Exposure (Hearing Loss: Conductive / Sensory-Neural)
7. Practical Field Exam
8. Written Exam

Rutgers Noise Technical Assistance Center (RNTAC)
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
14 College Farm Rd., New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8551
Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences Bldg (ENRS) | 848-932-5784
Questions? Contact Pamela Springard-Mayer at pspring@rutgers.edu