How to Easily Create a Noise Map from Occupational Noise Measurements in Your Factory

noise at work, occupational noise mapping made easy!

If you’re a safety officer, EHS manager, or plant engineer, you probably already perform occupational noise measurements as part of your workplace safety program. But are you making the most of that data?

Creating a noise map from your measurements doesn’t require complex modeling or advanced acoustic training anymore. With the right tools, it’s simple, fast, and incredibly useful—especially when it comes to compliance, communication, and proactive noise control.

In this article, we’ll show you how to convert your sound level meter readings into a clear, professional noise map using SoundPLANmanda, a modern acoustic simulation tool available through SoundPLAN Asia.

Why Create a Noise Map in Your Factory?

Occupational noise mapping offers multiple advantages over raw decibel readings:

Visual clarity: Identify high-exposure zones at a glance
Compliance support: Demonstrate adherence to ISO 11690 and local regulations
Better communication: Explain noise risks to management and workers with clear visuals
Targeted noise control: Plan barriers or PPE more effectively
Documentation: A noise map supports audits, inspections, and long-term safety planning

Step-by-Step: Creating a Factory Noise Map from Measurements

You don’t need to guess or model everything from scratch. If you’ve already measured noise levels across your production floor using a sound level meter, you’re halfway there.

Here’s how to go from measurement to map in just a few steps.

1. Prepare Your Measurement Data

Use a calibrated Class 1 or Class 2 sound level meter to measure LAeq values (or others as required by your local standard). Common measurement points include:

Operator positions
Between machines
Walkways and entrances
Control rooms

Export your data in a spreadsheet or directly from your instrument’s software.

2. Set Up Your Factory Layout in SoundPLANmanda

Using SoundPLANmanda, you can:

Import a simple 2D floor plan (DWG, DXF, PDF, or image file)
Define walls, machinery, and other structures as obstacles or reflective surfaces
Place receivers or measurement points where your data was collected

The interface is user-friendly and designed for safety officers—not just acoustics consultants.

3. Input Measured Sound Levels

Instead of guessing source power levels, you can:

Assign the actual measured levels to machinery locations
Treat measurement points as fixed-level sound sources in the model
Optionally, use standard machinery noise levels from a built-in library

This is where SoundPLANmanda shines—it allows quick, practical modeling based on real factory data.

4. Run the Calculation and Generate the Noise Map

With one click, SoundPLANmanda performs the calculation and:

Interpolates noise levels across the entire workspace
Factors in reflections and shielding effects
Generates a color-coded noise map overlaid on your factory layout

You can easily spot areas exceeding 85 dB(A), 90 dB(A), or any other threshold.

noise at work, occupational noise mapping made easy!

5. Export and Share the Results

You can export:

High-resolution noise maps (PDF or image)
Data tables for reporting
Project files for documentation

Noise maps can be printed and posted in break rooms, emailed to management, or used during safety briefings.

Use Cases: How Safety Officers Use Noise Maps

Zoning for PPE requirements
Identifying sources for noise reduction efforts
Evaluating the impact of new machines
Improving layout for lower noise exposure
Preparing for DOL or ISO audits

Why Use SoundPLANmanda?

Most traditional noise modeling tools are built for expert consultants. SoundPLANmanda is:

Easy to learn — no acoustic degree needed
Designed for real users — safety officers, maintenance teams, engineers
Fast and modern — runs on your PC with a simple, clean interface
Backed by experts — SoundPLAN Asia provides local support and training

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Ready to Try It Yourself?

If you’re already collecting occupational noise measurements, you can create your first noise map today. It takes less than an hour with the right setup.

Visit www.soundplan.asia to learn more, request a demo, or get started with SoundPLANmanda.

Need help? Our acoustic experts in Southeast Asia are ready to support you in English, Thai, Bahasa, or Vietnamese.