Monitoring noise, vibration and air, soil and water quality
The purpose of monitoring emitted noise is to control the acoustic impact of a construction worksite or installation relative to ambient noise levels, and to check the actual level of noise in nearby dwellings, for example.
Noise sensors can also be used to detect the presence of land and/or aquatic animals. Acoustic monitoring can therefore be a useful tool for conserving and protecting wildlife during work on site.
For example, vibration monitoring can be used to check the level of vibration caused by worksite plant and machinery and its propagation over a given distance. It is also an essential tool for protecting buildings or infrastructures that are sensitive and/or contain their own measuring instruments, such as hospitals, rail traffic control centres, manufacturing plants, etc. This type of sensor is also used to provide long-term monitoring of structural vibration modes and amplitudes.
In urban communities, it is essential to control dust levels and air quality. The sensors required to make these measurements are usually installed as part of complete weather stations.
In the great majority of cases, water and soil pollution measurement is required as a result of human activity, either current or – in many cases – past.