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Calcimator

Sound Masking Calculator

Calculate OSHA noise dose and time-weighted average (TWA) from multiple exposure periods. Determines compliance with OSHA PEL (90 dBA / 8 hr) using the 5 dB exchange rate.

Inputs

Results

Noise dose (%)

100

TWA (dBA)90
Max allowable exposure (hrs)8
Remaining time at 90 dBA (hrs)0
Compliance (0/1/2)1
Total exposure (hrs)8
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Period 1 level (dBA), Period 1 duration (hrs), and Period 2 level (dBA).
  2. Set Period 2 duration (hrs), Period 3 level (dBA), and Period 3 duration (hrs).
  3. Adjust Period 4 level (dBA), Period 4 duration (hrs) as needed.
  4. Review the Noise dose (%) result.
  5. Use TWA (dBA) and Max allowable exposure (hrs) to inform your decision.

How the result changes with Period 1 level (dBA)

Period 1 level (dBA)Noise dose (%)
8657.4
101459.5
1195,571.5
13444,572.2

What each input means

Period 1 level (dBA)
Sound level in dBA for the first exposure period.
Period 1 duration (hrs)
Duration of the first exposure period in hours.
Period 2 level (dBA)
Sound level for the second exposure period (set duration to 0 to skip).
Period 2 duration (hrs)
Duration of the second exposure period in hours.
Period 3 level (dBA)
Sound level for the third exposure period.
Period 3 duration (hrs)
Duration of the third exposure period in hours.
Period 4 level (dBA)
Sound level for the fourth exposure period.
Period 4 duration (hrs)
Duration of the fourth exposure period in hours.

What each result means

Noise dose (%)
OSHA noise dose percentage. 100% = permissible exposure limit. >50% triggers action level.
TWA (dBA)
8-hour Time-Weighted Average noise level. OSHA PEL = 90 dBA, action level = 85 dBA.
Max allowable exposure (hrs)
Maximum hours at this dose rate before reaching 100% dose.
Remaining time at 90 dBA (hrs)
Hours remaining at 90 dBA before reaching 100% dose.
Compliance (0/1/2)
0 = Below action level, 1 = Action level (hearing conservation needed), 2 = Exceeds PEL.
Total exposure (hrs)
Sum of all exposure period durations.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Period 1 level (dBA) = 90, Period 1 duration (hrs) = 8, Period 2 level (dBA) = 95, Period 2 duration (hrs) = 0 = 8 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Noise dose
    Noise dose = totalDoseFraction * 100
    100 = 100
  3. Calculate TWA
    TWA
    90 = 90
  4. Calculate Max allowable exposure
    8 = 8

Engine last updated . Checked against 3 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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