As ECORP’s Air, Greenhouse Gas, Noise, and Energy (AGNE) group continues to grow its team and service offerings, the firm has made strategic investments in advanced technology to support and expand its noise monitoring capabilities.
In January of 2024, we expanded our monitoring capacity with the addition of new Class I SoundExpert and Spartan ENV821 Sound Level Meters (SLMs) from Larson Davis—high-precision tools that support a wide range of noise monitoring applications. This year, we have expanded our fleet further with the purchase of two Piccolo II SLMs, manufactured by Soft dB. The new Piccolo II SLMs are Class II, which will complement the existing Class I equipment and broaden monitoring strategies.
What is a Class I Sound Level Meter?
Class I SLMs are designed for high-precision measurements and meet the stricter tolerances defined within the International Electronic Commission (IEC) 61672-1:2013 electroacoustic performance specifications. Class I meters typically maintain ±1 dB across most of the frequency range. They are ideal for applications where accuracy is critical—such as regulatory compliance studies and detailed acoustical analyses.
What is a Class II Sound Level Meter?
Class II SLMs also comply with the IEC 61672-1:2013 specifications, but with slightly wider tolerances—generally ±2 dB across most of the frequency range. This makes them excellent for long-term monitoring, screening-level and general environmental assessments.
Special Note: Class I and II” and “Type I and II” are often used interchangeably, but they reference different frameworks. Type I and II refer to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) S1.4-2014 standards, while Class I and II refer to IEC 61672-1 specifications, which include more rigorous testing requirements. Most modern SLMs, including those used by ECORP’s AGNE team, are compliant with both.
Why Use Both?
Having both Class I and Class II SLMs provide flexibility and allows AGNE to strategically select the right meter for each monitoring project, whether establishing baseline noise levels for CEQA/NEPA or conducting long-term construction noise monitoring. For instance, the new Piccolo II meters (Class II) will primarily support long-term unattended monitoring due to their 48-hour internal battery life, compact design, and portability.
How Does This Benefits Our Clients?
By diversifying our instrumentation, AGNE can better match monitoring tools to specific project needs, improve efficiency, and reduce costs for our clients, all while continuing to deliver high-quality monitoring and technical reports.
With staff in our northern and southern California offices, find out how AGNE can assist your project by contacting Seth Myers AGNE Group Manager, in the Chico office at (530) 717-7600.
