Ambient and equipment noise measurement for code compliance, LEED, and occupant comfort — calibrated Type 2 sound level meters, NCI-formatted reports, and field measurement that satisfies the inspector and the program of record.
Decibel testing is the field measurement of sound pressure level (SPL) in a space, at a property line, or at an equipment location. HECS uses calibrated Type 2 sound level meters to measure ambient and equipment noise, in dBA, against the code requirement, the LEED credit, or the program of record. The deliverable is a certified report with the instrument, the calibration date, the measurement location, the measured value, and the pass/fail status.
Decibel testing is required for: code compliance with local noise ordinances, LEED v4 / v4.1 Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) credits, HUD noise assessment for multifamily housing near transportation corridors, building HVAC equipment sound certification, and occupant-comfort complaints on existing buildings. HECS delivers all of these as a single integrated engagement.
HECS uses Type 2 sound level meters (Brüel & Kjær, Larson Davis, or equivalent) with current calibration certificates. We measure in dBA (A-weighted, the scale that approximates human hearing), in NC (Noise Criterion) for indoor spaces, and in dBC where the program requires it. The certified report is accepted by code inspectors, LEED reviewers, and HUD funding sources.
HECS delivers three decibel testing scopes depending on the source, the location, and the program of record. All three use calibrated Type 2 sound level meters with the same NCI-formatted reporting.
Exterio
Ambient and property-line noise measurement per local noise ordinance, HUD noise assessment, and LEED Neighborhood Site Location credit. Multi-point sampling over a defined measurement period.
Best for: Property line, code compliance, HUD, LEED
Interio
Indoor sound measurement against NC (Noise Criterion) targets, LEED EQ Interior Background Noise credit, and HVAC equipment sound certification. Per ASHRAE 36 or program-specific protocol.
Best for: Indoor spaces, HVAC equipment, LEED EQ
Existing buildings
Investigative sound measurement for occupant complaints, building HVAC retrofit sound certification, and code compliance on existing buildings. Diagnostic measurement with source identification.
Best for: Existing buildings, complaint investigation, retrofit
From pre-test coordination to the certified report, here is what HECS delivers on a decibel engagement.
HECS confirms the test scope, the program of record (LEED, code, HUD, or occupant complaint), the measurement locations, the measurement period, and the weather/occupancy conditions required for the test. We coordinate with the GC, the property manager, and the program of record.
HECS deploys the Type 2 sound level meter at the property line or the ambient measurement location, captures the sound level over the defined period (typically 1–24 hours), and records the Lmax, Lmin, Leq, and the percent-time-exceeded values required by the program.
HECS measures the indoor sound level at the design locations (typically at the diffuser, at the workstation, and at the occupant location), in NC, and in dBA. The measurement is run with the HVAC system at design operating conditions.
HECS issues the certified decibel report: the instrument, the calibration date, the measurement locations, the measured values, the Lmax / Lmin / Leq, the pass/fail against the program target, and the NCI-formatted certification. The report is accepted by the code inspector, the LEED reviewer, and the HUD funder.
Every HECS decibel report includes the following measurements, formatted to the program of record and the code of jurisdiction.
Calibrated Type 2 sound level meter, A-weighted. The standard scale for human hearing and for most code and program requirements.
Maximum, minimum, and equivalent continuous sound level over the measurement period. Reported in dBA, used for code and program pass/fail.
Statistical sound level exceeded 10%, 50%, and 90% of the measurement period. Used for ambient noise characterization and HUD noise assessment.
Indoor sound level against the NC and RC curves. Used for HVAC equipment sound certification and LEED EQ Interior Background Noise credit.
Sound level measured in octave bands (63 Hz to 8 kHz). Used for HVAC equipment sound certification and for diagnostic complaint investigation.
Peak C-weighted sound level for impulse noise measurement. Used for code compliance on mechanical equipment and for occupant complaint investigation.
A certified decibel test is the deliverable that satisfies code compliance, releases the LEED credit, satisfies the HUD funding requirement, and resolves the occupant complaint.
Most jurisdictions have a local noise ordinance that sets maximum sound levels at the property line. The certified decibel test is the deliverable the code inspector requires for compliance — HECS reports are accepted on the first submission.
LEED requires a certified decibel test for the EQ Interior Background Noise credit and the EQ Acoustic Performance credit. The test must be run with a calibrated Type 2 meter per ASHRAE 36 or program-specific protocol — HECS delivers both.
For multifamily projects near transportation corridors (highways, railroads, airports), HUD requires a noise assessment as part of the funding application. HECS delivers the HUD-compliant noise assessment with the Ldn / CNEL measurement and the site acceptability determination.
Field-measured performance that matches the engineer’s design intent — verified, documented, and accepted by the certification program of record.
An over-sized or mis-set HVAC system runs loud and inefficient. The decibel test identifies the equipment that is outside its design sound envelope, allowing the mechanical contractor to address the source rather than the symptom.
A certified third-party decibel test transfers acoustic risk from the GC, the mechanical contractor, and the owner to a neutral third party. It is the deliverable that satisfies the code inspector, releases the LEED credit, and closes out the engagement.
HECS is an NCI-certified testing and balancing firm. We work with general contractors, mechanical contractors, property developers, and certification programs across the region — delivering field measurements, certified reports, and the documentation owners and inspectors actually need.
Every HECS field technician holds current NCI certification. We use calibrated instruments, follow NCI-formatted reporting, and produce the documentation that commissioning authorities, code inspectors, and certification programs accept on the first review.
HECS serves commercial, multifamily, institutional, and light-industrial projects across Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri. We staff jobs of every size — from a single building balance to a 12-building multifamily rollout — with the same team and the same reporting standard.
Blower door, duct leakage, refrigerant charge, combustion analysis, decibel, infrared, TAB, and 45L documentation — HECS delivers all of them. One contract, one schedule, one set of reports that line up with each other and with the certification program of record.
HECS decibel testing is the right fit for:
Tell us about the project — program, scope, schedule — and we will respond with a written proposal inside two business days.
Decibel testing is the field measurement of sound pressure level (SPL) in a space, at a property line, or at an equipment location. HECS uses calibrated Type 2 sound level meters to measure ambient and equipment noise, in dBA, against the code requirement, the LEED credit, or the program of record.
A Type 2 sound level meter is a precision instrument with an accuracy class of ±2 dB. Type 2 is the minimum accuracy class required by most codes, LEED, and HUD programs. HECS uses Type 2 meters from Brüel & Kjær, Larson Davis, or equivalent, with current calibration certificates.
dBA (A-weighted) is the standard scale for human hearing and for most code and program requirements. dBC (C-weighted) is used for peak and impulse noise measurement, where the low-frequency content of the sound is significant. HECS reports dBA for code and program compliance, dBC for peak and impulse measurements.
NC (Noise Criterion) is a curve-based system for rating indoor sound levels against the HVAC equipment sound target. The NC curve is defined for octave bands from 63 Hz to 8 kHz. HECS measures the octave band sound level and reports the NC rating of the space.
Yes. LEED v4 / v4.1 requires a certified decibel test for the EQ Interior Background Noise credit. The test must be run with a calibrated Type 2 meter per ASHRAE 36 or program-specific protocol. HECS delivers the LEED-compliant test and report.
For multifamily projects near transportation corridors (highways, railroads, airports), HUD requires a noise assessment as part of the funding application. The assessment includes the Ldn / CNEL measurement, the site acceptability determination, and the noise mitigation recommendations. HECS delivers the HUD-compliant noise assessment.
Most property-line decibel tests take 1–24 hours of measurement time, depending on the program requirement. Indoor decibel tests take 1–4 hours. HECS provides a project-specific schedule with the proposal.
Yes. HECS measures HVAC equipment noise at the source, in the equipment room, and at the occupant location. The measurement is run with the system at design operating conditions, against the equipment sound target, and reported in dBA, NC, and octave band.
Octave band analysis is the measurement of sound level in octave bands (63 Hz to 8 kHz). The octave band data is used to identify the source of the noise, to compare the measured level to the NC curve, and to recommend corrective action. HECS reports octave band data on every equipment sound certification.
Call (859) 983-7382 or email hecs@hecsusa.com with the project name, address, the program of record, the measurement locations, and the measurement period. HECS responds with a written proposal inside two business days.
NCI-certified TAB that verifies design airflow and water flow at every terminal. Calibrated instruments, certified report.
Whole-building and duct leakage to RESNET, ENERGY STAR Multifamily, NGBS, and code. Blower door + duct tester.
Field verification, sampling, and documentation for ENERGY STAR MFNC. HECS is an ENERGY STAR MFNC verification partner.
Tell us about the project — program, scope, schedule — and we will respond with a written proposal inside two business days.
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