Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What device is specifically designed to measure noise energy across a range of frequencies?

1. Sound level meter

2. Octave band analyzer

3. Vibration analyzer

4. Decibel meter

The correct answer is: Octave band analyzer

The octave band analyzer is specifically designed to measure noise energy across a range of frequencies, making it the correct choice. This device analyzes sound by breaking it down into different frequency bands, typically following the octave or third-octave bands. By doing so, it provides detailed information about how sound levels vary across these frequencies, which is essential for understanding the noise environment and for applications such as environmental noise assessments, industrial hygiene, and workplace safety evaluations. While a sound level meter measures overall sound pressure levels, it does not necessarily provide detailed information on how noise energy is distributed across different frequencies. Similarly, a decibel meter primarily indicates sound pressure levels in decibels but lacks the capability to offer insights into frequency distribution. A vibration analyzer, on the other hand, focuses on measuring vibrations rather than sound frequencies and is not intended for assessing noise energy. Thus, the octave band analyzer stands out as the device uniquely suited for the analysis of noise energy across various frequencies.