Noise Assessment on Leaf Blowers

Transcription

REPORT S O F T H E M I N I S T RY O F T H E E N V I RO N M E N T 2 1e n | 2007
Noise Assessment on Leaf
Blowers
Jukka Pietilä
Lauri Tuunanen
MINIST RY O F T H E E N V I RO N M E N T
R E P O RT S O F T H E M I NISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Noise Assessment on Leaf
Blowers
Jukka Pietilä
Lauri Tuunanen
Helsinki 2007
MINISTRY OF THE E N V I RO N M E N T
21en | 2007
REPORTS OF THE MINISTYRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT 21en | 2007
Ministry of the environment
Environmental Protection Department
Layout: Marjatta Naukkarinen
Photo: Lippo Sundberg
Translation: Done Information Oy
The publication is available in the Internet:
www.ymparisto.fi
ISBN 978-952-11-2928-5 (PDF)
ISSN 1796-170X (online)
PREFACE
The noise associated with leaf blowers is frequently a source of complaint, but it is
difficult to interfere with their use. This noise assessment serves market supervision
of this equipment. The concept is to gradually attract the attention of consumers and
equipment manufacturers alike to the noise factor caused by leaf blowers.
Noise emissions from leaf blowers and leaf vacuums are regulated under the European Union directive relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment
for use outdoors (2000/14/EC) and Finland’s Government Decree on noise emission
levels from equipment for outdoor use (621/2001), which calls for noise labelling,
but noise level limit values have not been assigned for them. The goal of the Finnish
Ministry of the Environment has been to obtain additional information to consider
whether or not noise level limit values should be assigned to leaf blowers.
The report on environmental noise caused by leaf blowers was completed on the
initiative and through the funding of the Ministry of the Environment. The work was
realized by MTT Vakola, where Jukka Pietilä, Senior Researcher, acted as project manager. In addition to Mr Pietilä, Jukka Havento, Researcher, Väinö Ikonen, Research
Technician, and Lauri Tuunanen, Inspector, participated in the work.
Warmest appreciation is extended to all who were involved in the implementation
of this report.
Helsinki, October 2007
Ministry of the Environment
CONTENTS
Preface ............................................................................................................................... 3
Abstract............................................................................................................................... 5
1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 7
1.1
Premises of report.............................................................................................7
1.2
Legislation...........................................................................................................7
1.3
Content of regulations . ................................................................................... 8
1.4
Leaf blower........................................................................................................10
1.5
Noise emissions .............................................................................................. 11
1.6
Leaf blower noise measurement ..................................................................12
2 Materials and methods . ...................................................................................... 14
2.1
Leaf blowers on the Finnish market............................................................14
2.2
Inspected leaf blowers....................................................................................14
3 Results . ....................................................................................................................... 16
3.1
Declarations of conformity............................................................................ 16
3.2
Equipment labels.............................................................................................18
3.3
Information in the Commission’s database...............................................19
3.4
Noise measurement ....................................................................................... 19
3.5
Noise results..................................................................................................... 20
3.6
Frequency analysis.......................................................................................... 21
4 Conclusions. .............................................................................................................. 25
4.1
General............................................................................................................... 25
4.2
Observations on noise results.......................................................................25
4.3
Commission’s noise database........................................................................26
4.4
Assessment on a unit-by-unit basis............................................................. 27
References. ....................................................................................................................... 34
Annex 1. List of leaf blowers on the market in December 2006. ............. 35
Documentation page. .................................................................................................. 38
Kuvailulehti. ..................................................................................................................... 39
Presentationsblad.......................................................................................................... 40
Reports of the Ministry of the Environment 21en | 2007
Abstract
For this report, some of the leaf blowers available on the Finnish market were inspected
to determine if they were in keeping with the requirements of the European Union
directive relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use
outdoors (2001/14/EC).
A Government Decree on noise emission levels from equipment for outdoor use
(621/2001) has been enacted in Finland. The purpose of the decree is to reduce the
noise in the environment caused by the use of outdoor equipment. The decree concerns only that equipment used outdoors specifically mentioned in the decree. This
equipment is divided into two separate groups: that for which an upper limit has
been set for environmental noise and that whose environmental noise should be
known and reported, but for which there is no noise limit. Leaf blowers belong to
the latter group.
According to the outdoor equipment noise directive, the environmental noise produced by a leaf blower should be marked on the unit, and a declaration of conformity
which includes the details specified in the directive should be provided along with
the device. Leaf blowers are also affected by other requirements than just the outdoor
equipment noise directive. These are, for example, the machinery directive (98/37/
EC, concerning the safety of machinery) and the low-voltage directive (73/23/EEC,
specific to electrical equipment for use within certain voltage limits). A unit may be
launched on the market and its sale initiated only if it fulfils all requirements stipulated for the same. To show that the unit fulfils the declaration of conformity, it should
be affixed with the European Union’s CE label.
For the purpose of this report, basic information was acquired on leaf blowers
available on the Finnish market, and their importers were surveyed. All in all, there
are over 70 brands and models of leaf blowers on the market. For the purpose of more
precise clarification, 14 leaf blowers were obtained, of which four were electrical in
operation and 10 were internal combustion engine-powered. Six of the blowers can
also be used as a vacuum. The noise level of the blowers was measured and they
were inspected with regard to the other aspects required by the directive on outdoor equipment noise: guaranteed sound power value, declaration of conformity,
CE marking and the labelling performed on the basis of the machinery directive. In
connection with the measurement, a frequency analysis was also performed on the
noise caused by the blowers.
On the basis of this clarification, virtually all leaf blowers fulfil the basic requirements of the outdoor equipment noise directive, i.e., the CE marking, label indicating
guaranteed sound power, and the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. For the
most part, deviations from the requirements of the directive amongst the leaf blowers
inspected were minimal.
The environmental noise level values affixed to the equipment are, as a rule, correctly reported and have not been exceeded, with the exception of three units. One
of the blowers totally lacked an environmental noise label. One defect with respect
to the noise level labels was that the blower noise value of one blast apparatus was
greater than what was marked on the machine, and the reported noise level values
in two of the blowers were exceeded when using the units as a vacuum. The reason
for the last two cases may be that the manufacturer had not considered evaluating
the noise caused by the unit when used as a vacuum.
The largest deviations concerned the machines with regard to which the manufacturer had not carried out the declaration of conformity-related procedures, nor had
the equipment importers taken care of the matter.
1 Introduction
1.1
Premises of report
This report was completed on the basis of an assignment from the Finnish Ministry
of the Environment, December 2006–May 2007 at MTT Vakola (Agrifood Research
Finland, Vihti). In this clarification, measurements and assessments were carried out
in order to determine if the leaf blowers sold in Finland fulfil the requirements of the
European Union’s outdoor equipment noise directive. The noise value of the blower
equipment was measured and calculated, and a one-third octave band frequency
analysis on the amount of noise was carried out. The results were compared with the
guaranteed values reported on the equipment. At the same time, the equipment labels
were checked as well as the instructions and declarations of conformity, in order to
verify whether these were correct as compared to the measured noise values and the
legislative requirements. The report features 14 separate leaf blowers.
In completing this report, the work distribution at MTT Vakola was such that Jukka Havento, Researcher, gathered information on the leaf blower market as well as
leaf blowers available on the market. Väinö Ikonen, Research Technician, examined
the machines’ labels and prepared the blowers for measurement. The measurements
were performed by Väinö Ikonen and Jukka Pietilä, Senior Researcher. Lauri Tuunanen, Inspector, was responsible for the analysis of the measurement results. The
photographic images in the report have been taken by Lippo Sundberg. Jukka Pietilä
wrote this report and was also responsible for its realization. Anni Rimpiläinen, Senior
Advisor, supervised the work at the Ministry of the Environment.
1.2
Legislation
Environmental noise from leaf blowers is regulated under Directive 2000/14/EC of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 May 2000 on the approximation of
the laws of the Member States relating to the noise emission in the environment by
equipment for use outdoors. The directive has been brought into force in Finland
through the Government Decree on noise emission levels from equipment for outdoor
use (621/2001), issued 5 July 2001.
The purpose of the directive is to harmonize the requirements concerning noise
emissions by equipment for use outdoors so as to prevent obstacles to the free movement of these machines. According to the rationales for the directive, reducing
noise levels will protect the health and well-being of citizens as well as protect the
environment.
The original directive has been amended by Directive 2005/88/EC. The amendment has no effect on the measurement or assessment of noise with respect to leaf
blowers. A corresponding amendment has been made to the national legislation by
means of the Government Decree 953/2006.
In addition to the outdoor equipment noise directive, two other directives concern
leaf blowers: Directive 98/37/EC of the European Union and of the Council of 22 June
1998 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery
(machinery directive) and Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for
use within certain voltage limits (low-voltage directive). Whether the blowers fulfil
the technical requirements set by the two directives has not been clarified in this
report.
1.3
Content of regulations
The noise level regulations with respect to the Government Decree on noise emission
levels from equipment for outdoor use (621/2001) are presented in the following
condensed form. Hereafter, the name used for this decree shall be “decree on outdoor
equipment noise”.
According to Section 1 of the decree on outdoor equipment noise, the decree shall
be applied only to the equipment used outdoors that is mentioned in Sections 3
and 4. The decree is not to be applied to devices requiring an external power source,
units used in transport, or equipment intended for use by the authorities.
In Section 2 of the decree, the specifications are presented with regard to equipment
used outdoors, the use of this equipment, conformity assessment procedures, labels,
sound power level and measurement as well as guaranteed sound power level. The
sound power level is specified in accordance with standards EN ISO 3744:1995 and
EN ISO 3746:1995. In the decree on outdoor equipment noise, the specifications for
equipment are in keeping with Annex 1 to the outdoor equipment noise directive.
The term ‘measured sound power level’ means the noise power level as determined
from measurements as laid down in Annex III to the noise directive.
The term ‘guaranteed sound power level’ means a sound power level in which the
uncertainties deriving from production fluctuations and measurement methods are
measured, in addition to the measured sound power level. The guaranteed sound
power level is the noise value that the equipment noise must be below when it is
measured in accordance with the directive on outdoor equipment noise, Annex III.
In Section 3 of the decree on outdoor equipment noise, the limit values of certain
equipment-related noise emissions have been provided. The guaranteed sound power
level of the equipment mentioned in this paragraph cannot be exceeded with respect
to the limit values mentioned in this paragraph. Some of the transition periods connected with the limit values were altered in the Government Decree 953/2006, as
issued in 2006. This amendment has not affected the measurement or specification
of outdoor equipment noise with respect to leaf blowers.
In Section 4 of the decree, 41 equipment groups are mentioned whose guaranteed
sound power level should be known and reported but which do not have a noise
limit. Leaf blowers and leaf collectors represent some of these machines.
Section 5 of the decree concerns the launching of the equipment onto the market,
initialization and free mobility. The unit may be launched on the market in the event
that it fulfils the requirements concerning noise emissions, its conformity to the regulations has been assessed, and the equipment labels as well as the EC declaration of
conformity are in accordance with the stipulations of the decree. Because leaf blowers
do not have limit values for noise emissions, the requirements with respect to the same
are met when the guaranteed sound power level is known and reported.
On the basis of Section 6 of the decree on outdoor equipment noise, the equipment
must be assessed with respect to its conformity to the regulations and a declaration
of conformity in both Finnish and Swedish must be delivered with the unit.
According to Annex 1 to the decree on outdoor equipment noise, the declaration
of conformity should at minimum contain the following information:
- the name and address of the manufactrer or authorized representative within
the area of the European Community
- the name and address of the party that has the stored technical documents
- a description of the unit
- the conformity assessment procedure followed, internal inspection of leaf
blowers in practice: Annex 6 (for leaf blowers, the data from the reported
institution is not required)
- measured sound power level
- guaranteed sound power level
- declaration that the unit conforms to the requirements of the directive on outdoor
equipment noise if required, a reference to other directives and their declarations
of conformity
- place of issue and date of the declaration
- details on the authorized person who has undersigned the notice
Nevertheless, there is no need to mention the party who has stored the technical documents in the declaration of conformity in the event that the manufacturer himself
stores the technical documents concerned (Annex 6, Government Decree on noise
emission levels from equipment for outdoor use).
Section 7 of the decree concerns the CE marking of conformity as well as other
markings on the equipment. The equipment is regarded as in keeping with the requirements in the event that it has a CE marking and indication of guaranteed sound
power level, and a declaration of conformity is delivered together with the unit.
There are also regulations concerning the format and size of these labels and their
attachment in the decree.
Figure 1. Example of sound power level label for affixing to the equipment.
According to the decree, if a CE marking is applied to, e.g., a leaf blower, it must also
fulfil the requirements of the other directives affecting the unit. For leaf blowers,
these are the machinery directive (98/37/EC) and, in the case of electrical units, the
low-voltage directive (73/23/EC). These must therefore also be mentioned in the
declaration of conformity.
On the basis of the machinery directive, the following information at minimum
should be attached to the equipment in a manner easily readable and permanently
affixed:
- the name and address of the machine manufacturer
- CE marking
- series or type marking
- possible serial number and
- year of manufacture
Section 8 of the decree on outdoor equipment noise deals with the supervisory authorities, Section 9 with the notified bodies, Section 10 with the collection of noise data,
Section 11 with the entry into force and Section 12 with the transitional provision.
According to Section 10 the manufacturer of the equipment or importer within the
area of the European Community must deliver a copy of the declaration of conformity
to the Finnish Environment Institute. The Environment Institute supplies copies of
the declaration of conformity to the European Commission, which maintains a list
of this information and compiles a summary of the data in force. The data submitted
on leaf blowers are available for view on the Internet
(http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/mechan_equipment/noise/citizen/repository//
EN/EN_EQUIPMENT45.PDF).
In addition, the following eight annexes are included in the decree on outdoor
equipment noise:
Annex 1: EC declaration of conformity – specifies its content.
Annex 2: Models of the CE marking conformity and of the indication of guaranteed
sound power level. Specifies the appearance of markings.
Annex 3: Internal production control, assessment of technical documentation and
periodical checks – describes the assessment method of conformity with the requirements affecting the noise-limited machine.
Annex 4: Unit verification – describes the assessment method of conformity with
requirements of the noise-limited machine in the event that only a few individual
units are made.
Annex 5: Full quality assurance – describes the assessment method of conformity
with requirements of the noise-limited machine when the manufacturer has a quality
system for design and production.
Annex 6: Internal production control – describes the aspects to be taken into account in launching the equipment with noise marking onto the market.
Annex 7: Minimum requirements to be taken into account by member states when
appointing notified bodies.
Annex 8: Unit verification, model of conformity certificate. Supplements Annex 4.
1.4
Leaf Blower
According to Annex 1 of the directive on outdoor equipment noise, a leaf blower is
defined as “A powered machine appropriate to clear lawns, paths, ways, streets, etc.
of leaves and other material by means of a high velocity air flow. It may be portable
(hand-held) or not portable but mobile”.
10 Reports of the Ministry of the Environment 21en | 2007
Figure 3. Handheld leaf blower
Figure 2. Backpack-model leaf blower
1.5
Noise emissions
Sound
power of equipment (noise emission) W is specified as an intensity vector

I integral over the closed surface S, which surrounds the device:
3
D3
)
 
W °° I v dS °°In dS z Inmean S
S
S


inwhich In is the normal component of the intensity vector I in the surface element
dS . The sound power unit is a watt. In the practical measurements, the measurement
surface can be divided into equally large sectors. From the centre of these areas, the
normal components In of the intensity are measured, from which the average value
In,mean is calculated. The sound power is obtained by multiplying the average value
In,mean (W/m2) by the measurement surface S (m2). The sound power level (LW) is the
sound power reported as the decibel unit, ref W0 = 10-12 W.
¥ 7
, 7 LOG¦¦
§ 7
´
µµ
¶
The A-weighted sound power level is marked LWA. (Pasanen et al. 2003)
11
1.6
Leaf blower noise measurement
There is no standard method for the measurement of leaf blower noise. For this reason,
in Part B No. 34 of the directive on outdoor equipment noise, the noise measurement
method for leaf blowers has been specified. According to the directive, the basic noise
emission standard for leaf blowers is SFS-EN ISO 3744:1994 Acoustics — Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound pressure — Engineering
method in an essentially free field over a reflecting plane. In the basic standard, the
measurement method is specified with details and the measurements of the various
machines and equipment are based on this standard.
Furthermore, in accordance with the directive on outdoor equipment noise, the
microphone locations, measurement surface and measurement distance used in noise
measurement are specified in ISO 11094:1991 Acoustics — Test code for the measurement of airborne noise emitted by power lawn mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and
garden tractors, professional mowers, and lawn and garden tractors with mowing
attachments.
The measurements were performed on an open asphalt field and, at the measurement site, plating covering an area of 3.6 m x 3.6 m is placed on the asphalt. The
plating is made up of elements 1.2 m x 1.2 m in size. These have plywood as their base
with mineral wool on top, and this is tied with a net. The plates are set in accordance
with Figure 4 so that the plates covered with thin net are at the corners, and the plates
covered with thicker net are in the centre. The thicker netting withstands the weight
of the trial equipment and the user. The central point of the middle plate is, at the
same time, the central point of the measuring hemisphere.
Figure 4. Measurement base
The locations for the microphones used in the noise measurement of the leaf blowers
are presented in Figure 5. The distance of microphone points 1 to 4 from the central
point of the circle is 3.96 m, and they are at a height of 1.5 m from the ground surface.
The higher microphone points 5 and 6 are 2.82 m in distance from the central point
of the circle, and they are at a height of 2.84 m from the ground surface.
Figure 5. Location of the microphones
13
2 Materials and methods
2.1
Leaf blowers on the Finnish market
For the purpose of clarification, information was gathered about the leaf blowers
available on the Finnish market. The information is based on the reports of importers
which were collated from magazines, the Internet and by telephoning the importers
themselves. The leaf blowers on the Finnish market are presented in Annex 1 to this
report. In acquiring the machines, it emerged that the market ‘revives itself’ continuously. New models come and old ones go, so that the list presented is not quite
up-to-date. The list in Annex 1 corresponds to the situation in December 2006.
Information was obtained on 35 brands, and the various models totalled 74.
According to this clarification, 44 of the units on the market were internal combustion
engine-driven, whereas those using electricity from the grid totalled 28, and 2 were
battery-powered. Some of the brands and models turned out to be complementary
models — i.e., technically similar equipment is sold under various brands.
The total number of importers was 22. Some of the importers acted as representatives for several brands, so the number of importers was smaller than the number of
leaf blower brands on the market.
2.2
Inspected leaf blowers
In selecting the blowers for inspection and measurement, a market report was utilized.
For the purpose of measurement, four electrical and ten combustion engine-operated
blowers were acquired.
The blowers were selected so that all power classes were obtained for inspection. Only one of each product from the same manufacturer was acquired. Auxiliary
models — versions of the same machine sold under various brands — were also not
purchased, because the object was that all of the blowers would be different from
each other.
The electrical leaf blowers are smaller power-wise than those driven by combustion engines. In addition, the electric cable in the former restricts the usage area of
the blower, so that electrical blowers are branded as intended for light use by private
households. Electrical blowers are also distinctly economical in price compared to
those that are combustion engine-driven.
Blowers using an internal combustion engine can be divided into handheld and
backpack blowers. The engine and blast apparatus of the backpack blowers are kept
in a knapsack worn on the back. A hose is held by hand and also guided manually, the
blast being thereby targeted at the desired object. The handheld blowers are lighter
and weaker in blasting power than the backpack models. In planning this clarification,
it was considered that the blowers using combustion engines could be grouped under
‘amateur’ and ‘professional’ use. Distribution from one end of power efficiency to the
other is easy to perform, but the intermediate area between these types of blowers
remains unclear, so such grouping was abandoned.
The inspected blowers were purchased from retail dealers during the period of
November 2006–January 2007. In Table 1 below, the leaf blowers chosen for measurement, as well as some technical specifications, are presented. Images of the inspected
leaf blowers are found in Section 4.4.
Table 1. The blowers inspected for the report, their driving power, mode of use, without yield and
measured engine rotation rate.
Brand
Model
Serial number of
measured blower
Type of blower
Largest
air
volume,
m3 /h *
c = internal
combustion
engine
e=electrical
b=
backpack
h=
handheld
Engine running
speed
idle
running
working
speed
r/s
r/s
Echo
PB 650
no brand
c
b
1 200
42
117
Gardol
GLS250
INF-1535-G
e
h
-
0
211
Glans
Power
BV A2001
no brand
e
h
720
0
208
Homelite
HDP 30
604000040
c
h
720
50
123
Honda
HDP 25-E
UBAJ-1022398
c
h
630
47
117
Husqvarna
125BT
3000290
c
b
654
50
123
Iskra
24 cc
60200107
c
h
236
63
137
Jonsered
BV 2125
066005N200441
c
h
-
58
117
Makita
BHX2500
501603
c
h
606
50
125
Oleo-Mac
BV 162
5246361244
c
b
1200
38
120
Solo
472
00627005
c
b
1100
55
93
Stihl
BR 600
268867455
c
b
1720
33
117
Toro
Ultra 350
240015G73
e
h
654
0
262
Valex
Merak
2000
4264293/04
e
h
-
0
221
* According to manufacturer’s information
Six of the blowers can also be used as vacuums. These are the electrically powered
Glans-Power, Gardol, Toro and Valex as well as the internal combustion engine-driven
Jonsered and Iskra.
15
3 Results
3.1
Declarations of conformity
The declarations of conformity supplied with the blowers and their content were examined according to the requirements of the directive on outdoor equipment noise. In
the inspection, whether or not the declaration of conformity in Finnish and Swedish
as well as the information required in the declaration by the directive on outdoor
equipment noise were provided was examined. In Table 2, there is a summary of
the inspection results. The directives have been written into the table in the form in
which they written in the declaration of conformity.
Table 2. Inspection results from the declarations of conformity yes = inspected item fulfils requirements, no =
inspected item does not fulfil requirements or the matter is not reported.
16 Assessment procedure
Measured sound
power level, dB
Guaranteed sound
power level, dB
Declaration of conformity
Place and date
Provider of declaration and personal
information
Directives which the
declaration concerns
Kioritz
Corp.
no
was
yes
109
112
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EC,
2000/14/
EC, 89/336/
EEC,
2002/88/EC
Not in
Finnish
or Swedish
Gardol
GLS250
ISC
GmbH
no
yes
no
99
101
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EG,
73/23/
EWG,
2000/14/EG
89/336/
EWG
Part in
Finnish
or Swedish,
part in
German
GlansPower BV
A2001
KoneGlans,
Salo - importer
No
de-
clar-
ation
of
conformity
Homelite
HDP 30
Homelite yes
c/o Ryobi
Technologies
no
no
106
108
yes
73/23/EEC,
93/68/EEC,
2000/14/EY,
89/336/
EEC,
2002/88/EC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
yes
no
Languages
Description of equipment
Echo PB
650
Name of manufacturer or representative
Storer of technical
documents
Brand and
model
Description of equipment
Assessment procedure
Measured sound
power level, dB
Honda
HHB 25-E
Honda
Motor
Co.
yes
yes
yes
101
Husqvarna
125BT
Husqvarna AB
no
yes
no
Iskra 24 cc
VKO FIN- No
63610 importer
dec-
Jonsered
BV 2125
Electrolux no
Home
Products
Inc.
Makita
BHX 2500
Makita
International
Europe
Ltd.
Oleo-Mac
BV 162
Guaranteed sound
power level, dB
Declaration of conformity
Place and date
Provider of declaration and personal
information
Directives which the
declaration concerns
Languages
Name of manufacturer or representative
Storer of technical
documents
Brand and
model
102
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EC,
2000/14/
EC, 89/336/
EEC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
101.3 102.0
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EG,
2000/14/
EG, 89/336/
EEC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
la-
ration
of
con-
for-
mity
yes
yes
107
112
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EC,
2000/14/
EC, 89/336/
EEC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
yes
no
no
102
106
yes
yes
yes
89/392EEC,
2000/14/
EC, 89/336/
EEC
Not in
Finnish
or Swedish
EMAK
s.p.a.
no
yes
yes
110.1
111
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EC,
2000/14/
EC,
89/336/EC,
2002/88/
EC, 97/68/
EC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
Solo 472
Solo
Kleinmotoren
GmbH
no
yes
no
101.0
101.5
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EG,
2000/14/
EG, 89/336/
EGW
Not in
Finnish
or Swedish
Stihl BR
600
Andreas
Stihl AG
& Co
yes
yes
no
108
109
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EC,
2000/14/
EC, 89/336/
ECC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
Toro Ultra
350
The Toro
Company
no
yes
yes
100
101
yes
yes
yes
98/37/EC,
2000/14/
EC, 89/336/
EEC,
2002/88/EC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
Valex Merak 2000
Valex sPa
no
yes
yes
101.0
107
yes
yes
no
98/37/EC,
73/23/EC,
89/366/EC,
93/68/EC,
2000/14/EC
In Finnish
and
Swedish
With two of the machines — Glans-Power and Iskra — the declaration of conformity
was lacking entirely. With the others, the declaration was included in the delivery, and
five of these included all the required information. There were deficiencies which were
not substantial in seven of the leaf blower declarations. The most common deficiency
in content was that the assessment procedure for the declaration of conformity was
missing.
17
In all declarations of conformity, both the measured and guaranteed sound power
levels were mentioned, and a declaration that the device fulfilled the requirements
of the directive as well as both the place of issue and date of the declaration were included. The equipment description was lacking in two of the declarations, and personal information on the providers of the declaration was not included in two declarations. In the equipment description, it was regarded as sufficient that a leaf blower
was mentioned in the declaration; it was also not taken into account in the inspection
whether the serial or production numbers conserning declaration were mentioned.
Information about the party who has stored the documents was provided in three of
the declarations, and the assessment procedure was mentioned in six declarations.
The inspected declarations covered, at minimum, the environmental noise as well
as mechanical and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) directives.
In six of the units, the declaration was in Finnish and Swedish in accordance with
the requirements. In Husqvarna’s delivery, the declaration was in the Finnish language only: the reason for this may be that the business delivered the device as ready
to be used for its Finnish-speaking clients, and the declaration was attached to the
operating manual. This matter was checked separately and it was confirmed that
the declaration is also available in Swedish. Four of the declarations (Echo, Jonsered,
Makita and Solo) lacked the Finnish and Swedish language versions entirely; one declaration was Finnish and Swedish in parts and was partly in German (Gardol). With
Jonsered, the reason was a packaging error: the instruction containing the declaration
had two copies of the same language version. It emerged later that the declaration is
normally in both Finnish and Swedish.
3.2
Equipment labels
The equipment labels were examined on the basis of the directive on environmental
noise and the machinery directive. According to the directive on outdoor equipment
noise, there should be a CE marking and guaranteed sound power level label on
each leaf blower. To be in keeping with the machinery directive, the unit should have
the name and address of the manufacturer, series and type, possible serial number
and year of manufacture. If the machine has a serial number, the lack of the year of
manufacture is not noted. It was assumed that if there was a need to do so, it would
be possible to determine the year of manufacture on the basis of the serial number.
The results of the inspection have been summarized in Table 3.
The content of the equipment noise labels were in accordance with the requirements in all units except the Glans-Power, which was missing the information on the
sound power level and manufacturer. A discrepancy was noted in the noise values
reported with the Solo leaf blower: 100 dB was marked as the guaranteed sound
power level, whereas in the declaration of conformity the value given was 101.5 dB.
In the Commission’s database, Solo’s measured and guaranteed noise value is given
as 101 dB.
In reference to the requirements of the machinery directive, Echo lacked a serial
number, the manufacturer details for Gardol were deficient, and the manufacturer
information and serial number were missing from Glans-Power.
The labels on the Echo, Gardol, Makita, Oleo-Mac and Valex leaf blowers will
evidently not stay affixed for any extended period. The reason for this is that the
markings were in the form of labels whose adhesive is poor.
Table 3. Labels on leaf blowers examined on the basis of the requirements of the machinery directive and directive on outdoor equipment noise. yes = fulfils the requirements, no = does not fulfil
the requirements
Brand
Model
Labels
Directive on outdoor equipment noise
Machinery directive
manufacturer
details
type
serial no.
CE marking
guaranteed
value, dB
Echo
PB 650
yes
112
yes
yes
no
Gardol
GLS250
yes
101
partly
yes
yes
Glans-Power
BV A2001
yes
no
no
yes
no
Homelite
HDP 30
yes
108
yes
yes
yes
Honda
HDP 25-E
yes
102
yes
yes
yes
Husqvarna
125BT
yes
102
yes
yes
yes
Iskra
24 cc
yes
108
yes
yes
yes
Jonsered
BV 2125
yes
112
yes
yes
yes
Makita
BHX 2500
yes
106
yes
yes
yes
Oleo-Mac
BV 162
yes
111
yes
yes
yes
Solo
472
yes
100
yes
yes
yes
Stihl
BR 600
yes
109
yes
yes
yes
Toro
Ultra 350
yes
101
yes
yes
yes
Valex
Merak
2000
yes
107
yes
yes
yes
3.3
Information in the Commission’s database
Finally, the question of whether or not the machine information is found in the
Commission’s noise-related database was examined. Data on only three of the
blowers were found in the database: Honda, Kioritz Corporation (Echo) and Solo.
Of these, only Honda’s data was the same as in the declaration of conformity: on the
basis of the date, the information on the others was evidently from some previous
version. The information in the database was last checked 5 June 2007.
3.4
Noise measurement
The noise measurements were conducted in accordance with MTT Vakola’s accredited quality system. The measurements were performed outdoors, and the measurement surface was, in keeping with the standard ISO 11094:1991, an artificial surface
— i.e., mineral wool was used on an asphalt surface. The radius of the hemisphere
from which the noise level was calculated was 4 m, so that the surface area of the
hemisphere was 101 m2. The acoustic pressure level was measured from six individual points.
During the measurements, the leaf blower was kept in the normal usage position
so that the air discharge hole was 50 mm (± 20 mm) above the central point of the
hemisphere. The handheld leaf blowers were held by hand during the measurements.
In the event that the blower can additionally be used as a vacuum, its noise was also
measured in the vacuum operation.
19
Image 6. Sound power measurement. The lower and upper
measurement points from the back
left are shown in the image.
3.5
Noise results
The environmental noise specified for the leaf blower as well as the guaranteed value
marked on the machine are presented in Table 4.
Table 4. The measured equipment noise values of the leaf blowers as compared to the guaranteed
values. In addition, the type of motor and the air output reported by the manufacturer are included in the comparison.
20 Brand
Model
Equipment noise, dB
Engine
Air
amount Function
Measured
value
Guaranteed
value
Cylinder capacity, Synchrocm3
nism
m3/h
Echo
PB 650
blower
109
112
63.3
2
1 200
Gardol
GLS250
blower
96
101
electricity
-
vacuum
97
101
GlansPower
BV A2001
blower
99
electricity
720
vacuum
98
Homelite
HDP 30
blower
107
108
30
2
720
Honda
HDP 25-E
blower
99
102
25
4
630
Husqvarna
125BT
blower
101
102
25.4
2
654
Iskra
24 cc
blower
107.5
108
24
2
236
vacuum
109
Jonsered
BV 2125
blower
104
112
25
2
-
vacuum
106
Makita
BHX2500
blower
101
106
25
4
606
Oleo-Mac
BV 162
blower
110
111
61.3
2
1200
Solo
472
blower
105
100
53
2
1100
Stihl
BR 600
blower
108
109
64.8
4
1720
Toro
Ultra 350
blower
101
101
electricity
vacuum
102
Valex
Merak 2000
blower
97
107
electricity
vacuum
101
654
-
It was possible to carry out the comparison with all blowers except the Glans-Power,
whose sound power value was not reported.
The sound power values of the blow function of the blowers fulfilled the terms of
the declaration, i.e., the measured value was lower or as high as the guaranteed noise
value. The Solo blower was an exception. Its guaranteed sound power value was
lower than that measured. As previously mentioned, there was something unclear
about the guaranteed value, because as marked it was different from that noted in
the instructions. The environmental noise caused by the vacuum operation of two
blowers exceeded the guaranteed value. These were Toro and Iskra.
3.6
Frequency analysis
The A-weighted acoustic pressure levels at 1/3 octave bands of various machines
are described. The acoustic pressure peaks with various machines were between
500–5,000 Hz. Evidently a peak causes the sounds caused by the spinning of the
blower rotor. The peak of the acoustic pressure levels may be a flat frequency range,
as with Husqvarna, for example, or one higher peak value, that of Homelite. The
comparison was also made with unweighted values, but the same aspects came out
from these results as with the weighted values.
With machines using internal combustion engines, the operational frequency of the
engine is seen as clear rises in the diagram, but the acoustic pressure level caused by
the engine is nevertheless clearly lower than the acoustic pressure level of the blower.
The diagrams of the frequency-based acoustic pressure level with various equipment
are uniform. The reason for this is the equipment being of the same size as well as the
fact that the operational principles and solutions of the units are identical.
Echo PB 650
Sound pressure dB(A)
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
10000
100000
Frequency Hz
21
Gardol GLS 250 suction and blow
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
10000
suction
100000
blow
HONDA HHB 25-E
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
10000
100000
10000
100000
10000
100000
Frequency Hz
Homelite HDP 30
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
Makita BHX 2500
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
Husqvarna 125 BT
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
10000
100000
10000
100000
10000
100000
10000
100000
Frequency Hz
Oleo-Mac BV 162
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
Iskra 24 cc
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
Solo 472
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
23
Jonsered BV 2125
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
10000
100000
Frequency Hz
Toro Ultra 350 suction and blow
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
10000
suction
100000
blow
Stihl BR 600
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
10000
100000
Frequency Hz
Valex Merak 2000 suction and blow
80
70
60
50
40
30
10
100
1000
Frequency Hz
10000
suction
100000
blow
4 Conclusions
4.1
General
The basic requirements of the directive on outdoor equipment noise — the CE marking, labelling of the guaranteed sound power level and the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity — are fulfilled quite well. In the great majority of the leaf blowers
inspected, the deviations from the stipulations of the directive on outdoor equipment
noise were minimal. On the basis of this inspection, it appears that the manufacturers
know and follow closely, for the most part, the requirements of the directive on outdoor equipment noise. The greatest deficiencies were in units whose manufacturer
had not completed the procedures for declaration of conformity, nor had the importers
of this equipment handled the matter.
The guaranteed environmental noise values are in most cases reported correctly,
though with one blower, the labelling was entirely lacking, in another the guaranteed
noise value was exceeded, and the marked noise values of two blowers were exceeded
when using the blower as a vacuum. The reason for this may be that the manufacturers have failed to assess the noise caused in operating the machine as a vacuum.
The declaration of conformity was missing from two of the blowers. Declarations
containing all required and completely correct information totalled five. With the
other declarations of conformity, deficiencies arose because the declaration lacked
one or two of the required details, such as the assessment procedure, declaration
signatory, place of issue and the date of declaration.
4.2
Observations on noise results
In the clarification, the measured noise power values of the combustion engine blowers varied between 99–109 dB. The electrical devices were quieter on the average,
96–101 dB. The electrical blowers were, however, weaker in their blast efficiency, so
any direct conclusion on whether they are quieter than units using internal combustion engines cannot be reached. In the frequency analyses, it additionally became
apparent that the largest part of the blower noise was generated by the rotor rather
than the machine’s motor.
In comparing the blast efficiency of the various devices, it is noted that even a
small-powered unit can be noisy. For example, the air yield of the Iskra blower is,
according to the manufacturer, 236 m3/h. Stihl, which is double in motor capacity,
generates blast air almost eightfold — 1,720 m3/h — but the noise value of the equipment is the same.
Because the power of the blowers affects the performance, the level of noise the
environment receives can grow if the same amount of work is performed with a
minimally powered device, even if with a slightly quieter blast apparatus. If a noise
25
limit is placed on blowers, the situation may result in the environmental noise of all
blowers being approximately the same. In this case, work lasting longer is performed
with a blower which, if a more effective one were used, would be handled faster.
With the equivalent workload, noise is spread through the environment for a longer
period. On the other hand, it should be noted that there are large differences as well
in the noise values of same-power blowers.
4.3
Commission’s noise database
In seeking noise data on leaf blowers from the Commission’s noise database, a few
observations were made with regard to the serviceability and functionality of the
database.
First of all, the database Internet address is difficult to find and unknown to
consumers. There is no direct access to the database from, e.g., the Commission’s
web page, or at least this sort of link has not yet been added. Instead, the search key
“noise database” in the Google search engine elicited the address of the Commission’s
database. This too, however, requires strong knowledge on the part of the user and
familiarity with what is being sought.
The Finnish- or Swedish-speaking user should know the name of the machine he
or she is seeking in English, so that the right one will be found from the database
amongst the almost 60 headings. In the event that the equipment group is known and
is found, the next problem is to discover the unit being sought from others in its midst.
The leaf blowers are grouped according to motor efficiency, but in the marketing of
internal combustion engine-driven leaf blowers, the cylinder capacity of the engine
appeared to be most frequently presented as a feature of the engine. Similarly, the
meaning of “Net Installed Power Category” as used in the group remained unclear
as to what sort of power is intended. This ambiguity is emphasized by the fact that
the data on the same blower may be in two separate power categories.
The database does not work, as there were only three of the inspected 14 devices
in the database and, of these, only the data particular to one of them was completely
correct — the other two were out-of-date. On the other hand, there are various models in abundance representing the same make in the database, of which not all are
on sale in Finland, making the use of the database troublesome from the consumer’s
perspective. The greater difficulty, however, is the fact that in using the database one
should know who the manufacturer of the unit is — finding it by the commercial
name may not be successful. The marketing of this equipment, on the other hand, is
based more on the machine brand than its manufacturer.
4.4
Assessment on a unit-by-unit basis
Echo PB650
- Internal combustion engine-driven backpack blower, 2-stroke, motor cylinder
capacity 63.3 cm3, power unknown.
- Delaration of conformity: not in Finnish or Swedish.
- The labelling was mainly in keeping with the requirements of the directive on
outdoor equipment noise and the machinery directive. The machine lacked
a serial number or corresponding identification.
- Information on the machine was in the Commission’s database (old model).
- The measured sound power level, 109 dB, was lower than the guaranteed
value, 112 dB.
Gardol GLS250
- Electrically powered, handheld blower and vacuum, power 2.5 kW.
- Declaration of conformity; information on assessment procedure lacking,
only partly in Finnish and Swedish.
- The labelling was mainly in keeping with the requirements of the directive
on outdoor equipment noise and the machinery directive. Information on
the manufacturer was deficient.
- Information on the machine not in the Commission’s database.
- The measured sound power level, 96 dB for the blast apparatus and 97 dB for
the vacuum, was lower than the guaranteed value, 101 dB.
27
Glans-Power BV A2001
- Declaration of conformity missing.
- The labelling was not in accordance with the requirements of the
directive on outdoor equipment noise and the machinery directive.
Labelling on the guaranteed noise value was missing. The machine
did not show information on the manufacturer. The serial number or other
identification was missing.
- The measured sound power level was 99 dB for the blast apparatus and 98 dB
for the vacuum. Guaranteed value not reported.
Homelite HDP 30
- Internal combustion engine-driven backpack blower, motor cylinder capacity
30 cm3, power unknown.
- Declaration of conformity. Description of unit and assessment procedure as well
as place of issue and date of declaration missing.
- The labelling was in keeping with the requirements of the directive on outdoor
equipment noise and the machinery directive.
- The measured sound power level, 107 dB, was lower than the guaranteed value,
108 dB.
Honda HHB 25-E
- Internal combustion engine-driven, handheld, blast apparatus and vacuum,
motor cylinder capacity 25 cm3, power 0.8 kW.
- Declaration of conformity. No deficiencies.
- Information on the machine was in the Commission’s database, the only one
that was completely correct.
102 dB.
Husqvarna 125BT
25 cm3, power 0.7 kW.
- Declaration of conformity. Information about assessment procedure lacking.
102 dB.
29
Iskra 24 cc
- Internal combustion engine-driven, handheld, blast apparatus and vacuum,
- Declaration of conformity missing.
- Measured sound power level for blast apparatus, 107 dB, was lower than the
guranteed value, 108 dB and the measured sound power level for the vacuum,
109 dB, was greater than the guaranteed value, 108 dB.
Jonsered BV 2125
- Internal combustion engine-driven, backpack blast apparatus and vacuum,
- Measured sound power level for blast apparatus, 104 dB, was lower than the
guaranteed value, 112 dB, and the measured sound power level for the vacuum,
106 dB, was lower than the guaranteed value, 112 dB.
Makita BHX2500
- Internal combustion engine-driven, handheld blower, motor cylinder capacity
- Declaration of conformity. Description of unit missing, information about
assessment procedure missing, not in Finnish or Swedish.
106 dB.
Oleo-Mac BV 162
111 dB.
31
Solo 472
53 cm3, power unknown.
- Declaration of conformity. Information about assessment procedure missing,
not in Finnish or Swedish, ambiguity over magnitude of guaranteed value.
- Information on the machine was in the Commission’s database (old model).
- The measured sound power level, 105 dB, was greater than the guaranteed
value, 100 dB.
Stihl BR 600
109 dB.
Toro Ultra 350
- The measured sound power level for the blast apparatus, 101 dB, was as high
as the guaranteed value, 101 dB, and the measured sound power level for the
vacuum, 102 dB, was higher than the guaranteed value, 101 dB.
Valex Merak 2000
- Declaration of conformity. Personal information on declaration signatory lacking.
- The measured sound power level, 97 dB for the blast apparatus and 101 dB for
the vacuum, was lower than the guaranteed value, 107 dB.
33
References
DIRECTIVE 2000/14/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 8 May 2000
on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the noise emissions in the environment by equipment for use outdoors (EYVL L 162, 3 July 2000).
DIRECTIVE 2006/42/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 17 May
2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast).
SFS-EN ISO 3744 Acoustics. Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound pressure. Engineering method in an essentially free field over a reflecting plane (ISO 3744:1994). Helsinki:
Finnish Standards Association SFS. 41 pages.
SFS-EN ISO 3746:en. Acoustics. Determination of sound power levels of noise sources using sound
pressure. Survey method using an enveloping measurement surface over a reflecting plane (ISO
3746:1995). Helsinki: Finnish Standards Association SFS. 32 pages.
ISO 11094:1991 Acoustics. Test code for the measurement of airborne noise emitted by power lawn mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, professional mowers, and lawn and garden tractors
with mowing attachments. Zürich: International Organization for Standardization. 11 pages.
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (Low-voltage Directive) (EYVL L 77, 26.3.1973, p. 29)
Pasanen, Teemu; Rytkönen, Esko & Sorainen, Esko. 2003. Kiinteistönhoitokoneiden melu [Noise
respective to property maintenance machines]. Kuopio Area Occupational Health Institute. Physics
Laboratory. Kuopio 2003. Duplicate, available from the Finnish Ministry of the Environment.
VnA 5.7.2001/621. Valtioneuvoston asetus ulkona käytettävien laitteiden melupäästöistä [Government
Decree on noise emissions from equipment for outdoor use] 621/2001. Issued: Helsinki 5 July 2001.
VnP 21. December 1994. Valtioneuvoston päätös koneiden turvallisuudesta [Government Decision on
the safety of machines] 1314/1994. Issued: Helsinki 21 Dec. 1994.
Annex 1. List of leaf blowers on the market in December 2006
Tornado 1600
1600 W
electric
3,2
828
346
e
H
GardenVac 2200W
Turbo
2200 W
electric
5,1
900
212
e
H
2500 W
electric
-
-
-
e
H
1300 W
electric
4,2
-
198
e
H
BV-A1501
1800 W
electric
-
900
330
e
H
BV-A2001
2200 W
electric
-
720
330
e
H
EBV-260
-
25,4
4,2
-
-
2
H
EB-650
2,7
63,3
11
2016
324
2
B
YardBroom 30cc
-
30
5,2
720
270
2
H
BackPacker 30cc
-
30
5,7
720
270
2
B
0,8
25
4,7
630
250
4
H
2200 W
electric
-
-
250
e
H
2150 W
electric
-
-
-
e
H
225B
1
26,9
5,1
426
205
2
H
225Bx
1
26,9
5,3
426
205
2
H
125BT
0,7
25,4
5,9
654
187
2
B
141B
2
40,2
10
822
259
2
B
170BT
2,6
64,9
12
1260
318
2
B
356BTx
2,4
51,7
10,2
1302
284
2
B
2,6
48,6
9,9
-
292
2
B
0,7
25
4,8
-
-
2
H
GARDOL
GLS250
GERN
Garden 1300W
GLANS-POWER
HOMELITE
HONDA
HHB25-E
HORSE POWER
2200W
HURRICANE
HLS215
HUSQVARNA
HUSQVARNA
155B
JONSERED
BV 2125
35
ISKRA
AB3203
0,8
24
6,4
236
145
2
H
1800 W
electric
-
-
-
e
H
BHX2500
0,8
25
4,4
606
233
4
H
RBL500
1,9
49
8,7
1030
418
2
B
GV2200
2200 W
electric
-
-
-
e
H
BVM250 Tornado
0,7
25
-
-
-
2
H
BV 126
0,9
25,4
3,9
700
266
2
H
BV 162
3,3
61,3
9,4
1200
324
2
B
2000
2000 W
electric
-
-
-
e
H
2200
2200 W
electric
-
-
-
e
H
0,7
25
4,6
-
325
2
H
RESV2000
2000 W
electric
3,8
780
252
e
H
RGBV3100
-
31
5,5
720
257
2
H
EB 630
2,9
62
9
1044
323
2
B
EB 8510
3,3
79,7
11,1
1290
360
2
B
440
-
29
5,3
630
-
2
H
445
-
36,3
8,3
800
-
2
B
472
-
53
9,3
1100
-
2
B
SH 55
0,7
27,2
4,8
730
227
2
H
BR 380
2,5
56,5
9,1
1260
295
2
B
BR 500
2
64,8
9,9
1380
291
4
B
BR 600
2,8
64,8
9,5
1720
324
4
B
-
56,5
9,1
890
281
2
B
L&D
1800
MAKITA
McCULLOCH
OLEO-MAC
PARK
PARTNER
BV25
RYOBI
SHINDAIWA
SOLO
STIHL
STIHL
BR 420
TANAKA
THB-2510VS
1
24
3,6
517
209
2
H
TBL-4600
1,8
43
9,5
850
322
2
B
LS 2300
2300 W
electric
4,2
900
270
e
H
LS 2400
-
24
6,4
-
144
2
H
1500 W
electric
3,3
654
350
e
H
1800 W
electric
-
-
216
e
H
Marek 2000
2000 W
electric
-
-
-
e
H
Ghibli 2000
2000 W
electric
-
-
216
e
H
1100 W
electric
2,9
615
-
e
H
TEXAS
TORO
Ultra Blower Vac
VALEX
Mistral 1800
VALEX
VIKING
BE 600
37
D OCUMENTATION PAGE
Publisher
Environmental Protection Department
Author(s)
Jukka Pietilä, Lauri Tuunanen
Title of publication
Lehtipuhaltimien meluselvitys
(Noise Assessment on Leaf Blowers)
Publication series
and number
Reports of the Ministry of the Environment 21en/2007
Theme of publication
Environmental protection
Date
October 2007
Parts of publication/
other project
publications
The study measured and assessed whether the leaf blowers on the Finnish market meet the requirements of
directive relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors (2000/14/EC). The
sound power level was measured and a one-third octave band analysis was done. The results were compared
with the manufacturers’ guaranteed sound power level indications. In the study, the CE markings, instructions,
and the EC declarations of conformity of the blowers were checked to see if these fulfilled the requirements
of the EU legistation, and if the declared noise values were in accordance with the measured noise values. The
study looked at 14 leaf blowers.
Abstract
Most of the blowers fulfilled the basic requirements of the noise directive. These are the CE marking, the indication of the sound power level, and the EC declaration of conformity. Deviations from other requirements of the
noise directive were minor in the 14 blowers studied. According to the results of the study, the manufacturers
of these machines know and follow the requirements of the noise directive. The most serious shortcomings
were found with blowers whose manufacturers had not applied the procedure for the declaration of conformity, and whose importers had not followed through on it either.
The guaranteed sound power levels were mostly marked correctly, and generally the measured value did not
exceed the CE-marked one. One blower did not have the CE marking and one had too low of an indicated
value. Thus, the indications of guaranteed sound power levels were, in general, reliable. In addition, there were
deviations found in two blowers when their leaf-collecting mode was used. In this mode, their guaranteed value
was exceeded. The reason may be that the manufacturers had not measured the noise for the leaf-collecting
mode of the blower.
The European Commission noise database was also checked to find data on the tested leaf blowers. The database was difficult to use, and it does not seem to serve an ordinary consumer as intended.
Leaf blower, The Equipment Noise Emission Directive, 2000/14/EC, equipment for use outdoors, noise measurement, EC declaration of conformity, guaranteed sound power level, noise emissions, noise database, environment
Keywords
Financier/
commissioner
ISBN
(pbk.)
ISBN
978-952-11-2928-5 (PDF)
ISSN
(print)
ISSN
1796-170X (online)
No. of pages
40
Language
Finnish
Restrictions
Public
Price (incl. tax 8 %)
For sale at/
distributor
Edita Publishing Ltd. P.O. Box 800, FI-00043 EDITA
tel. +358 20 450 05, telefax +358 20 450 2380, e-mail: [email protected]
www.edita.fi/netmarket
Financier
of publication
Printing place
and year
K UVAILULEHTI
Julkaisija
Ympäristöministeriö
Ympäristönsuojeluosasto
Tekijä(t)
Julkaisun nimi
Julkaisusarjan
nimi ja numero
Ympäristöministeriön raportteja 21en/2007
Julkaisun teema
Ympäristönsuojelu
Julkaisuaika
Lokakuu 2007
Julkaisun osat/
muut saman projektin
tuottamat julkaisut
Tiivistelmä
Selvityksessä mitattiin ja arvioitiin täyttävätkö Suomessa myytävät lehtipuhaltimet laitemeludirektiivin, direktiivi
2000/14/EY, vaatimukset. Selvityksen yhteydessä puhaltimien laitemeluarvo mitattiin ja laskettiin sekä melusta
tehtiin kolmasosaoktaaveittainen taajuusanalyysi. Tuloksia verrattiin laitteissa ilmoitettuihin taattuihin arvoihin.
Laitteiden merkinnät, käyttöohjeet ja valmistajien antamat vaatimustenmukaisuusvakuutukset tarkastettiin sen
selvittämiseksi, olivatko nämä oikein verrattuna mitattuihin meluarvoihin ja lainsäädännön vaatimuksiin. Selvityksessä oli 14 erilaista lehtipuhallinta.
Laitemeludirektiivin perusvaatimuksia, jotka ovat CE-merkintä, merkintä taatusta äänitehotasosta ja valmistajan
vakuutus, noudatetaan varsin hyvin. Suurimmassa osassa tarkastettuja lehtipuhaltimia poikkeamat laitemeludirektiivin muista vaatimuksista olivat vähäisiä. Tarkastuksen perusteella valmistajat tuntevat ja noudattavat laitemeludirektiivin vaatimuksia pääosin hyvin. Suurimmat puutteet olivat laitteissa, joiden valmistaja ei ollut soveltanut
vaatimustenmukaisuusvakuutusmenettelyä, eivätkä näiden laitteiden maahantuojat olleet asiaa hoitaneet.
Taatut meluarvot olivat pääsääntöisesti oikein ilmoitetut, yhdessä puhaltimessa taattua arvoa ei ilmoitettu ja
toisessa puhaltimessa ilmoitettu taattu arvo oli liian pieni mittaustulokseen verrattuna. Ilmoitettuihin meluarvoihin voi pääsääntöisesti luottaa. Kaksi poikkeamaa tuli puhaltimen imurikäytöstä. Tähän saattaa olla syynä se, että
valmistaja ei ole huomannut arvioida koneen imurikäytön melua.
Selvityksen yhteydessä haettiin lehtipuhaltimien tietoja myös EU:n komission ylläpitämästä melutietokannasta.
Tällöin havaittiin, että tietokantaa on vakea käyttää, eikä se palvele lehtipuhaltimen hankkijaa tarkoitetulla tavalla.
Asiasanat
lehtipuhallin, laitemeludirektiivi, 2000/14/EY, melun mittaus, vaatimustenmukaisuuden arviointi, taattu meluarvo,
äänitehotaso, komission melutietokanta, ympäristö
Rahoittaja/
toimeksiantaja
ISBN
(nid.)
ISBN
978-952-11-2928-5 (PDF)
ISSN
(pain.)
ISSN
1796-170X (verkkoj.)
Sivuja
40
Kieli
Suomi
Luottamuksellisuus
Julkinen
Hinta (sis.alv 8 %)
Julkaisun myynti/
jakaja
Edita Publishing Oy, Asiakaspalvelu, PL 800, 00043 EDITA
puh. 020 450 05, telefax 020 450 2380, sähköposti: [email protected]
Julkaisun kustantaja
Ympäristöministeriö
Painopaikka ja -aika
39
P RESENTATIONSBLAD
Utgivare
Miljöministeriet
Miljövårdsavdelningen
Författare
Publikationens titel
Datum
Oktober 2007
(Buller från lövblåsare)
Publikationsserie
och nummer
Miljöministeriets rapporter 21en/2007
Publikationens tema
Miljövård
Publikationens delar/
andra publikationer
inom samma projekt
Sammandrag
I detta projekt undersöktes om lövblåsare som säljs på den finländska marknaden uppfyller kraven i utrustningsbullerdirektivet 2000/14/EG. Lövblåsarnas buller mättes och uträknades, och en oktavbandsanalys utfördes i tredjedels oktavband. Resultaten jämfördes med de garanterade bullervärden som tillverkarna uppgett på lövblåsarna.
Lövblåsarnas märkningar och bruksanvisning samt tillverkarnas försäkran om överensstämmelse inspekterades
för att se om dessa överensstämde med testvärdena och de gällande kraven. Undersökningen omfattade 14 olika
lövblåsare.
Det kunde konstateras att tillverkarna väl efterföljer bullerdirektivets grundkrav. Dessa är CE-märkning, märkning om garanterad ljudeffektnivå och försäkran om överensstämmelse. I största delen av de undersökta lövblåsarna var avvikelserna från bullerdirektivets krav små. Enligt undersökningen känner och efterföljer tillverkarna
bullerdirektivet i huvudsak väl. De största bristerna fanns i lövblåsare vars tillverkare inte avgett försäkran om
överensstämmelse och där inte heller importören hade skött om den saken.
De garanterade bullernivåerna hade i regel uppgetts korrekt. De överskreds inte heller i mätningarna, med undantag av ett par fall. En blåsare märkning av garanterad ljudeffektnivå och för en blåsare var det märkta värdet
saknade mindre än det mätta. Man kan i regel lita på de uppgivna bullervärdena. Ett par undantag var vid användning av lövblåsarna för sugning. Orsaken kan vara att tillverkaren glömt eller annars underlåtit att utreda lövblåsarens buller vid sugning.
I samband med undersökningen söktes också data om de testade lövblåsarna i den bullerdatabas som EU-kommissionen upprätthåller. Då konstaterades att denna databas är svår att använda, och den betjänar inte på avsett
vis den som skall skaffa en lövblåsare.
Nyckelord
lövblåsare, utrustningsbullerdirektiv, 2000/14/EG, bullermätning, överensstämmelse med krav, garanterad bullernivå, ljudeffektnivå, bullerdatabas, miljö
Finansiär/
uppdragsgivare
ISBN
(hft.)
ISBN
978-952-11-2928-5 (PDF)
ISSN
(print)
ISSN
1796-170X (online)
Sidantal
40
Språk
Finska
Offentlighet
Offentlig
Pris (inneh. moms 8 %)
Beställningar/
distribution
Edita Publishing Ab, Kundservice, PB 800, FI-00043 EDITA
tel. +358 20 450 05, telefax +358 20 450 2380, e-mail: [email protected]
Förläggare
Miljöministeriet
Tryckeri/tryckningsort
och -år
ket meet the requirements of the environmental noise directive (2000/14/EU).
The sound power level was measured and a one-third octave band analysis was
done. The results were compared with the manufacturers’ guaranteed sound
power level indications. In the study, the CE markings, instructions, and the EC
declarations of conformity of the blowers were checked to see if these fulfilled
the requirements of the EU legislation, and if the declared noise values were in
N oise a ssessment on Le af blowers
The study measured and assessed whether the leaf blowers on the Finnish mar-
accordance with the measured noise values. The European Commission noise
database was also checked to find data on the tested leaf blowers.
ISSN 1796-170X (verkkoj.)
M I NI S TRY O F TH E EN V IRON MEN T
ISBN 978-952-11-2928-5 (PDF)

Noise Assessment on Leaf Blowers

Transcription

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