What is BS EN 12102 – Airborne noise measurement for space heating and cooling systems about?
Air conditioners and liquid chillers are machines designed to cool air and/or liquids. Liquid chillers utilize a refrigeration cycle that lets them remove heat from various liquids and release it into the atmosphere. BS EN 12102 is a European Standard that discusses the performance evaluation for standardized measurement of airborne noise in air conditioners and liquid chilling packages. The main objective of BS EN 12102 is to provide best industry methods for measurement of airborne noise to demonstrate the performance and efficiency of space heating and cooling systems.
BS EN 12102 establishes requirements for determining, in accordance with a standardized procedure, the sound power level emitted into the surrounding air by air conditioners, heat pumps, liquid chilling packages with electrically driven compressors when used for space heating and/or cooling, including water cooled multisplit systems, as described in EN 14511 and dehumidifiers as described in EN 810.
BS EN 12102 also covers the measurement of the sound power level of evaporatively-cooled condenser air conditioners, as defined in EN 15218.
BS EN 12102 emphasised that this measurement standard only refers to airborne noise.
BS EN 12102 offers ways to determine the sound power level of units. Some of them are specifically adapted to provide results with low uncertainties, by using laboratory class acoustic methods and highly controlled working conditions. Those measurements are suitable for certification, labelling and marking purposes.
BS EN 12102 also offers ways to assess sound power levels with acceptable accuracy even though acoustic methods and/or working conditions are not laboratory-type, e.g. in situ or quality control measurements.
Note: The use of EN ISO 3746 and EN ISO 3747 as survey grade methods are not recommended as per BS EN 12102 due to the high level of uncertainties.
Who is BS EN 12102 - Airborne noise measurement for space heating and cooling systems for? 
BS EN 12102 on airborne noise measurement for space heating and cooling systems is relevant to: 
- Manufacturers of ventilation and air-conditioning appliances such as air conditioners, liquid chilling packages, heat pumps and dehumidifiers
- Product designers
- Quality control and testing personnel
- Installers
- Mechanical engineers
- Certification bodies
Why should you use BS EN 12102 - Airborne noise measurement for space heating and cooling systems?
Measuring airborne noise emitted by space heating and cooling systems is a necessary practice to prevent potential functional inefficiencies of an appliance.
In this regard, BS EN 12102 provides best industry guidance on instruments to be used for measuring and evaluation, from acoustic and capacity points of view. It also covers uncertainties of measurement for measured quantities of liquid, air, refrigerant, concentration, voltage and rotation speed.
BS EN 12102 also covers recommendations for installations such that accuracy and precision of measurements is not compromised.
BS EN 12102 gives two classes of measurements and results, according to the test environment.
BS EN 12102 walks you through test methods to identify the airborne noise and measure it. Three methods for determining the sound power levels are specified in order to avoid unduly restricting existing facilities and experience:
- The first methodology is based on reverberation room measurement
- The second method is based on measurements in an essentially free field over a reflecting plane
- The third method is based on sound intensity measurement in preferably free field environment
Thus, BS EN 12102 is your guide on accurate and precise determination of the acoustical performance of air conditioners, liquid chilling packages, heat pumps and dehumidifiers. These measurements can demonstrate whether your products are safe, reliable and effective at the point of use, such that product failures, hazards and operational disturbances are prevented
