SIST EN ISO 24501:2011

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
01-julij-2011
(UJRQRPLMD'RVWRSQRQDþUWRYDQMH5DYQL]YRþQHJDWODNDVOLãQLKVLJQDORY]D
SURL]YRGHQDPHQMHQHSRWURãQLNRP,62
Ergonomics - Accessible design - Sound pressure levels of auditory signals for consumer
products (ISO 24501:2010)
Ergonomie - Zugängliche Gestaltung - Schalldruckpegel von akustischen Signalen für
Konsumgüter (ISO 24501:2010)
Ergonomie - Conception accessible - Niveaux de pression acoustique des signaux
auditifs pour produits de consommation courante (ISO 24501:2010)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 24501:2010
ICS:
13.180 Ergonomija Ergonomics
SIST EN ISO 24501:2011 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011


EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 24501

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2010
ICS 13.180; 11.180.15
English Version
Ergonomics - Accessible design - Sound pressure levels of
auditory signals for consumer products (ISO 24501:2010)
Ergonomie - Conception accessible - Niveaux de pression Ergonomie - Zugängliche Gestaltung - Schalldruckpegel
acoustique des signaux auditifs pour produits de von akustischen Signalen für Konsumgüter (ISO
consommation courante (ISO 24501:2010) 24501:2010)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 14 December 2010.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.





EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels
© 2010 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 24501:2010: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
EN ISO 24501:2010 (E)
Contents Page
Foreword .3

2

---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
EN ISO 24501:2010 (E)
Foreword
This document (EN ISO 24501:2010) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159 “Ergonomics”
in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 122 “Ergonomics” the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by June 2011, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at
the latest by June 2011.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 24501:2010 has been approved by CEN as a EN ISO 24501:2010 without any modification.

3

---------------------- Page: 5 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011

---------------------- Page: 6 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 24501
First edition
2010-12-15


Ergonomics — Accessible design —
Sound pressure levels of auditory signals
for consumer products
Ergonomie — Conception accessible — Niveaux de pression
acoustique des signaux auditifs pour produits de consommation
courante





Reference number
ISO 24501:2010(E)
©
ISO 2010

---------------------- Page: 7 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.


COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT


©  ISO 2010
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland

ii © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 8 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Symbols.2
5 Range of sound pressure levels of auditory signals.2
5.1 General .2
5.2 When not considering the masking effect of an interfering sound .3
5.2.1 General .3
5.2.2 Method using octave-band analysis or one-third-octave-band analysis .3
5.3 When taking the masking effect of interfering sound into consideration.4
5.3.1 Method using A-weighted sound pressure level measurement.4
5.3.2 Method using octave-band analysis.5
5.3.3 Method using one-third-octave-band analysis.5
Annex A (normative) Method for measuring the sound pressure level of an auditory signal.7
Annex B (normative) Method for measuring the sound pressure level of interfering sound.11
Annex C (informative) Example of the record of measurement conditions and results .14
Annex D (informative) Examples of measurement and range setting of the sound pressure level of
auditory signals.16
Bibliography.21

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved iii

---------------------- Page: 9 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 24501 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 159, Ergonomics, Subcommittee SC 5,
Ergonomics of the physical environment.
iv © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 10 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
Introduction
People conduct their daily lives surrounded by various consumer products. Consumer products, as defined in
ISO 20282-1, include home electrical appliances, information and telecommunication products, gas-heating
equipment, toys, sanitary equipment, and health-care products, many of which use auditory signals. These
auditory signals can be indistinct because of the hearing loss which occurs with ageing or because of
interfering sounds in the surroundings. Also, with age, our visual ability declines gradually. Auditory signals
with an appropriate sound level can assist product users with auditory or visual impairment in using the
product correctly and safely.
This International Standard specifies methods for determining an appropriate sound level range of auditory
signals, so that all product users, including people with age-related hearing loss, can hear them properly
against interfering sounds. This sound level range specification was determined, based on results of
experiments in which people of all ages participated. Auditory signals whose sound pressure level is in that
range are expected to be audible and comfortably loud for most users in the presence of interfering sounds.
This International Standard should be applied as appropriate to products, depending on the product type and
its conditions of use. It does not apply to machines and equipment used for professional work.
This International Standard adopts the principles of accessible design given in ISO/IEC Guide 71 and
amplified in ISO/TR 22411.

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved v

---------------------- Page: 11 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011

---------------------- Page: 12 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 24501:2010(E)

Ergonomics — Accessible design — Sound pressure levels of
auditory signals for consumer products
1 Scope
This International Standard specifies methods for determining the sound pressure level range of auditory
signals so that the users of consumer products, including people with age-related hearing loss, can hear the
signal properly in the presence of interfering sounds.
Auditory signals, in this International Standard, refer to sounds with a fixed frequency (also called beep
sounds) and do not include variable frequency sounds, melodic sounds, or voice guides.
This International Standard is applicable to auditory signals which are heard at an approximate maximum
distance of 4 m from the product, as long as no physical barrier exists between the product and the user. It is
not applicable to auditory signals heard through a head receiver or earphones, or to those heard with the ear
located very near to the sound source because of the interference of the head with sound propagation.
This International Standard does not specify the sound pressure level of auditory signals regulated by other
statutes, such as those for fire alarms, gas leakages and crime prevention, nor does it specify auditory signals
particular to a communication tool such as telephones.
This International Standard does not specify auditory danger signals for public or work areas which are
covered in ISO 7731, ISO 8201, and ISO 11429.
2 Normative references
The following referenced standards are indispensable for the application of this document. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 24500:2010, Ergonomics — Accessible design — Auditory signals for consumer products
IEC 60050-801, International electrotechnical vocabulary — Chapter 801: Acoustics and electroacoustics
IEC 61260, Electroacoustics — Octave-band and fractional-octave-band filters
IEC 61672-1, Electroacoustics — Sound level meters — Part 1: Specifications
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 24500 and IEC 60050-801 and the
following apply.
3.1
product actuation sound
sound generated by actuation of the consumer product which incorporates the auditory signal to be designed
EXAMPLE A cooling-fan noise.
© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved 1

---------------------- Page: 13 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
3.2
living environment sound
sound generated in the room where the consumer product which incorporates the auditory signal to be
designed is used
NOTE This includes a sound generated by user behaviour (e.g. sound of water generated when washing dishes in a
kitchen) or an actuation sound of some other product incorporating the auditory signal to be designed (e.g. actuation
sound of a vacuum cleaner).
3.3
interfering sound
product actuation sound or living environment sound which is likely to have the greatest effect on audibility of
the auditory signal to be designed
3.4
ambient noise
sound other than the sound to be measured as an auditory signal or as an interfering sound at the
measurement location
EXAMPLE Outside traffic noise.
4 Symbols
For the purposes of this document, the following symbols apply.
L A-weighted sound pressure level of an auditory signal, in decibels, measured using the method
S,A
specified in Annex A.
L A-weighted sound pressure level of interfering sound, in decibels, measured using the method
N,A
specified in Annex B.
L level of the frequency band, in decibels, which has the maximum value among octave-band sound
S,oct
pressure levels of auditory signals, measured using the method specified in Annex A.
L octave-band sound pressure level, in decibels, of interfering sound at the same frequency band as
N,oct
L , measured using the method specified in Annex B.
S,oct
L level of the frequency band, in decibels, which has the maximum value among one-third-octave-
S,1/3oct
band sound pressure levels of auditory signals, measured using the method specified in Annex A.
L one-third-octave-band sound pressure level, in decibels, of interfering sound at the same frequency
N,1/3oct
band as L , measured using the method specified in Annex B.
S,1/3oct
5 Range of sound pressure levels of auditory signals
5.1 General
The range of sound pressure levels of auditory signals shall be determined following the procedure in 5.2 or
5.3, depending on whether the masking effect of interfering sound is taken into consideration or not.
When an auditory signal with a fixed sound level is used, the level shall be selected to fall in the range
specified by application of the method. When the sound level is controllable by the user, the level shall be
variable to cover the entire range.
NOTE It is important for designers to consider the implication of adjustable volume controls with respect to caution
signals, if the adjustable range extends below the lower end specified by application of the method. An example of the
record of measurement conditions and results is shown in Annex C. Some examples of measurement and range setting of
the sound pressure level of auditory signals are shown in Annex D.
2 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 14 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
5.2 When not considering the masking effect of an interfering sound
5.2.1 General
For a case in which the masking effect of interfering sound can be ignored because its level is very low, only
the users' hearing-ability change which occurs with ageing is considered for setting the range of the sound
pressure level of the auditory signal.
The range of the sound pressure level shall be determined in accordance with either method using octave-
band analysis or one-third-octave-band analysis, both of which are described in 5.2.2. For the methods for
measuring the sound pressure level using octave-band analysis and one-third-octave-band analysis, see
Annex A.
NOTE The method using one-third-octave-band analysis provides a more accurate range of sound pressure levels
because the auditory signal is analysed more precisely with a narrower frequency bandwidth.
5.2.2 Method using octave-band analysis or one-third-octave-band analysis
The range of the sound pressure level of the auditory signal determined using octave-band analysis or one-
third-octave-band analysis shall be as described below.
a) Lower end of L or L
S,oct S,1/3oct
The lower end of L or L shall be determined as follows.
S,oct S,1/3oct
1) The lower end of L and L shall be as given in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.
S,oct S,1/3oct
Table 1 — Lower end of L
S,oct
Centre frequency of band
b
250 500 1 000 2 000 4 000
Hz
Sound pressure level
a
30 25 25 35 60
dB
a
The value of this frequency band is applied only to extremely quiet conditions.
b
The fundamental frequency of the auditory signal should not be higher than 2 500 Hz (see ISO 24500). The
values of those frequency bands are for auditory signals of specific products only (e.g. very small products in
which only a tiny, high-frequency sound device can be implemented).

Table 2 — Lower end of L
S,1/3oct
Centre frequency of band
b b
250 to 315 400 to 1 250 1 600 2 000 2 500 3 150 4 000
Hz
Sound pressure level
a
25 30 35 40 50 60
30
dB
a
The value of this frequency band is applied only to extremely quiet conditions.
b
The fundamental frequency of the auditory signal should not be higher than 2 500 Hz (see ISO 24500). The values of those
frequency bands are for auditory signals of specific products only (e.g. very small products in which only a tiny, high-frequency sound
device can be implemented).

2) Make the lower-end level higher than the value specified in 1) by 5 dB, to ensure signal perception in
the case of reception and start signals, starting position signals, end signals (case of hearing at a
position distant from the product), and strong caution signals with repeat counts of fewer than five
times, in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5 of
ISO 24500:2010.
© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved 3

---------------------- Page: 15 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
b) Upper end of L or L
S,oct S,1/3oct
The upper end of L or L shall be determined as follows.
S,oct S,1/3oct
i) The upper end shall be 70 dB for auditory signals with a frequency of 2 500 Hz or lower.
ii) Make the upper-end level higher than the value specified in i) by 5 dB, to ensure signal perception in
the case of end signals (case of hearing at a position distant from the product) and strong caution
signals in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5 of
ISO 24500:2010.
5.3 When taking the masking effect of interfering sound into consideration
For a case in which the masking effect of assumed interfering sound in the environment for use of the product
and the users' hearing-ability change with ageing are considered, the range of the sound pressure level of the
auditory signal shall be determined so that any of the methods in 5.3.1 to 5.3.3 is met. For the procedures of
octave-band analysis and one-third-octave-band analysis, see Annexes A and B.
The method in 5.3.1 provides a less accurate range of sound pressure levels than the methods in 5.3.2 and
5.3.3 and should be used only when the latter two are not available.
The method in 5.3.3 provides a more accurate range of sound pressure levels than the method in 5.3.2 does,
because the auditory signal and interfering sound are analysed more precisely with a narrower frequency
bandwidth.
5.3.1 Method using A-weighted sound pressure level measurement
The range of the sound pressure level of the auditory signal determined using A-weighted sound pressure
level measurement shall be as described below.
a) Lower end of L
S,A
The lower end of L shall be determined as follows.
S,A
1) The relative sound pressure level of the auditory signal to interfering sound (L − L ) shall be
S,A N,A
−5 dB.
NOTE Only the energy of the interfering sound within the frequency band (called critical band) around the signal
frequency affects the audibility of the signal. Therefore, the sound pressure level of the auditory signal can be lower
than that of the interfering sound.
2) The lower end shall be made higher than the value specified in 1) by 5 dB, to ensure signal
perception in the case of reception and start signals, starting position signals, end signals (case of
hearing at a position distant from the product), and strong caution signals with repeat counts of fewer
than five times in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5 of
ISO 24500:2010.
b) Upper end of L
S,A
The upper end of L shall be determined as follows.
S,A
i) The relative sound pressure level of the auditory signal to interfering sound (L − L ) shall be
S,A N,A
15 dB.
ii) The maximum upper end shall be 75 dB when the upper end exceeds 75 dB as a result of the setting
in i).
iii) Make the upper-end level higher than the values specified in i) and ii) by 5 dB, to ensure signal
perception in the case of end signals (case of hearing at a position distant from the product) and
strong caution signals in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5
of ISO 24500:2010.
4 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 16 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
5.3.2 Method using octave-band analysis
The range of the sound pressure level of the auditory signal determined using octave-band analysis shall be
as described below.
a) Lower end of L
S,oct
The lower end of L shall be determined as follows.
S,oct
1) The relative sound pressure level of the auditory signal to interfering sound (L − L ) shall be
S,oct N,oct
the value given in Table 3.
Table 3 — Lower end of relative sound pressure level (L − L ) of
S,oct N,oct
auditory signal to interfering sound
Centre frequency
a
250 to 1 000 2 000 4 000
Hz
Relative sound pressure level of auditory
signal to interfering sound 5 0 5
dB
a
The fundamental frequency of the auditory signal should not be higher than 2 500 Hz (see ISO 24500). The
value of this frequency band is for auditory signals of specific products only (e.g. very small products in which
only a tiny, high-frequency sound device can be implemented).

2) As a result of the setting in 1), the lower end can be lower than the value given in Table 1. In that
case, the value given in Table 1 shall be taken as the lower end.
3) Make the lower-end level higher than the value specified in 1) and 2) by 5 dB, to ensure signal
perception in the case of reception and start signals, starting position signals, end signals (case of
hearing at a position distant from the product) and strong caution signals with repeat counts of fewer
than five times in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5 of
ISO 24500:2010.
b) Upper end of L
S,oct
The upper end of L shall be determined as follows.
S,oct
i) The relative sound pressure level of the auditory signal to interfering sound (L − L ) shall be
S,oct N,oct
25 dB.
ii) The maximum upper end shall be 75 dB when the upper end exceeds 75 dB as a result of the setting
in i).
iii) Make the upper-end level higher than the value specified in i) and ii) by 5 dB, to ensure signal
perception in the case of end signals (case of hearing at a position distant from the product) and
strong caution signals in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5
of ISO 24500:2010.
5.3.3 Method using one-third-octave-band analysis
The range of the sound pressure level determined using one-third-octave-band analysis shall be as described
below.
a) Lower end of L
S,1/3oct
The lower end of L shall be determined as follows.
S,1/3oct
1) The relative sound pressure level of the auditory signal to interfering sound (L − L ) shall
S,1/3oct N,1/3oct
be the value given in Table 4.
© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved 5

---------------------- Page: 17 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
Table 4 — Lower end of relative sound pressure level (L − L ) of
S,1/3oct N,1/3oct
auditory signal to interfering sound
Centre frequency
a
250 to 1 250 1 600 to 2 500
3 150 to 4 000
Hz
Relative sound pressure level of auditory
signal to interfering sound 10 5 10
dB
a
The fundamental frequency of the auditory signal should not be higher than 2 500 Hz (see ISO 24500). The
value of those frequency bands is for auditory signals of specific products only (e.g. very small products in which
only a tiny, high-frequency sound device can be implemented).

2) As a result of the setting in 1), the lower end can be lower than the value given in Table 2. In that
case, the value given in Table 2 shall be taken as the lower end.
3) Make the lower-end level higher than the value specified in 1) and 2) by 5 dB, to ensure signal
perception in the case of reception and start signals, starting position signals, end signals (case of
hearing at a position distant from the product), and strong caution signals with repeat counts of fewer
than five times in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5 of
ISO 24500:2010.
b) Upper end of L
S,1/3oct
The upper end of L shall be determined as follows.
S,1/3oct
i) The relative sound pressure level of the auditory signal to interfering sound (L − L ) shall
S,1/3oct N,1/3oct
be 30 dB.
ii) The maximum upper end shall be 75 dB when the upper end exceeds 75 dB as a result of the setting
in i).
iii) Make the upper-end level higher than the value specified in i) and ii) by 5 dB, to ensure signal
perception in the case of end signals (case of hearing at a position distant from the product) and
strong caution signals in accordance with the classification of auditory signals specified in Clause 5
of ISO 24500:2010.
6 © ISO 2010 – All rights reserved

---------------------- Page: 18 ----------------------

SIST EN ISO 24501:2011
ISO 24501:2010(E)
Annex A
(normative)

Method for measuring the sound pressure level of an auditory signal
A.1 Introduction
This annex specifies the method for measuring the sound pressure level of an auditory signal for the purpose
of determining a range of the sound pressure levels of auditory signals , as specified in Clause 5.
A.2 Measuring method of the sound pressure level of an auditory signal
A.2.1 Type of measurement
One of the following three types of measurement shall be performed:
a) measurement of A-weighted sound pres
...