From emergency rescue scenarios to military operations, reliable radio communications are critical to success. It’s also essential to ensure military and blue-light personnel can work effectively and safely, even in the most demanding high-noise environments.

At ISVR Consulting we are aware of the noise and vibration issues that can impact this sector. We provide comprehensive noise and vibration testing services for the emergency services and defence sector, including:

  • Government agencies and armed forces
  • Defence companies, including product manufacturers and suppliers
  • Blue-light emergency services, including police, ambulance, marine coastguard and other rescue services

With specialist acoustic chambers, vibration test facilities and bespoke equipment, we can conduct tests in the lab or in the field according to clients’ requirements.

Get in touch to discuss your noise and vibration testing project

Environmental worthiness of military equipment

For manufacturers and subcontractors, meeting rigorous standards for military systems and equipment is an essential link in the supply chain process. We are experienced in testing components and systems to Mil-Std and DefStan standards, enabling you to move your project forward. Find out more about the standards we test to.

In our dedicated reverberation chambers, we expose the sample/test item to extreme levels of noise to ensure it remains operational and to identify any potential failure or acoustic fatigue issues.

Managing acoustic signals for stealth and detectability

Acoustic signal management is vital for ensuring that vehicle or equipment noise and acoustic signatures remain within design targets to reduce the risk of acoustic detection by enemy forces. Our clients trust us to provide expert design advice, and to support specialist trials testing to demonstrate compliance.

We can also test to specialist vibration standards to ensure that machinery meets specific, low-noise requirements to maintain acoustic discretion, typically measuring very low acceleration levels to confirm it is below a set limit.

Meeting occupational standards and protecting against military hearing loss

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major occupational health hazard, and one of the leading causes of medical disability among veterans and other personnel.

Our experts are experienced in conducting noise testing to assess exposure, checking against safe levels in line with the legislative framework in the UK (typically the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005).

With bespoke, specialist equipment, we are uniquely placed to take direct measurements under communication headsets/ear defenders, taking into account the actual fit of the equipment and prevailing conditions at the point of testing.

We also use a calibrated acoustic manikin (Head and Torso Simulator) to measure directly the noise at the eardrums of radio communications noise for different types of earpieces (overt or covert) for the police forces in the UK.

Communications equipment noise

We can conduct lab-based or field testing in real in-service environments for staff using radio and communication equipment, for example testing in control centres for dispatchers and 999 call handlers. Our acoustic manikin (Head and Torso Simulator) is used to measure the noise from headsets in such situations.

Hearing protection testing

We have the specialist expertise and equipment to test the amount of attenuation provided by hearing protection, including taking into account variations in how hearing protection might be used/fitted by operatives in the field.

In our tests, we use our reverberation chamber to generate high levels of noise, and we undertake measurements with calibrated precision microphones, all in accordance with the correct standards. Find out more about our work on noise reduction provided by diving hoods.

Assessing high-noise environments

Whether in an emergency scenario or on the field of combat, emergency and military personnel are faced with a range of high-level noise sources, including firearm and heavy weapons noise, explosives, alarm or siren noise and noise levels under motorcycle helmets.

We use specialist microphones and instrumentation to measure these high noise levels, including miniature microphones used directly under headsets and overhead ear protection.

Our assessments provide our clients with the information they need to demonstrate compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. This might include selection and use of hearing protection, or limits on exposure duration (for example, the maximum amount of time an operator can be exposed to a specific noise source, or the number of rounds that can be fired). Find out more about our work on noise and hearing protection for firearms users.

Ensuring communications intelligibility

In safety-critical, high-pressure and high-noise situations, ensuring operatives can hear and understand communications is crucial. Our expertise includes determining the effect of specialist or protective headgear on peoples’ hearing – for example, testing anti-flash fire-resistant hoods used by the Royal Navy.

Testing security and intelligence equipment

Our experts can test and assess equipment such as phone scramblers and covert earpieces, whether for insights at design stage or to improve product performance.

Subject matter expertise: armed forces and emergency services litigation

We can help in assessing the validity of personnel claims, for example for excessive/harmful noise levels during firearms training or helicopter operations