SKC NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter

Overview

The SKC NoiseCHEK Personal Noise Dosimeter is an IEC 61252:2017 and ANSI S1.25-1991 Class 2-certified instrument engineered for occupational noise exposure assessment in industrial hygiene and hearing conservation programs. Designed and manufactured in the United States by SKC—a globally recognized leader in industrial hygiene instrumentation—the NoiseCHEK employs a precision ½-inch electret condenser microphone and real-time digital signal processing to deliver traceable, reproducible measurements across a dynamic range of 70–140 dB (with peak capability up to 143 dB). Its core architecture adheres to the fundamental principles of time-weighted average (TWA) and dose computation defined in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, MSHA Part 62, and ACGIH TLV® guidelines. Unlike legacy analog dosimeters, the NoiseCHEK integrates dual-mode operation—continuous logging and event-triggered acquisition—enabling compliance-aligned monitoring without manual intervention or post-hoc data interpolation.

Key Features

• Integrated ½-inch electret condenser microphone with factory-calibrated sensitivity—no external adapters or preamplifiers required
• Automatic acoustic calibration support via optional AcoustiCHEK calibrator (IEC 60942 Class 2)
• Four concurrently configurable virtual dosimeter groups: preloaded templates for OSHA Hearing Conservation (HC), OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), MSHA, and ACGIH TLV®, plus fully customizable exposure criteria
• Real-time threshold-triggered event logging: records noise events exceeding user-defined SPL thresholds with timestamp, duration, and spectral context
• Sound tagging functionality: embeds audible voice notes directly into measurement files for contextual field annotation
• Monochrome 1.8-inch TFT display with 9-line configurable readout—shows simultaneous metrics per active dosimeter group including SPL, L_eq, L_avg, %Dose, Peak, TWA, projected dose, and exposure value
• Intrinsically safe variants available (Cat. No. 701-001S & 701-001NBS) certified for Zone 0/1 hazardous locations per ATEX, IECEx, UL, and UKCA directives
• Lithium-polymer rechargeable battery (3.7 V, 1200 mAh) supporting >40 hours of continuous operation and >180 hours of stored data at 60-second sampling intervals

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The NoiseCHEK is validated for use with standard 3M™, Honeywell™, and Bacou™ hearing protection fit-testing protocols and compatible with all major personal protective equipment (PPE) mounting systems—including lapel clips, shoulder harnesses, and hard hat adapters. It meets the metrological requirements of ISO 9001-certified calibration laboratories and supports full auditability under GLP and GMP-aligned workflows. Device firmware and software maintain full traceability to NIST-traceable acoustic standards. All intrinsically safe models comply with IEC 60079-0, -11, and -15, as well as UL 913 and EN 60079-0 for Class I, II, and III hazardous environments. Non-IS units carry CE, UKCA, RoHS, and FCC Part 15 compliance markings. Documentation packages include Declaration of Conformity, test reports from DEMKO and UL, and full ATEX/IECEx certification dossiers.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and reporting are managed through two interoperable platforms: SmartWave dB (free iOS/Android application) and DataTrac dB (Windows desktop software). SmartWave dB enables real-time device control—including start/pause/stop commands, virtual dosimeter configuration, and live view of octave/1/3-octave band levels—via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Field annotations, photo capture, and email-ready compliance reports (PDF/CSV) can be generated on-device. DataTrac dB provides advanced post-processing capabilities: scheduled sampling plans, multi-device synchronization, audio playback of recorded events, granular filtering of annotated logs, and automated generation of OSHA 300/301–compatible exposure summaries. Both applications enforce secure local storage and support FDA 21 CFR Part 11–compliant audit trails when deployed in regulated environments.

Applications

• Workplace noise mapping and task-based exposure profiling in manufacturing, construction, mining, and transportation sectors
• Hearing conservation program validation per ANSI/ASA S12.13 and ISO 9612
• Pre- and post-fit evaluation of hearing protection devices (HPDs) under real-world operational conditions
• Regulatory submission support for OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95, EU Directive 2003/10/EC, and Canadian CSA Z107.56
• Acoustic incident investigation, including identification of impulsive or intermittent noise sources exceeding peak limits
• Long-term trend analysis of worker exposure across shifts, departments, or facility-wide campaigns

FAQ

Is the NoiseCHEK suitable for use in explosive atmospheres?
Yes—models 701-001S and 701-001NBS are certified intrinsically safe for Zone 0, Class I Groups A–D, Class II Groups E–G, and Class III T4 environments per ATEX, IECEx, UL, and UKCA standards.
Does the device require annual recalibration?
Per ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI S1.40, field verification using an accredited acoustic calibrator (e.g., AcoustiCHEK) is recommended before each measurement session; formal recalibration by an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab is advised every 12 months.
Can multiple NoiseCHEK units be synchronized for coordinated monitoring?
While not GPS-synchronized, units can be time-aligned via DataTrac dB using PC-based clock sync prior to deployment, enabling cross-device comparative analysis within ±1 second tolerance.
What file formats does DataTrac dB export?
CSV (for spreadsheet integration), PDF (for regulatory reporting), and proprietary .DTR binary format (for forensic replay and spectral reconstruction).
Is SmartWave dB compatible with enterprise mobility management (EMM) platforms?
Yes—the app supports Android Enterprise and Apple Business Manager deployment profiles, including certificate-based authentication and encrypted data-at-rest policies compliant with NIST SP 800-114.