An Acoustical Assessment of the Impulse Noise of Grenade Simulators Exploding in Enclosures

An assessment was made of the impulse noise produced when exploding grenade simulators both outdoors and at various locations and distances in two different shaped rooms with and without furnishings. The peak pressure level of the grenade simulator when measured outdoor was 178 dB and its B-duration was 6 msec. The effect upon the impulse noise produced by a grenade simulator exploding at various locations with reference to the walls is described. The effect of furnishings is given and equations are provided for computing peak pressure level and B-duration. A program is provided for producing idealized pressure time histories of the impulse noise with explosive and transducer at various locations with reference to the walls. Proper instrumentation techniques are provided for measuring impulse noise in rooms. The potential hazard for personnel who might undergo a once in a lifetime exposure is estimated for different impulse noise levels of exploding grenade simulators inside rooms. Also, appropriate precautions for use in training, such as hearing protection, maximum number of exposures and maximum exposure level, are discussed. Author