Measures: 340 x 270 x 80 mm.

Sound pressure measurer features:

• Dynamic margin: 40 - 104 db(A)
• Measure quality: Tipo II IEC-651
• Integrator of the environmental indicator to 1 minute

Network features: The equipment can be integrated in the System for Environmental Noise Supervision (SSMmR) manufactured by Proceso Digital de Audio, using as a means of transmission any of the following:

• Ethernet
• Wi-Fi
• GPRS

Noise is a bi-product of human activity capable of causing harmful effects to living beings in general and humans in particular. It is one of the most harmful of all the environmental pollutants. Among the harm which it causes to people are those due to its perception (psychological effects) which can provoke insomnia, irritation, stress, heart disease, etc.

Within the existing legislation for noise control is the 2002/49/EC European Union Directive regarding the "Evaluation and Management of Environmental Noise" which is the basis of National legislation concerning noise.

As noise is a bi-product of human activity, the sensitivity with which it is perceived is very different, whether it is a producer or receiver. Thus, it is the laws themselves which state that the best noise control element is education.

It is necessary that everybody, as elements of the system, is aware that through our customs, with the use we give to everyday objects, we are the producers of the noise which generates our sound environment. For this reason, we must develop our awareness of the extent to which we are responsible for the situation in which we live.

It is certain that our hearing, which although is a sensitive instrument capable of perceiving the faintest of sounds, is a “lazy” instrument incapable on its own of distinguishing whether what it hears constitutes a noisy environment or not. This depends on many factors. Thus, our hearing can only interpret what it hears in reference to a situation which is the key to its perception.

Therefore, generally, the majority of people are not capable of discerning whether they are in an environment which is adequate to the situation in which they find themselves. It should also be pointed out that these same people are not able to distinguish whether a specific number of decibels is a lot or a little, for a particular situation. It is, however, easy for them to recognise that 30º is a good temperature to be on the beach and very bad when working in an office.

The SAS is a device which helps to give information concerning the sound sensation by identifying the environmental quality present in every situation with the measurements of the sound levels, would appear to be the ideal tool for enabling the people who see it to be aware of their contribution to the sound environment. It can also educate us regarding the relationship between the noise levels produced and the environmental quality existing in a specific environment.

Very often, given that the daily hubbub is a product of our social life and economic activities, we are not aware of the noise levels which we produce. Therefore, to use a device in classrooms and school playgrounds, waiting rooms, work places and, in general, in areas which, due to their nature should be quiet spaces and where, very often unconsciously on the part of the producers of noise, the noise levels reached are considerable, would be a highly useful tool. This tool would show the real situation by giving information, educating and developing awareness in the people which see it.