Advancements in outdoor warning systems and the design of future power plants are creating a need for new and updated outdoor warning technology. BRRC has the experience and expertise, from outdoor measurements to custom modeling, to help facilitate this process.
BRRC conducted acoustical tests on the new siren system at the Indian Point Entergy Center. In the first project phase, BRRC sampled the full-system signals (from over 150 sirens) at nine locations throughout the Emergency Planning Zone. The second phase involved measuring the sound output of three individual sirens using ANSI standard methodology. The resultant acoustical data were provided to the Entergy Corporation as part of their verification that the new sirens met the manufacturer's specifications.
BRRC conducted sound level measurements of eight individual sirens from the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, using ANSI S12.14 methods. Each siren was tested with an array of five vertical microphones via a bucket truck. Pennsylvania Power and Light (PPL) used these acoustical data for their verification of the new siren system design and operation.
The Entergy Corporation has added a number of sirens around the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in an effort to improve the quality of their Public Alert system. The first project phase involved measurements from up to two miles from the nearest sirens. In the second phase, BRRC conducted ANSI S12.14 tests via bucket truck on three of the new sirens.
BRRC created siren coverage maps for the Virginia Commonwealth University using the commercial acoustic modeling software SoundPLAN. This project required developing a three-dimensional model of downtown Richmond, VA, which included all major buildings near VCU (over 750 in total), and modeling of multiple siren configurations. The resultant calculations aided VCU’s assessment of appropriate siren coverage for their campus.