Guidance document "The Measurement of Impulse Noise from Military Weapons, Explosives and Pyrotechnics" has been made available for use in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) following the withdrawal in 1999 of the obsolete Defence Standard 00-27 "Acceptable Limits for Exposure to Impulse Noise from Military Weapons, Explosives and Pyrotechnics".

A Working Group comprising MOD stakeholders and noise specialists2) produced this document. Its purpose is to provide guidance on the minimum measurements required to determine impulse noise from military weapons, explosives and pyrotechnics. This guidance may be used by Integrated Project Teams in contracts, used by contractors and noise specialists to measure impulse noise from Military Weapons, Explosives and Pyrotechnics. These measurements may then be used by risk assessors to determine associated risks to human hearing, acceptable noise levels and control measures that may be appropriate/required.

This guidance document should be used in conjunction with MOD Health and Safety Handbook, Joint Service Publication (JSP) 375, which states noise exposure levels in the MOD.

This document does not specify other measurements that may be required, for example for the measurement of overpressure to compare with national standards for human tolerance to muzzle blast. Any other test requirements must not jeopardize the measurements and results specified in this document.