ISO 5130:2019

Overview

ISO 5130:2019 - Acoustics - Measurements of sound pressure level emitted by stationary road vehicles - defines a standardized test method for measuring exterior sound pressure from road vehicles while stationary. The standard covers continuous, A-weighted sound pressure level measurements across a range of engine speeds, intended to provide a unique reference sound level for a specific vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine. ISO 5130:2019 applies to vehicle categories L, M, and N and is designed for simplicity and reproducibility in real-world and roadside conditions.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope: Applies only to road vehicles (categories L, M, N) with internal combustion engines; excludes vehicles whose engine cannot operate at stationary conditions.
• Measurement type: Continuous A-weighted sound pressure level over specified engine speed ranges; time-weighting F.
• Instrumentation:
  • Sound level meters and filters must meet class 1 requirements (IEC 61672-1, IEC 61260-1).
  • Sound calibrator conforming to IEC 60942; operational check before and after sessions with maximum permitted difference of 0.5 dB.
  • Engine-speed instruments with accuracy of ±2% or better.
• Test environment:
  • Outdoor flat hard surface (concrete, dense asphalt) or a compliant hemi-anechoic chamber.
  • Open area with no large reflecting surfaces or absorbing materials within a 3 m radius of microphone and vehicle points.
  • Meteorological and background noise checks are required; provisions for higher engine speeds to enable roadside checks in noisy environments.
• Microphone positioning: Specified positions depend on exhaust outlet location; the 2019 edition updates microphone placements to reflect varied exhaust designs.
• Quality & uncertainty:
  • Instrument conformance verification and calibration intervals (calibrator ≤1 year; instrument verification and filter verification ≤2 years).
  • Measurement uncertainty framework referenced to ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 (GUM).

Applications and users

Practical uses of ISO 5130:2019:

• Type approval and reference measurements during vehicle certification.
• Manufacturing quality control and production line checks.
• Official testing stations, MOT centers and roadside inspections to detect exhaust modifications, wear, or maladjustment.
• In-use vehicle checks and forensic acoustical assessments.

Primary users:

• Automotive manufacturers and component suppliers
• Accredited testing and calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025)
• Government regulators and inspection agencies
• Acoustic engineers and compliance consultants

Related standards

• IEC 61672-1 / IEC 61672-3 - Sound level meters
• IEC 61260-1 / IEC 61260-3 - Octave and fractional-octave filters
• IEC 60942 - Sound calibrators
• IEC 61183 - Random-incidence calibration procedures
• ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 - Uncertainty of measurement (GUM)
• ISO 26101:2017 - Free-field environment qualification

ISO 5130:2019 is a practical, reproducible method for stationary vehicle noise measurement, supporting type approval, in-use checks and roadside enforcement with clear instrumentation, site and procedural requirements.