BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Mr. John S. Davis, Complainant, vs. Southern California Edison Company (U 338-E, Defendant. Case No. C.12-02-021 (Filed February 29, 2012 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY S (U-338-E DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH DECISION 13-03-002 JANET S. COMBS WILLIAM SELDEEN Attorneys for SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY 2244 Walnut Grove Avenue Post Office Box 800 Rosemead, California 91770 Telephone: (626 302-6093 Facsimile: (626 302-7740 E-mail: william.seldeen@sce.com Dated: May 22, 2013 LIMS-314-4999
BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Mr. John S. Davis, Complainant, vs. Southern California Edison Company (U 338-E, Defendant. Case No. C.12-02-021 (Filed February 29, 2012 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY S (U-338-E DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH DECISION 13-03-002 Pursuant to Ordering Paragraph No. 3 of Presiding Officer s Decision Granting Relief (D. 13-03-002 (the Decision, Southern California Edison Company ( SCE submits the attached documentation demonstrating that SCE has complied with the Decision, which required (i SCE to install absorptive panels against the walls of the transformer at no cost to Mr. Davis, and (ii document noise levels under 45 dba at five feet from the transformer. As discussed below, SCE installed the panels and sound measurements indicate a reduction in transformer noise levels in compliance with the Decision. I. INSTALLATION OF NOISE ABSORPTIVE PANELS SCE hired C.E. Pickup Company to install Noise Foil sound absorptive panels on the south and west cinderblock walls around the transformer at 13335 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos, California. Mr. Davis requested that the panels be temporarily installed until sound tests could be 1
conducted, and permanently installed after the transformer noise, as modified by the absorptive panels, passed the sound tests. In response to this request, C.E. Pickup Company installed the panels on a temporary basis on May 8, 2013, so that noise testing with the panels in place could be conducted. After SCE sound measurements showed that noise levels were under 45 dba at five feet and after SCE received Mr. Davis s authorization to complete the installation, C.E. Pickup Company returned to the property to permanently install the panels on May 14, 2013. The cost for the installation was paid by SCE with no charge to Mr. Davis. Copies of the C.E. Pickup Company Quotation and Invoice are attached as Appendix A. Before and after photographs of the installation are included in the Noise Measurement Report, attached as Appendix B. II. REDUCTION OF NOISE LEVELS SCE is submitting noise measurements indicating that the monitored noise levels (L EQ of the transformer and background noise at five feet from the transformer were below 45 dba. While these test data demonstrate the panels comply with the Decision, SCE is also submitting data of the lowest noise level monitored during the sound tests (L MIN, which indicates that the noise from the transformer after installation of the panels is below 40.5 dba. The L MIN noise level is a better measure of noise from the transformer. While background noises fluctuate during the time it takes to conduct a noise reading, the sound from the transformer is steady through the reading. The lowest noise level L MIN will report what this steady level is and avoids much of the background noise spikes that have nothing to do with the noise from the transformer. This is important because depending on the conditions at the time of testing and the activities in the vicinity of Mr. Davis property, the monitored background noise levels (L EQ on Mr. Davis property can far exceed 45 dba even in places where there is no transformer noise. The noise measurements are presented in the Noise Measurements Report (attached as Appendix B, and summarized below. 2
Overall Noise Levels. After panel installation, average monitored noise levels (L EQ at five feet from the transformer was 43.6 dba. Of the six measurements at this location, none exceeded 45 dba. 1 For comparison purposes, the average monitored noise levels in Mr. Davis side yard (taken three minutes later approximately 50 feet from the transformer at a location out of the line of sight from the transformer and where the transformer was not audible was 45.9 dba. 2 These data indicate that the overall sound levels at five feet from the transformer with the panels may be slightly quieter than sound levels on Mr. Davis property away from the transformer and the panels, suggesting that the panels may be reducing some ambient noise in addition to transformer noise. Minimum Noise Levels. With the sound absorptive panels installed, the measured lowest noise level L MIN at five feet from the transformer was 40.5 dba. 3 Prior to the installation of the transformers, the measured L MIN was 43.6 dba, 4 or approximately a 3.1 dba difference. For comparison purposes, the measured L MIN at the same side yard side yard location was 40.1 dba, 5 or about the same as the sound levels at five feet from the transformer with the sound absorptive panels installed. Sound Level Minimum Monitored (L MIN Average Monitored (L EQ Table 1: Measurement Summary Five Feet From Transformer Max Noise Level Less Than 45.0 dba With Panels Without Panels Reduction Side Yard (No Transformer Noise Audible 40.5 dba 43.6 dba -3.1 dba 40.1 dba 43.6 dba 52.7 dba 6-9.1 dba 45.9 dba 1 Six measurements were taken, ranging from 42.9 dba to 44.6 dba. 2 Three measurements were taken, ranging from 44.7 dba to 47.3 dba. 3 Six measurements were taken after panel installation, ranging from 40.5 dba to 42.3 dba; average reading was 41.3 dba. 4 Six measurements were taken before panel installation, ranging from 43.6 dba to 46.5 dba; average reading was 44.7 dba. 5 Three measurements were taken, ranging from 44.7 dba to 47.3 dba. 6 The average noise level indicates the presence of high levels of background noise originating from outside Mr. Davis property. 3
III. CONCLUSION Pursuant to Ordering Paragraph 3, SCE respectfully submits the attached documentation demonstrating compliance with the Order and documenting noise levels. Respectfully submitted, JANET S. COMBS WILLIAM SELDEEN /s/ William Seldeen By: William Seldeen Attorneys for SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY 2244 Walnut Grove Avenue Post Office Box 800 Rosemead, California 91770 Telephone: (626 302-6093 Facsimile: (626 302-7740 E-mail: william.seldeen@sce.com May 22, 2013 4
Appendix A Proof of Installation and Payment
Appendix B Noise Measurements Report May 20, 2013
NOISE MEASUREMENTS REPORT Residential Transformer 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos 1. Introduction SouthernCaliforniaEdisonCompany(SCEwasordered 1 bythepublicutilitiescommissionofthestate ofcalifornia(cpuctoinstallsoundabsorptivepanelsagainstthewallsbehindthetransformerat13336 Rusty Fig Circle in Cerritos, so that the noise level at five feet from the transformer is less than 45 decibels. In cooperation with the resident at 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, SCE had the sound absorptive panels temporarilyinstalledbyacontractoronmay8,2013,andconductednoisemeasurementsbeforeand after the sound absorptive panels installation. SCE s contractor reported that it completed the installationonmay14,2013. Noise measurements taken after the installation of the sound absorptive panels indicate noise levels under45dbaatfivefeetfromthetransformer.measurementsbeforeandaftertheinstallationindicate thatthenoiselevelatfivefeetfromthetransformerfellbyapproximately3dba. 2. AbsorptivePanelInstallation SCEretainedC.E.PickupCompanyInc.,anindependentfirmthatspecializesinnoisecontrol,tofurnish andinstallsoundabsorptivepanelsonthewestandsouthwallsaroundthetransformer.inconsultation with C.E. Pickup Company Inc., SCE selected NoiseFoil (NF sound absorbing panels made by the IndustrialAcousticsCompany(IAC,NewYork.TheseIACNF1x4"soundabsorbingpanelsconsistof22 gaugeperforatedgalvanizedsteelsheetswitha4inchthicksoundabsorbingfiberglassinfill. ThecolorforthepanelswasproposedbyC.E.PickupCompanyInc.andconfirmedbytheresident.Ten custommade panels were manufactured by Industrial Acoustics Company (IAC, New York over approximately10weeks. Theexcellentacousticalperformanceofthesepanelsisprovidedoverawidesoundspectrum,testedby themanufacturerinaccordancewithastmc423.duetothehighsoundabsorptionofthesepanels, SCEexpectedtoseeareductionofnoisefromthetransformerupto3dBA. 3. NoiseMeasurements Noise measurements were taken with a Bruel & Kjaer Model 2250 integrating sound level meter, equipped with a ½inch prepolarized condenser microphone/preamplifier. This sound level meter meets the current American National Standards Institute standard for a Type 1 precision sound level meter.thesoundlevelmeter smicrophonewasprotectedwithawindscreen,andtheequipmentwas calibratedbeforeandafterthereadings. 1 Case1202021 FiledFebruary29,2012. 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos Page 1 of 4 5/20/2013
NOISE MEASUREMENTS REPORT Residential Transformer 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos ThenoisemeasurementsweretakenonMay8,2013,atfivefeetdistancefromthetransformer.This locationispicturedinappendix A.Forcomparisonpurposes,anadditionalsetofmeasurementswere takeninthesideyard/patioarea,awayfromthetransformer,aspicturedinappendix B. Thenoisemeasurementsweretakenforshortdurations,whennoisefromsurroundingambientnoise sources (including vehicles, airplanes, birds, dogs, etc. was least audible. A summary of the noise measurement data is presented in Appendix C,Noise LevelsAfter Acoustical Panel Installation, and Appendix D,NoiseLevelsBeforeAcousticalPanelInstallation. The data shown in Appendix C and Appendix D include both L eq 2 and L min 3 noise levels, and their calculated average values. The L eq noise levels represent all noise sources present during the measurement interval. The audible sound from the transformer is continuously present. Hence the lowestmonitoredl min canbeconsideredtorepresentthenoiselevelgeneratedbythetransformer. 4. Discussion PostInstallationNoiseLevels(Appendix C TheaveragepostinstallationmonitoredL eq noiselevelwas43.6dbaatfivefeetfromthetransformer. The six individual post installation monitored L eq noise level measurements at this location ranged between 42.9 and 44.6 dba. These L eq noise levels include all noise sources present during the measurement interval, transformer, traffic, and community noise. The average L min noise level at five feet from the transformer was 41.3 dba (ranging 40.5 to 42.4 dba. As discussed above, the lowest monitored40.5dbal min canbeconsideredtorepresentthepossiblehighestnoiselevelgeneratedby thetransformer,andrepresentsmostlikelythevalueforthetransformer. ComparisonofBeforeandAfterNoiseLevels(Appendix C andappendix D A comparison of the average L eq noise levels monitored at five feet from the transformer before (52.6dBAandafter(43.6dBAthepanelinstallationseemstoindicateasignificantchange(9.0dBAin ambientnoiseconditionsbetweenthemeasurementstimes.theearlybeforeinstallationmonitortime wasselectedinanattempttomonitorthebeforeinstallationtransformernoiselevelunderthelowest community noise level conditions. However, it seems that early morning peak hour traffic, and the phenomenathatsoundtravelsfartherwhenthetemperaturealongthegroundsurfaceislowerthanat thehigherelevations,likelywerethecauseofthehigherearlymorningambientnoiselevels. Despite this change in ambient conditions, since the sound from the transformer is continuously present, the difference between the lowest monitored L min at five feet from the transformer before (43.6dBAandafter(40.5dBAthe panelinstallationindicatesthatatransformernoisereductionof approximately3dbawasachievedasaresultofthesoundabsorptivepanel sinstallation. 2 L eq theequivalentaweightedandtimeweightedsoundlevelinthegivensituationandtimeperiod. 3 L min thelowestaweightedsoundleveloccurringduringthemeasurementtime. 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos Page 2 of 4 5/20/2013
NOISE MEASUR REMENTS REPORT Residential Transformer 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos A comparison of the after installation average noise levels monitored in the side yard/patio area (45.9dBAandtheafterinstallationaveragenoiselevelsmonitoredat fivefeetfromthetransformer (average43.6dba,seemstoindicatethatnotonlythetransformer snoiselevelbutalso(ascouldbe expected theambientnoiselevelhasbeenreducedintheareawherethepanelsareinstalled.thisis alsoillustratedbyacomparisonoftheaveragenoiselevelsmonitoredbeforethepanelinstallationin thesideyard/patioarea(47.7dbaandatfivefeetfromthetransformer( (52.6. 5. Conclusion ThedatapresentedinAppendix C demonstratethat(iboththel eq andl min noiselevelsmonitoredat fivefeetfromthetransformerwerelessthan45decibelsaftertheinstallationofthesoundabsorptive panelsand(iithesoundabsorptivepanelshavereducednoiselevelsbyaboutthreedecibels. Appendix E showspicturesoftheblockwallbehindthetransformer,beforeandaftertheinstallation ofthesoundabsorptivepanels. ********* Reportpreparedby: CornelisH.Overweg,P.E. SeniorEnvironmentalNoiseSpecialist,EMFandEnergyGroup CorporateEnvironmental,HealthandSafetyDepartment Safety,Security,andCompliance SouthernCaliforniaEdison 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos Page 3 of 4 5/20/2013
NOISE MEASUREMENTS REPORT Residential Transformer 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos Attachments: Appendix A MonitorLocationat5FeetfromTransformer Appendix B MonitorLocationinSideYard/PatioArea Appendix C MonitoredNoiselevels AfterPanelInstallation Appendix D MonitoredNoiselevels BeforePanelInstallation Appendix E BlockWallBeforeandAfterAcousticalPanelInstallation 13336 Rusty Fig Circle, Cerritos Page 4 of 4 5/20/2013
APPENDIX A MONITOR LOCATION AT 5-FEET FROM TRANSFORMER Noise Monitor Location at 5-Feet Distance from Transformer
APPENDIX B MONITOR LOCATION IN SIDE-YARD/PATIO AREA Sound Level Meter at Side of House In Patio Area
APPENDIX C MONITORED NOISE LEVELS (dba AFTER PANEL INSTALLATION NOISE LEVELS - AFTER ACOUSTICAL PANEL INSTALLATION AT FIVE FEET FROM TRANSFORMER Measurement # Measurement Date and Time Monitor Location Lmin dba Leq dba 1 5/8/2013 9:37 at 5 feet from transformer 40.8 44.1 2 5/8/2013 9:38 at 5 feet from transformer 40.5 43.2 3 5/8/2013 9:39 at 5 feet from transformer 40.7 42.9 4 5/8/2013 9:40 at 5 feet from transformer 42.1 43.6 5 5/8/2013 9:41 at 5 feet from transformer 42.3 43.5 6 5/8/2013 9:42 at 5 feet from transformer 41.4 44.6 Average Noise Level - After Panel Installation 41.3 43.6 Lowest Noise Level - After Panel Installation 40.5 42.9 IN SIDE YARD/PATIO AREA Measurement # Measurement Date and Time Monitor Location Lmin dba Leq dba 1 5/8/2013 9:44 in side yard 40.1 44.7 2 5/8/2013 9:45 in side yard 40.6 47.3 3 5/8/2013 9:46 in side yard 40.1 45.7 Average Side Yard Noise Level - After Panel Installation 40.3 45.9 Lowest Side Yard Noise Level - After Panel Installation 40.1 44.7
APPENDIX D MONITORED NOISE LEVELS (dba BEFORE PANEL INSTALLATION NOISE LEVELS - BEFORE ACOUSTICAL PANEL INSTALLATION AT FIVE FEET FROM TRANSFORMER Measurement # Measurement Date and Time Monitor Location Lmin dba Leq dba 1 5/8/2013 5:49 at 5 feet from transformer 45.2 54.0 2 5/8/2013 5:50 at 5 feet from transformer 46.5 53.7 3 5/8/2013 5:51 at 5 feet from transformer 44.3 53.0 4 5/8/2013 5:52 at 5 feet from transformer 44.3 50.4 5 5/8/2013 5:54 at 5 feet from transformer 43.6 51.3 6 5/8/2013 5:56 at 5 feet from transformer 44.3 53.4 Average Noise Level - Before Panel Installation 44.7 52.6 Lowest Noise Level - Before Panel Installation 43.6 50.4 IN SIDE YARD/PATIO AREA Measurement # Measurement Date and Time Monitor Location Lmin dba Leq dba 1 5/8/2013 5:58 in side yard 39.5 45.2 2 5/8/2013 5:59 in side yard 38.9 48.4 3 5/8/2013 6:00 in side yard 39.6 49.4 Average Side Yard Noise Level - Before Panel Installation 39.3 47.7 Lowest Side Yard Noise Level - Before Panel Installation 38.9 45.2
APPENDIX E BLOCK WALL BEFORE AND AFTER PANEL INSTALLATION
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that, pursuant to the Commission s Rules of Practice and Procedure, I have this day served a true copy of the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY S (U 338-E DOCUMENTATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH DECISION 13.03.002 on all parties identified on the attached service list(s C.12-02-021. Service was effected by one or more means indicated below: Transmitting copies via e-mail to all parties who have provided an e-mail address. Placing copies in sealed envelopes and causing such envelopes to be delivered by hand or by overnight courier to the offices of the Commissioner(s or other addressee(s. ALJ David M. Gamson Commissioner Mark J. Ferron CPUC CPUC 505 Van Ness Avenue 505 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102-3214 San Francisco, CA 94102-3214 Placing copies in properly addressed sealed envelopes and depositing such copies in the United States mail with first-class postage prepaid to all parties for those listed on the attached non-email list. Directing Prographics to place the copies in properly addressed sealed envelopes and to deposit such envelopes in the United States mail with first-class postage prepaid to all parties. Executed this Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Rosemead, California. /s/ Irene Gutierrez Irene Gutierrez Legal Assistant SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY 2244 Walnut Grove Avenue Post Office Box 800 Rosemead, California 91770
John S. Davis 13336 Rusty Fig Circle Cerritos, CA 90703 List of Non-Email Recipients
CPUC - Service Lists - C1202021 http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/service_lists/c1202021_80282.htm Page 1 of 2 5/22/2013 CPUC Home CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Service Lists PROCEEDING: C1202021 - DAVIS VS EDISON - D FILER: MR. JOHN S. DAVIS LIST NAME: LIST LAST CHANGED: MARCH 27, 2013 DOWNLOAD THE COMMA-DELIMITED FILE ABOUT COMMA-DELIMITED FILES Back to Service Lists Index Parties JOHN S. DAVIS WILLIAM SELDEEN 13336 RUSTY FIG CIRCLE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY CERRITOS, CA 90703 2244 WALNUT GROVE AVE./PO BOX 800 FOR: JOHN S. DAVIS ROSEMEAD, CA 91770 FOR: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY Information Only CASE ADMINISTRATION JANET S. COMBS, ESQ. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY SR. ATTORNEY 2244 WALNUT GROVE AVENUE / PO BOX 800 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY ROSEMEAD, CA 91770 2244 WALNUT GROVE AVE. / PO BOX 800 ROSEMEAD, CA 91770-3714 State Service DAVID M. GAMSON CALIF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES ROOM 5019 505 VAN NESS AVENUE SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-3214
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