Wheelie Bin question

The Woodman · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 10:14 AM

My two wheelie bins have a pictogram inside the lid with a prominent 99dB.

I've tried to find out exactly what this means but am yet to be satisfied with anything I can find on tinterweb.

99dB is a high level of sound equal to a jet taking off, jack hammer etc and can result in serious hearing damage if subject to 8hrs of this pressure.

Hearing protection is advised and legally neccessary if working within this range.

Cany anyone tell me how 99dB relates to wheelie bins please?

stigofthedump · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 10:27 AM

Never noticed this before, just had a quick look at our bins.
No such markings on the older ones but 89db on the newer recycle bin.

No idea why, will watch this with interest.

Vince

Deb London · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 10:49 AM

There are some rather amusing discussion about this on the net. The most sensible comment:

Sat 7 Jun 2008 18:43 Bikes are quieter than wheelie bins - doctorchris
I think that the decibel "rating" of wheelie bins relates to how noisy they are when you drop the lid down rather than when they are actually on the move.
A fairer comparison with the bike would be the noise it makes when the side stand clunks up into position.

The discussion then gets funnier.

EDIT. The more I read about this, the funnier I find it. I will have to force myself to stop looking up the decibel rating of wheelie bins and get down to some work. It's one of the saddest uses of my time that I can think of......

Jim Ford · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 10:55 AM

I've just checked ours. They've also got a 99dB rating - even the green ones, which I would have thought would be more environmentally friendly!

I'm going to wear ear defenders next time I put anything in them!

Jim

artdemole · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 11:00 AM

Noise level when lid slams or wheeling over surface

Actually It's part of CE marking process.EUROPEAN CONFORMITY performance mark.

The Woodman · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 12:59 PM

But what are we conforming to at 99 dB? I really cannot imagine how my bins could reach that level of sound. I've slammed the lid and trundled it back down the drive when it's been emptied but to reach 99dB I'd have to upend it and play it like a kettle drum.

I'm familiar with noise and HAVS Regs for chainsaws etc., but not bins!

Deb London - this is serious and not a waste of your time. There's a hatching of spiderlings underneath my green bid lid and I don't want to jeopordise their health.

Boddie · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 01:09 PM

dB doesn't always relate to sound. In this case it relates to the gain of an amplifier. Its because your bin is internally lined, although you can't see it, unless you scrape some of the plastic back, to aid with telecommunication signals. They are acting as what is known as 'passive' antennas'.

They are more prominent in rural areas, but can be found in cities too.

jerryh · #8 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boddie

dB doesn't always relate to sound. In this case it relates to the gain of an amplifier. Its because your bin is internally lined, although you can't see it, unless you scrape some of the plastic back, to aid with telecommunication signals. They are acting as what is known as 'passive' antennas'.

They are more prominent in rural areas, but can be found in cities too.

I imagine, then, that an iPhone 4 would work better inside a bin?

Boddie · #9 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 01:24 PM

Unfortunately nothing improves an IPhone 4.

It depends what frequency the bins are tuned too Jerry. They are not all optimised for 1920 - 2170Mhz. Some are utilised for Wifi at 2.4 Ghz

Deb London · #10 (**permalink**) 05-09-2010, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Woodman

But what are we conforming to at 99 dB? I really cannot imagine how my bins could reach that level of sound. I've slammed the lid and trundled it back down the drive when it's been emptied but to reach 99dB I'd have to upend it and play it like a kettle drum.

I'm familiar with noise and HAVS Regs for chainsaws etc., but not bins!

Deb London - this is serious and not a waste of your time. There's a hatching of spiderlings underneath my green bid lid and I don't want to jeopordise their health.

LOL

There are a blummin' load of maggots hatching under one of ours - I've love to jeopardize their health.

We have three, each for different items. Dunno about playing them like kettle drums, but if I get going I could be the envy of many a steel band.