Noise Impact Assessments
Our team of acoustic consultants in London and Manchester are experienced in delivering cost effective BS4142 noise assessments and acoustic surveys tailored to your project.
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Find out more information about what a noise impact assessment is here.
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What is a BS4142 Noise Impact Assessment?
Before introducing a new noise source in to the environment, a Noise Impact Assessment and Noise Survey may be required as part of the planning application process. The purpose of a noise impact assessment is to consider the potential noise impact on any nearby residents. Sources of noise could include:
- Air Conditioning Condensers
- Generators
- Chiller Units
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP)
- General Industrial Noise
- Air Handling Units (AHU)
- Extract Fans
Why is a Noise Impact Assessment Important?
By assessing any potential noise-related issues on nearby residents, before any noise source is introduced, can significantly reduce the likelihood of receiving future complaints from neighbours or a noise abatement notice from the Local Authority. As a result, the Local Authority will then request a noise survey and noise report are undertaken by an acoustic consultant.
What are the Regulations & Requirements?
Noise impact calculations and assessment would generally consider the following standards:
- BS4142: 2014: ‘Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound’
- BS8233: 2014: ‘Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings’
- Local Authority policies on noise control, such as Policy ENV of the Westminster Unitary Development Plan (UDP) or the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s typical planning condition
How Can We Help?
Clement Acoustics have extensive experience in undertaking Noise Surveys, Noise Impact Assessments and Noise Reports for a wide and varying range of projects. The general steps in the assessment are outlined below.
The first stage would be to undertake an environmental noise survey. This noise survey sets noise emissions criteria relative to the requirements of the planning condition (or any other Local Authority or client-specific requirements) by establishing the prevailing background noise levels of the site and surrounding area.
The environmental noise survey would be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of relevant British Standards. Acoustic descriptors such as LAmax, LA10, LAeq and LA90 would be measured. The minimum duration for a noise survey is typically 24 hours.
Where necessary, we also undertake shorter attended noise surveys in parallel to longer noise surveys. For shorter noise survey we would inspect the general area in order to identify any significant noise sources and/or any noise-sensitive premises.
Based on the background noise patterns observed onsite via the noise survey, noise emissions criteria would be set in accordance with the adopted standard or planning condition requirements issued by the Local Authority.
Based on the manufacturer provided noise emission levels of proposed plant units, or anticipated noise levels of proposed activities, noise impact calculations would be undertaken for nearby noise sensitive receivers.
Considering the above factors, the calculated noise emissions levels would be compared against the set noise emissions criteria in order to investigate whether mitigation measures are necessary to achieve compliance with the requirements of the Local Authority.
If you have a project that requires a Noise Impact Assessment, get in touch
Why Choose Clement Acoustics for Noise Impact Assessments?
Quick turnaround time
Helpful team of qualified acoustic engineers
Competitive rates