Noise Consultancy

Noise at Work Assessment | Factory

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 21:14:45 GMT

Noise At Work Assessment | Employee Noise Exposure

SUMMARY

This report documents noise levels taken during an assessment of operative’s noise exposure. It was carried out at a representative site. It includes recommendations of actions to be carried out to ensure that staff comply with the requirements of “The Control of noise at work regulations 2005 “which became applicable in April 2006.

Objectives

To carry out an assessment of Engineers noise exposure in accordance with “The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005”, which came into force April 2006.

RECCOMENDATIONS

In order to comply with The Control of Noise at Work regulations 2005 it is recommended that the following actions be undertaken.

Regulation 5 - Assessment of the risk to health and safety created by exposure to noise in the workplace:

This report records the measurements taken as part of this noise assessment. The assessment should be reviewed and updated under the following conditions

a. Changes in the work place such as alterations to the building,

b. Changes in people such as new staff or changes to shift roster,

c. New plant or machinery,

d. After a period of two years has passed with no other changes.

It should be noted that as plant ages its noise level may rise. It is recommended that assessments are kept for a period of 40 years. If the company ceases to trade, then the reports must be passed to the enforcing authority.

Regulation 6 - Elimination or control of exposure to noise in the workplace:

Site should ensure that the risk from exposure to noise for their employees is either eliminated at source or where this is not reasonable practicable, then it is reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable. Due to the nature of the plant used it is not possible to reduce any further the noise levels engineers will be exposed to.

Regulation 7 – Hearing Protection

Personal hearing protection should only be used as a last resort when all possible noise reduction measures have been achieved under regulation 6.

For employees who are likely to be exposed to LEP,d at or above the Lower Action Value (LAV) of 80dB(A) but below the Higher Action Value (HAV) 85dB(A) suitable hearing protection must be made available , however the wearing of such protection is optional but advisable.

For areas where the employees LEP,d has been identified as exceeding the UAV of 85dB(A) then the wearing of suitable Hearing protection is compulsory. These areas shall also be marked as Hearing Protection Zones and marked as with appropriate signage. The signs used shall comply with the Health & Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

The regulations also have an Exposure Limit value (ELV) of 87 dB (A) this value to be calculated taking into account personal hearing protection worn by operatives. Guidance issued by the HSE states that under real use hearing protectors would give lower protection than predicted by the manufacturer. This can be caused by the wearing of spectacles, incorrect selection of protection or poor fitting of protection.

To take these factors into account the HSE recommend that the protector is de-rated by 4dB.

Regulation 8 – Maintenance and use of equipment

Site shall ensure that all equipment under their control on site (e.g. exhaust silencers, shrouds and acoustic enclosures) are in accordance with these Regulations, fully maintained and kept in good repair in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Employees shall use as instructed any and all hearing protection as issued by the company, they shall keep it clean and in good condition and stored in a clean dry location. Also all defects are to be immediately reported to the site Supervisor so that the protection can be replaced.

Regulation 9 - Health Surveillance

Site should provide health surveillance to engineers regularly exposed to noise levels above the UAV of 85dB (A). For engineers exposed to noise levels between the LAV and UAV, or for occasional exposure above the UAV, health surveillance will only be required if information comes to light that the engineer may be particularly sensitive to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Regulation 10 - Information, Instruction and Training

Cherwell Valley Silos will provide to each of their employees who are liable to be exposed to a LEP,d equal to or above the LAV Instruction, information and training of the following subjects:

(a) The nature of risks from exposure to noise,

(b) The organisational and technical measures taken in order to comply with the requirements of Regulation 6,

(d) The significant findings of the risk assessment, including any measures taken with an explanation of those findings,

(e) The availability and provision of personal hearing protection under Regulation 7 and the correct use in accordance with Regulation 8(2),

(f) Why and how to detect and report signs of hearing damage,

(g) The entitlement to health surveillance under Regulation 9 and its purposes,

(h) Safe working practices to minimise exposure to noise,

(i) The collective results of any health surveillance undertaken in accordance with regulation 9, in a form designed to prevent those results being identified as relating to a particular person.

NOISE ASSESSMENT

An assessment of the noise exposure for Site staff within the various areas’ was carried out using a Cirrus Advanced Type 1 Sound Level Meter. Confirmation of calibration was conducted using a calibrator at 94dB, 1 KHz tone, both before and after testing. Copies of the company calibration certificates can be provided upon request.

Measurements were taken of “A” weighted sound pressure levels (LAeq) at the assumed operative’s ear position throughout the site.

It was decided to carry out a single assessment to cover staff working on site and shows the areas within the site with the highest levels of exposure.

Methodology

The survey was carried out using the following methods:

• Each zone of concern was assessed individually for in order to assign noise hazard areas (see Table 1)

3.1.1 Measurements

All spot noise measurements were carried out using a Class I integrating sound level meter. The meter was calibrated on site prior to and after the measurements being taken. Measurements of the value of equivalent continuous sound level (Leq) over sample periods from which LEP,d is calculated were taken. The C weighted Peak noise levels were also measured to ensure that the Peak of 140dB(C) was not exceeded.

General area noise levels at the site were made by holding the sound level meter at approximately 1.5m above ground and taking sample sound level measurement integrating over a representative period.

Noise Impact Assessment | Development next to A road

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 20:57:37 GMT

Noise Impact Assessment | Development next to an A road

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Impact Acoustics Ltd have been instructed to undertake a background noise impact assessment to British Standard 8233: 2014 to determine the impact of existing A road noise source on the proposed accommodation scheme

The measurements will be undertaken in accordance with ISO 1996 – Part 2: 2017 to determine the existing background noise levels and British Standard 8233: 2014 will be used to determine the impact of existing traffic on the internal noise environment within the proposed residential dwellings. This report aims to establish the following:

- Existing background noise levels with reference to the Aroad in accordance with ISO1996-2:2007;

- A 3D working noise model of the site with reference to the entered and calibrated measured noise levels per position and noise source. This will allow an understanding of the resulting noise levels per daytime, night time and Lmax at any point within the site;

- Assess the potential internal noise levels on the proposed residential properties both with the BS8233:2014 calculation methodology as well as with a partially open window;

- Provide specifications for the ventilation and window glazing with the proposed residential properties;

- Assess the impact of environmental noise within external amenity space;

A background noise survey was undertaken at the site boundary to establish the underling background noise levels. The maximum day time levels were found to be LAeq, 16 hour 65 dB and the maximum night time levels were found to be LAeq, 8 hours 55 dB.

A detailed noise map was produced and it indicated that the maximum noise levels that are likely to be present at the proposed residential façade will during the day time period be LAeq, 16 hour 57.8 dB and during the night time period be LAeq, 8 hours 47.8 dB.

Detailed calculations indicated that internal noise levels within the proposed residential properties will comply with the requirements of British Standard 8233: 2014.

Risk Assessment

Daytime (07:00-23:00)

Risk Assessment Category

1 – Low At Low noise levels, the site is likely to be acceptable from a noise perspective provided that good acoustic design process is followed and is demonstrated in an ADS which confirms how the adverse impacts of noise will be mitigated and minimised in the finished development

1.5.2 Night Time (23:00-07:00)

Risk Assessment Category

Requirements for noise mitigation

In order to meet reasonable internal levels in accordance with BS8233:2014; all facades should implement the following mitigation measures:

Construction of Walls Standard masonry construction

Construction of Ceiling 2 layer of 12mm Fireline plasterboard

Construction of Windows 4/16/4

Construction of Ventilation MVHR

Detailed calculations indicated that internal noise levels within the proposed residential properties will comply with the requirements of British Standard 8233: 2014.

Resulting Internal Levels calculated in accordance with BS8233:2014 per time period

Conclusion Summary

Ambient Noise BS 8233: 2014

The dominant noise source on the overall site is the A Road. Noise Levels have been recorded and assessments made in accordance with the relevant standards. Internal criteria’s have been set and calculations made in order to determine the minimum construction details required in order to meet the desired level within the proposed residential dwellings and satisfy the local council’s requirements.

1.7.2 Planning Recommendation

National Planning Policy Framework 2021 suggests that planning permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the framework taken as a whole, or specific policies in the framework indicate the application should be restricted.

Based on the calculations and assessments made within this report it is the professional opinion of Impact Acoustics Ltd that the proposed development can demonstrate compliance with the National Planning Policy Framework 2021, NPPF & NPSE and that, with regards to sound, planning permission can be granted.

Noise Impact Assessment | Installation of Air Source Heat Pump

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 20:24:15 GMT

Noise Impact Assessment | Air Source Heat Pump

SUMMARY

Impact Acoustics Ltd have been instructed by to undertake a background noise survey at the proposed premises to understand the level of impact in relation to the new external Air Source Heat Pump and calculate the resultant noise level at the nearest affected windows at the residential premises adjacent to the development and carry out assessments to BS4142: 2019 as well as working NR criterion set out by the LPA.

The measurements have been undertaken in accordance with British Standard 4142:2019 and ISO 1996 – Part 2: 2017 to establish if the site has a demonstrable adverse effect in terms of noise that outweigh the benefits of the development. This report aims to establish the following:

- Existing background noise levels at the residential façade (LA90);

- Noise levels from the Plant (LAeq);

- Impact on the nearest noise sensitive property.

Continuous background noise measurements were undertaken at Assessment Position 1. The representative Night time background noise levels (2300 - 0700) was found to be LA90,15min 34 dB This been evaluated from the recorded data.

Working noise criterion factoring the main assessment methodologies has been set out below in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework. Criterion has been set on the contextualization of the environment where the plant is installed. From assessment and attendance at site; the site is considered urban and whilst there is a busy road that has a constant steady state flow of traffic; that result dominant residual noise climate during this period (Average Night Time LAeq,8 hour circa 40dB(A)). It is therefore considered the below criterion applicable in order to safeguard the nearby residential amenity from noise emissions associated with the development and in accordance with local planning policy (+/- at representative measured LA90 in accordance with BS4142:2019):

The proposed air source heat pump source levels were 60dB LwA

Hours of operation are 24/7 therefore night time noise assessment has been undertaken.

Noise modelling and calculations were undertaken to assess the impact of the proposed plant using Sound PLAN noise modelling software. The resulting noise emissions form the proposed air source heat pump was 27dB(A) as specific source.

Due to the air source heat pump containing some tonal elements as well as an intermittent noise emissions a +5dB penalty was applied to the specific source level resulting in a working noise rating level of 32dB LAeq,15min in accordance with BS4142:2019.

As the background noise level as measured was 34dB LA90,15min then this resulted i a conclusion of -2dB below background and low impact in accordance with noise policy and BS4142:2019

Conclusions

The operation of the plant has been assessed to establish if the development will have a demonstrable adverse effect in terms of noise that outweigh the benefits of the development. Measurements have been undertaken in accordance with British Standard 4142:2019 and ISO 1996 – Part 2: 2017. This report has established the existing background noise levels at the closest residential facade to the plant locations and the assessment of the impact of the site operation on nearby residential properties. The resulting emissions from the plant running show ‘Low impact’ criteria during operational hours.