Environmental Noise Assessments, Westminster

ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE ASESSMENTS Sound Planning Limited has the knowledge, skills and equipment for a full range of Environmental Noise Assessments and written Noise Reports in accordance with the relevant British Standards. Environmental noise surveys are required within a range of commercial and industrial projects in both the public and private sectors. Sound Planning assist their client through the application process; liaising with the local authority, conducting the appropriate noise assessment, compiling the acoustic report, and providing a noise mitigation strategy, if required. Local Authorities vary in their noise assessment criteria e.g. Westminster evaluate potential commercial noise nuisance against their ENV 7 environmental policy, and more particularly C46 - 50. Sound Planning will adopt the appropriate methodology depending on the local authority reponsible for the planning application. BS4142: 1997 Noise Surveys BS4142 Noise assessments are normally requested by a Planning Officer or E.H.O (Environmental Health Officer) due to concerns of increased noise from proposed mechanical noise e.g. Fans, Air Conditioning Systems, Generators etc. applied for in a planning application to the local authority (Council). Local Authorities can differ in their specific requirements and their interpretation of BS 4142, however background noise levels should be measured as broadband dB LA90, with the specific (mechanical/commercial) noise measured as an LAeq. It is usually accepted that a 10dB excess (specific noise over background noise) will create a situation where complaints are likely. When a report indicates that complaints are likely, Sound Planning will formulate an appropriate noise mitigation strategy and submit this with the BS4142 acoustic report. PPG 24 Noise Surveys PPG24 (Planning Policy Guidance 24) Noise assessments are normally requested by a Planning Officer/Local Authority due to concerns relating to construction of new residential dwellings (or change of use) in a high noise exposure area. New dwellings can be exposed to road traffic, rail, air or mechanical/commercial noise which is unnacceptable. Sound Planning can assist with the planning process: A 24 hour (longer my be required) noise test is conducted in order to determine the Noise Exposure Category (NEC) that the proposed property would fall into; this category would determine the level of noise mitigation measures e.g. glazing, ventilation etc. that would be required in order to provide satisfactory noise protection for the inhabitants. NEC fall in to categories A, B, C or D in accordance with PPG 24 Internal noise levels and appropriate building facade construction are detailed in BS8233: 1999. Sound Planning has expereince with the following London local authorities: ?Westminster ?Kensington and Chelsea ?Hammersmith and Fulham ?Brent ?Bromley ?Camden ?Croydon ?Tower Hamlets ?Southwark Notes: LA90 - The A-weighted sound pressure level of the noise at the assessment position which is exceeded for 90% of the given time interval; normally required for background noise levels. LAeq - The equivalent continuous sound pressure level, a measure of the average sound pressure level during a designated period of time. The measurements are undertaken in accordance with BS 7445: 2003 and ISO 9613-2: 1996. Please contact Sound Planning Limited with any questions you may have regarding the above areas of expertise. Noise Level Meter Calibration: BS 7580 - Specification for the verification of Sound Level Meters, specifies a limited but sufficient range of tests to verify the accuracy of the measurement instrumentation at various intervals. As a general requirement Sound Planning calibrates its noise meters before and after each noise assessment. Contacts Sound Planning Limited - Farnham, Surrey. Tel: 01252 711972 Fax: 01252 601083 email enquirie

For more information on Environmental Noise Assessments, Westminster talk to Sound Planning Ltd