Noise can be described as an unwelcome or disruptive noise that impacts the productivity, health and general well-being of the people and also has an effect on the surroundings, including animals. Continuous exposure to loud sounds can cause hypertension and heart disease, as well as stress, sleep disturbances and insomnia throughout all age groups, particularly children.
What is an Impact Assessment of Noise? Impact Assessment?
Noise Impact Assessments (NIAs) comprise an extensive series of noise studies, which are usually required in a range of planning applications. These are usually requested from Local Planning Authorities (LPA) particularly from Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) to determine the noise-related environmental impacts of proposed and existing developments. A NIA will usually involve an evaluation of current noise sources and a evaluation of the anticipated level of noise that is generated by the development proposed. They are typically demanded by an LPA because of concerns that arise from exposure to noise or existing properties with noise sensitivities.
Common focus of NIAs:
Noise in the transport sector (Road Rail, Aircraft) to development that is sensitive to noise (BS8233:2014);
Noise from new fixed plants on existing residential receptors (BS4142:2014);
Noise from commercial units that are in operation on proposed developments with noise sensitivities (BS4142:2014);
Noise caused by road traffic created by expansion (Change of Ambient).
Based on a BS8233 assessment for 2014 which aims to establish an appropriate level of external and internal sound levels to Bedrooms, Living Rooms, Dining Rooms and Gardens during the daytime (07:00 to 23:00) and at night (23:00 until 07:07). It also provides guidelines for the design of sound insulation in constructions and strategies for creating a suitable noise reduction in newly constructed dwellings as well as refurbished houses that have been renovated or changed in their usage.
Noise modeling is a crucial aspect of the work we carry out. Noise models are developed with the help of advanced CadnaA software that can accurately predict noise levels and the ways in which they spread over the site. Figure 1 shows the way that, using the use of bands and colours that we can demonstrate clients the potential of a site. This is an essential part of an noise Constraints Assessment. The Noise Constraint Assessment is typically employed at the early stage of a major development which allows the assessment to inform developers of possible limitations and incorporate these during designing phase.
Why would developers require the BS8233 noise Assessment?
If you are developing a residential building or a school, health facility, as well as Hotels (or any other place which could be classified as sensitive to noise) in the event that the development site is located near transport sounds like a road or railway line, it is possible for there will be a requirement that the Local Authority will request a Noise survey BS8233 that will be carried out to ensure that the appropriate both external and internal noise levels are achieved to ensure the comfort of future residents.
What is the procedure for an BS8233 Noise Survey conducted?
The goal of a noise study is to get a base measure of the noise conditions around the development you are planning to construct. Once the noise-related environment is identified and the possible impact of noise on residential properties can be evaluated. The degree of noise impact is assessed according to BS8233:2014 to ensure that future residents will not be negatively affected by the noise.
We will conduct noise survey to establish level of noise on the site of development. Measurements could include air, rail, and road noise, and may be monitored or not depending on the source.
We estimate the expected noise levels on the façade of the building and also in the amenity areas outside because of the sources currently in use;
We recommend suitable mitigation measures to guard the areas outside;
We will determine the levels of noise inside the building in order to permit the installation of the appropriate specifications for ventilation and glazing in accordance with the requirements;
We will prepare the technical report for sent to the local authority to help support your application for planning.
What will be included in what will be included in Noise Impact Assessment report?
The objective of this report is to explain to authorities at the Local Authority how ‘Good Acoustic Design’ was implemented during the planning of the project to ensure that the appropriate measures for control are in place. The report on noise will include the following details:
The details regarding the planned development as well as the area that is currently in use, including any disturbances that could be heard around the area;
The surveying technique is used to evaluate the level of noise that is present on site and monitor sites as well as timings and dates of monitoring the equipment utilized for calibration, the calibration details, and the weather conditions ;
A summary of the findings comprising the LAeq and LAMax quick in accordance with the BS8233:204 requirements.
A review of the noise levels results in line with BS8233:2014
Measures to mitigate the noise that are required to ensure the comfort of future residents, including estimations of the expected noise reduction due to an insulation plan for sound.
What mitigations are you expecting in your report on noise?
The aim of the report is to implement any reasonable noise-control measures to ensure that both the both the external and internal noise standards of BS8233:2014 will be met. It is always best for noise to be managed at the source, but it isn’t always possible. The following mitigation methods can be used:
Natural corridors, and distancing from existing sources.
The orientation and design of the proposed buildings;
Acoustic Barriers and Bunds;
Acoustic Glazing Acoustic Glazing.
Alternative Ventilation Systems.
What is the purpose of Noise Impact Assessments? have any significance?
Noise can have an impact on health, well-being productivity, and the natural surroundings. Noise is regarded as any sound that is disruptive or unwanted that can affect the well-being and health of other species as well as humans. Noise pollution is a problem for millions of people every day. The exposure to loud sounds could also trigger hypertension and sleep disturbances, heart diseases and stress. These health problems affect everyone particularly children. Children who live in areas with busy airports or on streets have been observed to suffer from stress and related issues, like difficulties with memory, attention and reading abilities.
Cities are now the epicenter of this kind of pollution, and it is extremely damaging to humans . In fact, there is a report from the European Environment Agency estimates that noise causes more than a quarter of a million hospital admissions and 16600 premature deaths per year in Europe all by itself. (Noise — European Environment Agency (europa.eu). Within the UK in particular, the cities make about 8% of the area, and they comprise 54 percent of all the people. As cities grow bigger and urban populations increase and the issue of noise pollution is bound to get worse, which means the need to reduce all kinds of noise pollution is becoming more common and crucial.
