Environmental Noise

Dalton Acoustics Ltd provide services for the “Measurement, Assessment & Reporting of Environmental Noise” & “Noise Nuisance Problems” from Domestic, Industrial & Commercial Sources.

Our Acoustic Consultants hold the IOA – Institute of Acoustics Certificate of Competence in Environmental Noise Measurement. This is a specialist module as an Acoustic Consultant, which can be obtained for greater expertise in the field of environmental noise measurement, assessment & reporting, providing greater expert witness understanding.

We carry out measurement currently under the following guidelines;

BS 4142: 2014 “Methods for rating industrial and commercial sound“, initially intended as a planning tool. However it is often used as part of a complete noise assessment, when a complaint of noise (nuisance) of an industrial / commercial nature is made to a Local Authority as it contains procedures for assessing whether the noise in question “is likely to give rise to complaints”

BS 4142 is generally used:- for Environmental Noise Measurement

• As a planning tool to control new proposals which could produce noise of an industrial nature.
• As a planning tool when new housing is proposed where there is already industrial type noise.
• As part (an integral part) of the process of assessing an industrial / commercial type noise complaint.

BS 7445: 2003 – “The Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise”.

It is generally accepted that Environmental Noise Measurement / Sources may vary greatly in nature by way of source, location, frequency (tonal, narrowband or broadband), event level & time. On this basis each time measurement is carried out, the broad principles of BS 7445: 2003 are applied “The Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise”.

Dalton Acoustics Ltd. – also apply the methodology of the Local Governing Councils, “Guideline on Noise Levels” when attempting to measure environmental noise generally. Outline details of these “Guideline Noise Levels” are as follow:-

• Not contain any pure tones.
• Not exceed the background levels by 10 dB(A) or more.
• Not exceed 55 dB(A) by daytime or more.
• Not exceed 45 dB(A) by night-time or more.

NOISE NUISANCE measurement & assessment from local sources inclusive of Noisy Neighbours, can be measured in sound pressure format (dB) alongside, analogue recording of the actual sound intrusion. This is all done using Class 1 Type Acoustic Measurement Equipment and reported with the intent of further Court proceedings under the EPA Act 1992 – (Noise Regulations 1994) Statutory Instrument – SI No. 179 of 1994. (Also see additional information on soundproofing from noisy neighbours)
Acoustic equipment may be set up in the complainant’s property and left in a sealed unit which may then, at any stage, be turned on to record via. a remote control fob by the complainant.

All the relevant information is then recorded by the acoustic equipment such as; Date of Noise Occurrence, Time of Noise Occurrence, Duration of Noise Occurrence, Sound Pressure of Noise Occurrence, Analogue Recording of Noise Occurrence etc. and all of this data can be analysed real time by Dalton Acoustics Ltd. for report preparation.

Additional Acoustic Guidelines & Standards used for Environmental Noise Measurement & Noise Nuisance Assessment are;

World Health Organisation (Residential) 2000 document recommends, 30dB LAeq in bedrooms with no more than 45dB LAfmax over 8 Hours at night from 23.00 to 07.00 Hours.

BS 8233: 2014 – “Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings”  specifies internal room noise criteria for internal levels within bedrooms between 30 – 35dB LAeq with LAfmax not to exceed 45dB.

Concert & Event Noise Monitoring: Code of Practice on Environmental Noise Control at Concerts, which sets limits for noise at local noise sensitive locations / dwellings. Dalton Acoustics Ltd. can carry out pre-concert propagation measurement and calculation to set noise limits at mixing location (front of house) and validate during the concert that noise levels are not being exceeded at local noise sensitive dwellings / locations. Concert Noise Measurement & Event Noise Control levels are typically set at NE. 75dB(A).

View from mixing location SLM position