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NOISE MONITORING
Noise Monitoring
With the increase in both house-building and commercial projects all over the country, more and more Councils are including a requirement for monitoring of noise, vibration and dust during the demolition and construction phases of new projects. This is often included at the planning stage of the project, with the Council requiring a survey before the works start to measure the noise levels before the works, usually referred to as the baseline.
We have extensive experience of noise monitoring, from site visits to measure levels of a certain activity with a representative of the Council to check noise levels are acceptable, through to long term monitoring of noise, vibration and dust for the life of a project, along with email alerts should levels start to get too high, and regular summary reports.
We are able to offer a competitive and reliable service to all sizes of sites, from backyard basement extensions to large scale commercial developments, across the country.
Call us now to discuss your personalised solution.
Noise Monitoring Services
We offer a full turn-key noise monitoring service to our clients, leveraging our experience and professional knowledge to take the hassle out of noise monitoring, allowing the client to focus on the site works. We are also able to offer monitoring for function venues and events.
In all cases, our first step is to make contact with the local council and other stakeholders in order to understand the concerns, agree an amenable approach to monitoring and controlling noise and generally encourage a positive relationship from the outset. Where necessary, the number and locations of noise monitoring stations is discussed and rationalised to avoid unnecessary expense while minimising the risk of false alerts.
We are able to provide and install Class 1 integrating logging sound level meters as are usually required by Local Authorities. We ensure that calibration is up to date and verified before, during and after all noise monitoring assignments.
Meters are typically configured to store and log continuous 1-hour samples of noise throughout the working day. Alert threshold response are available by email or SMS to notify the site manager/other interested parties when the recorded levels suggests that an exceedance may occur if action is not taken. This allows works to be varied before limits are reached.
Remote monitoring and weekly or monthly reporting is also available where required.
Vibration Monitoring
Vibration monitoring is generally undertaken with the use of a RDL Vibe seismograph or similar measuring the peak particle velocity [P.P.V.] in three axes continuously over defined periods. Alert threshold response are made available by email facility to notify the site/other interested parties when criteria are exceeded.
This will usually involve providing a supporting document at the planning stage of the works providing information on the Site Categorisation and the required level of information for the category.
Generally, Category 3 sites cover internal refurbishment and cosmetic external works, and do not need to have a full Section 61 Noise and Vibration assessment. However, all other works, including basement extensions, will require a detailed assessment of noise and vibration levels to be provided as well as a construction management plan to minimise impact on nearby houses.
Venta Acoustics considerable experience of demolition and construction projects allows us to undertake an in depth analysis of likely noise levels on site. Advice is provided as to methods by which noise levels can be controlled under Best Practicable Mean [BPM] as highlighted in BS5228, which the council requires.
A construction noise management plan would be prepared summarising the predicted noise levels, BPM and methods for minimising noise, advice as to neighbour liaison and all other elements the council would require to support your application. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and how we can help you at an early stage to ensure your works can progress smoothly and without delay.
Some sites will also require noise and vibration monitoring to be undertaken during the works with records kept of levels recorded for the council if required. Should this be necessary, please see our Construction Noise & Vibration page, which gives more information on the services we can offer.