Element 10

Element 10
Control of Environmental Noise
Learning Outcomes
Once you’ve read this element, you’ll
understand how to:
1 Explain the characteristics of noise

and advise on the measurement and
assessment of environmental noise levels.
2 Outline control strategies and methods for

the control of environmental noise.
© RRC International Unit ED1 Element 10: Control of Environmental Noise 10-1
Contents
Characteristics, Measurement and Assessment of Environmental Noise 10-3

Sources of Environmental Noise 10-3
Basic Acoustics 10-6
Measurement of Environmental Noise 10-11
The Effects and Control of Environmental Noise 10-14

Effects of Noise on Human Health, Local Communities and Wildlife 10-14
The Need to Control Noise from Industry and Construction 10-15
Engineering and Procedural Control Measures and Strategies 10-15
Summary 10-21
Exam Skills 10-22
10-2 Unit ED1 Element 10: Control of Environmental Noise © RRC International
Characteristics, Measurement and Assessment of Environmental Noise 10.1
Characteristics, Measurement and Assessment of

Environmental Noise

IN THIS SECTION...
• Common sources of environmental noise include industry and commerce, transport, construction, entertainment
and neighbours.
• Sound is measured as a sound pressure level and is depicted using a logarithmic scale, meaning that an increase of
three dB doubles the sound intensity, and a decrease of three dB halves the sound intensity.
• BS 4142 sets out a method for assessing industrial and commercial sound sources against the existing background
sound to determine the impact of the sound.
Sources of Environmental Noise

Noise may be defined as unwanted sound. People exposed to very high
levels of noise, for example from machinery and equipment in enclosed
spaces, can suffer damage to their hearing, and this is a recognised
occupational health issue. But noise can also be unwanted because it causes
disturbance or annoyance. Most people will have experienced unwanted
noise that interferes with life at home or perhaps has prevented a good
night’s sleep in a hotel room. Noise from a wide variety of sources can
travel considerable distances and affect the peace and enjoyment of life.
This type of noise is referred to as environmental noise, or noise nuisance. Machinery in enclosed spaces can
produce high levels of noise
Manufacturing and Related Commercial
Activities
Manufacturing activities, especially traditional heavy industries, may generate significant noise from:
• Pressing and forging metal parts (e.g. shipyards and vehicle assembly plants).
• Turbines (e.g. electricity generation plants).
• General machinery (e.g. motors, grinding and planing, air compressors, conveyor systems).
• Ventilation systems (e.g. motors, fans).
• Public address systems (e.g. in warehouses and distribution centres).
• Materials handling (e.g. conveyors, forklift trucks).
The main problems arise when domestic premises or institutions, such as schools and hospitals, are located in close
proximity to industrial facilities. This is less likely to occur nowadays, with the demise of many traditional heavy
industries and the application of modern planning regulations.
Transport Noise
On- or off-site road traffic, especially heavy trucks, generates considerable noise from:
• Engines.
• Movement over road surfaces, especially from the bodywork of empty vehicles.
10.1 Characteristics, Measurement and Assessment of Environmental Noise
• The use of horns.

• Reversing alarms which are often high-pitched and can travel substantial distances.
Large jet aircraft engines are intensely noisy, especially during take-off and landing at airports.
Road traffic is a major source of noise in city centres; even in rural areas,
noise from motorways can be detected several miles away, especially at
night. Particular problems can be experienced where distribution centres
that operate around the clock are located in close proximity to residential
areas.
Noise around major airports, especially associated with plans for the
development of new airports, has become a significant political issue.
Agricultural Noise
Modern agriculture is highly mechanised. Noise from agricultural activities is Motorways can be heard from several
often associated with the use of: miles away
• Mobile machinery, e.g. tractors and harvesters, especially when

harvesting is undertaken around the clock.
• Bird-scarers that simulate loud gunshots.
Any source of noise may be more noticeable in the countryside, because background noise levels are generally lower
than in an urban environment.
Construction Noise
Construction work typically involves activities that are potentially noisy, including:
• The use of heavy equipment, such as excavators and cranes.

• Pile driving, especially at larger sites.
• The use of powered tools, such as drills.
• Trucks and vans delivering materials and removing debris.
Construction work often takes place near town centres and in residential areas, and is a major source of
environmental noise complaints. A balance often needs to be struck between the needs of the developer in
completing the construction project and the avoidance of unacceptable disturbance to local residents. BS 5228-
1:2009 +A1:2014 Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites - Noise provides guidance to
local authorities in the determination of reasonably acceptable noise levels from specific items of plant and activities.
Quarrying and Mining

The extraction of minerals from the ground also involves activities that are potentially very noisy, including:
• Operation of excavation machinery.

• The use of explosives.
• Operation of rock-crushing equipment.
• Operation of conveyor systems.
• Movements of heavy vehicles on and off the site.
Quarrying and mining can be an important source of noise nuisance in rural areas.
Other Sources of Noise

Noise from Pubs and Clubs
Noise nuisance may be caused by the operation of sound systems at clubs, discotheques and open-air festivals or by
people arriving and leaving. Noise may equally cause problems to residents in proximity to sporting events, such as
motor-racing circuits, or open-air music concerts which are often located in quiet, rural areas.
Limits may be set in relation to the:
• Number of times such events are permitted.

• Distance from noise-sensitive premises.
• Amplitude of music from loudspeakers.
• Time and duration of such events.
Neighbour Noise
Environmental noise is most likely to disturb us in our own homes. Noise nuisance is often created by the activities of
other residents in the neighbourhood. Sources of noise that commonly cause annoyance include:
• Loud music from radios and other sound systems.

• Televisions.
• Use of equipment such as power drills, lawn mowers and strimmers.
• Dogs barking persistently or late at night.
Noisy neighbours is a problem that is increasingly being dealt with by local authorities and can be exacerbated by:
• People living closer together.

• Modern construction techniques providing limited sound insulation.
• Ever decreasing levels of social tolerance.
• Intruder and vehicle alarms.
Noise from all intruder alarms can be a nuisance. The standards for intruder alarms often relate to how the alarms are
activated, to ensure few false alarms and the silencing of any siren after a period of time (usually 20 minutes).
Rural Noise
Noise nuisance is not restricted to busy urban environments - it can be a
significant problem for the residents of rural areas. While overall noise levels
are likely to be higher in urban environments, individual noises may be more
noticeable in the countryside. Sources of rural noise nuisance, some of
which we have mentioned already, include:
• Mobile farm machinery, especially during harvest time.

• The operation of bird-scarers.
• Noise from motorways and railway lines that traverse the countryside.
• Mining and quarrying activities that are typically located in rural areas.
Open-air festivals can cause problems
• Animals with loud and persistent calls, such as dogs, cockerels and to nearby residents
peacocks.
• Open-air festivals and motor-racing circuits.
Basic Acoustics
Sounds are the result of air being continually compressed followed by rarefaction; the frequency or number of times
the compression takes place per second will determine the pitch, and the pressure exerted by the energy input will
determine the loudness.
Pressure
Sound is the sensation that the brain perceives when pressure variations
in the air are detected by the ear, i.e. the human ear is a pressure-sensing
device. Sound is best described as a pattern of waves. Pressure is related to
amplitude (see below).
Sound is the transmission of energy in the form of vibration; it can occur

in solids, liquids or gases, but not through a vacuum. Sound pressure is
expressed as N/m2. Sound: continually compressed air
and rarefaction
Loudness depends on the sound pressure and frequency (see below). The
higher the number of compressions, the higher the pitch we hear.
Frequency and Amplitude

The pressure fluctuation of sound may be described as a sine curve or wave, the principal components of which are
shown in the following diagram:
Sine curve for pressure variation in sound waves
In the diagram:
• A = Amplitude (amplitude is proportional to sound pressure).

• λ = Wavelength.
• Frequency = the number of cycles per second.
Amplitude is proportional to the energy of a sound wave.
Wavelength is the distance between the crests of a sine curve. It is the speed of sound divided by the frequency.
Frequency is the number of times a vibrating system completes a cycle of movement in one second, expressed as
Hertz (Hz) or ‘cycles per second’.
Different sounds have different characteristics that affect what we hear.
Pitch describes the type of sound we hear, such as shrill or piercing (as from a hiss or whistle). High-pitched tones
have high frequencies, and low-pitched tones (rumbles) have low frequencies.
Their wave forms look very different, as shown in the following figure:
Pressure variation in sound waves
Intensity
Sound intensity is the rate of energy flow per unit area transmitted as a sound wave, usually expressed as W/m2.
Power
Sound Power Level (SPL) is the total energy per second expressed in decibels (dB) (see below).
The sound power level can be the actual SPL, or a figure averaged over an eight-hour day. SPL can also be expressed
at different frequency bands.
This is particularly important when measuring exposure to noise in the context of the working environment.
Sound Pressure Levels

Sound is measured as a sound pressure level. This is a relative quantity that expresses the ratio between the actual
sound pressure and a fixed reference pressure, namely the threshold of human hearing. The lowest sound intensity
that the human ear can hear is about 1 × 10-12 Watts per m2 when the sound frequency is 1,000 Hz. The highest
sound humans can hear is about one Watt per m2. As this is too large a scale to be represented linearly, we use a
logarithmic scale to represent the range of normal sound and hearing.
The Bel (B) and deciBel (dB) Scales

One Bel corresponds to an interval of sound intensity that corresponds to a tenfold change in energy. As a Bel is very
large, it is normally divided by 10 to give the decibel, which also gives more units on the measurement scale.
As sound is measured in decibels, which is a logarithmic scale, the decibel values cannot just be added together
directly to give the effect of two sound sources; i.e. 80dB + 80dB does not equal 160dB.
It is important to note that an increase of three dB doubles the sound intensity, and a decrease of three dB halves the
sound intensity, and a ten dB change is equal to a tenfold increase in sound intensity.
Typical sound pressure levels

Noise Source Sound Pressure Level (dB)
Jet Engine 140
Pneumatic Drill 120
Busy Street 80
Speech at one metre 60
Quiet countryside at night 20
As an approximation, if you have to shout to be heard at a distance of one metre, then the background sound level is
likely to be 90dB(A).
DEFINITION
dB(A)
Noise is measured in decibels (dB). The human ear is, however, more sensitive at the frequencies of 1 kHz to 4
kHz. When the noise is measured, the equipment is adjusted to best represent the way the human ear hears it
(dB(A)).
Noise-Weighting Scales
The human ear cannot hear to an equal extent over the whole frequency range, as shown in the following diagram:
Frequency range sensitivity
The human ear is more sensitive to certain frequencies than to others and so we do not hear equally over the whole
sound range. Consequently, the meters used to measure sound, as it affects humans, are calibrated so that they mimic
the ear’s sensitivity by applying a weighting scale. There are a number of different weighting scales (‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and
‘D’). For most purposes the weighting scale ‘A’ is applied and that is why decibel units are typically expressed using the
symbol dB(A).
Percentile Sound Levels

Percentile Exceedance Sound Level (Ln)
This is a parameter used to express the amount of time a certain level of noise is exceeded, e.g. L10 is the level
exceeded for 10% of the time period. L90 is the level exceeded for 90% of the time.
If the sound level was 70dB for an hour, an L10 would mean that 70dB would be exceeded for 10% of the time (i.e.
six minutes), and would be 70dB or less for 54 minutes of the hour.
Equivalent Continuous Sound Pressure Level

The most common parameter for noise measurements in the workplace is Leq. This measurement arose from a
Code of Practice issued in 1972, for Reducing the Exposure of Employed Persons to Noise. In the code, it was
recommended that the maximum noise workers should be exposed to was an exposure level of 90dB(A) eight-hour
time-weighted average. (Note: this recommended maximum level of exposure has since been reduced - see below.)
The Leq is an average of the energy of the sound (as opposed to an arithmetical average of the decibel level). It is also
known as the Equivalent Continuous Sound Level.
Here is a straightforward example: if noise was steady at 90dB(A), then an Leq of 90dB(A) would be measured. This
would also be the case if the noise was 93dB(A) for half the time and silent for the other half. Similarly, a noise level
of 100dB(A) for a tenth of the time also gives an Leq of 90dB(A).
The noise dose received by a person is the product of the noise level and the duration of the exposure. The Control
of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 in the UK establish the exposure criteria associated with lower and upper
exposure action values and exposure limit values. These are exposure values at which the employer is required to
take particular steps to protect employees and others from the harmful effects of noise.
The exposure action values and exposure limit values are expressed as ‘equivalent continuous daily personal noise
exposure levels’ (LEPd) or, where exposure may differ markedly from day to day, ‘equivalent continuous weekly
personal noise exposure levels’ (LEPw).
• Lower Exposure Action Values: 80dB(A) LEPd /LEPw or 135dB(C) peak sound pressure.
Where it is likely that a lower exposure action value may be exceeded, employers must carry out a risk
assessment.
At or above this level, employees must be provided with information about the likely noise exposure and the
associated risk to hearing, the control measures in place to reduce exposure, hearing protection and health
surveillance (hearing tests).
• Upper Exposure Action Values: 85dB(A) LEPd /LEPw or 137dB(C) peak sound pressure.
At or above this level the employer must reduce exposure to as low a level as is reasonably practicable by
establishing and implementing a programme of organisational and technical measures. The provision of hearing
protectors is a last resort and is only acceptable when other methods of reducing exposure are not reasonably
practicable.
Note: health surveillance (hearing checks) must be provided for all employees likely to be exposed regularly
above the upper exposure action value.
• Exposure Limit Values: 87dB(A) LEPd /LEPw or 140dB(C) peak sound pressure.
These limits must not be exceeded. However, if an exposure limit value is exceeded, the employer must
investigate the reason for the occurrence and identify and implement actions to ensure that it does not happen
again.
Using 85dB(A) as an example (the upper exposure action value), the relevant exposure would be 85dB(A) for eight
hours or 88dB(A) for four hours, to give the same amount of noise exposure. Further examples are shown in the
following table:
Sound Level dB(A) Exposure Equivalent to 85dB(A) LEPd
85 8 hours
88 4 hours
91 2 hours
94 1 hour
97 30 minutes
Narrow Band Noise

Narrow band noise is noise that has a limited range of frequencies within the audible range. It tends to present as
screams, whistles or hisses. Due to its nature it tends to have a high nuisance potential.
Low Frequency Environmental Noise

Low Frequency Noise (LFN) is a common nuisance issue for people. LFN tends to incorporate noise that occurs
between 20 and 160 times per second (20 Hertz to 160 Hertz). Most sounds fluctuate at a much greater speed (up
to 16,000 times per second). LFN is commonly presented as a low rumble. Occasionally there will be a vibration
sensation on the ears.
LFN has the ability to travel long distances without a great amount of attenuation (reduction). In some cases the
source of the sound can be several kilometres from the receptor. Some people are found to be more susceptible to
LFN than others; to such people the sound can appear extremely loud. To susceptible people LFN may cause distress,
sleep deprivation and depression.
MORE...
Further information on low frequency noise can be found at:
www.salford.ac.uk/research/sirc/research-groups/acoustics/psychoacoustics/low-frequency-noise
Example tracks of low frequency noise are available from:
www.salford.ac.uk/research/sirc/research-groups/acoustics/psychoacoustics/low-frequency-noise/sound-
files
Measurement of Environmental Noise

Noise at Work
The effects of noise have been recognised by industry for many years. Dr Thomas Barr published his work in the
late 1880s and, since then, it has been accepted that exposure to noisy workplaces can permanently and irreparably
damage hearing. This damage has been the subject of many studies and reports since; in the early 1930s, pioneering
work in this field was carried out by Brown and Robinson.
The protection of workers’ hearing is often covered in legislation. It is recommended that hearing tests are carried
out periodically for workers in industries where noise is an issue.
Environmental Noise
Methods used to measure environmental noise must be capable of characterising noise impacts from a range of
different sources - for example, rail or road vehicles, aircraft or industrial machinery. In the past, a variety of different
approaches have been used. However, the ISO standard, Acoustics - Description, Measurement and Assessment of
Environmental Noise (ISO 1996), provides a framework for the consistent assessment of environmental noise. The
standard is published in two parts:
• Part 1: Basic quantities and assessment procedures.

• Part 2: Determination of environmental noise levels.
It identifies the preferred noise descriptor for the specification of noise limits as an equivalent continuous A-weighted
sound pressure level or rating level, during given reference intervals.
Assessment of Environmental Noise and Potential for Complaints

In order to assess the impact of industrial and commercial sound, the British Standards Institution has published
BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound. The 2014 version of the standard
was amended in 2019, but not replaced.
DEFINITION
BS 4142:2014+A1:2019
A standard that sets out a method for assessing industrial and commercial sound level against the existing
background sound level, to determine the likelihood of adverse impacts.
TOPIC FOCUS
BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 Methods for Rating and Assessing Industrial and Commercial Sound
While the standard has no statutory force, it can be used for complaint investigation, assessment of new,
modified or additional sources of industrial and commercial sound and determining the sound at proposed
residential dwellings. The determination of whether a noise is a nuisance or not is beyond the scope of the
standard.
A summary of the methodology used to assess sound in BS 4142 is as follows:
• The measuring equipment should conform to BS EN 61672-1 and be calibrated at one or more
frequencies as recommended by equipment manufacturers.
• The measurement location should then be chosen. Measurements should be made outdoors at
representative locations at a height of between 1.2m to 1.5m above ground level and 3.5m away from
reflecting surfaces other than the ground.
• Precautions should be taken so as to reduce interference to the measuring equipment from sources such
as wind passing over the microphone or electromagnetic interference.
• The weather conditions should be recorded such as wind speed, wind direction and precipitation (rain,
snow and hail).
• Determination of the specific sound level should then be undertaken. This is the sound emanating from
the source of interest (e.g. sound from an industrial or manufacturing activity). This should be measured
for an appropriate period such as 1 hour during the day or 15 minutes at night. It is recommended in the
standard that if possible the specific sound is determined by measurement of the ambient sound (specific
sound plus other sound sources) and the residual sound (ambient sound minus the specific sound level).
• Background sound levels should then be determined. Background sound can vary, e.g. in many locations it
will be much reduced at night in comparison to daytime. Therefore the typical sound level over the period
of interest should be measured.
• To take into account elements of the specific sound that can increase the significance of the impact (such
as impulsivity or tonality of the sound) a character correction can be added to the sound. The subsequent
sound level is known as the rated sound. Character corrections can be determined using the following
methods:
–– Subjective method - establishment of a character correction based on a subjective assessment of the
specific sound such as tonality (e.g. a penalty 6dB could be added where it is highly perceptible) or
impulsivity (e.g. a 9dB penalty could be added to a highly impulsive sound).
–– Objective one third octave method - tones are identified using a method stated in an annex to the
standard and correction of 6dB is added if a specified tone is present.
–– Reference method - if certain tones are audible, a penalty is added on a sliding scale of 0 to 9dB.
• The level of uncertainty in data and calculations should then be determined and steps taken to reduce
uncertainties.
• The difference between the rated sound and the background sound levels is used to assess whether
adverse impacts are likely. Generally the greater the difference, the greater the magnitude of the impact
such that:
–– A difference of +10dB is likely to have a significant adverse impact.
–– A difference of around +5dB is likely to identify an adverse impact.
–– Where the rated sound level is at or under the background level, the sound source is likely to have a
low impact.
• Specified information is required to be reported such as measurement locations, sound measuring system,
weather conditions, date and time of measurement and specific sound levels.
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Define:
(a) Sound.
(b) Frequency of sound.
2. Describe one way in which sound is measured.
3. What are the key environmental noise sources?
(Suggested Answers are at the end.)
10.2 The Effects and Control of Environmental Noise
The Effects and Control of Environmental Noise

IN THIS SECTION...
• Environmental impacts of noise include annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular problems and negative
performance and educational achievement.
• Noise management controls include control of working hours, controlling the use of radios, public address
systems and re-routing of vehicles.
• Techniques to abate noise include elimination, substitution, maintenance, isolation, distance, absorption,
insulation, barriers, damping and silencing.
Effects of Noise on Human Health, Local Communities and

Wildlife
The perception of noise can be quite subjective. A particular noise may be
acceptable to one person, but very annoying to another. The main factors
that affect the perception of noise are:
• Loudness: loud noise is likely to be more intrusive.

• Pitch: low-pitched (or ‘low frequency’) sound, e.g. from heavy
machinery or the bass from entertainment sound systems, can travel
substantial distances. Pulsating low-pitched sound was a particular
problem with early wind turbine designs and may also be associated
A noise that is acceptable to one
with heavy road traffic. person may be very annoying to
• Incidence: noise that happens only occasionally may be tolerable, but another
regular noise may be anticipated by people who are affected, leading to a greater sense of annoyance and anxiety.
• Background levels: a given sound will travel further and be more noticeable in areas that are generally peaceful,
such as the countryside, than in a busy city street.
Complaints about noise are growing. Many complaints of neighbourhood noise arise as a result of:
• Anti-social behaviour.
• Poor planning controls.
• The juxtaposition of incompatible land uses.
• Specific one-off events, such as clay pigeon shooting, burglar and theft alarms (especially their repeated,
intermittent, high-frequency nature), fireworks, explosives, parties or the use of a jack-hammer on a road surface.
• Sirens or other noise interfering with use of tannoy systems for communication.
Environmental noise can have the following impacts on people:
• Annoyance
This can cause stress and other health problems such as hypertension (chronic high blood pressure). One
estimate suggests that 55% of people in the UK, for example, reside in areas that exceed guideline levels for
annoyance as specified by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The Effects and Control of Environmental Noise 10.2
However, there are a number of factors that can affect individual attitudes to noise, such as:
–– Personal factors - where people are and what they are doing.
–– Context - a rural area is likely to be less accepting of transport noise than an urban area.
–– Choice - people who have specifically decided to live in a quiet area are likely to be less accepting of high
noise levels.
• Sleep Disturbance
Higher sound levels can lead to poor quality of sleep and awakening.
• Cardiovascular Problems
Loud noise causes an increased heart rate that will soon return to normal following the stopping of the noise.
There is a slightly increased chance of hypertension, heart disease and heart attack for longer-term exposure.
Effects are not totally understood due to the influence of other risk factors, e.g. smoking and pollution.
• Performance and Educational Achievement

Noise is shown to affect the performance of children and adults in tasks that test cognitive functioning.
Environmental noise may also affect wildlife. Wild animals may be disturbed and prevented from feeding in certain
areas because of man-made noise. Certain animals - notably birds - use complex calls to communicate with other
members of the same species, especially during breeding. Man-made noise can interfere with these communication
systems.
The Need to Control Noise from Industry and Construction

Noise must be controlled for the following reasons:
• Protect the health of workers.

• Reduce the chance of nuisance for those affected who live in areas close
to a site.
• Comply with environmental, health and safety legislation which, if
breached, can lead to fines, compensation claims, bad publicity, etc.
• Comply with the requirements of a formal environmental management
system standard such as ISO 14001:2015.
• Ensure good relations with those living close to the site.
Engineering and Procedural Control Noise in the construction industry

Measures and Strategies must be controlled
In this section, we shall consider the range of engineering and procedural control measures and strategies that can be
applied to control noise emissions at source, through propagation and at the receptor.
The strategy of Source-Pathway-Receptor applies equally well to noise as to other forms of environmental pollution.
TOPIC FOCUS
General Noise Control
Wherever noise is a problem, the order
of priority for dealing with it is:
1. Noise reduction at source - e.g. by

elimination or substitution of the
process or equipment producing
the noise.
2. Attenuation in transmission - e.g.
by engineering controls that limit
the amount of noise transmitted.
3. Target controls - e.g. through
use of double glazing or sound
insulation at a property, only if
neither of the first two approaches Noise spread from point source
results in a satisfactory solution.
Some controls used are identical to those used in the reduction of noise for health and safety reasons.
Environmental noise controls may differ in that controls past the boundary of a site must also be considered.
Hearing protection would not be a relevant control for environmental noise.
Management Controls
Generally, good management is in most cases a source or a pathway control, as it can be used to eliminate or at least
reduce noise problems. Examples include:
• Control of working hours - usually to reasonable daytime hours. Most people are out of the home during the
day and the level of background noise is also higher than at night.
• Controlling the use of radios - radios used for communication and entertainment can cause a nuisance.
Controlling the number of radios on a site and the volume can be important. When using two-way radios, the use
of earpieces is advantageous as they prevent other people from overhearing and therefore any nuisance-causing
potential.
• Public address systems - these must be properly designed so that sound is directed where it needs to be heard
and not past site boundaries. This can be achieved by using more, smaller speakers and being able to reduce the
volume at night when background noise levels are generally lower.
• Vehicle routes - vehicles entering and leaving a site, especially large goods vehicles using air brakes and air-
assisted gear changes, can create high noise levels. Appropriate routing of such vehicles, in addition to signage
indicating any areas or routes not to be taken, can reduce the likelihood of a nuisance being caused. Driver
training can also have a positive effect.
• Loading doors and shutters - ensuring these are kept closed when not in use, especially during the night, can
significantly reduce the noise levels and the potential for nuisance.
Elimination, Substitution and Maintenance

The noise specification of equipment should always be considered and quiet equipment purchased, wherever
practicable. It is always more effective to fit noise-abatement equipment during manufacture than as a retrofit.
Noise can be reduced by replacing noisy equipment or parts of equipment with quieter alternatives, including:
• Diesel/petrol engines replaced by electric motors.

• Pneumatic tools replaced by electric tools.
• Solid wheels replaced by pneumatic rubber tyres.
• Metal chutes, buckets, boxes replaced by rubber or plastic ones.
Poor maintenance can also be the source of noise problems. Many machines are noisy because of worn parts,
poor maintenance, inadequate lubrication, or because they are ‘out of balance’. Having such machinery on a
Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) system will be required. This should include inspection, which may lead to
replacement of worn parts, and lubrication, leading to a quieter, more efficient machine.
It may also be possible to retrofit an improvement to a machine rather than totally replacing it, e.g. plastic- or rubber-
coated rollers and guides on a conveyor belt may be used for handling glass or metal components.
Engineering Controls
Isolation
Another effective method to reduce noise is to enclose the noise source. Machinery enclosures consist of noise-
reflecting outer surfaces and a noise-absorbent lining (such as mineral fibre). The machine should also be mounted so
that transmission noise to the floor does not occur.
Noise enclosures must be airtight - the smallest gap allows sound to escape and reduces the attenuation of the noise
inside the enclosure. This can be a problem with some types of enclosures as a gap may be needed to allow for entry
or exit of the product.
Pathways
Noise travels at different rates through different materials. The sound heard by the recipient will therefore vary
according to a number of factors, such as the distance between the source and the receptor, any barriers or buildings,
the type of ground (hard or soft), and the weather, including the wind speed and direction.
Distance
In the open air, sound decreases by 6dB for every doubling of the distance away from the source - for example:
Distance Noise Level
1 metre 112dB
2 metres 106dB
4 metres 100dB
8 metres 94dB
The effect of distance is to decrease the intensity of the sound as the sound travels further from the source. This may
therefore be used as an effective control, often in conjunction with other controls.
Absorption and Insulation

Noise can be transmitted from a noise source by reflection off walls and other internal building structures. In
appropriate areas, noise levels can therefore be significantly reduced by the use of sound-absorbing materials on such
internal structures. This will reduce the reflected noise and have an effect on the overall noise levels.
Any barriers, screens or other enclosures used must, as well as having absorbent properties, be acoustically insulating.
This means that they must transmit very little noise, and as a result they tend to be heavy. The superficial density of
the barrier must be high.
Barriers should be positioned as near as possible to either the receiver or the source; in most cases, the middle area is
the least effective at reducing noise levels. Barriers can reflect noise away from the receiver as well as absorbing it.
Sound insulation at the receiver is also sometimes used to reduce noise levels, although other techniques should be
considered first. For example, fitting double glazing inside a building can significantly reduce sound levels.
Proprietary damping compounds may be purchased and used to reduce noise. An enclosure made from a ‘sandwich’,
comprising two separate skins of material separated by an absorbent compound, will provide improved sound
deadening.
Typical values of sound insulation
Material Sound Insulation
Plasterboard 15-20dB
Double-glazed window 40dB
Brick 45dB
200mm concrete 50dB
There is a British Standard, BS 8233:2014 Guidance on Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings, which
gives more detail on this subject.
Purpose-designed double-skinned insulation panels
Noise levels of 85-95dB(A) inside a building can be related roughly to expected noise outside for a given set of
circumstances. Taking an ‘average’ level of building insulation, such as that provided by lightweight single-skin cladding
and open doorways, the noise will be reduced over distance but will still be appreciable, especially if work takes place
at night, or in the early morning or late evening, when noise levels would normally be expected to be lower:
Noise levels inside Noise levels outside
100 metres 200 metres 400 metres
85dB(A) 52dB(A) 46dB(A) 40dB(A)
98dB(A) 62dB(A) 56dB(A) 50dB(A)
(Adapted from Reducing Noise from Forges and Foundries, Bob Davis, 2002)
Noise Barriers
Introducing a screen of some kind is another way of preventing/reducing the transmission of noise. In the workplace,
sound barriers may comprise acoustic screens, enclosures and silencers. The issues of access and creation of new
workplace hazards should be considered when developing enclosures. In certain workplaces, the provision of noise
refuges is the most practical answer to a noise problem.
For environmental noise, the same principles apply in that sound contained cannot escape into the environment.
However, there are other considerations to be taken into account.
The design of acoustic barriers is a specialist subject requiring the assistance of a qualified sound engineer.
For environmental noise, common barriers include fences, high walls, earth banks or berms - even other buildings in
the vicinity can be used. You should be aware that unlike light, noise can actually be reflected around corners, so ‘out
of sight, out of mind’ does not always ring true!
Screens can be effective in stopping noise that escapes from a specific direction. They are likely to be used to offer
some ‘protection’ to sensitive areas such as housing and they can sometimes be portable (e.g. on a construction site).
Screens should be placed near to the source; the greater the angle, the better the noise reduction. Such a screen (as
shown in the picture which follows) could reduce noise by 5-10dB.
An acoustic barrier (which should be close to the source and as high as possible, to increase angle ‘A’ for more
noise reduction)
Damping
Vibration can also be a significant cause of noise complaints. Vibration transmission may occur as a result of
transmission of energy through machinery panels, floors and walls.
These large surfaces act to increase the level of noise. Damping may involve using anti-vibration dampening or rubber
feet and using bolts rather than welds to join sheet metal.
Silencing
For equipment that involves the intake or discharge of air, silencing may be used to reduce noise levels. Silencers are
also used for car exhausts.
Equipment - Fans, Ventilation, Openings, etc.

Factories were often laid out with the noisiest equipment on their boundary. Often the nuisance is exacerbated by
new developments, particularly residential developments growing up nearby, and inevitably results in sometimes
noisy equipment and houses being in close proximity.
Changes in the layout of buildings or equipment may be possible, even if total reorganisation is not practicable. Some
practical solutions that may be applicable are:
• Shutting off public-address systems and preventing use of radios.

• Repositioning doorways and compressor houses away from residential housing.
• Relocating stockyards away from houses.
• Resurfacing yards, particularly if forklift movements are involved.
Some methods of controlling noise
STUDY QUESTIONS
4. What is the three-step hierarchy for controlling noise?
5. Name the key impacts of exposure to environmental noise on people.
(Suggested Answers are at the end.)
Summary
Summary

Key topics covered in this element:
• Important sources of environmental noise include industrial activities, transport, agriculture, construction,
quarrying and mining.
• Other sources include noise from pubs and clubs, noisy neighbours, intruder and vehicle alarms and wind farms.
• Sound is the sensation the brain perceives when pressure variations in the air are detected by the ear.
• Loudness depends on the sound pressure and frequency.
• An increase of three dB doubles the sound intensity, and a decrease of three dB halves the sound intensity.
• BS 4142 is a standard that sets out a method for assessing industrial and commercial sound sources against the
existing background sound to determine the impact of the sound.
• Environmental noise has effects on human health, local communities and wildlife.
• Environmental impacts of noise include annoyance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular problems and negative
performance and educational achievement.
• Noise management controls include control of working hours, controlling the use of radios and public address
systems, re-routing of vehicles and loading doors and shutters.
• Techniques to control noise include elimination, substitution, maintenance, isolation, distance, absorption,
insulation, barriers, damping and silencing.

Element 10 - Control of Environmental Noise

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Element 10 - Control of Environmental Noise

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Control of Environmental Noise

1 Explain the characteristics of noise

2 Outline control strategies and methods for

Characteristics, Measurement and Assessment of Environmental Noise 10-3

The Effects and Control of Environmental Noise 10-14

Exam Skills 10-22

Characteristics, Measurement and Assessment of

Sources of Environmental Noise

• The use of horns.

• Mobile machinery, e.g. tractors and harvesters, especially when

• The use of heavy equipment, such as excavators and cranes.

Quarrying and Mining

• Operation of excavation machinery.

Other Sources of Noise

Limits may be set in relation to the:

• Number of times such events are permitted.

• Loud music from radios and other sound systems.

• People living closer together.

• Mobile farm machinery, especially during harvest time.

Sound is the transmission of energy in the form of vibration; it can occur

Frequency and Amplitude

Sine curve for pressure variation in sound waves

• A = Amplitude (amplitude is proportional to sound pressure).

Amplitude is proportional to the energy of a sound wave.

Different sounds have different characteristics that affect what we hear.

Pressure variation in sound waves

Sound Pressure Levels

The Bel (B) and deciBel (dB) Scales

Typical sound pressure levels

Frequency range sensitivity

Percentile Sound Levels

Equivalent Continuous Sound Pressure Level

Narrow Band Noise

Low Frequency Environmental Noise

Example tracks of low frequency noise are available from:

Measurement of Environmental Noise

• Part 1: Basic quantities and assessment procedures.

Assessment of Environmental Noise and Potential for Complaints

A summary of the methodology used to assess sound in BS 4142 is as follows:

The Effects and Control of Environmental Noise

Effects of Noise on Human Health, Local Communities and

• Loudness: loud noise is likely to be more intrusive.

• Performance and Educational Achievement

The Need to Control Noise from Industry and Construction

• Protect the health of workers.

Engineering and Procedural Control Noise in the construction industry

1. Noise reduction at source - e.g. by

Elimination, Substitution and Maintenance

• Diesel/petrol engines replaced by electric motors.

Absorption and Insulation

Purpose-designed double-skinned insulation panels

Equipment - Fans, Ventilation, Openings, etc.

• Shutting off public-address systems and preventing use of radios.

Some methods of controlling noise

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