Noise and vibration are significant issues affecting many aspects of society in both the environment and the workplace. The life-changing effects range from general annoyance and sleep disturbances to life-changing physical effects such as noise-induced hearing loss or hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) caused by prolonged exposures working in hazardous conditions.

Element’s team of experts are members of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS). We can provide specialist testing, assessment, and modeling services in all areas of environmental and workplace acoustics with cutting edge equipment and technology. These include:

Noise assessments

Element’s environmental noise assessment services utilize state-of-the-art noise modeling software, which considers meteorological conditions, local terrain, and other outside impacts in residential and industrial projects, providing highly accurate results. 

  • Environmental noise and vibration assessments to support the planning process
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
  • Environmental permitting support
  • BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 assessments
  • Construction and demolition assessment
  • Road traffic, rail, and aviation noise assessments

Acoustic noise modeling

Acoustic noise modeling provides a 3D simulation of both existing and proposed conditions and compares the two to determine the environmental impact. Element can provide visual noise contour plots of the predicted environmental impact. 

  • Environmental noise and vibration modeling in support of planning applications
  • Noise modeling using Computer Aided Noise Abatement (CadnaA) software

Ground-borne vibration

Many residential and industrial areas have a legal vibration limit. Construction, demolition activities, railway lines, and busy roads provide a significant vibration impact. It is critical to determine the potential vibration impact on the surrounding areas and structures before any construction or demolition activities commence. Element’s vibration surveys will provide you with certainty that your project remains below the vibration limit. 

Acoustic Testing

Standards & Guidance
  • British Standards Institution [BS] 7445-1:2003 - Description and measurement of environmental noise. Guide to quantities and procedures. BSI, London.
  • British Standards Institution [BS] EN 61672-1:2003 Electroacoustics. Sound level meters. Specifications. BSI, London.
  • British Standards Institution [BS] 6472-1:2008 Guide to evaluation of human exposure to vibration in buildings. Part 1: Vibration sources other than blasting, BSI, London.
  • British Standards Institute [BS] 7385-2:1993 Evaluation and Measurement for vibration in Buildings. Part 2, Guide to damage levels from ground borne vibration. BSI, London.
  • British Standards Institution [BS] 5228-1:2009+A1:2014 “Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites – Part 1: Noise”.
  • British Standards Institution [BS] 5228-2:2009+A1:2014 “Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites – Part 2: Vibration”.
  • British Standards Institution [BS] 8233: Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings. BSI, London.
  • British Standards Institution [BS] 4142:2014+A1:2019 Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound, BSI, London.
  • Department of Transport, Welsh Office (1988). Calculation of Road Traffic Noise. HMSO, London.
  • Environmental Protection Act (1990). HMSO, London.
  • The Control of Pollution Act (1974). HMSO, London.
  • Environment Agency (2004). Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control [IPPC] Version 3 Horizontal Guidance for Noise Part 2 – Noise Assessment and
  • Control. Environment Agency, Bristol.
  • Highways Agency (2011). Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 11, Section 3, Part 7: Noise and Vibration. The Highways Agency.
  • International Organization for Standardization (1996). ISO 9613-2:1996 Acoustics – Attenuation of sound during propagation outdoors – Part 2: General method of calculation. ISO, Switzerland.
  • International Organization for Standardization (2010). ISO 3744:2010 Acoustics –Determination of sound power levels and sound energy levels of noise sources using sound pressure -- Engineering methods for an essentially free field over a reflecting plane. ISO, Switzerland.
  • Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2018). National Planning Policy Framework. OGL, London.

All our measurement equipment is routinely calibrated by external laboratories to ensure the accuracy of the data and provide full transparency to regulatory bodies.

Please contact us if you have any questions about acoustics testing or requirements. 

 
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