Noise Assessment in Birmingham

Birmingham Sources of Noise Pollution

For several different reasons, a development can add to the level of noise or suffer from the existing background noise. Neither option is ideal either, as going beyond an acceptable level of noise can lead to issues with gaining planning permission from the local planning authority and being affected by the existing noise levels in the surrounding area can interfere with the planning project and threaten the wellbeing of people and wildlife.

The city of Birmingham features a busy road traffic network and railway traffic, as well as air traffic from Birmingham Airport. As with all urban areas, the combination of different types of noise pollution sources builds up and can affect new developments. Whether the planning project is likely to affect or be affected by sound, a noise assessment carried out by our team of acoustic consultants will guarantee that all laws, requirements and health and safety guidelines are followed.

Reasons for Arranging a Noise Survey

Organising a noise assessment with a certain quality of service can help with multiple issues. For instance, the local authority overseeing projects across Birmingham mandates that any noise-sensitive developments are supported at the pre-application stage to evaluate existing sources of noise vibration. Certain requirements ensure that future occupants avoid adverse impacts, and without enough evidence from sufficient noise surveys, the planning conditions will not be met, and it will be difficult to grant planning approval.

Current World Health Organisation guidelines insist on the potential impact of noise on public health, such as causing cardiovascular problems, disturbed sleep and heightened stress levels. Showing consideration to issues caused by noise also falls in line with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the approved document of relevant Building Regulations, and the specific noise survey requirements from the Institute of Acoustics (IOA). The regulations are often applicable when a development involves air conditioning units, a mechanical plant or external plant equipment.

In terms of local sound pollution that could affect a development, examples include community noise, environmental noise, industrial noise, traffic noise, residential noise or a commercial noise source such as entertainment noise or retail noise. As for the sound pollution caused by a development that could affect the local area, acoustic design and people involved in the development, examples include construction noise and occupational noise. For a proposed development to comply correctly, noise experts would need to consider all possibilities.

Noise and Acoustic Assessments to Support Planning

Each type of noise survey applies to different purposes.

The list includes the background noise survey, work assessments and vibration assessments, but in terms of the common inspections that are required to reduce noise in tandem with planning projects, the main three in most countries are:

BS 4142 Noise Assessment

Created specifically for gauging commercial and industrial sound, the BS4142 noise survey covers commercial and industrial premises. A rating level is used to compare the specific sound with the background noise measurements and any ventilation specifications. With all of that data, a noise consultant can confirm if general noise limits have been exceeded, initiate noise reduction, and provide appropriate noise control measures.

BS 8233 Noise Assessment

Applying to both internal and external noise levels, the BS8233 noise survey covers bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms and gardens between the periods of 07:00 am and 11:00 pm, as well as 11:00 pm and 07:00 am. The impact of outside noise on each room’s suitable internal noise levels will be recorded, and based on that, suitably qualified acoustic engineers can provide mitigation measures for noise reduction and sound insulation.

Noise Impact Assessment

Focusing on the effect of the development on the location’s acoustic design and noise environment, the noise impact survey breaks down each factor within the project to determine the noise barriers of the construction activities. The existing noise profile will be analysed at length, giving the expert technical team a clear idea of how much the development could add to noise in the area and the effect on people and the environment.

Noise Survey Report

Whatever noise surveys are undertaken, the appropriate British standards will be used, alongside the same level of quality and attention to detail. The noise survey experts in charge of the inspection will then assemble a noise report to address any concerns, outline the challenges involved, leave no reason for the local council to refuse planning consent, and deal with any other obstacles in the planning process caused by the interference of noise.

Request a Quote from Our Admin Team

The team at Arbtech covers a vast selection of services for a wide range of projects, including residential, industrial and commercial developments. With years of experience providing noise surveys, our team can provide highly competitive pricing and offer bespoke solutions for noise-related problems on your development site quickly and efficiently. Our consultants are able to undertake noise surveys in Birmingham and in close proximity to the city and other parts of the West Midlands region such as Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall, Coventry and Stoke-on-Trent, all with an unrivalled quality service.

From working on new residential developments and creating student accommodation to meeting building control guidelines or the instructions of the World Health Organization and ensuring the continued safety of local residents, we offer a professional and efficient service whenever we undertake a top-quality noise survey. Acoustic surveys and noise assessments can be used to assess noise and gauge the adverse effects of noise on existing residential dwellings or new buildings and residential houses, as well as proposed industrial works.

If you need a noise survey solution, speak to our administration team directly, and they will be able to offer a hassle-free solution to any problems you may be having in your development. You can do this by emailing us, calling us, filling out an online quote form or visiting our contact page. We will then be able to plan a date to send an acoustic consultant with extensive experience of the impact of sound pollution on planning applications to conduct the necessary noise surveys on your site.