Noise Pollution and Acoustic Consultants: What You Need to Know

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When you think of pollution, your first thought might be of traffic exhaust, commercial waste and your carbon footprint. As a business owner, you will understand that you have an obligation to dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly way. However, you may not understand that you also must consider a different type of pollution, one that cannot be seen but one which can cause serious issues to your neighbours. This kind of pollution is called noise pollution. As a business owner, you have a range of responsibilities. You have a duty of care towards your staff, your customers and your neighbours. The Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 was put in place in order to ensure that business owners take the necessary steps to fulfil their responsibilities.  Below is a guide to everything you need to consider about noise pollution and your business.

How to get an assessment

The best way of making sure that your business is operating within the legal noise pollution limits, it is best to call in an acoustic consultant who will be able to carry out a full assessment of your business and the noise that it generates. Remember, it is always worthwhile to have an assessment. Although you may not think that your business makes very much noise, it is possible that machines or air conditioning units within your commercial building are producing low-frequency vibrations which breach the law. 

How the assessment is carried out

The acoustic consultant will use a piece of equipment called a noise sensitive receptor in order to measure the frequency and volume of noise which is being produced by your business. They will place noise sensitive receptors at various locations which are different distances away from your business. The receptors will be left in place for a period of time so that the acoustic consultant can measure the average level of noise produced as well as identifying any spikes when noise regulations are broken. The Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 sets out various times when the acceptable limits of noise are lower, such as during the night time and early morning. 

The outcome of an assessment

The noise consultant will produce a report which details the levels and radius of noise generated by your business. They will then make a list of recommended actions which you will need to take in order to remain compliant with noise pollution laws.

If you would like further information about noise pollution, you should contact an acoustic specialist today.

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11 July 2017

Getting acoustical consulting advice

Our new office looks fantastic, but it's so loud. It's really hard to control the noise, as our team spends a lot of time on the phone. We have gotten some advice from an acoustical consultant who has give us some really valuable tips on how to control the noise with some simple changes to how we organise the staff work stations. We have also gotten some cool new domes for the ceiling panels that help to absorb and redistribute the noise in a better way. This blog has tips on picking an acoustical consultant for people with loud work spaces.