Waterloo Acoustics provides practical noise advice for building services, industrial plant and environmental noise problems. From initial site surveys and BS 4142 assessments through to planning support and the design of suitable noise-control measures, we can assist at any stage of a project. Our approach is straightforward: establish the noise issue, determine what is required and develop a practical solution that works on site as well as on paper.
Noise can become an issue at any stage of a project, from initial planning and design through to the operation of completed plant and equipment.
Waterloo Acoustics provides practical advice on environmental, industrial and building services noise, helping clients establish what is required, assess the potential impact and, where necessary, develop appropriate noise control measures.
Our involvement can range from a straightforward noise survey or assessment through to a complete package incorporating acoustic design, manufacture and installation.
Our Goal… Remains…
Your Peace and Quiet
Noise Surveys
Accurate assessment starts with understanding the existing noise environment.
We undertake site noise surveys to establish background and ambient noise levels, identify significant existing noise sources and provide the information required for environmental noise assessments and plant noise design.
Surveys can be tailored to suit the particular project, from attended measurements at individual locations to longer-term monitoring where variations throughout the day and night need to be established.
Noise Reports
We prepare clear, practical noise reports for planning applications, plant installations, industrial and building services projects and existing noise problems.
Reports can include measured noise levels, assessment criteria, predicted plant noise levels and recommendations for any mitigation required.
Where appropriate, we can also liaise with project designers, contractors, local authorities and Environmental Health Officers to agree a suitable approach.
BS 4142 Assessments
BS 4142:2014+A1:2019 provides a method for assessing sound from industrial and commercial sources at nearby residential properties.
We undertake BS 4142 assessments for new and existing plant installations including air conditioning and ventilation equipment, chillers, condensers, generators, pumps and other mechanical plant.
An assessment considers the existing background sound level, the level and character of the proposed or existing sound source and the context in which it occurs.
Where mitigation is necessary, we can take the assessment a stage further and develop the appropriate noise control solution.
Environmental Noise
Environmental noise problems rarely have a one-size-fits-all solution.
We can investigate noise associated with HVAC and building services plant, industrial equipment, generators, data centres, utilities and infrastructure, as well as noise breakout from plant rooms and buildings.
The objective is to identify the significant noise source and determine the most practical means of controlling it, rather than simply specifying acoustic treatment without first understanding the problem.
Planning Guidance
Noise is frequently an important consideration in planning applications involving new mechanical plant, commercial and industrial developments or sites close to residential properties.
We can assist from the early design stage, helping establish appropriate noise criteria and identifying potential problems before equipment is selected or installed.
Where a planning condition already exists, we can assess the proposed installation against its requirements and provide the supporting acoustic report.
Noise Control Advice
Identifying a noise problem is only part of the job. The proposed solution also needs to be practical, buildable and compatible with the equipment it serves.
As both acoustic consultants and manufacturers, we can take an assessment through to the design and supply of the required mitigation.
Depending on the application, this may include acoustic louvres and screens, sound attenuators, acoustic doors, acoustic enclosures, barriers, plant-room treatments and associated steelwork.
This combination of assessment and practical noise-control experience allows us to develop solutions around the particular requirements of each project rather than relying on a standard specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a noise survey for a planning application?
Not necessarily. It depends on the proposed development, the equipment involved and the requirements of the local planning authority. We can review the project initially and advise what is likely to be required.
What is a BS 4142 assessment?
BS 4142 is the commonly used British Standard for assessing sound from industrial and commercial sources affecting residential properties. It compares the rated sound from the source with the existing background sound level while also considering the context of the site.
Can you assess plant before it is installed?
Yes. Assessments can be undertaken at the design stage using manufacturer sound data together with site measurements and acoustic calculations. This can identify mitigation requirements before equipment is ordered or installed.
Can you help if we already have a noise complaint?
Yes. We can investigate existing installations, undertake measurements where required, identify the principal noise sources and recommend practical remedial measures.
Do you only provide consultancy?
No. Where noise control equipment is required, Waterloo Acoustics can also design, manufacture and install the necessary acoustic treatment, providing a single route from initial assessment through to the completed solution.
Need some advice?
If you have a noise issue, planning condition or proposed plant installation and are unsure what assessment is required, contact us with the basic project details and we can advise on the next step.
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