Construction Noise Surveys

Noise and vibration during construction can be a major concern for any development because of the potential effects on nearby businesses and residents. Failure to adequately assess and put in place appropriate control measures can lead to a site being closed down until appropriate noise and vibration management is put in place.

Under Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 a developer may apply to the local authority for prior consent to carry out construction or demolition works. A Section 61 application will contain details of the work, including plant, to be carried out, the time of the works and also details of any measures to reduce the noise from the works.

Section 61 of CoPA concerns the procedures adopted when a contractor or developer approaches the local authority prior to any construction activities taking place, with the intention of agreeing noise and vibration limits in advance of work commencing.

If consent is granted under such circumstances, then the consent would be considered a valid defence by the Magistrate’s court if the local authority was to later reverse its position and pursue an action under Section 60, provided that any conditions attached to the consent are complied with.

Any application for a Section 61 agreement would contain detailed method statements for the works to be conducted, information on noise mitigation measures to be employed, details of working times and supporting calculations showing the predicted noise levels at noise sensitive receivers around the site. British Standard 5228 Part 1:2009 +A1:2014 Code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites – Part 1: Noise.

During the process of applying for a section 61, good relationships can often be built up between the local authorities and the contractor, if the application process is managed in a clear and effective way. This has obvious benefits to both parties.

Section 61

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Best Practicable Means (or BPM as it is often known) is defined in Section 72 of the Control of Pollution Act. Practicable means reasonably practicable having regard among other things to local conditions and circumstances, to the current state of technical knowledge and to the financial implications. The means to be employed include the design, installation, maintenance and manner and periods of operation of plant and machinery, and the acoustic design, construction and maintenance of buildings and acoustic structures.

If action is taken against a developer by the local authority under Section 60 of the Control of Pollution Act, or under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act, The use of Best Practicable Means can be given as grounds to appeal against such a notice. The use of Best Practicable Means can also be used as a defence against prosecution for not complying with the terms of such a notice. Best Practicable Means should be employed at all times to reduce noise and vibration to a minimum and ensure Section 61 compliance.

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Or you can email us at info@af-acoustics.com

What we can do:

Section 61 Consent

We are able to work with the principal contractor, the developer or their agents to help obtain consent for the works under Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act (CoPA).

A section 61 prior consent for any noisy works during construction. We can investigate any noise complaints and provide monitoring equipment to ensure predicted noise levels are complied with

Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plans

Noise and vibration during construction are a critical concern for any major development because of the potential effect on nearby businesses and residents. Failure to adequately assess and put in place appropriate control measures can lead to a site being closed down until appropriate management is put in place.

We have worked on numerous construction and prepared many noise and vibration management plans.

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Best Practicable Means

Working closely with your construction team, we can develop Best Practicable Means (BPM) within a Noise and Vibration Management Plan, this might include working practices, use of alternative plant, or slight changes to methodologies, mitigation and monitoring. Air and groundborne noise and vibration impacts can be assessed, as well as site audits to highlight where improvements can be made to existing BPM practices.

Monitoring

The requirement for noise surveys of demolition and construction sites is becoming more common around built-up areas. We offer specific solutions for attended and unattended noise and vibration monitoring to meet your specific requirements. A variety of monitoring systems can be offered that can send email or text alerts on exceedances of noise levels. We can also provide “live” systems connected to the internet where the current noise levels on the site can be viewed in real time.

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