Environmental noise is a critical issue in most countries, this can be from sources of noise such as industrial noise, transport noise, entertainment noise or construction noise. These noise sources can affect people living in the vicinity and have adverse effects on health and well-being.

At NOVA Acoustics, we assess the level of impact expected from various noise sources by undertaking a noise survey. This could be assessing the noise emissions from a road, as a client is wanting to develop residential dwellings on land adjacent to the road. Or it could be consulting with an industrial premise to ensure the expansion of their facility will not cause undue harm (in terms of noise) to the neighbouring houses.

We would undertake a noise survey to first ascertain the level of noise and then assess the noise against the relevant standard, such as BS8233:2014 or BS4142:2014. Once the level of noise impact is assessed we will provide recommendations to mitigate the noise and ensure compliance with the relevant standard or local authority criteria.

The most common type of noise survey or noise impact assessment we conduct is for planning permission. Is your development near a noisy area such as a residential house, flat, school, healthcare facility or hotel? Or perhaps it’s near a transport noise source such as a road or railway. The local Authority will likely request a BS8233 noise survey to ensure that appropriate internal and external noise levels can be achieved to protect the amenity of future occupants.

Or if the development is going to generate noise then BS4142 noise surveys are conducted to assess the likely impact of industrial and commercial noise sources at noise-sensitive premises. So, if you are installing external plant equipment, including air conditioning units, extractions systems or generators at your commercial premises. The Local Authority will request a BS4142 noise assessment to be undertaken to ensure the noise impact at the closest sensitive premises is kept to a minimum.

Ultimately, the purpose of the BS8233 and BS4142 noise survey is to ensure that the development is compliant with the National Planning and Policy Framework and Noise Policy Statement for England.

We will visit your site to undertake a baseline noise survey, that will assess all noise sources that are affecting the proposed site.

We will carry out environmental noise measurements and acoustic calculations using sophisticated sound-measuring equipment to establish the noise levels across the development site.

We recommend and assess appropriate mitigation measures to protect the internal and external areas.

We will calculate the internal noise levels to allow the provision of appropriate glazing and ventilation specifications for the development. We will also advise on any mitigation measures required to reduce external noise levels within gardens.

We will provide a technical report for submission to your local authority to support your planning application

BS4142 noise surveys assess the likely impact of industrial and commercial noise sources at noise-sensitive premises. So, if you are installing external plant equipment, including air conditioning units, extractions systems or generators at your commercial premises.

The Local Authority will request a BS4142 noise assessment to be undertaken to ensure the noise impact at the closest sensitive premises is kept to a minimum. BS4142 will also apply if you are developing new sensitive premises, including residential houses or flats, schools, healthcare or hotels, near existing industrial or commercial noise sources.

A BS4142 noise report can be requested at the pre-application stage of planning permission if the Local Authority considers noise a high enough risk to affect the likelihood of the planning application being accepted. Or it may be conditioned under the planning permission approval.

The information submitted within a noise survey report allows the Planning and Environmental Health Departments to assess the level of noise impact expected from the development and ensure appropriate noise control measures are put in place. Ultimately, the purpose of the BS4142 noise survey is to ensure that the development is compliant with the National Planning and Policy Framework and Noise Policy Statement for England.

Costs for BS4142 assessments vary significantly with factors including the size of the site and the complexity of noise sources meaning costs can vary alot. Contact us for a quote and scope.

A BS4142 noise survey aims to first gain a baseline measurement of the prevailing background noise.

We will carry out a background noise environment assessment to assess the prevailing background sound level without the proposed industrial or commercial noise source in operation at the closest sensitive receptor

An assessment of the noise emissions from the source of industrial noise under assessment is conducted. If the noise source is not yet operational, acoustic modelling will be undertaken to predict the level of noise emissions. If the noise source is operational noise measurements will be conducted at the closest sensitive receptor with the noise source active.

The level of noise impact is analysed according to BS4142:2014 and the level in which the industrial noise exceeds the prevailing background sound level dictates the likely impact.

We recommend and assess appropriate mitigation measures to protect the closest sensitive premises from noise.

We will provide a technical report for submission to your local authority to support your planning application

Whether you have a school in Yorkshire or London, student accommodation in Birmingham or Nottingham, an industrial premises in Cambridge or Manchester, a function room opening up in the North West or a manufacturing facility in Leicester or Newcastle… NOVA Acoustics Ltd are very well located throughout the UK to provide a cost-effective solution for your project. Give our acoustic consultants a call for an open and honest discussion about your project at the most competitive price… wherever you are based.

Our Team of Acoustic Consultants are strategically placed across the UK meaning we typically have an Acoustic Consultant within an hour’s drive of your project. Our Acoustic Consultants regularly travel for noise surveying and assessments, sound insulation testing and acoustic design projects, including major cities such as London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Hull and Liverpool.

Our nationwide team of Noise Surveyors are here to support your noise assessment for planning or acoustic consultancy projects irrespective of location!

Whether you have a school in Yorkshire or London, student accommodation in Birmingham or Nottingham, an industrial premises in Cambridge or Manchester, a function room opening up in the North West or a manufacturing facility in Leicester or Newcastle… NOVA Acoustics Ltd are very well located throughout the UK to provide a cost-effective solution for your project. Give our acoustic consultants a call for an open and honest discussion about your project with at the most competitive price… wherever you are based.

Our Team of Acoustic Consultants are strategically placed across the UK meaning we typically have an Acoustic Consultant within an hour’s drive of your project. Our Acoustic Consultants regularly travel for noise surveying and assessments, sound insulation testing and acoustic design projects, including major cities such as London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Cambridge, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Hull and Liverpool.