Sectors
Commercial
Noise from commercial activities covers a wide range of sources. Hospitality busineses such as bars, restaurants and night clubs generate noise from people and music, but many other commercial developments require noise assessments, particularly at the planning stage.
Education
A fundamental part of the learning process is the ability for students to be able to hear the teacher/lecturer. Acoustics is therefore an important aspect of the learning environment, whether that is in a school, college or university. The government published a performance document, Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) Acoustic Design of Schools, in 2003 to aid the design and construction of new education buildings.
Housing and Residential
Noise is often a major consideration for new residential developments. Planning noise assessments are required for many residential sites to ensure that residential amenity is protected for future residents, and adequate sound insulation between dwellings is an important design requirement, particularly in apartment developments.
Leisure
Noise from leisure activities covers a wide range of sources. Bars, restaurants and night clubs generate noise from people and music, but many other leisure activities require noise assessments, particularly at the planning stage.
Motor sports are obvious sources of noise, but less obvious leisure/sporting activities require noise assessments.
Power and Utilities
Developments in this category can range from a new power station down to a small sub-station or water pump. Noise sources can often operate at any time within the 24 hours, when existing noise levels are at their lowest. Rural locations and sources located externally can add to the noise control challenges.
One particular type of development that usually requires a specific noise assessment is wind farms. The company is experienced in carrying out assessments to the requirements of ETSU-R-97.
Transport
Transportation is the largest source of environmental noise in the world today. New transportation schemes can generate significant levels of noise over large areas, whether they are road, rail or airport schemes. The company has many years of experience of dealing with major transportation schemes and carrying out the detailed noise and vibration assessments required for complex infrastructure schemes. This work has included dealing with public exhibition and public inquiry work as well as the technical assessments.
Construction & Demolition
Noise and vibration from construction and demolition activity is a temporary impact of a development, but has the potential to cause significant disturbance, partly because of the open air nature of much of the work. Redevelopment is often carried out in close proximity to existing premises, exacerbating the problems.
Entertainment
Entertainment activities such as bars, restaurants and night clubs can generate significant noise levels from music and people. This noise can be transmitted through building elements but also through other transmission paths such as ventilation ductwork and service risers.
Industrial
Noise and vibration from industrial activities can impact both adjacent residents and employees. Industrial developments invariably require noise and vibration assessments at the planning stage. BS 4142 assessments are often required where there are complaints regarding existing industrial noise sources. These assessments require detailed measurements of existing noise environments and the noise emmissions from plant and machinery.
Minerals
Minerals work has always been an important part of the workload of Hepworth Acoustics. Obtaining planning consent with suitable conditions is of paramount importance and we assist our clients through the planning process, including providing expert witness services if required.
Public
Public buildings have a wide range of acoustic requirements. Many buildings such as schools, healthcare facilities and courts have requirements for low internal noise levels and good sound insulation between rooms. Other buildings such as auditoria and council chambers have specific internal acoustic requirements for speech and music.
Waste & Recycling
Noise assessments for waste and recycling sites has always been an important part of the workload of Hepworth Acoustics. Obtaining planning consent with suitable conditions is of paramount importance and we assist our clients through the planning process, including providing expert witness services if required.