manager Rob Smith decided to take out a free trial of the Echo Barrier H2 noise reduction barriers.
The results were so successful the company made a bulk purchase of Echo Barriers to use on other similar projects.
Smith said of the barriers: “We applied the Echo Barrier product and saw significant noise reduction within this area. As well as the works team, our environmental manager was also impressed with the noise reduction and the reduced impact on local residents – hence the purchase.”
Reducing disruption
The Murphy Group also now routinely specifies noise control measures for construction projects, and says it has become an imperative component in their work for ‘sound’ commercial reasons. Paul Mallorie from The Murphy Group said: “We use noise reduction barriers because want to ensure we remain ahead of the game at all times. This technology enables us to work later and longer whilst reducing any disruption to neighbouring communities.”
Noise reduction experts Echo Barrier have seen the impact of increased specifier activity – both here in the UK, and overseas.
Our patented, high-tech barriers were first launched back in 2010 and have continued to be developed at a rapid pace since. When we first entered the market, it was a case of having to spell out the benefits in precise detail. These days, we seem
to be preaching more to the converted because contractors really do get the benefits to their business – both commercially and in terms of the all important ‘reputational management’.
Operational costs
Of course, most will think about cost first. Putting acoustic attenuation measures in place often makes commercial sense simply by helping to reduce project schedules through the extension of potential working hours.
Operational costs are clearly a key consideration for every contractor, but where these can be minimised by reducing project duration, you create a win-win situation for all parties; reduced costs for the contractor and reduced disturbance to local residents.
It stands to reason that if we can help make a construction site quieter, we’re potentially enabling a construction team to work a little later into the day, and thus reduce the overall number of days they’re committed to a site.
And that’s before you start talking about the potential savings in hassles and management time through reducing or eliminating noise complaints from the public, not to mention the occupational health benefits in respect to your own staff.
Some of these factors may seem rather trivial in isolation, but put them together and they can have a major consequence on how well a project runs, how it’s perceived by the public and regulators,
and even on how likely a company is to be hired again in the future.
Contractual requirements on the horizon?
While currently there is no absolute legal imperative to enforce the use of sound attenuation measures, experiences like those of Costain-Skanska and The Murphy Group suggest that this element may soon become a contractual requirement as part of current best practice. We believe those days really aren’t too far away.
As time goes on we’re continually hearing about the health impacts that have been caused to industrial employees due to the working practices of previous generations, and I personally believe hearing issues are something we should be addressing now to protect those who work in the world of construction into the future.
Add that to the fact that we’re expecting the public to comment and to campaign as a matter of course these days, I think it stands to reason that this will become a regulatory requirement.
In the meantime however, it remains for each and every contractor to ask themselves: could introducing noise control measures be a key factor in the perception of a successful project site, and could it even bring me more work in the future?
Echo Barriers have been used on rail projects across the globe, including on the Rail Link project in Victoria, Australia, as well as at projects relating to London’s Underground network, including the upgrade to Tottenham Court Road London Underground station on behalf of Vinci/ BAN Nuttall.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
0208 408 7107
www.echobarrier.co.uk
rail technology magazine Apr/May 14 | 87
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