BSEE


There is a renewed focus on addressing complex environmental noise problems, parcularly in busy innercity locaons. Robert Lomax, sales director at Wakefield Acouscs, explains how noise control measures can be implemented to combat oen complex noise emissions from fixed plant items in and around buildings


NOISE POLLUTION


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MAKING A SOUND INVESTMENT Addressing noise control challenges


continued development sees cityscapes expand – and one that is becoming increasingly complex to resolve. Driven by a strong private housing sector, especially at the top-end of the market, as well as a growing demand for commercial premises, recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the construction of high-rise buildings in cities. And with around 70 per cent of high-rise buildings currently under construction or under consideration across the UK earmarked for residential use, this development has further compounded worries about environmental noise and its potential impact on residents. The dangers of high levels of environmental noise are well documented, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) describing unwarranted levels of noise pollution as an underestimated threat that can cause serious health problems including hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, cognitive impairment, stress and depression. Whilst lower level noise emissions are not as harmful to health, they can be disruptive and unpleasant for nearby residents.


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The WHO has also reported that “one in five Europeans is regularly exposed to sound levels at night that could significantly damage health”, further highlighting a widespread problem that is not just isolated to the UK’s major cities. With many new buildings comprising commercial HVAC systems designed to provide adequate ventilation, heating and cooling in line with current building regulations, this continued development raises concerns in relation to potential noise disruption to neighbouring properties, along with the continual rise in ambient noise across Britain’s cities.


HVAC systems, whilst essential for ensuring comfort for building users, can pose complex challenges, especially when it comes to additional issues with impulsive or tonal noise, which intensify noise pollution problems even further.


Environmental noise legislaon


uLouvred screens or walls can act as a visual barrier for large plant equipment


Faced with a public less tolerant of noise disturbance, noise reduction has become a key focus for the construction sector, with building contractors, developers and specifiers keen to address issues with excessive noise emanating from modern commercial buildings, and, more specifically, from fixed plant items which provide heating and ventilation to their structures. Within the UK, noise from fixed plant items is generally assessed through the guidelines given in BS4142:2014 ‘Methods for rating and assessing industrial and commercial sound’. The standard is used to determine the likelihood of noise complaints from such systems and aims to quantify noise levels in relation to underlying


hether it's vehicular traffic, construction work or aircraft movements, environmental noise problems remain a major issue for many of the UK’s cities – especially as


background noise levels during operational hours of the plant.


In the majority of cases, an assessment to BS 4142:2014 is necessary in order to satisfy the local planning authority that any proposals will not have an adverse effect on local residents and the surrounding environment. In instances where HVAC systems are required to be in operation during the night, this is particularly important, as plant noise emissions are likely to be more prominent against a lower ambient noise level. To avoid creating adverse impacts upon an acoustic environment, today’s building professionals have to comply with increasingly strict noise requirements for HVAC installations. In fact, in many cases, it is not uncommon for planners to insist upon new noise sources being attenuated to noise levels as low as 10dB below background noise.


A strong case for innovave noise control soluons


Addressing excessive noise from plant items can be a complex task for even the most experienced building professionals. This is particularly true of installations where high levels of noise reduction are required.


Full acoustic enclosures offer the best level of noise mitigation; however, these can often be impractical in many applications as they can limit the high air movement required for HVAC equipment including chillers, condensing units and air handling units.


Installing a combination of noise control products is often the best way to provide suitable noise reductions, as well as to ensure the required airflow to allow the plant to operate effectively. A broad range of potential noise control solutions is available, including acoustic panel screens with absorbent linings, acoustic louvred screens, attenuators and acoustic enclosures. However, determining the best solution, or indeed solutions, for specific applications requires expert knowledge. When it comes to specifying an effective noise control solution for fixed plant items, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for mitigating noise and building managers, contractors and specifiers must consider several factors. Each plant installation can be unique and requires a thorough understanding of each systems function, noise levels, location and more in order to determine the ideal noise control solution for the job.


Specifiers may also need to consider factors such as any likely impact that noise control solutions will have on the operational efficiency of plant items,


12 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER DECEMBER 2018 Commercial case study: residential development, London


APPLICATION DETAILS: Acoustic screens for air conditioning and ventilation plant


SUPPLY SCOPE: Total of three roof-mounted acoustic screens for the reduction of noise emissions to comply with planning requirements. The screens were supplied complete with supporting steelwork, designed and fabricated by Wakefield Acoustics.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: The screens incorporated personal access doors for plant maintenance. In order to assist with installation due to access issues, the screens were fabricated in large pre- assembled sections, complete with steelwork supports, to aid installation on site.


PRODUCT SELECTION AND PERFORMANCE: The acoustic panels were designed to offer a direct transmission loss of 25dBA.


VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk


uA broad range of potential noise control solutions is available, including acoustic louvred screens


as well as the overall size and weight of the plant equipment. In most instances, a supporting steelwork structure may be required be installed in conjunction with the noise control items to ensure stability and integrity to withstand wind loads. Depending on the location of the HVAC system, aesthetic considerations may also need to be factored in. Louvred screens or walls, for instance, can also act as a visual barrier for large plant equipment, offering an aesthetically pleasing appearance, along with enhanced security for the plant items.


Faced with such challenges, leading specifiers and contractors are seeking the expertise of noise control specialists in order to accurately analyse, diagnose and put in place noise control measures to address issues with excessive noise from plant items.


www.wakefieldacoustics.co.uk


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