Environmental Noise
Excessive environmental noise levels and characteristics can have a significant impact on local communities due to sleep disturbance, increased stress levels and long-term health effects. Therefore, it is important that environmental noise is assessed and issues resolved.
At INVC, we specialise in monitoring, assessing and controlling environmental noise. Our environmental noise services include:
- Noise impact assessments - including BS4142 assessments
- Noise monitoring for construction, demolition and infrastructure projects
- Noise assessments for planning applications
- Noise assessments for environmental permit applications / variations
- Noise nuisance and complaint investigations - leading to noise control solutions
- Noise source identification and control investigations
Workplace Noise
Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, it is necessary for employers to assess the risks of noise exposure on employees and to reduce exposure to as low as reasonably practicable.
Hearing protection must not be used as a long-term risk control measure unless it can be proven that no further options are available to reduce noise exposure. This is because hearing protection can provide a false sense of safety, with their performance often being far less you may expect.
We offer workplace noise services ranging from a simple noise measurement survey to a full noise management assessment (which includes a review of all current noise management procedures and documentation).
We can also perform a Noise Control Audit (NCA) - an engineering evaluation of the noise control options for a single machine or for plant across a whole site, providing you with the tools to ensure you are compliant with the regulations.
Learn more about how we can help assess and manage noise in your workplace here
Acoustic Modelling and Mapping
We often use acoustic modelling and contour mapping as a tool to predict noise levels and source contributions for both outdoor and indoor acoustic environments. The simulations allow us to determine key noise sources and, where necessary, evaluate the effects of potential noise control measures. Acoustic modelling can be used on various types of projects, such as:
- Environmental noise source investigations
- Environmental predictions
- Planning applications
- Environmental permit applications
- Occupational noise exposure predictions
- Noise specifications for new plant (i.e. "Buy Quiet" policy)
- Speech intelligibility and speech privacy
- Alarm audibility
More details on acoustic modelling and mapping is available here
Room Acoustics
Noise issues such as speed intelligibility and privacy are common problems caused by poor acoustic design. In many environments, it is also important to ensure public address and alarm (PAGA and PAVA) systems are clearly audible and intelligible.
Typical environments where good acoustics is key, include open plan offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, schools, hospitals, supermarkets, vehicle tunnels, offshore platforms, warehouses, factories and airports - the list goes on.
Our consultants are experienced in assessing the acoustics of your environment and can provide advice to improve the space and/or equipment, either at the design stage or in situ.
Learn more about how we can help improve the acoustics in your environment here
Noise Control
As experts in noise control, we are well placed to identify solutions to your noise problem. Whether you are experiencing noise complaints from local residents which need resolving, or you have excessive noise in the workplace causing a risk to employees - we can help!
Our process usually starts by carrying out an investigation into the noise source followed by an audit into the available noise control options. Our techniques focus on controlling the noise by engineering means wherever possible, rather than trying to immediately resorting to costly noise containment measures. This approach generally provides greater noise reductions at lower costs.
Where appropriate, our award winning Quiet Fan technology (QFt) will also be considered, which has resolved fan noise issues around the world - in some cases has also improved fan efficiency, making the projects self-financing.
Environmental Vibration
In addition to our environmental noise services, we also offer environmental vibration monitoring and advice relating to vibration management and control techniques based on our unique engineering expertise.
Specific areas of expertise include:
- Vibration sensitive equipment installation
- Electronic fabrication plant vibration specifications
- Structural building vibration (including BS6472 and BS7385-2 assessments)
- Piling, demolition and construction vibration monitoring / assessment (including BS5228-2)
- Vibration from industrial premises
- Transportation vibration
Workplace Vibration
Under the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, it is necessary for employers to assess the risks of vibration exposure on employees and to reduce exposure to as low as reasonably practicable.
Our significant level of expertise in Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) allows us to provide best-practice advice on how to protect your workers from the damaging and irreversible effects of vibration exposure. We can help you navigate the world of pointless HAV monitoring and ineffective PPE, allowing you to focus on what is most important - protecting your workers.
We also offer a comprehensive Whole Body Vibration (WBV) assessment service for ride-on equipment.
Find out more about how we can help you manage workplace vibration:
Training Courses
As a significant training provider of noise and vibration short-courses in the UK, we offer training to suit any noise and vibration requirement in industry, such as:
- IOSH accredited Noise and Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) training for those involved in undertaking risk assessments and managing the risks of Noise and HAV
- HAV and noise masterclasses and workshops for health and safety professionals
- Awareness training for workers exposed to noise and HAV
- Management briefings for senior managers
- Environmental noise and vibration training for construction sites
- Noise workshops for environmental professionals, environmental health officers and environmental regulators
- Noise control workshops for maintenance and design engineers
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