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Environmental Noise and Vibration Monitoring / Logging, Evaluation and Management

We have developed a unique range of environmental noise control and vibration management technologies that are widely recognised as defining current best practice. Consequently, we are often retained by both public bodies and by industry to provide definitive rulings on what constitutes Best Practical Means (BPM) or Best Available Technology (BAT) for projects where environmental noise and vibration is an issue. This not only guarantees compliance with regulatory requirements, but our approach also dramatically reduces both direct capital costs and the costs associated with potential project delays or over-runs. Click below to view specific details.

BAT Noise Control - save 80% of the cost via innovative environmental noise control technology

Vibration Control - environmental vibration control case studies

Construction / Demolition - innovation in environmental noise and vibration assessment, monitoring and management

Environmental Noise Services Environmental Vibration Services - from assessment to engineering design

Best Practice in Environmental Noise Control + Free Occupational Noise Benefits...
Corrugator noise control at source eliminates both noise nuisance and PPE - and reduces costs by 80% ...
The highly tonal noise from corrugators and slitters at Northern Packaging, the premiere packaging company in the north of England, had caused complaints from local residents and was subject to an abatement notice. The company had been quoted £150,000 for conventional environmental noise control (building modifications) but with no guarantee that it would solve the problem. An EHO who had been on one of our BAT courses suggested that we might have an alternative approach. Following a best practice audit, we developed noise control at source engineering modifications to cut the noise generated by the corrugator and slitter machines inside the building. These not only reduced the problem tonal noise by up to 9dB, but also eliminated the requirement for mandatory PPE - a double benefit. In addition, the cost was only c£25,000, an 80% saving over the proposed conventional noise control methods.

This is a typical example of the success of our approach to environmental noise problems, re-defining noise control best practice by developing elegant engineering solutions in place of the high cost, conventional palliatives usually considered. Moreover, to the delight of the company, the project also satisfied their mandatory noise control requirements under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations - at no added cost. This approach should be standard practice for environmental noise pollution problems. Controlling noise at source is always the first step in the process of defining BAT or BPM.
Contact us to discuss how we can help you to reduce the noise control costs for a particular project...

ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE SERVICES

We provide a complete range of services related to environmental noise coupled with unique engineering expertise in noise control. Our reputation is based not only on providing clients with thorough, accurate and reliable assessments and predictions, but also with innovative and very low cost noise control methods. We have developed unique solutions to many common environmental noise problems at source that define current "best practice". These noise control techniques are often an alternative to the more "traditional" environmental noise reduction palliatives such as barriers, enclosures, silencers ... but much lower cost and quicker and easier to implement. This allows us to provide a highly integrated service from measurement through to provision of detailed solutions to environmental noise problems.

Environmental Noise and Vibration Services
Surveys - monitoring - prediction - impact assessments - expert witness - mitigation and environmental noise control

Environmental Noise and Vibration Applications
planning applications - planning appeals - planning conditions - PPG24 and BS4142 noise assessments, proposed residential developments near roads, railways, industry, airports - proposed new road and railway schemes - industrial premises - airports - new or extended quarries - landfill sites - extended industrial sites and facilities - construction noise and vibration reduction - demolition noise and vibration assessment and control

Best Practicable Means (BPM) Best Available Technology (BAT) Environmental Noise Control Audit
The BPM / BAT Audit provides you with a definitive assessment of the environmental noise control options for any noise problem using the best of current technology - as illustrated by the case studies below illustrating a innovative noise reduction techniques across a wide range of applications.

Environmental Noise Training
Environmental Noise Competency (IOSH) Noise and Vibration measurement, recording and analysis, Best Practicable Means (Best Available Technology); Fan Noise Control; Noise Specification.

Buy Quiet Environmental - IPPC Management
The Buy Quiet template specifications and procedures ensure you meet your IPPC Licence and ISO14001 noise specifications and requirements for the future as cost effectively as possible. The procedure includes template documentation (in digital form - with sound samples) and procedures for inclusion in company policy covering new plant and site changes. It can also be extended to include a detailed environmental noise control and management programme to minimise future costs.

Video Noise Analysis - solving environmental noise problems at low cost by remote control
Many environmental noise problems can become time consuming headaches despite the availability of simple, low cost noise control solutions. The “Catch 22” is that either the cost of getting an expert engineer to look at the problem may be higher than the cost of the solution itself or that the only possible fix might turn out to be uneconomic. We have developed a simple solution; remote engineering diagnosis from video (or sound recordings). You supply us with a video plus additional information on the required environmental noise reduction and circumstances. We analyse the soundtrack and use our experience and database of solutions to assess the noise control options and the likely costs.
Environmental noise reduction by remote control...

ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE CONTROL CASE STUDIES

Lifting a Fan Abatement Notice
Approaching £50000 had been spent on silencing two large, roof mounted fans in an attempt to satisfy local complainants and the authorities - unfortunately without success. Our initial diagnosis was made remotely from the sound-track of a video shot by the company. This allowed us to design our unique Quiet Fan technology aerodynamic inserts that reduced the noise by over 20dB at source without enclosures, silencers or lagging - permanently and without maintenance. This was achieved with minimal down-time and at a tiny fraction of the cost of conventional alternatives (click icon to listen).

Brown Field Site Development - noise control makes 200 houses possible
Environmental noise levels (dominated by nearby industrial fans) over 18 acres of mixed brown-field and farmland had been assessed as unsuitable for housing. However, the City Council was aware of our expertise in fan noise control (without silencers) and suggested that the Planning Consultants contact us for a second opinion. The developers paid for the implementation of our Quiet Fan noise control technology on the problem fans in each of the 4 companies which permanently eliminated the environmental noise problem. This allowed 200 properties to be built on a site previously considered too noisy for housing at a cost to the developers of less than £45k.

Tunnel Boring - Low Frequency Environmental Noise and Vibration Control
Local residents were complaining about low frequency noise and vibration from a large tunnel operation which also exceeded the overall planning consent noise levels. The low frequency noise/vibration was generated by the spoil processing vibratory sieves and the proposed remedial measures included a deep ditch and a very large barrier. Detailed diagnosis showed that the main problem was caused by excitation of some of the steel building wall and roof panels. These were de-tuned quickly and cheaply which reduced the 15Hz noise radiation by 8dB - sufficient to prevent further complaints.

Press Shop - Environmental Noise Control Problems
Complaints about press noise from a factory unit had resulted in an Abatement Notice. After the company had spent £12000 on the building to no avail (and with another £65000 expenditure planned), the INVC Best Practicable Means (BPM) Noise Control Audit for the Local Authority proved that the best solution was to treat the presses at source. This not only reduced the low frequency components by 9-24dB, but also reduced the cost by c 85%.

Combined Heat and Power Station Planning Application and Environmental Noise Reduction
A new CHP installation on a large industrial site next to a housing estate was subject to very stringent planning constraints with respect to noise. A full impact assessment was made and, in conjunction with both the supplier and the Local Authority, a detailed noise specification drawn-up for all components of the installation. We not only produced the noise specifications, but also detailed engineering noise control measures for the CHP installation. The cost of the overall noise control measures was cut by approaching 90% by reducing the noise from other sources on the site (fans, compressors, pumps, gas mains ..) at the nearest dwelling by 8dB(A) through engineering source control techniques.

Quarry Noise Control
A detailed environmental noise impact assessment established 24 hour target noise levels for a new quarry. This was supported by predictions of the changes in the local noise environment throughout the working life of the quarry and a detailed compliance verification procedure. Detailed noise purchasing specifications were provided for every piece of plant installed in the quarry. These included the measurement procedures and the noise control measures that should be used to ensure that the target noise levels were met as cost effectively as possible.

Department of Environment and Transport Road Scheme
Road traffic noise assessments and traffic / construction noise impact modeling prediction for many road schemes throughout the UK over a period of 20 years. These have also included determining the properties eligible for noise insulation and providing and presenting detailed evidence at the Public Inquiries.

Back to top .....Contact us to discuss how we can help you to reduce the noise control costs for a particular project...

ENVIRONMENTAL VIBRATION SERVICES

Environmental vibration assessment and control is often regarded as something of a “black art” as the jargon and instrumentation are less familiar than those used in the associated field of noise. We not only have extensive experience of all aspects of vibration measurement and analysis, but also a high degree of engineering expertise for developing detailed control measures. Specific areas of expertise include:-

• Vibration sensitive equipment installation: - metrology - machining - computers..
• Electronic fabrication plant vibration specifications: - source diagnosis..
• Structural building vibration: - structural responses - office floors - human response to vibration..
• Piling / demolition / construction vibration monitoring / assessment: - best practice control and management - limits..
• Vibration from industrial premises: - monitoring - source identification - vibration limits - vibration control..
• Transportation vibration: - building damage - transmission ..

Ground and Building Vibration Assessment and Control
We provide a full range of environmental ground and building vibration services, ranging from analysis and assessment to the development of detailed environmental vibration control measures.

ENVIRONMENTAL VIBRATION CONTROL CASE STUDIES

Heathrow Terminal 3 Piling Noise and Vibration Monitoring
Building a new terminal 3 multi-storey park above the Heathrow Express underground station was a major technical challenge. Piles had to be bored 40m into the ground very close to access and train tunnels - without disturbing structures or personnel. BAA selected INVC to carry out an extensive vibration and noise monitoring programme over several months. The turn-key project involved installing an array of transducers in the tunnels with detailed analysis and continuous remote monitoring of the piling vibration via GSM. The INVC designed system also included a facility to alert key personnel automatically via SMS text message if the vibration exceeded threshold trigger values.

Shard of Glass Demolition Site Noise and Vibration Monitoring / Logging
Adjacent to London Bridge Station and Guy’s Hospital...
The Shard will be the tallest building in the UK. At the moment, however, it is a hole in the ground. The demolition site abuts London Bridge Station with Guy’s Hospital just across the road. You could scarcely ask for a site that is potentially more sensitive to noise and vibration. Keltbray, the demolition contractor, wanted to use the technically advanced explosive echniques developed by the Controlled Group to remove the pile cap in the basement of the office block on the site. Removing this massive slab of concrete by conventional means would have extended the project by c 2 - 3 months - but noise and vibration were potential deal-breakers. We were asked to provide the noise and vibration predictions, logging and monitoring services required to justify the decision both in terms of potential risks and to minimise the duration of the process and the environmental impact. We also provided key multi-media presentations to all the parties involved (station, hospital, security etc) to present the predictions and provide the technical reassurance necessary to assuage any concerns about noise and vibration issues.

Piling and Train Vibration Assessment - controlling piling vibration
A detailed vibration assessment of the impulses from a a drop-hammer piling operation was carried out in response to concerns from local residents about potential structural damage to their houses. The results showed that the vibration level was very close to the DIN 4150 damage limit guidelines which posed a question as to possible claims for compensation. Instead of halting piling operations, however, a detailed vibration analysis allowed modifications to be developed for the pile helmet. These reduced the ground vibration by 65% to well below the structural damage criteria, allowing the project to continue on schedule. In a similar case involving piling near a railway line, we reassured the residents by demonstrating that whilst the piling operations were subjectively very evident, the passage of trains actually generated a very similar level below the structural vibration damage criteria.

Building Demolition Vibration Management - Best Practice
Demolition vibration was causing problems in the adjacent office block. A very extensive and costly array of conventional vibration monitoring systems was in use as part of a time consuming and unsuccessful management process leading to potentially very costly delays to the project. Our detailed building vibration analyses proved that the cost and hassle of the extensive vibration monitoring could be eliminated and that introducing a number of counter-intuitive demolition vibration management procedures would significantly reduce the problem. Coupled with developing a purpose designed project vibration management software tool, the “best practice” noise and vibration management process for the project was simplified and re-defined, minimising the likelihood of further costly delays.

Office Floor Vibration “.. it makes me feel seasick ..”
One of the open-plan office floors in a very prestigious new office development had been designed with a very low profile to provide more space within the building. Unfortunately it had a natural frequency of 3.6Hz and low damping and as staff walked across the floor, the vibration amplitude would rapidly build-up. After a few steps, the whole floor would be oscillating causing PC monitors to sway and some staff to complain of incipient motion sickness. Based on a detailed analysis of the structure and response, a minimal set of disguised stiffening beams were designed and fitted (to avoid impinging on the open feel of the office). These increased the vertical stiffness by 70% and introduced more damping, solving the problem.

Rolling Mill Vibration Control - ground-born environmental vibration control from industrial plant
A Local Authority had been investigating complaints about ground vibration from residents near a factory using rolling mills. Narrow band frequency analysis of the vibration revealed two distinct and separate types of vibration - tonal vibration at 18.25 Hz (and harmonics) plus a regular “thump”. The source of the “thump” was traced to roller backlash caused by bearing wear at the transfer gear end of a particular mill. The tonal component was diagnosed as excessive vibration at the tooth mesh frequency of the pinion on another mill caused by worn teeth on the gear. The “thump” could be eliminated by replacing the bearings. However, as production requirements precluded immediate down-time, the interim solution recommended was to avoid running at idle and to adjust the clamping force to minimise the backlash. Inspection of the pinion gear source showed very worn pinion drive tooth flanks in mesh with “new” flanks on the driven gear. The tonal vibration was eliminated “on-the-spot” by reversing the pinion. This case study illustrates the benefits of sophisticated diagnosis coupled with engineering expertise. A low cost solution to a complex and intractable problem was implemented within hours of arriving on site.

Computers Servers, Sensitive Equipment Vibration Limits, Monitoring and Control
We have considerable experience of establishing ground and building born vibration limits and specifications for a range of vibration sensitive equipment. These range from computer systems and hard disks, servers, metrology equipment, electron microscope and nanotechnology facilities and electronic fabrication plant . Our speciaiist expertise allows us to determine the best practice building vibration monitoring and control regimes for these vibration sensitive facilities and, if necessary, to design bespoke monitoring systems.

Contact us to discuss how we can help you to manage vibration on a particular project...

CONSTRUCTION / DEMOLITION ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE AND VIBRATION
A complete range of noise and vibration services for the construction and demolition industries

We not only provide a complete range of conventional services covering all aspects of environmental and occupational noise and vibration for the construction and demolition industries, but also a range of additional innovative management and control techniques based on our unique engineering expertise. These are not only re-defining what constitutes best practice under the regulations and standards, but are also dramatically reducing project costs and delays. Our reputation is based on the results we have achieved from introducing new procedures and techniques into a largely traditional industry.

Noise and Vibration Management and Control Innovations - more options, reduced costs....
The following are some of the innovations we have brought to the industry ....

Vibration testing - party walls, slab short-circuits
- rapid evaluation of vibration transfer paths, reduces costs and guesswork

Continuous Noise and vibration monitoring - real-time feedback (SMS) cuts costs and complaints
- eliminate exceedence notification time lag - real-time site activity control and reduced costs

Psychological silencing
- sculpted sound signatures that can hide environmental noise from sites cheaply and simply

Demolition noise and vibration scheduling / prediction tools
- activity scheduling for prediction and management of demolition noise and vibration levels v targets

Scaffold based noise screening
- novel temporary acoustic screening - higher performance and lower cost

Download the construction and demolition noise and vibration technical note > [112k]

Contact us to discuss how we can help you to manage noise and vibration on a particular project...

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Direct Links
noise control audit - digital noise assessment - noise competency training - noise training - product noise control - fan noise control - VWF (Vibration White Finger) - Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) assessment - HAV competency training - HAV database (HAV-Base) - Whole Body Vibration (WBV) measurement - environmental noise control - noise nuisance - environmental noise monitoring - production line testing (noise and vibration) - noise nuisance / annoyance recorders - frequency analyser and noise analyser software

Industrial Noise & Vibration Centre
889 Plymouth Road, Slough Berks SL1 4LP
Tel: 01753 698800 Fax: 01753 567 988
email:consult@invc.co.uk