| Noise and Vibration Measurement, Control and Training for Local Authorities
Technical Support and Information
We provide extensive technical support, information and training on noise and vibration to both Local Authorities and to industry. This section covers some of the L.A. specific elements of our services and instrumentation. As we regularly deal with the same noise and vibration problems encountered by EHOs, we have come up with solutions to most of them - feel free to contact us for advice or information.
Best Available Technology (BAT) and Best Practical Means (BPM) in Noise Control
Get the definitive evaluation of BPM / BAT 50% - 90% of the cost... |
Once a noise nuisance has been established, there remains the issue of just what constitutes “best practicable means” for environmental noise control. Companies may employ consultants to generate technical reports, claiming that the cost of mitigation is too high to be reasonably practicable. In most cases, the suggested noise reduction technology is in fact not best practice. Our definitions of BPM across a very wide range of successful applications typically reduce the costs of noise control by 50% - 80% compared with alternative evaluations. This is a game changer for councils, saving time, resources and money - particularly where a court case (which might otherwise be lost) is a possibility that can usually be avoided.
Recent beneficiaries of our second opinion include Northern Packaging corrugator plant noise control (80% less cost, 70% lower noise, elimination of PPE for free) and Corus fan noise control (>£250,000 less cost, 0.6+ megawatt less power)... Download the BPM / BAT technical note here [pdf 212kb] - or contact us for a second opinion on BAT and BPM |
Remote Control of Environmental Noise - clear your desk of noise problems - for free...
New remote diagnosis allows EHOs and companies to “export” noise problems...
Many noise problems drag on for months - and even years - due to issues with the diagnosis
and the imagined potential extent and cost of the mitigation required. These delays come at a
high cost to both the EHO and the perpetrator (time, bureaucracy, legal fees etc). They also
come at a substantial cost to the complainants who continue to suffer the noise nuisance...
The solution is to get a second (or even first) opinion by email.
| ...where BAT noise control information is made available, most noise problems can be - and are - resolved within weeks |
We have developed a database of Best Available Technology engineering noise control solutions that cost a small fraction of what everyone expects (e.g our award winning fan noise control technology). Where this BAT
information is made available, most noise problems can be
- and are - resolved within weeks to the benefit of all concerned. Our
3 step Remote Control process provides this information - and a second opinion - at no cost... Simply:-
- Call us to discuss the noise problem in detail
- Email us the information we need (e.g. noise levels, photo, a recording)
- We return the analysis, interpretation and costed BAT noise control options
| One phone call + one email are all you need to do to
resolve many long-standing environmental noise problems |
Using the Remote Control process to solve noise problems is not only substantially faster and capable of generating much lower cost solutions, but it is also considerably more
environmentally friendly than the conventional approach as there are fewer (or no) site visits
required, cutting CO2 travel footprint.
Download the Remote Control of Noise details - or contact us to discuss a project..
New or Updated Services and Innovations
Re-Defining Best Practice - Factory Noise Abatement Notice Noise Control Costs Reduced by 80%..
An engineering approach to industrial noise control is the only way to ensure that BPM / BAT is used, as illustrated by this case study: cost reduced by 80% compared with conventional noise control + occupational noise benefits (no PPE) for free
Healthy Cost Savings from Yoghurt-Based Burner Noise Control Technology
A 16dB reduction in low frequency combustion noise using a yoghurt pot - the only known example of yoghurt-based noise control..
INVC Environmental Noise and Vibration Newsletter: 2008
Includes: remote control of noise; calibrated noise recordings from SLMs; entertainment noise competency training; the most successful fan noise control project in history; noise control best practicable means evaluation; construction / demolition noise and vibration control; Mata Hari complainant; training and innovation catalogues... Download your pdf copy here >
Click here to contact us for more information on any or all of the above 
Training - Best Practical Means / BAT - Fan Noise Control - Digital Recording
We have developed a suite of very successful training workshops for EHOs. These include the following workshops and the full Music and Entertainment Industry and Environmental noise competency courses for those responsible for policing the new regulations. The one day workshops carry 2 CPD points.
Best Practicable Means (BPM) / Best Available Technology (BAT) Noise Workshop - updated
"Best Practicable Means" (or BAT) can mean different things to different people - particularly where levels of specialised expertise in noise vary. This workshop provides practical guidelines (and background information) that can be followed by non-specialists to establish just what constitutes “best practice” covering:-
- setting effective noise specifications
- providing non-engineers with the only effective procedure to define the conditions for BAT noise control
- assessing whether the correct BPM procedure has been followed
- recording, analysis and remote evaluation by email
Fan Noise Control Workshop - updated 
From large industrial units to fast food restaurant kitchen extract fans, fans of all kinds are the single most common environmental noise source. This workshop provides detailed guidance on “best practice” to assess (eg setting specifications where there is tonal content) and control fan noise from all types of fan.The aims of the workshop are to provide delegates with case studies on measurement, setting noise specifications,materials, installation details, silencers and simple, low cost fan noise reduction retro-fixes for many small fan installations.
The Delegate View
"one of the most relevant and informative courses in a long time.." .. "I'd hate to come up against you in court! .. the best value seminar we've ever been on" - "standard of presentation was excellent .. humorous and entertaining .. highly recommended"
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Venue Noise Assessment Workshop
This workshop is based on extracts from the 3 day IOSH Entertainment Industry Noise Competency course that have been customised to suit the requirements of Local Authorities. Targeted at measuring and assessing the risks to hearing in pubs, clubs and other venues, it is highly practical, "entertaining" and provides delegates with the skills and knowledge they need to make the process as simple and effective as possible. Topics covered include:-
- The risks to hearing in pubs, clubs and other venues
- Accurate noise measurement
- under difficult conditions...
- Evaluating employee noise dose against the regulatory Action Levels - convert measured levels to noise exposures
- Risk management options
- PPE and other factors
Digital Noise Recording Workshop + Noise Nuisance Recording
The use of various digital recorders for noise recording in the field has become increasingly common. This workshop covers the procedures required to obtain accurate and reliable calibrated recordings using both hand held and purpose built complainant operated equipment (noise nuisance recorders. It also covers the objective and rapid analysis of recorded data (particularly on PCs, but also by ear). Also included is the use of frequency analysis (for BS 4142) and for noise source diagnosis.The aims of the workshop are to ensure that delegates are confident in the use and calibration of all types of recorder and in the rapid, accurate processing and analysis of recordings.
Click here to contact us for more information on the noise control and recording training workshops
Digital Noise Nuisance Recorders
The INVC echo and H-AR-D noise nuisance recorders are bespoke digital noise annoyance recorders designed specifically for use by complainants or for remote operation. The echo recorder is a low cost unit (c half the cost of conventional recorders) designed for simple, reliable general screening with no sacrifice recording quality. The H-AR-D recorder adds more sophisticated facilities such as -
- Timer recording and "time travel" - record the past...
- Sophisticated event triggering facilities - that work...
- Frequency analysis (tonal and low frequency noise identification)
Both units make use of well designed PC based software that simplifies and accelerates listening and sound identification (see video above) . The unique i-Player provides facilities that speed-up the processing of recordings by a factor of x10 - plus instant, automated analysis of noise parameters and tonal content with re-analysis at c x100 real-time speed. Noise nuisance recording made simple - and exceedingly fast.
.... so simple! I want one ...... " |
As simple as.... arrive; fit microphone; calibrate; leave. No cables, no complex settings ... no problems.
Click here to contact us for more information on noise nuisance recorders
Noise Analysis Software
iPlayer - unique sound recording review - accelerated listening to improve productivity
iPlayer facilities are built-in to the latest versions of both FrequencyMaster and NoiseMaster. Based on our own experience of the time consuming hassles involved in listening to interminable complainant recordings, the iPlayer is an invaluable tool that decimates the time taken to process the files (avoiding incipient "athletes ear"...). 
Tonal Noise Analysis - FrequencyMaster - simple, low cost and effective frequency analysis
FrequencyMaster software turns any PC or netbook into a digital recorder and frequency analysis tool for narrow band tonal analysis, octave / third octave and 3D waterfall analyses. As it can also be used to analyse sound files from any recorder or other source, it is the perfect upgrade for other noise systems.
Automated Sound File Analysis - NoiseMaster
NoiseMaster software converts any PC or netbook into a suite of virtual sound level meters and environmental noise logging analysers. It can also be used to dramatically reduce the time required for the subjective or objective analysis of sound files from any recorder or other source.
Click here to view more detailed information on the noise and recording analysis options
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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 |
