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New restaurants, takeaways, and bars often require a noise survey and assessment to support a planning application.  The assessment may need to consider noise from fans and air conditioning.  Noise from music, deliveries, drive-thrus, or outside dining areas may also be assessed. ACA Acoustics are experts at undertaking noise assessments for restaurants and takeaways.  We’ve […]

Sound testing for Building Regulations Approved Document E Sound testing is required for most new houses and flats in England and Wales.  It is applicable for both new build properties and flats formed by the conversion of an existing building.  The purpose of the test is to confirm if the installed soundproofing meets the minimum […]

There is a current trend for converting offices and other commercial buildings into residential flats.  Many of these buildings include concrete separating floors.  The mass of a concrete floor means that they will usually provide a good standard of airborne sound insulation.  However, the impact sound insulation of concrete floors is often poor.  Without appropriate […]

The Local Authority Environmental Health Officer will often request a noise impact assessment (or NIA) to support a planning application.  This guide discusses why a noise impact assessment is required and what your NIA report should contain.

Noise from kitchen extract fans can cause a nuisance to people living near restaurants and other licensed premises.  Planning permission for HVAC equipment will often include a noise condition to be achieved.  Even where there is no planning condition then noisy equipment could be considered a statutory nuisance and need to be controlled.  This guide […]

When converting an existing building into residential flats, it is essential that you consider the sound insulation performance of the separating floors at an early stage.  Getting this wrong can result in failed Building Regulations sound insulation tests, significantly increasing costs and putting back final completion.  This design guide discusses the best ways to make […]

Rw, DnTw, and Dw are all different indices which describe sound insulation performance – or how much noise will transmit through a wall or floor.  Having different indices can be confusing and misunderstanding these terms could mean your building fails the final sound tests.  This guide gives an explanation of the terms and what you […]

What is The Building Regulations 2010 Approved Document O? Approved Document O (“ADO”) was published on 15th December 2021.  It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of occupants in dwellings and other rooms for residential purposes (other than a hotel) by controlling solar gains and improving the removal of excess heat.  This will reduce […]

When applying to your Local Authority for planning consent for a pub, restaurant, factory or any other type of industrial and commercial development, it is common for the Environmental Health Officer (EHO) to request that a BS 4142 noise impact assessment report is submitted with the application.  So, what is a BS 4142 assessment?

Building acoustics is a vital element of the design or refurbishment of many buildings. Sometimes, effective architectural acoustics are necessary to promote optimum levels of productivity in commercial premises, aid communication between individuals, or safeguard people’s health and wellbeing. Also, the way sound is transmitted is important in buildings that have a specific function, where […]

Unfortunately, it is an unavoidable fact that there will often be people living or working in the vicinity of your construction sites.  This is particularly true in dense urban areas where space is at a premium, so it’s important that disruption is kept to a minimum.  While dust and noise pollution from construction sites is […]

It is essential that sound insulation is carefully considered when developing houses or flats.  Complaints about excessive noise and nuisance is the most common cause of dispute between residents.

Noise is an increasingly problematic issue in modern society, particularly in densely populated urban areas where the negative effects can be magnified.  If your business activities are causing a noise nuisance, people’s everyday lives, and even their health, could be affected.

Construction can cause excessive noise and vibration.  This can be problematic for local residents, businesses, or other noise-sensitive facilities (such as schools and hospitals).  Noise can severely affect people’s quality of life.

It’s fair to say that Britain is well-known for its unpredictable and sometimes wild climate! Wind and rain are commonplace throughout the year, while less discernible changes – for example, in atmospheric pressure or humidity – are also frequent.

When residential buildings are being planned and developed, noise is an important factor to consider.  The design of residential buildings is governed by law to ensure occupants can go about their daily business, including relaxing and sleeping, without interruption from adjoining premises.  Planning conditions can also place limits on the permissible level of external noise […]

While popular television programmes such as Escape to the Country have inspired a generation of homeowners who desire a rural retreat, some building developments have to be located in noisier areas. The gradual squeeze on suitable land around towns and cities has meant that residential dwellings are increasingly being sited close to sources of noise, […]

Effective sound insulation should be pre-planned into any new development as new homes are subject to Building Regulations Approved Document E, which aims to protect residents from noise in other rooms or adjoining properties.

Getting things right from the earliest stages of your residential development can increase the likelihood of achieving planning consent for your development and reduce costs.  Not considering noise from the outset may seem innocuous, but getting it wrong can result in project delays, bureaucratic headaches, and lower returns.  Here’s how complying with ProPG Planning & […]

Environmental monitoring describes how we regularly review the quality of an environment. During activities such as demolition or construction, where there is the potential for significant adverse impacts on the local environment, monitoring can help to reduce adverse effects to health, stress, and quality of life. Here are four things you can do to keep […]

The cost of a noise survey depends on many factors, the most important being what you need to achieve from the survey.  Let’s take a look at each of the factors that contributes to the cost of a high-quality survey.

The requirement for businesses to reduce employees’ exposure to noise is enshrined in law. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations (2005) make it mandatory for employers to take positive action, by providing staff with the appropriate equipment and training. Employers have a legal duty to monitor noise levels by carrying out a workplace noise […]

The control of noise is extremely important in new build developments and the renovation or change of use of existing properties, as Local Authority planning departments will often require professional noise assessments before granting permission for work to go ahead.

  We are delighted to inform readers that ACA Acoustics are now SITMA registered, making us fully accredited for sound insulation testing.

As anyone who has been unlucky enough to endure an overnight hospital stay will agree, hospitals are rarely peaceful places. In fact, at most times of day and night, in-patient wards are perpetually busy, with equipment, staff, and patients combining to increase noise levels. However, noise is also exacerbated by poor acoustic design, such as […]

Noise assessments are key components of planning applications for new developments, yet the path to achieving planning consent is often not simple.

Restaurants, bars, and pubs are usually hives of activity, and from 21st June 2021 will hopefully become so again! In a busy hospitality venue it’s unsurprising – and inevitable – that noise is produced, particularly at times of the evening, and at weekends, when local residents are more likely to be at home. The problem […]

BREEAM – the Building and Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method – is an important strategy for achieving sustainable design, construction, and operation of building projects in the UK. The international scheme awards credits according to the environmental performance of buildings.

When the development of residential properties, hotels, schools, or hospitals is planned, Local Authorities often request a noise assessment as part of the pre-application stage of planning permission. This is most likely if the site is in proximity to existing noise sources, such as transport hubs or industrial units. A noise survey may also be […]

Noise surveys are frequently required by Local Authorities as part of the planning application process for new projects of residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use developments. They are important when a proposed development:

One of the most regular questions we get asked by clients, is why their new air conditioning condenser needs an acoustic enclosure when the neighbour’s units (or their own existing units) don’t have any noise control treatments.  If this sounds like you, then here’s a brief guide to try and explain what can be a […]

Section 61 (S61) consents are awarded by Local Authorities for construction or demolition projects that generate noise and fall under Part III of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 (CoPA).  It’s vital that applicants in the construction sector understand why S61 consents are necessary.  A detailed construction noise assessment is an important aspect of achieving […]

A noise assessment is a key element for developers of residential projects such as houses, rental apartments, and hotels.  BS 8233 provides key criteria which must be considered if planning consent is to be awarded by the local authority.