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Sep
Posted: 18th September 2024
ACA Acoustics are experts at undertaking noise assessments for restaurants and takeaways. We’ve provided acoustic consultancy for all manner of takeaways, restaurants, and bars. From individual takeaway kiosks, through to large national and international brands. This experience means that we know exactly what assessments are required. More importantly, we also know the best way to mitigate any potential noise problems.
There are three main scenarios where a noise assessment is required for a restaurant or takeaway:
In each case, the acoustic consultant will consider potential noise sources associated with the restaurant. Mechanical equipment (e.g. fans and air conditioning condensers) is generally assessed using BS 4142. Other noise sources, such as music or drive-thrus, don’t have an assessment method set in a British Standard. This means that it’s particularly important to use an acoustic consultant who is experienced in this type of work.
Noise from new kitchen extract fans, exhaust ductwork flues or air conditioning condensers can be disturbing to people living nearby. The irregular nature of music or noise from people talking and laughing can also be very disturbing.
The purpose of noise assessments from restaurants is to calculate – or measure in the case of a noise complaint – noise from the takeaway to the closest noise-sensitive properties. This is then compared against the background noise.
If our assessment concludes that your new restaurant, takeaway, or bar has the potential to cause a nuisance to people living or working nearby then we will design suitable noise control treatments. This is where our significant experience comes into its own. It is very likely we’ll have encountered the same situation many times and will know exactly the best and most cost-effective solution for you.
Every survey is different and the amount of work required will affect the cost of the noise survey. Are you just installing a new air conditioning unit to a restaurant in a leisure park, or do you have a flat upstairs and are planning on playing loud music and having delivery bikes coming and going until the early hours of the morning?!
Call our offices or get in touch via the contact form and one of our friendly expert consultants will be able to discuss your project. Once we have confirmed the work required we will be able to provide a detailed fee proposal.
The exact methodology for the noise impact assessment of your restaurant will depend on the type of noise sources that we are assessing. Assessments are conducted using different British Standards or guidance documents; however, the typical process will include:
Noise from mechanical plant is almost always assessed using the method in BS 4142:2014+A1:2019. BS 4142 includes guideline criteria for the assessment outcome although many Local Authorities have their own, more stringent, criteria.
BS 4142 explicitly confirms that the method isn’t suitable to assess music, noise from people, or vehicles. Despite this, some Local Authorities ask for assessments of these noise sources to be based on BS 4142. We have seen examples of less experienced acoustic consultants following this approach. This can result in incorrect assessment outcomes, potentially costing you significantly more money in unnecessary noise control schemes. In the worst-case this could mean the Local Authority rejects your planning application.
There are other more appropriate standards and guidance documents which should be used for sources such as these.
Which British Standard or the guidance documents used for a noise impact assessment will depend on the type of source being assessed. The most used documents include:
Good quality noise assessments for restaurants or takeaways will also consider local planning policies along with national policies including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
At ACA Acoustics we pride ourselves on the quality of our assessments, and the value for money we offer every one of our clients.
We are proudly an independent acoustic company. This is important for you; you may find a company that supplies silencers or other acoustic products offers a cheap price to carry out the survey. However, they have a vested interest in recommending expensive noise control products and costing you much more in the long run. You can be sure that any noise control treatments we recommend are definitely required, and the most suitable product for your application.
A Member of the Institute of Acoustics will manage your project, giving you the peace of mind that your project is being dealt with by an expert every step of the way.
We’d love to hear more about your project and discuss with you how we can help achieve the best outcome for you. Call our offices or get in touch via the contact form and one of our friendly expert consultants will be in touch.
