Question: What is a Construction Noise and Vibration Assessment?
Answer: A Construction Noise and Vibration Assessment predicts the noise and vibration that demolition and construction activities will generate at nearby sensitive receptors, such as homes, schools, hospitals and offices, and identifies measures to control them. It considers the plant and equipment to be used, working hours, the duration of each phase and the distance to receptors.
Assessments are prepared in accordance with BS 5228 Code of Practice for Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and Open Sites and are commonly required by planning conditions, Environmental Impact Assessments and Section 61 applications.
Question: When is a Construction Noise and Vibration Assessment required?
Answer: Assessments are typically required for:
- Major developments and Environmental Impact Assessment schemes
- Sites close to residential properties, schools or healthcare facilities
- Demolition, piling and basement excavation
- Works near listed buildings or sensitive structures
- Discharge of planning conditions requiring a Construction Management Plan or Construction Environmental Management Plan
- Section 61 consent applications under the Control of Pollution Act 1974
- Extended or night-time working
Local authorities use the assessment to set noise limits, working hours and monitoring requirements.
Question: What is Section 61 consent?
Answer: Section 61 of the Control of Pollution Act 1974 allows a contractor to apply to the local authority for prior consent for construction works, setting out the methods, plant, hours and noise levels proposed. If consent is granted and its conditions are followed, the local authority cannot serve a Section 60 notice to stop or restrict the works. Section 61 applications are common on major projects in London and other cities and require a detailed BS 5228 assessment.
Question: How is construction noise assessed under BS 5228?
Answer: BS 5228 provides sound power data for construction plant and methods to predict noise levels at receptors, accounting for distance, screening, on-time and the number of items operating. Predicted levels are compared with the ABC method thresholds, typically 65, 70 or 75 dB LAeq depending on existing ambient noise, or with a 5 dB change criterion. Where thresholds are exceeded, mitigation or further assessment of significance is required.
Question: What are the effects of construction vibration?
Answer: Construction vibration from piling, breaking, compaction and heavy vehicles can cause disturbance to occupants and, at higher levels, cosmetic or structural damage to buildings. Human response is assessed against BS 5228 and BS 6472 criteria using peak particle velocity (PPV) and vibration dose values. Building damage is assessed against BS 7385 thresholds. Assessments identify receptors and structures at risk and recommend methods such as pressed-in piling, vibration monitoring and trigger levels.
Question: What mitigation measures reduce construction noise and vibration?
Answer: Best practicable means under BS 5228 include selecting quieter plant and methods, positioning plant away from receptors, acoustic screens and enclosures, restricting hours for the noisiest activities, switching off idle plant, community liaison and monitoring. Noise and vibration monitoring with real-time alerts allows contractors to demonstrate compliance with agreed limits.
Question: Why choose Syntegra Group for construction noise and vibration?
Answer: Syntegra Group prepares Construction Noise and Vibration Assessments, Section 61 applications, construction noise management plans and monitoring programmes for developments across the UK. Our acoustic consultants have experience negotiating practical limits and working arrangements with local authority Environmental Health Officers.
Coordinated with our air quality dust assessments and Construction Environmental Management Plans, we provide a complete construction-phase environmental package for developers and contractors.
