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Multiple Author ArticleBREEAM Reduction of Noise Pollution
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[edit] Aim and benefits
To avoid any significant noise impact on other noise sensitive receptors near the building or development under consideration
[edit] When to consider
Ideally prior to any works starting on site, as background noise level must be measured and it is not always feasible to stop construction works on site so as to take "clean" measurements. Equally, it's high risk as plant will have been specified during RIBA Stages 3/4 which may not meet requirements, as the required noise ratings are unknown.
You may find that this is considered much earlier in the project (Typically RIBA Stage 2) as frequently a noise impact assessment is required as part of the planning application.
[edit] Step by step guidance
[edit] Pre-Assessment
- Establish whether there are any noise sensitive receptors within 800m of the development.
- Establish whether there's actually any plant that makes any noise going in. It may be possible for an acoustician to confirm there's no external plant and no significant noise sources and award the credit by default.
- If there are plant and nearby noise sensitive receptors, ask whether a noise impact assessment has already been done (or will be done), eg. to satisfy planning.
[edit] Design Stage
- Obtain the noise impact assessment, which must clearly states background noise levels. Make sure this clearly states acoustician's details.
- Collect either a copy of calculations showing compliance, or details of recommended noise levels.
- Collect confirmation or a copy of ERs stating that contractor must provide additional attenuation if required background noise levels are not met.
[edit] Post Construction Stage
- If detailed calculations were done during design stage, make sure the specified plant has been installed (site inspection, schedule)
- If not, get a copy of the testing report.
[edit] Questions to ask while seeking compliance
Are any noise sensitive properties within 800m of your building? If not, then the credit can be awarded.
Is there a planning condition relating to noise pollution. If there is, does complying with it automatically meet the BREEAM requirement?
What times will the plant run? Have background noise levels been measured during the quietest times when the plant will run (eg. at night)?
[edit] Tools and resources
UK New Construction 2014 Knowledge Base Articles
BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 SD5076 – Issue: 5.0 - POL 05
[edit] Tips and best practice
[edit] BS7445 / BS4142
Many acoustic reports will state that the noise impact assessment has been done in accordance to BS4142 rather than BS7445. Please note, this is also acceptable, with confirmation of best practice testing from 7445, as per the knowledge base article:
[edit] Accurate Modelling at Design Stage
Please note there's a compliance note that states if accurate modelling is completed at design stage (and there are no changes to the specification), no post construction testing is required.
[edit] Typical evidence
[edit] Design Stage
Typically you will receive a Noise Impact Assessment report (or other relevant acoustician's report), which may well have been completed for the planning application. This shall demonstrate that the criteria will be met by stating the:
- measured background noise levels at the nearest noise sensitive receptors
- plant noise limits (LAeq) set at the nearest noise sensitive receptors to achieve the BREEAM credits/planning condition, OR the predicted noise levels (LAeq) of the selected plant at the nearest noise sensitive receptors.
[edit] Post Construction Stage
- If accurate calculations were provided at design stage, you will only require robust evidence (site inspection/delivery note/schedule) showing the correct plant has been installed.
- If accurate calculations were not provided at design stage, you will need a copy of the Acoustician's test report, which show that the measured plant noise (with all plant running at normal duty) meet the criteria post development.
[edit] Applicable Schemes
The guidelines collated in this ISD aim to support sustainable best practice in the topic described. This issue may apply in multiple BREEAM schemes covering different stages in the life of a building, different building types and different year versions. Some content may be generic but scheme nuances should also be taken into account. Refer to the comments below and related articles to this one to understand these nuances. See this document for further guidelines.
- (eg) International New Construction 2016
BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not guarantee the meeting of certification criteria.
--Multiple Author Article 22:16, 21 Apr 2018 (BST)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Issue support documents
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[edit] Management:
- BREEAM Sustainability champion
- BREEAM Environmental management
- BREEAM Considerate construction
- BREEAM Monitoring of construction site impacts
- BREEAM Aftercare support
- BREEAM Seasonal commissioning
- BREEAM Testing and inspecting building fabric
- BREEAM Life cycle cost and service life planning
- BREEAM Stakeholder consultation (ac)
- BREEAM Commissioning (ac)
- BREEAM Handover (ac)
- BREEAM Inclusive and accessible design (ac)
- BREEAM Post occupancy evaluation
[edit] Health and Wellbeing
- BREEAM Visual comfort Daylighting (partly ac)
- BREEAM Visual comfort View out
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control
- BREEAM Indoor air quality plan
- BREEAM Indoor air quality Ventilation
- BREEAM Thermal comfort
- BREEAM Internal and external lighting (ac)
- BREEAM Indoor pollutants VOCs (ac)
- BREEAM Potential for natural ventilation (ac)
- BREEAM Safe containment in laboratories (ac)
- BREEAM Acoustic performance
- BREEAM Safety and security (ac)
[edit] Energy
- BREEAM Reduction of energy use and carbon emissions
- BREEAM Energy monitoring
- BREEAM External lighting
- BREEAM Low carbon design
- BREEAM Passive design
- BREEAM Free cooling
- BREEAM LZC technologies
- BREEAM Energy efficient cold storage (partly ac)
- BREEAM Energy efficient transportation systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient laboratory systems
- BREEAM Energy efficient equipment (partly ac)
- BREEAM Drying space
[edit] Transport
- BREEAM Transport assessment and travel plan
- BREEAM Public transport accessibility
- BREEAM Sustainable transport measures
- BREEAM Proximity to amenities
- BREEAM Cyclist facilities
- BREEAM Alternative modes of transport (ac)
- BREEAM Maximum car parking capacity
- BREEAM Travel plan
- BREEAM Home office (ac)
[edit] Water
- BREEAM Water consumption
- BREEAM Water efficient equipment
- BREEAM Water monitoring
- BREEAM Water leak detection (ac)
[edit] Materials
- BREEAM Hard landscaping and boundary protection
- BREEAM Responsible sourcing of materials
- BREEAM Insulation
- BREEAM Designing for durability and resilience
- BREEAM Life cycle impacts
- BREEAM Material efficiency (ac)
[edit] Waste
- BREEAM Construction waste management
- BREEAM Recycled aggregates
- BREEAM Speculative floor & ceiling finishes
- BREEAM Adaptation to climate change
- BREEAM Operational waste
- BREEAM Functional adaptability (ac)
[edit] Land Use and Ecology
- BREEAM Site Selection
- BREEAM Ecological value of site
- BREEAM Protection of ecological features
- BREEAM Minimising impact on existing site ecology
- BREEAM Enhancing site ecology
- BREEAM Long term impact on biodiversity (ac)
[edit] Pollution
- BREEAM Impact of refrigerants
- BREEAM NOx emissions
- BREEAM Flood risk management (ac)
- BREEAM Surface water run-off (ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of night time light pollution (partly ac)
- BREEAM Reduction of noise pollution
Once an ISD has been initially created the '(ac)' marker can be removed
This particular index is based around the structure of the New Construction and RFO schemes.
Comments
Excellent blog, really well written and very informative! I have had issues with noise pollution in my area, and recently had soundproof windows installed to help out.