Addressing noise emission is a key component to ensure comfort and respect of surrounding areas. When it comes to industrial noise emissions, limiting operations to appropriate sound levels is a requirement that assists with avoiding unwanted disturbances to your neighbours. Bringing in acoustical consultants to review and reduce noise emissions allows for many benefits for both the operator and the surrounding community.
Disturbance of Noise Emissions
Every area provides different limits for environmental noise emissions. Noise requirements are typically limited to avoid complaints or community disturbances. Constant elevated noise emissions not only disturb surrounding areas, but can negatively affect the workers as well. Workers exposed to elevated noise emissions are at risk for health issues such as hearing loss. Further, the continuous onset of elevated noises can result in a loss of the ability to use your property (or the surrounding properties) as intended. Abiding by the environmental noise emission limits can result in a better environment for all and is a regulatory requirement.
Sound Limits
The sound level limits will typically depend on the area in question. In areas where the ambient sound levels are high, such as in the city with ongoing traffic, the sound level limits will likely be higher. However, in a rural area, where the ambient sound levels are low, sound level limits tend to be more stringent. When sound level limits are exceeded, there is an increased risk of noise complaints. Before the situation gets out of hand, finding ways to reduce the sound levels of your equipment and activities is beneficial to all. Contacting an acoustical design consultant to assist in reducing your sound emissions is beneficial for your business and the surrounding areas.
Enclosing the Noise
Acoustical engineering consultants can assist in reducing your operations noise emissions. The acoustical consultant will determine the amount of sound reduction needed for your operation. In most cases, at source mitigation is preferred. In some cases, an acoustic enclosure can be an effective solution. This structure is a closed engineering structure that can reduce and minimize noise significantly. An enclosure may require openings and ventilation cooling systems. Along with a mechanical engineer, structural engineer and architect, the acoustical design consultant should be part of the design team.
Considering Noise Impacts
Before beginning a project, consider the noise impacts on the community and workers. An environmental noise assessment can be used to address potential noise issues. The assessment might be needed to satisfy requirements for periodic auditing, and to assist with responding to complaints.
Valcoustics Consulting
When it comes to controlling industrial noise emissions, it is necessary to call in acoustical consultants. Trained consultants can assist in reducing sound issues. At Valcoustics, we are an acoustical engineering consulting firm in Canada that has been providing sound solutions since the 1950’s. With our decades of experience, we understand the uniqueness and complexity of each project and work hard to provide practical and effective solutions to your problems.