What Is A Noise Survey and Noise Assessment?

If your working environment is noisy and you can’t hold a conversation with your colleague without shouting to be heard, when you are 2 meters apart,  your workplace or business needs to conduct a noise survey and noise assessment.  

In layman’s terms, noise surveys involve the use of sophisticated sound measuring devices to help determine the “sound environment” of a specific area. 

There are various types of noise surveys based on workplace functionalities and environments. 

Noise surveys assess the different aspects of the sound environment, including environmental noise surveys and other significant things. 

The equipment used by engineers in noise survey includes type 1 sound level meters, external environmental microphones and low noise microphones. 

In this blog post, we have talked about various kinds of noise surveys and noise assessments undertaken in the UK. 

So, let’s jump on to the topic quickly. 

Before knowing about noise survey types, let’s understand what a noise survey is? 

What Is A Noise Survey?

Noise survey generally involves the use of sophisticated sound measuring equipment like type 1 sound level meters, external environmental microphones and low noise microphones to describe the sound environment of the workplace. 

Some of the main types of noise surveys are mentioned below. 

⟶ Occupational Noise Risk Assessment –

In the UK, all  industries need to follow the controls of noise regulations at the workplace. The purpose of an occupational health survey is to examine and control the amount of noise or sound to which employees are exposed in the workplace. 

One of the most significant benefits of noise risk assessment is that it protects the hearing of your employees with many other benefits. 

If an employee is being exposed to daily or weekly noise levels higher than 80B(A), an occupational noise survey and risk assessment become a necessary thing according to the law. 

If an  employee is exposed to 85dB(A), an occupational noise survey and risk assessment becomes necessary to comply with the regulations. Furthermore, hearing protection, health screening and hearing tests are highly recommended. 

To conduct an occupational noise survey, we at Orbis Environmental and Safety visit the site to review the current provision in place to protect hearing and safety from excessive noise and measure the levels of noise to which employees are exposed. Once we have conducted a site visit ,  we provide a report inclusive of recommendations that demonstrate noise identifications and assessments complying with the regulations. 

⟶ Background Noise Survey –

Background noise surveys measure the day-to-day variation in noise levels of an area, and it is often required for planning applications and by local authorities to ensure that either a new development won’t generate unnecessary noise levels or be adversely affected by existing levels of noise in the area.  

Though background noise surveys can be completed with several spot measurements, we recommend leaving equipment for several days to get a detailed review. 

With a detailed review, we can assess various areas/sounds in the environment, like diurnal variations and features like dawn chorus or temporary noise from boiler flues that might otherwise be missed. 

⟶ Noise Impact Assessment

A noise impact assessment is an in-depth noise assessment that is not limited to a basic background noise survey. 

Noise Impact assessments are required for planning applications and are requested by local authorities to establish the environmental impact of a development. It will involve an assessment of the background noise environment and a comparison of this to either the measurement or prediction of the noise level generated by the proposed development. 

If  a proposed housing development impacts the existing noise sources, it needs to be assessed to ensure that an appropriate and acceptable internal and external dwelling environment is being created without any unreasonable burdens placed on nearby noise generators. 

Noise Impact Assessments are also undertaken to measure the status quo.  

To ensure compliance with any imposed noise conditions and to demonstrate good neighborliness, all industries are required to keep a check on the noise levels they emit. 

⟶ Noise Nuisance Survey and Expert Witness Services –

Noise is an unwanted sound that disturbs people’s lives in various ways. Noise doesn’t have to be loud or intrusive all the time. Noise character can influence how noise is perceived. 

If the development is supposed to make noise, then a BS41142 noise survey is carried out to assess the impact of industrial and commercial noise sources at noise-sensitive premises. 

When a complaint has been registered for high noise levels, a survey needs to be undertaken to measure the noise. 

Noise Nuisance Survey evaluates the decibel level of the noise, the spectral content of the noise (pitch), the background noise level in the absence of the noise etc. 

Taking into consideration the frequency and duration of the noise, the character of the area, and the time of occurrence. 

At Orbis Environmental, we have acted as an expert, witnessing a number of cases, including planning hearings, planning inquiries and instructed in a variety of court cases, including the High Court. 

⟶ Other Noise Surveys –

There are many other types of noise surveys that can be undertaken, and we at Orbis Environmental and Safety are happy to offer bespoke surveys based on your specific needs. 

For example, entertainment premises often install noise limiters to ensure that excess noise generated within the premises does not cause adverse effects to neighbors.

Orbis Environment and Safety assist businesses by conducting a simple noise survey that tests the levels generated in the premises while assessing the impact in the community, followed by setting acceptable noise levels. 

Who Should I Use To Carry Out  My Noise Survey And Noise Assessment?

It is highly recommended that you contact a team of professionals who conduct a noise survey and assessment ,meeting law compliance.  

Orbis Environmental and Safety is one of the most reliable and well-known consultancies in the UK.  

Whether you are a big business or a smaller one, we have bespoke solutions for your health and safety. 

At Orbis Environmental, we make sure that you have an appropriate assessment for your business and premises. We are passionate about Health and Safety.

To arrange a noise survey and noise assessment for your business premises, you can simply fill in a contact us form, and one of our experts will be in touch with you soon.