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Pollution is primarily associated with harmful chemicals, but they are not the only source. Did you know that the environment can also be polluted by noise? Learn about acoustic studies and how they can help in noise reduction.
What is noise protection?
To answer this question, it is worth starting by defining the phenomenon called noise. According to International Labour Organization Convention No. 148, noise is any sound that can lead to hearing loss or be harmful to health or dangerous for other reasons. In the Environmental Protection Law, noise is defined as sounds with frequencies ranging from 16 to 16,000 Hz.
Noise protection involves ensuring the best possible acoustic condition of the environment, particularly by maintaining the noise level below the permissible level or at most at that level. Exceeding the permissible noise values signifies a threat to the acoustic climate through noise pollution and, according to regulations, requires measures to limit its emission.
What are acoustic studies?
Acoustics is a branch of physics and technology that deals with phenomena related to the generation, propagation, and interaction of acoustic waves. Due to the diversity of its branches, acoustics is currently treated as an interdisciplinary science. It includes general acoustics, dedicated to fundamental issues, as well as various branches of applied acoustics, dealing with the practical application of acoustic phenomena.
On the other hand, acoustic studies themselves, commonly referred to as acoustic analysis, are a category of specialized studies that combine elements of field research and sound measurements with analysis, evaluation, and calculations. As a whole, their purpose is to describe the actual state of the environment in terms of acoustics. Such studies may focus on a specific area and directly relate to a particular project or source of noise.
What is acoustic forecasting?
Correctly conducted acoustic forecasting consists of several key stages that are performed before the implementation of an investment. It primarily involves:
- Gathering input data by conducting noise emission measurements. These measurements are necessary to prepare a computer model based on which acoustic analyses will be performed.
- Determining permissible noise levels in the environment based on the actual land use and local regulations.
- Establishing the noise impact zones from the planned project. These are determined separately for daytime and nighttime, taking into account the least favorable situations.
- Comparing the forecasted noise level in the environment with the permissible level and issuing an assessment of compliance with legal requirements in this regard.
- Assessing changes in acoustic conditions after the implementation of the investment compared to the current state.
- Evaluating the possibility of cumulative noise from the analyzed project and other sources nearby.
- Analyzing the needs and possibilities of applying noise reduction methods for a given investment.
When is an acoustic report required?
Almost every economic activity emits noise into the environment, so in many cases, it is necessary to conduct an acoustic analysis. This includes measuring the noise emitted by existing sources and then preparing an acoustic report. This is a written document that describes the acoustic impact of the analyzed plant or installation. These actions will be required, among others, when:
- You are preparing for construction investments,
- There is vehicle traffic on your premises,
- You have a production installation,
- You have power generators or other devices whose operation causes noise emissions,
- Air conditioning units, chillers, compressors are on the walls of your buildings,
- You have an integrated permit,
- A decision on the permissible noise level has been issued for your plant,
- You have been obligated, based on an administrative decision, to limit the noise level emitted from your plant or to conduct an environmental review and demonstrate that you do not exceed noise standards.
In these cases, you should be prepared to conduct acoustic measurements and submit acoustic reports to the relevant authorities.
What problems do acoustic studies solve?
An acoustic analysis conducted by a specialist often allows for obtaining an environmental decision at the stage of submitting an application for its issuance. In such cases, there is no need for an environmental impact assessment and the preparation of an environmental impact report.
Furthermore, in the case of an existing facility, an acoustic analysis helps effectively answer whether the facility has an above-normative impact on its surrounding environment. In practical terms, it determines whether it exceeds permissible noise levels during the day or night, and consequently, whether it is a nuisance to nearby residential structures covered by acoustic protection.
Our work method
By choosing to prepare acoustic studies with r2eko, you can be confident that a qualified specialist will take care of every stage of the analysis, ensuring:
- Identification of all sources of noise emitted by your company.
- Examination of the parameters of building walls and installations for acoustic insulation.
- Conducting preliminary and/or accredited noise measurements.
- Calculation of the equivalent sound level.
- Analysis of the obtained data and comparison with values specified by legally permissible noise levels.
- Execution of computer-based acoustic analysis to find the best solution for noise emission reduction if required.
- Identification of effective methods to reduce noise emitted to the environment from the building, source, or installation, in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.
Why choose r2eko services?
We have several years of experience and a well-coordinated team of specialists from various fields, particularly in the field of environmental protection. We will conduct acoustic measurements for your company, ensure the accuracy and quality of their execution, and also develop the obtained results in the form of an acoustic analysis to realistically assess the impact of your plant on the environment and efficiently carry out all administrative procedures.
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