LATEST NEWS
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Health and Safety
RF Environmental is pleased to announce that we have recently gained Constructionline Bronze level membership, which includes Acclaim Accreditation for Health and Safety.
Richard Fenton, RFE's Managing Director, said 'We are very pleased to have gained the Acclaim Accreditation from this nationally recognised scheme. We hope that it demonstrates our commitment to health and safety to our clients and stakeholders. Health and safety is a key propriety and we are proud of our record in this area.’
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Construction Monitoring Services
The construction of buildings and infrastructure can create unwanted effects of noise, vibration and air quality on surrounding communities. Projects are therefore subject to scrutiny, standards and commitments.
We work with contractors through the construction phase to find solutions and maximise what can be achieved within the boundaries of scope, budget and site constraints, by
- • understanding risks and obligations
- • advising on mitigation options, and
- • maintaining continuous compliance
Our services include:
- • Real-time monitoring of noise, vibration and dust
- • Compliance reporting
- • Demolition and construction management plans & s61
- • Client, stakeholder and regulator engagement
A combination of real-time monitoring and web-based management enable site teams to take corrective action before noise, vibration and dust limits are breached. The monitoring outputs can be accessed online 24/7 and can be complimented by a range of management tools, including alerts and guidance on compliance reporting.
If you have a project which requires construction monitoring services, please email info@rfenvironmental.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss your requirements and prepare an appropriate monitoring and management package to ensure the best practicable environmental control measures are in place to maximise productivity, without causing unnecessary disturbance to neighbours.
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Case Study - Construction Noise and Dust Management at London Development
RFE has recently helped a client obtain Prior consent under s61 of the Pollution Control Act 1974, to enable the construction phase of a large residential development to commence in South East London.
The s61 application contained a description of the works, proposed hours of working, a detailed methodology, equipment/plant assumptions and steps to reduce noise and vibration as far as reasonable practicable (Best Practicable Means)
Calculations were undertaken to predict construction noise levels at the closest noise sensitive receptors and a monitoring strategy was presented.
Alongside the S61 application, a dust risk assessment and management plan was produced and an appropriate monitoring strategy was developed to help minimise emissions of dust from the construction site.
The Local Authority consented the s61 application and signed off the dust management plan, allowing the construction phase to commence without delay.
Real-time continuous monitoring of noise and dust is in place at the site. Live screen data allows the site team to monitor dust and noise levels and manage site works accordingly. The monitors are also set to trigger early warning alerts if the adopted site thresholds are exceeded. These controls allow works to continue without leading to unreasonable disturbance to neighbours.
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Industry News - Housing Design Standard for London - Noise Protection
A new Housing Design Standard for London has been published as part of the London Plan Guidance, which acknowledges the importance of protecting residents from noise.
Amongst the many noise related considerations presented in the Design Standard, the guidance states that attention should be given to layout of homes and high levels of sound insulation between rooms and between dwellings, to provide a level of privacy which will allow for different activities such as work and study. In particular, it is recommended that party walls should achieve sound insulation values that are at least 5dB above Approved Document E.
The full Housing Design Standard for London can be found here https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2023-06/Housing%20design%20standards%20LPG.pdf
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RFE Outlook for 2023
2022 was an eventful year for our industry, with the introduction of new guidance and regulations affecting how we need to consider acoustics for planning and development.
One of the key changes was the introduction of Building Regulations Approved Document O - Overheating. The introduction of Part O has seen urban areas, especially in London, struggling to comply without active measures due to the noise levels set out in the Regulations. Further clarity on Part O's interpretation is required from Building Control Officers as more schemes start to consider these Regulations within their designs. The Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) published a guidance document in July 2022 aimed at helping to demonstrate compliance with the noise requirements of Part O and it has recently announced that it will start collecting data to validate the noise levels set in Part O. This should hopefully provide more clarity for acousticians and developers as we progress through 2023.
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Case Study: Acoustic Assessment to Support Planning Condition Discharge
RFE has recently completed a detailed assessment of internal noise to support the discharge of a planning condition relating to the new residential development at Crowthorne Road in Bracknell, Berkshire.
The Condition restricted the occupation of the new dwellings until a scheme of acoustic mitigation had been presented for approval by the local planning authority. RFE carried out a detailed facade calculations, to determine if the proposed glazing and ventilation options for the site would provide the required level of noise attenuation, to ensure that future residents were protected against external noise.
The assessment also considered the impact of internal noise levels, where windows needed to be open during the night-time period to combat summer overheating. The assessment concluded that the receptors on the development could adopt a 'windows open' strategy for cooling purposes without leading to significant adverse noise effects and the Local Planning Authority discharged the planning condition.
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Case Study: Planning Success for New Commercial Development
Planning consent has been granted by Sevenoaks District Council, for the demolition of existing commercial buildings and the erection of one replacement B2 manufacturing facility with ancillary offices and storage, at the former F1 Glassworks Site at Station Road, Edenbridge, Kent.
RFE supported the application, made by Century Facades Ltd, with a noise impact assessment. The assessment focused on the potential noise impact of the proposed commercial development on nearby residential receptors and presented a scheme of noise mitigation to ensure noise levels would be reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
The assessment concluded that, when considered in the context of the existing site and history of commercial activities, and with the incorporation of appropriate mitigation, the new development would provide betterment over the existing arrangement and would create no adverse harm to the existing residential amenity of adjoining properties.
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Industry News: Heat Pump Briefing Notes
The Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) have worked together to produce briefing notes aimed at providing information on how to mitigate the potential noise impacts from Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) and Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP).
Heat pumps are expected to form part of the Government's strategy for reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the briefing notes set out advice to enable the use of heat pumps, while minimising the risk of noise and vibration.
According to the IOA statement, the Notes provide advice on how to mitigate and minimise impacts, as far as reasonably practicable, so that amenity and quality of life are protected.
Should you require a sound assessment to support a planning application for the installation of a heat pump, please contact us at info@rfenvironmental.co.uk
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Welcome to the team Jamie
RFE has continued to grow strongly this past year, with the company welcoming Jamie Pearson to the acoustics team. Jamie joined last summer as a Senior Acoustic Consultant, who brings with him a wealth of experience in environmental acoustics having worked previously on large infrastructure projects, including Crossrail, as well as managing numerous acoustic related projects in both the planning and post planning phase of developments.
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Technical & Project Management Expertise
Richard Fenton, RFE's founder and director, has built a strong reputation for both technical and project management expertise in construction related acoustics.
Having built up significant experience during his time as Noise and Vibration specialist on Crossrail, he is currently working on two of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK.
As Noise and Vibration Technical Lead on the Thames Tideway Tunnel project (contract east), Richard is responsible for the Section 61 Prior Consent applications for all six of the construction sites. He has also worked on numerous feasibility studies and acoustic design projects, which have included the design specification of the large acoustic enclosures and a detailed low frequency noise investigation.
Richard is also currently working on the HS2 project, managing the s61 applications for the south portal site and vent shaft sites along the C1 contract. The works cannot commencement without a s61 prior consent from the local authorities and with tight time scales and occasional changes to working methods, the process has to be carefully managed, with strong leadership and clear lines of communication with the site engineering teams essential.
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Vibration isolation scheme for new residential development
RFE has recently completed a detailed assessment of vibration and ground-borne noise for a residential development in south east London.
With one of the buildings sited above an existing tube line, the Local Planning Authority had attached a condition to the planning consent, which set a maximum limit for vibration and ground-borne noise within habitable rooms of the new development.
RFE carried out a survey of vibration and ground-borne noise and advised on the risk of adverse impact. Synchronised vibration and noise measurements were undertaken both on the development site and within an adjacent building, which was also sited along the same tube line. Detailed analysis of the 1/3rd octave band frequency data allowed for the identification of vibration magnitudes of the passing tube trains and associated ground-borne noise levels. The assessment identified that there was a risk that the criteria set out in the planning condition could be exceeded and RFE supported the structural engineers in the design of a scheme of isolation of the foundation slab, to reduce the level of vibration into the building structure and minimise the risk of ground-borne noise generation.
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The Institute of Acoustics (IOA) has recently published the new Transport Noise Supplement
The purpose of this, and other supplements being produced by the IOA is to provide information to a wider audience comprising:
- • Those whose careers may touch on acoustics, but not be their primary occupation;
- • Students who may be considering acoustics as a career;
- • and Members of the public who just want to find out a bit more about the science.
The latest publication, 'Transport Noise, how it affects our health and wellbeing' has been issued online. The IOA explains that 'the magazine includes articles by noted industry experts and explores noise from road, rail and air transport, how it is measured, predicted, managed and mitigated.' The publication can be downloaded from the IOAs website.
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Recent planning success for a residential scheme in East Sussex
We are pleased to have been involved in the recent planning success to allow the commencement of a residential development at Dittons Road, Stone Cross, East Sussex, which will comprise 44 houses for rental, shared ownership and private sale.
The development site is bounded to the north and south by busy roads, making it a challenging site acoustically. Early consideration of acoustic design was needed to ensure noise from road traffic did not lead to adverse impact on residential amenity. A baseline noise survey was followed by extensive 3D computer noise modelling, which allowed for the noise levels to be established across the site, in its undeveloped form. The proposed site layout was then incorporated into the noise model, to determine facade noise levels at the worst affected residential receptors. Once these facade noise levels had been established, detailed internal noise calculations were undertaken, to determine the level of sound insulation required to achieve the desirable internal noise levels. This information was used to specify the glazing and ventilation requirements, which were subsequently agreed and signed off by the Local Planning Authority, allowing construction on site to commence.
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CONSTRUCTION & NOISE VIBRATION
The key legislation governing construction noise and vibration is the Control of Pollution Act 1974, which contains specific powers within Sections 60 and 61. Section 60 enables local authorities to control construction noise through the service of a notice, which can specify: (a) plant or machinery which can or cannot be used; (b) hours of working; (c) levels of noise; (d) provide for changes in circumstances.
Section 61 allows a person who intends to carry out the works to apply for a consent prior to the works taking place. The application needs to contain particulars of: (a) the works and method statement; and (b) the steps proposed to be taken to minimise the noise.
The local authority shall give consent if the application contains sufficient information and, if the works are carried out in accordance with the application, it would not serve a section 60 notice.
The over-riding requirement under s61 ( and s60) is for a project to employ Best Practicable Means (BPM) to reduce noise at all locations and at all times and it applies to both noise and vibration.
The control of noise and vibration from construction sites is one of the key areas of expertise for which RFE are renowned. The experience of our staff includes consultancy and project management roles on some of the largest infrastructure projects in the country, including Crossrail and the Thames Tideway Tunnel development in London.
Our involvement in construction related projects can include: initial assessments and prediction of site noise levels to aid early design; the preparation of demolition and construction management plans; undertaking of detailed assessment of effects; and, the design of noise and vibration mitigation schemes.
Once construction commences, RFE can undertake on-site monitoring of noise and vibration, produce compliance reports and carry out BPM audits.
If you would like to find out more about our services, or if you have a particular construction related project you would like to discuss, please contact us on 01323 488396.
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AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENTS
Following the continued growth of RFE and expansion into new areas of planning and development, we are now able to offer air quality assessments and reporting as part of our ever growing areas of expertise. With the risks to health from poor air quality becoming ever more apparent, air quality assessment is now a regular requirement for new developments.
At RFE, we can offer air quality services to support planning, including the modelling, monitoring and assessment of air quality for residential and commercial developments. .
During the construction phase of the development, the monitoring and management of dust and PM10 can form part of our comprehensive consultancy services.
To find out more above the services we can offer, please contact us on 01323 488396.
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RF ENVIRONMENTAL GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
RF Environmental Ltd is now in its third year of trading and has gone from strength to strength in providing quality acoustic services to support planning and development.
A firm of specialist noise and vibration consultants with over 15 years of experience in undertaking acoustic assessments to support a wide range of developments, which include:
• Industrial and commercial developments;
• Residential developments;
• Leisure facilities; and
• Restaurants, pubs and clubs;Our considerable experience of Local Authority Planning and Environmental Health work sets us apart from other consultancies. We are able to tailor individual reports to client's specific requirements while ensuring Local Authority expectations are met. In addition, we support clients through the post planning stages, with services including construction monitoring and management, internal acoustic design advice, building services assessments and pre completion sound testing.
We would be pleased to discuss any requirements that you or your colleagues may have for delivering quality acoustic assessments to support all aspects of development, so please feel free to contact us at any time. For further information on the services we can provide, please contact us on 01323 488396.
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CASE STUDY - COPPA CLUB, MAIDENHEAD
We are pleased to announce that the latest Coppa Club restaurant and bar is now open for business in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
The development was subject to numerous pre-occupation planning conditions, designed to protect residents on the upper floors of the building from potential operational noise impacts from the restaurant. With assistance from RFE, Coppa Club has been able to discharge the planning conditons in full and open the restaurant to the public.
The planning conditions covered a wide range of acoustic related challenges, including external noise from the kitchen extraction system, transfer of vibration from internal plant, control of music and patron noise from within the restuarant area and noise impact from the external restaurant area. A combination of noise monitoring, calculations and assessment were required to work through each specific acoustic related conditon and provide appropriate advice and solutions. A fully independent suspended ceiling was designed to enhance the sound insulation value of the floor/ceiling construction. Detailed duct calculations were undertaken to estimate the external facade noise levels from the kitchen extraction fan and allow for an appropriate level of attentuation, in the form of in-duct silencers, to be designed and incorporated into the system.
Vibration isolation was required on internal plant, to ensure structure-borne vibration did not transfer into the apartments above. Finally, sound tests were undertaken prior to opening, to help set an appropriate music noise level and allow the managers to control noise from the restaurant and avoid future complaints.
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NOISE & OVERHEATING
Sustainable residential developments should consider both good acoustic design and overheating requirements at an early stage to ensure an intergrated solution can be provided.
Early site suitability surveys are vital for ensuring that potential noise impacts from existing transport or industrial/commercial sources are fully understood and incorporated into the final design stage. A combination of noise monitoring and computer generated noise mapping can help us to determine the level of risk from noise exposure on a proposed development site. An early indication of this risk can allow for the incorporation of good acoustic design into the final scheme.
When considered alongside the requirements to reduce overheating, the acoustic risks can aid early design to ensure that factors such as site layout, building orientation, the use of natural or man made screens and barriers and internal room design are utilised to enable a natural ventilation strategy to be maximised as far as practicable.
This approach is emphasised in the Professional Practice Guidance on Planning and Noise (ProPG), and in the draft Acoustics, Ventilation and Overheating Guidance, produced by the Association of Noise Consultants. This guidance document recommends an approach to acoustic assessments for new residential development that takes due regard of the interdependence of provisions for acoustics, ventilation and overheating. The AVO guide is currently published in draft form for consultation. Further information is availble on the ANC website.