Generators & ACCU Noise
As a requirement of a planning application, Sound Solution Acoustic Consultancy (SSAC) were commissioned by Client X to complete an environmental impact noise survey and assessment at a site within the North of England.
A new building was planned which was to introduce new noise sources to the surrounding environment in the form of 3 off standby generator sets at an internal ground floor location and 32 off air conditioning condenser units (ACCU's) to its roof. The generator plant was a standby emergency use system only; the ACCU's had the potential to operate 24hrs per day at duties dependant on system demand.
The aim of the environmental impact noise survey was to assess and quantify the impact of noise from the proposed plant on the nearest and/or most sensitive residential premises by means of BS4142:1997 'Rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas' with additional reference to World Health Authority (WHO) guidelines.
The survey concentrated on what was adjudged to be the most sensitive operating period with respect to noise levels at the nearest and/or most sensitive residential properties; these were flats at some 80m to the North West of the proposed site.
The building and plant items were not yet in existence and their noise level assessments had to be completed as a desktop analysis, based on manufacturer and client advised information, for comparison against site measured background noise levels measured at the most sensitive period.
Based on BS4142:1997 and WHO assessments herein and subject to specifications and assumptions reported in our findings we concluded that;-
The installation and 24 hr operation of 32 off Mitsubishi air conditioning condenser units to the roof of the proposed Generator Building would have no significant impact on the existing acoustic environment at the local residential properties.
The installation and standby operation, day or night, of 3 off Generating sets (with a specification of 70dB(A) maximum at 1m around the building external walls) to the ground floor of the proposed Generator Building would have no significant impact on the existing acoustic environment at local residential properties