Wirral Council’s Pollution Control and Environmental Health Officer, Toby Zorn, has been confronted with a significant challenge: a decade-long noise nuisance issue stemming from a commercial factory nestled amidst residential neighbourhoods.
As a result, and coupled with an investigation into the numerous noise sources from the factory, a number of recommendations were made and implemented. To test their efficacy a second BS4142:1997 assessment was carried out seven months later. The second report concluded that the impact had reduced noise to a level below “marginal significance” and they didn’t envisage any further complaints.
Unfortunately, local residents didn’t agree and the complaints continued leaving the factory managers baffled as to the mysterious source or the specific circumstances that were causing the noise nuisance.
The factory itself produces film for food products and residential properties are only 300-400 meters from the perimeter. Further investigations helped to narrow down the issue somewhat and the problem seemed more prevalent depending on weather conditions and wind direction.
Several years after the first complaint was lodged against the factory, Wirral Council’s EHO Toby Zorn, was given the project with a view to finally closing the hefty case file once and for all.
He opted to use two Cirrus Trojan² portable noise nuisance recorders to help carry out a full BS4142 assessment – adding this one to the ever-growing list of noise investigations on the beleaguered site.
“There was a real spirit of co-operation on this case which was very effective.”
The data obtained from the instruments was used to complete a detailed report that was given to the company to analyse and aid their decision making regarding a final remedy.
“Because of the complex history to this site and the complaints we obviously needed to carry out more in-depth analysis, looking at further work and the frequencies of the noise involved. Said Toby.
“The Trojan² was very easy to set up: plug in, calibrate and press play, you’re not messing about with multiple settings but can then take it back to the office, manipulate and look at the frequency analysis later. It is very visual, and you can see the specific frequencies, putting them into 3D charts which was great.”
“After some analysis we were able to identify one noise source – a large resin pellet vacuum conveyor system. The company determined that the system was getting to the end of its life and required renewal. There were also multiple vent ducts – more than 20 – and we identified these as another noise source,” he added.
“The Trojan² was very easy to set up: plug in, calibrate and press play, you’re not messing about with multiple settings.”
“These were all fitted with brand new acoustic attenuators; the owners even did some vents which we didn’t feel necessary, but the problem had been going on for so long they just wanted to put it to bed once and for all.”
Following the remedial work, which was completed by the end of 2016, there have been no further noise complaints from local residents.
“This was a great result for all concerned, but you needed to gather and have that body of evidence to work with. It wouldn’t have been possible without the Trojan².” said Toby.
“It was a win/win for all concerned: the local residents, the site owners, ourselves and the local councillors who had been fielding the years of complaints. There was a real spirit of co-operation on this case which was very effective.”
Cirrus Products Used in This Case Study
The Trojan2 Noise Nuisance Recorder is a simple and effective solution for measuring and monitoring noise nuisance complaints.
NoiseAid is a web-based application that gives you and your users a quick, simple way to gather information about the noise sources that they are concerned about. Users can instantly log noise disturbances via any smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer using the simple interface, adding notes when the noise has ended.
NoiseTools is our licence-free noise measurement database, supplied as standard with our sound level meters, noise dosimeters, and noise measurement kits, to help you manage and control noise levels in your workplace or in the environment.
