Construction Noise Management Plan: Key Steps for Optimizing your Operations and Investments

Construction Noise Management: 4 Key Steps and Benefits

For Construction Estimators and Project Managers

Survey Ambient Noise Levels Before Construction Begins

Surveying ambient noise levels prior to construction work is an imperative first step to managing noise control. This enables to ascertain the existing noise climate in sensitive areas around the jobsite, and particularly during night-time work. Noise limitations are typically a primary component in the specifications of a project, but in some cases, they are dependent on the existing noise levels in the environment, prior to the work as well.

Understanding the Situation

In Ontario, the criteria for noise levels during construction can vary from one project to another.

Parameters can be set according to the existing noise levels in the area (adjacent to the project), or by a predefined limit, if the existing noise is low. In order to determine the noise limitations that will be required for the duration of the project, this is where establishing a baseline is particularly necessary.

For example, some Metrolinx projects that Soft dB has provided service for, had daytime residential noise parameters of “LAeq, 16 h from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm, and 75 dB(A)” or the “ambient level + 5 dB(A)”.

What Does This Mean for Your Particular Project?

When you take baseline measurements (prior to construction), and discover that the preliminary noise level in the environment is measuring higher than what was discussed in the estimate, your measured “ambient level + 5 dB(A)” then becomes your new reference limit to be respected.

Hypothetically, let's say your construction work takes place in a residential area during the day, and is also situated next to an active railroad track. If the baseline noise measurements produce a sound level of 80 dB(A), by using the “ambient level + 5 dB(A)” criteria, your construction site could then produce an allowable 85 dB(A), instead of the “set limit” of 75 dB(A).

3 dB More = 2X More Noise, Therefore 2X More Construction Activity

Being Able to Generate an Additional 3 dB Is Equivalent to Doubling the Number of Pieces of Equipment on Site.
A Considerable Productivity Gain!

Let’s say that the estimated ambient noise level in the desired area is actually higher than the standard. Following the “ballpark levels” blindly, could mean that you are unnecessarily restricting your operations, and even the type of equipment being used. However, what if you had the opportunity to change the outcome?

→ Its amazing how a simple measurement of ambient sound levels prior to construction, can make all the difference in being able to optimize your operations.

In fact, adding 3 dB could be an absolute game changer for productivity.

Noise Management Program

Did you know that a detailed noise management program can be used to simulate future work and identify critical phases and areas at risk of noise exceedance?

If risks are identified, the data used in the models can be refined by measuring the equipment to be used on site. These measurements at source ensure that the proposed treatments will be adequate, without being exaggerated.

A noise management program can save you a fortune!

By precisely identifying these at-risk zones and the sources of the exceedances, our acoustics experts can suggest the most effective mitigation measures to prevent the potential of stoppages/interruptions to construction activity.

Proactive planning helps to prevent noise complaints, maintain your construction activities, and plan the appropriate mitigation measures — to the benefit of all stakeholders.

Acoustics Monitoring Plan for Construction Sites

The strategy for monitoring noise during construction is outlined in the monitoring plan.

This approach ensures that all stakeholders are informed of the specific measures/plans that will be put in place to control construction noise levels, right from the beginning.

A noise monitoring plan comprises a number of elements, including the identification of positioning for surveying, using permanent acoustic monitoring stations, such as the Watch™ noise and vibration monitoring station, or spot measurements using portable instruments such as the Mezzo.

By installing stations before and during construction work, you'll actually be saving yourself the cost and time of moving and mobilizing stations.

Regulations often require monitoring stations to be on your site throughout the duration of the construction activity. Therefore, if you're going to require them anyway, installing them in advance will provide more benefits in the long run, including the comprehensive data that comes with it.

Continuous Noise Monitoring During Construction

Continuous noise monitoring during construction is crucial for collecting accurate data in the event of regulatory limits being exceeded and/or noise complaints.

In the event of an exceedance, thanks to continuously recorded sound data, you'll be able to trace the exact moment when the exceedance occurred, listen to the audio recordings, correctly identify the problematic source, and implement effective corrective actions.

No more blind interventions!

Being able to know exactly what's causing the overruns, you can rectify the situation quickly and efficiently.
 

"Wait... You're saying that jobsite operations that are in compliance with regulatory noise limits, can still receive noise complaints?"

That's right. It may seem counter-intuitive at first glance, but it's actually an observed reality and a common misconception regarding noise. To find out more about the theory behind "Compliant, but audible", take a look at our experts' guide to mining noise.

The bottom line is that even if your activities are within noise limits, they may still generate noise that is perceived as disturbing to neighbouring communities, thus leading to complaints.

This is where the importance of continuously recorded sound data is critical.

In the event of complaints, you will be able to quickly identify whether your activities were the cause of the complaint or not.

This feature can become even more essential if your operations are in close proximity to another jobsite that has less stringent standards to comply with. Continuous monitoring would allow you to precisely determine what generated the complaint.

Streaming Audio: An Asset for Construction Sites

Continuous audio allows you to "go back in time" to the exact moment when a disturbing noise was reported, which led to a complaint. All audio frames are recorded and therefore not dependent on an overrun alert in order to trigger audio recording – which is often the case with other monitoring systems.

Steaming audio is an asset for dealing quickly and effectively with noise complaints, and also your evidence to the contrary, in the event that you should need it.

At Soft dB, we work hard to support our clients by offering the best: high-performance, robust, and economical measuring instruments, such as the Watch™ Noise and Vibration Monitoring Station, which provides you with all the essential functions, including continuous audio.

What's more, Soft dB’s monitoring stations have the versatility and simplicity to provide you with more, for less!

Our system can also adapt to change, depending on what the project requires. For example, an acoustic monitoring station can be transformed into a vibration monitoring station, or even a hybrid station, simply by connecting the respective sensors.

With Soft dB's web-based monitoring platform, all collected data is centralized and can be managed in one single location, simplifying your life, and saving you time.

Versatile. Simple. Adaptable. Efficient.

The monitoring stations, as recommended by our experts, can offer you several essential features, such as:

• Sending automatic exceedance alarms (by text message and/or e-mail) to the various parties involved.
• Daily reports that indicate the date, location of readings, in addition to measured and authorized noise levels.
• The contractor can also enter the corrective actions taken in the event of exceedance.
• And much more.

Check out the Soft dB web monitoring platform to discover all the impressive features that it offers.

On-Site Technical Assistance — Optional and Available

Although this stage is optional, you will always have access to an expert Soft dB project manager who can assist you remotely and/or can be your "ears" on the job site.

At your request, and according to your specific needs, our team will be there to provide any assistance you may require, at any time — for assessments, implementation of noise mitigation measures, and even managing noise overruns.

Acoustical Assessment at the End of the Project — Optional and Available

As construction activity comes to a close, a post noise assessment can also be conducted, to close off/finalize the project regarding all noise and vibration.

Having a final report that documents the before, during, and after, can provide the complete picture, should this data be needed at a later time.

Just like the saying, “You get what you pay for…”, taking the proactive approach and investing a little extra on a more comprehensive, top-quality service can — and will — save you a lot of money (and headaches) in the long run.

Opting for high quality service can help give you peace of mind, along with the reassurance that your noise and vibration IS controlled — by experts in the field, from start to finish.

In a Nutshell — Ensure the Most Effective Noise Control to Optimize Your Construction Operations