Introduction
Christina Higgins is Acoustics and Building Physics Lead at Rimkus. She has an MSc in acoustic engineering, a PhD in civil and environmental engineering, and spent over a decade as an acoustic consultant in the construction industry prior to joining Rimkus as an expert. She takes a holistic, systems-thinking approach to building performance and occupant comfort. In this series, Christina will walk through examples of the interfaces between different building physics-related issues that lie at the root of construction claims and disputes.
One Person’s Noise is Another Person’s Music? Well, Not Quite.
Noise is a pollutant. It’s common knowledge that noise at high levels can lead to hearing loss, but less extreme noise levels still carry inherent risk – including discomfort, loss of amenity, stress, as well as adverse health impacts such as cardiovascular issues. So much so that noise has been deemed a “forgotten pollutant” and work is currently underway at the policy scale to address this.
Noise from human activities can also affect the natural environment. A theory which arose out of the field of acoustic ecology is that every species in an ecosystem occupies a place on the acoustic frequency spectrum (different species of birds, for example) to enable them to communicate more easily. Our human-generated noise, which is often very loud but also spans a lot of the frequency spectrum, can create a masking effect, making this communication more difficult.
Noise Complaints
Noise complaints can arise when a person is exposed to any kind of source, but there are several common ones which result in disputes. Neighbour noise complaints are common; local authority noise teams in the UK regularly deal with complaints regarding loud music, dog barking, etc., between residents. They also deal with complaints from residents regarding nearby commercial facilities such as pubs and live music venues. Noise impact is commonly cited as an argument against onshore wind farms. And then there are the noises that occur within and from a building itself. These could be from the mechanical services (ventilation, air conditioning), or from movement of the building elements (creaking and whistling noises in tall buildings have come up several times in recent years).
Noise Legislation
Noise is legislated in the UK under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. Under this legislation, local authorities can investigate and issue noise abatement notices, statutory noise provisions, and penalties. They can require that provision be made for remediation.
Noise and sound transmission within buildings is also addressed at the planning and design stages of developments. New developments requiring planning permission will typically have a noise impact assessment conducted, which involves measuring the existing noise levels and designing such that both the new development is insulated from existing noise and the existing development is protected from noise associated with the new development.
National and international acoustic standards exist to encourage appropriate reduction of sound transmission within buildings and between inside and outside. In the UK, Part E of the Building Regulations mandates sound insulation testing of separating walls and floors between residences prior to completion.
How Do We Investigate Noise Complaints?
While differences do exist in the sensitivity of people to various noises (I know those who both like and dislike the sound of trains passing by, for example), the guidelines which exist for noise control are generally considered to be appropriate for most people. As such, we can quantify – by measurements and analysis – whether a noise complaint is “reasonable” within the context of the legislation or guidance. The next step, then, is to determine whether the noise source is excessively loud, or whether there is a failure of the building element(s) which were designed to reduce transmission of the noise. Potential remediation or control can then be identified.
A note on remediation: it is quite difficult to rectify issues with noise transfer in buildings after they have been built. This is because sound can be transmitted by several different paths through the building elements, not all of them obvious. This is a topic for another day, but let’s just say that the often-cited trick of sticking egg cartons to the wall won’t work!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Noise?
Noise (in the context of acoustics) can be defined as unwanted sound. It can also be defined as “a sound which is loud or unpleasant, or which causes disturbance”.
Is Noise a Pollutant?
Yes, noise is a pollutant. It has been deemed a “forgotten pollutant” as historically it has received less attention than other pollutants such as air or water pollution.
How Do I know If a Noise is Unreasonable?
To determine if a noise is unreasonable, it’s imperative to measure and quantify the noise source as it is heard at the receiver, to determine the level and character of the noise. This can then be compared to the relevant legislation and design guidance to determine whether it adheres to various criteria.