Rehab Glassco - Environmental Protection Agency · The survey was carried out in strict accordance with the standard ISO 1996 Parts 1 – 3, Acoustics – ... Cirrus Optimus Green

Unit 5 Caherdavin Business Centre,

Ennis Road,

Limerick

Rehab Glassco

Unit 4, Osberstown Industrial Park,

Caragh Road, Naas,

Co. Kildare

Environmental Noise Report

Noise Survey 2016

Report Reference Number: 3350-16-04

Version: 1

Date of Issue: 28-08-2016

Report Compiled by: Jer Moore

Air I Noise I Water I Soil I Environmental Consultancy

www.axisenv.ie

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20

AXIS environmental services W0279-01

Rehab Glassco

Page 2 Report Number: 3350-16-04 Version 1

Report Content

1.0 Executive Summary ………………………………………………………. 3

2.0 Introduction ………………………………………………………. 4

3.0 Methods Employed ………………………………………………………. 5

4.0 Monitoring Locations ………………………………………………………. 6

5.0 Noise Measurement Data ………………………………………………………. 8

6.0 Conclusions ………………………………………………………. 12

Report Date

26th August 2016 Site Contact: Elaine Murray

Report Issued By

Mark Mc Garry

Version No: 1

Signed:

Client: Rehab Glassco

Notes:

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


1.0 Executive Summary

Rehab Glassco Limited is required as part of licence W0279-01; Conditions 4 and 6 to carry out a noise

survey of the installation on an annual basis. AXIS environmental services were commissioned to

complete the survey after proposal acknowledgment and acceptance by Rehab Glassco’s Environmental

Department.

The purpose of the survey was to monitor noise at three boundary locations on the site as well as one

noise sensitive location and assess the sites compliance against Schedule B limits.

The survey was carried out in strict accordance with the standard ISO 1996 Parts 1 – 3, Acoustics –

description, measurement and assessment of environmental noise. Reference was also made to the EPA

guidelines NG4 “Guidance Note for Noise: Licence Applications, Surveys and Assessments in Relation to

Scheduled Activities” January 2016.

All operations at Rehab Glassco were running as normal throughout the survey. There was significant

interference from traffic movements on the M7 motorway and a nearby local access route that connects

the R409 to Osberstown. There were other sources of noise at each individual location which are

summarised in the report.

The impact of road traffic noise could be a significant interference on the survey at certain locations as

defined in the report. As outlined in the Standard ISO 1996 and the associated noise guidance document

issued by the Agency, where traffic noise is interfering with noise measurements, it is acceptable to

assess noise compliance against the LA90 for the monitoring period. This is a statistical measurement of

the noise level exceeded for 90% of the time which would largely be associated with the facility under

assessment.

Four monitoring points were monitored for the noise survey. NM1, NM2 & NM3 are boundary monitoring

points which are located within the confines of the site and are in close proximity to activities in

operation. These monitoring locations would not be considered noise sensitive locations.

NSL1 is a noise sensitive location which is located in close proximity to a local residence. This monitoring

point is required to be compliant with noise emission limit values [Day – 55dB(A), Evening - 50 dB(A)

& Night – 45dB(A)]

All monitoring points were determined to comply in full with licence requirements. There was no tonal

or impulsive noise observed at either location for the duration of the assessment.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


2.0 Introduction

As part of compliance monitoring at Rehab Glassco, an annual noise survey is to be carried out at noise

sensitive receptors in the vicinity of the plant. The Agency and Rehab Glassco have agreed on the

monitoring points on the boundary of the site and at the nearest noise sensitive locations.

The Waste licence W0279-01 outlines Rehab Glassco’s requirements under Conditions 4 and 6, which

have been documented as follows:

2.1 Condition 4:

4.4 Noise:

Noise from the facility shall not give rise to sound pressure levels (LAeq, T) measured at the

NSLs of the facility which exceed the limit value(s)

2.2 Condition 6:

6.12 The licensee shall carry out a noise survey of the site operations annually. The survey

programme shall be undertaken in accordance with the methodology specified in the ‘Guidance

Note for Noise: Licence Applications, Surveys and Assessments in Relation to Scheduled

Activities (NG4)’ as published by the Agency.

Table 1: Schedule B4: Noise Monitoring

Location

Measurement Frequency

NM1

Three 30min Day Surveys

One 30min Evening Survey

Two 15min Night Surveys

All including 1/3rd octave

measurements

Annually

NM2





measurements

Annually

NM3





measurements

Annually

NSL1





measurements

Annually

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


3.0 Methods

Monitoring was carried out in strict accordance with ISO 1996 Parts 1 – 3, Description and Measurement

of Environmental Noise. Reference was also made to the EPA guidelines NG4 “Guidance Note for Noise:

Licence Applications, Surveys and Assessments in Relation to Scheduled Activities” 2016,.

Table 2: NG4 Noise Survey Recommendations

Period Minimum Survey

Duration outlined in

NG4

Amended

Requirements by the

Agency in NG4 FAQ

Version 2

EPA FAQ Information

Daytime

(07:00 –

17:00)

4 hour survey with a

minimum of 3 sampling

periods at each noise

monitoring location.

A minimum of 3

sampling periods at

each noise monitoring

location.

Sample periods relate to

the time set in the

licence i.e. 15 or 30

minutes per point.

Evening

(17:00 –

23:00)



period at each noise


A minimum of 1

sampling period at each

noise monitoring

location.

This is only a

requirement for new or

revised licenses where

the requirement is

specified.

Night time

(23:00 –

07:00)



periods at each noise


A minimum of 2

sampling periods at

each noise monitoring

location.

Sample periods relate to

the time set in the

licence i.e. 15 or 30

minutes per point.

Table 3: Equipment Details

Meter No 2 Meter No 3 Meter No 4

Manufacturer Cirrus Optimus Green

Cirrus Optimus Green Cirrus Optimus

Green

Model CR:171B CR:172B CR:172B

Serial Number G061082 G061817 G078197

Firmware V2.3.1156 V2.4.1529 V2.8.2327

Calibrator CR:511 Acoustic

Calibrator

CR:515 Acoustic

Calibrator

CR:515 Acoustic

Calibrator

Microphone B&K4180 - 1893453 B&K4180 - 1893453 B&K4180 - 1893453

Windshield Type UA:237 90mm Foam

Windshield

UA:237 90mm Foam

Windshield

UA:237 90mm

Foam Windshield

Calibration Date

Noise Meter 20th April 2016 – 2017 09th October 2015 -

2016

30th June 2016 –

2017

Certificate Number 227467 232526 238637

Calibrator 20th April 2016 – 2017 09th October 2015 -

2016

June 2016 – 2017

Certificate Number 227465 102905 106234

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


4.0 Monitoring Locations

4.1 Noise Monitoring Point 1 (NM1)

4.1.1 Day Time Survey

Noise monitoring point NM1 is located at the entrance of the site on the Southern boundary, close to

the Main Process Building. The greatest source of noise at this location is the noise created by loaders

filling lorries with glass and moving glass around the site. There were several other sources of noise

noted at this monitoring point including continuous operational noise from the Main Process Building,

for the most part made up of extraction fans operating and the movement of glass on conveyor belts.

Other noises included trucks and other vehicles passing close by to the noise meter as they enter and

exit the site, other on site traffic such as forklifts road traffic from the local access road outside the

plant.

4.1.2 NM1 Evening Time Survey

During evening time monitoring the main most prevalent sound noted was the continuous operation of

the main processing plant nearby. The other dominant noise was that from the wheeled loaders moving

around the site and moving glass.

4.1.3 NM1 Night Time Survey

For the night time noise survey the main sources of noise were the operational noises from the Main

processing building, continuous movements of traffic on the M7 motorway in the distance and wheeled

loaders operating and moving glass. A light breeze could also be heard periodically.



This noise monitoring Point was located on the North Western boundary of the site, close to Storage

Bays and the Drying Shed. The main source of noise at this location was the regular movement of traffic

on the local access route nearby the monitoring location.

Other sources of noise at this monitoring point include operational noise from the Drying Shed, the

movement of traffic (trucks and forklifts) on site and sound of birds chirping.

4.2.2 Evening Time Survey

There were several sources of noise noted during the evening noise survey including regular traffic

movements on the local access route nearby, operational noise from the drying plant and main

processing plant as well as wheeled loaders. A light breeze could be heard blowing intermittently.

4.2.3 Night Time Survey

The main sources of noise during the night time noise survey were the occasional movements of traffic

on the local access route nearby, continuous movements of traffic on the M7 motorway in the distance,

light operational noises from the Main Process Building and a light breeze blowing. The drying plant was

not running during the night time period.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco




Noise monitoring point NM3 was situated on the North Eastern boundary of the site, close to the main

Storage Bays on site and the Main Process Building. The greatest source of noise at this location was

from wheeled loaders moving glass around the storage areas. Other onsite traffic noted included forklifts

and trucks moving.

There were many other sources of noise also recorded in this location including operational noise from

the main processing plant and drying plant, the distant sound of traffic movements from the M7

motorway and some noise from another site (possible construction noise) from a nearby site to the

north of Rehab Glassco.


During the evening time noise survey the main sources of noise came from the loaders moving glass in

the storage yard and operational noise from the main processing plant. Other sources of noise noted

included traffic movements on the M7 motorway and a light breeze blowing.


During the night time survey the main sources of noise were from the distant traffic movements on the

M7 motorway and operational noise from the Main Production Building. Other noteworthy noise recorded

at this location included a light intermittent breeze.

4.4 Noise Sensitive Location 1 (NSL1)


This noise sensitive location, which is situated to the west of the site, is approximately 20m from a

residence and just outside the boundary of Rehab Glassco. The main source of noise at this location

were the intermittent movements of traffic on the local access route, which was located approximately

25m from the noise meter.

Several other sources of noise were also noted in this area including general operational noise from

Rehab Glassco, birds chirping in nearby vegetation, lorries entering and leaving the site and a light

breeze blowing.


For the evening time noise survey, the greatest source of noise was the continuous movement of traffic

on the M7 motorway. Also noted at this point was a faint operational noise from Rehab Glassco and a

light breeze blowing.


For the night time noise survey the noteworthy noises recorder were intermittent road traffic noise on

the local access road and distant traffic noise from the M7 motorway. Light operational noise could be

heard from the Rehab Glassco site.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


5.0 Summary of Daytime Noise Measurements

Noise Monitoring Location:

NSL1(Noise sensitive location)

10-08-2016

Period: Time

Measured Noise Levels

(dB re. 2 x 10-5 Pa)

Comments

LAeq

LAFMAX LA90

Daytime:

13:36 44 58 42 For daytime monitoring at this

point the most common noise

noted was lorries entering and

leaving the site. A light operational

noise could be heard from Rehab

Glassco. Other noise noted were

light local traffic noise, a light

breeze and birds chirping.

14:36 43 52 41

14:36 44 57 42

Arithmetic Average (dB): 44 56 42

Daytime Criterion, dB LAr,T: 55 - -

Evening: 21:43 45 64 43 Traffic noise from the M7

motorway was the predominant

noise recorded. A light breeze and

faint operational noise from Rehab

Glassco were also noted.


Evening Criterion, dB LAr,T: 50 - -

Night Time:

23:39 40 52 39 Noise noted at night time included

both local traffic noise and

continuous traffic noise from the

M7 motorway. Light operational

noise could be heard from Rehab

Glassco.

23:54 41 59 40

Arithmetic Average (dB): 41 55.5 40

Night time Criterion, dB LAr,T: 45 - -

Weather Conditions:

Daytime: Evening: Night Time:

Temperature (OC) 12 11 11

Wind Speed (m/s) 2 1 2

Wind Direction: Southerly South Westerly South Westerly

Precipitation (mm): 0.0 0.0 0.0

Tonal Noise Assessment

Daytime: Run 1: None Run 2: None Run 3: None

Evening: Run 1: None - -

Night Time: Run 1: None Run 2: None -

Compliance Status – this site complies with both day, evening and night time criteria.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco



NM1(Boundary Monitoring location)

10-08-2016

Period: Time


(dB re. 2 x 10-5 Pa)

Comments

LAeq

LAFMAX LA90

Daytime:

12:04 65 84 62 Local road traffic noise was the

most predominant noise here.

Other noises included lorries

entering and leaving the site,

lorries being filled with glass,

operational noise from the

processing plant and other on sit

traffic.

12:34 67 85 63

13:04 66 84 62


Daytime Criterion, dB LAr,T: - - -

Evening: 21:45 59 79 53 Operational noise from the main

processing plant and wheeled

loaders moving around glass were

the most predominant noises

noted.


Evening Criterion, dB LAr,T: - - -

Night Time:

23:04 59 86 58 At night time the main processing

plant caused the majority of noise.

23:19 59 66 58


Night time Criterion, dB LAr,T: - - -

Weather Conditions:










Compliance Status – this is not a noise sensitive location

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco




10-08-2016

Period: Time


(dB re. 2 x 10-5 Pa)

Comments

LAeq

LAFMAX LA90

Daytime:

11:41 55 76 47 The most predominant noise

source at this point was from

traffic on the local access road to

the rear of the facility. Other

sources noted were movement of

onsite traffic and operational noise

from the drying plant.

12:11 54 69 46

12:41 57 73 53



Evening: 21:50 51 67 47 Again local traffic was the most

predominant noise source. The

drying plant and main processing

plant produced noise as well wheel

loaders operating on site.



Night Time:

23:02 50 66 44 At night traffic noise from both the

local access road and the M7

motorway could be heard. The

drying plant was not running but

there was operational noise from

the main processing plant.

23:17 49 66 44



Weather Conditions:











For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco




10-08-2016

Period: Time


(dB re. 2 x 10-5 Pa)

Comments

LAeq

LAFMAX LA90

Daytime:

11:58 50 80 47 The most prevalent noise noted

was from the main processing

plant followed by the drying plant

operating. Onsite traffic including

lorries, wheeled loaders and

forklifts was also noteworthy.

Other noise included construction

work from a neighbour facility and

traffic noise in the distance,

12:28 57 72 49

12:58 53 82 49



Evening: 22:18 48 76 43 Loaders were operating in the

storage yard. There was

operational noise from the main

processing plant and traffic noise

from the M7 motorway in the

distance.



Night Time:

23:00 48 86 41 Noise during the night time survey

included distant traffic noise from

the M7 motorway and operational

noise from the main processing

plant. A light breeze could be

heard intermittently.

23:30 49 70 47



Weather Conditions:











For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


6.0 Conclusions

Four locations were monitored for broadband and 1/3rd Octave frequency as part of this annual

environmental noise survey at Rehab Glassco Limited.

Each point was monitored for three 30 minute periods during the day time survey, one 30 minute period

during the evening time survey and two 15 minute periods during the night time survey.

The findings of the survey would indicate that the noise sensitive locations were not significantly affected

or impacted by sources of noise at Rehab Glassco Limited.

All the boundary noise locations (NM1, NM2 & NM3) had elevated Leq noise levels due to their proximity

to the main site activities and the increased sound intensity emanating from traffic on M7 motorway

and a local access route. However, these boundary monitoring points are not noise sensitive receptors.

NSL1, a noise sensitive location, was determined to be in full compliance with the requirements of the

site’s EPA issued waste license.

There was no tonal noise determined at any monitoring location; therefore there are no requirements

to apply penalties to the broadband measurement.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


Appendix I Graphical Display of Raw Data

Tonal Noise:

The appropriate level differences vary with frequency. They should be greater than or equal to the following

values in both adjacent one third octave bands:

· 15dB in low frequency one third octave bands (25Hz to 125Hz);

· 8dB in middle frequency bands (160Hz to 400Hz), and;

· 5dB in high frequency bands (500Hz to 10,000Hz)

This is the definition outlined by the EPA in the guidance note issued in 2012: NG4.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


Appendix II Site Map

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


Appendix III Calibration Certificates

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


Glossary of Terms

Note: Not all terms were used in the description of noise for this noise survey.

Ambient noise The totally encompassing sound in a given situation at a given time, usually composed

of sound from many sources, near and far.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


Acoustic shadow An acoustic shadow is an area through which sound waves fail to propagate, due to

topographical obstructions or disruption of the waves via phenomena such as wind

currents.

Background noise The steady existing noise level present without contribution from any intermittent

sources. The A weighted sound pressure level of the residual noise at the assessment

position that is exceeded for 90 per cent of a given time interval, T (LAF90,T).

Broadband Sounds that contain energy distributed across a wide range of frequencies.

Competent person Individual possessing a combination of technical knowledge, experience and skills as

outlined in Section 2.0 and who can demonstrate both practical and theoretical

competence.

Criterion noise level The long term mean value of the noise level that must not be exceeded. This is

generally stipulated in the IPPC/Waste licence and it may be applied to a noise source,

a boundary of the activity or to an NSL in the vicinity of the site.

dB Decibel. The scale in which sound pressure level is expressed. It is defined as 20 times

the logarithm of the ratio between the RMS pressure of the sound field and the

reference pressure of 20 micro pascals (20 uPa).

Facade level The noise level at a location 1m from the facade of a building is described by the term

facade level, and is subject to a higher noise level than one in an open area (free-field

conditions) due to reflection effects.

Free field These are conditions in which the radiation from sound sources is unaffected by the

presence of any reflecting boundaries or the source itself. In practice, it is a field in

which the effects of the boundaries are negligible over the frequency range of interest.

In environmental noise, true free-field measurement conditions are seldom achieved

and generally the microphone will be positioned at a height between 1.2 and 1.5

metres above ground level. To minimise the influence of reflections, measurements

are generally made at least 3.5 metres from any reflecting surface other than the

ground.

Hertz (Hz) The unit of sound frequency in cycles per second.

Impulsive A noise that is of short duration (typically less than one second), the sound pressure

level of which is significantly higher than the background.

LAeq,T This is the equivalent continuous sound level. It is a type of average and is used to

describe a fluctuating noise in terms of a single noise level over the sample period

(T).The closer the LAeq value is to either the LAF10 or LAF90 value indicates the

relative impact of the intermittent sources and their contribution. The relative

spread between the values determines the impact of intermittent sources, such as

traffic, on the background.

LAFN The A-weighted noise level exceeded for N% of the sampling internal. Measured

using the “Fast” time weighting.

LAr,T The Rated Noise Level, equal to the LAeq during a specified time interval (T), plus

specified adjustments for tonal character and/or impulsiveness of the sound.

LAF10 Refers to those A-weighted noise levels in the top 10 percentile of the sampling

interval; it is the level which is exceeded for 10% of the measurement period. It is

used to determine the intermittent high noise level features of locally generated noise

and usually gives an indicator of the level of road traffic. Measured using the “Fast”

time weighting.

LAF90 Refers to those A-weighted noise levels in the lower 90 percentile of the sampling

interval; it is the level which is exceeded for 90% of the measurement period. It will

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


therefore exclude the intermittent features of traffic and is used to describe a

background level. Measured using the “Fast” time weighting.

LAFmax The maximum RMS A-weighted sound pressure level occurring within a specified time

period. Measured using the “Fast” time weighting.

LAFmin The minimum RMS A-weighted sound pressure level occurring within a specified time

period. Measured using the “Fast” time weighting.

Lden Is the 24 hour noise rating level determined by the averaging of the Lday with the

Levening plus a 5 dB penalty and the Lnight plus a 10 dB penalty.

Low background noise An area of low background noise is one where the existing background noise levels

measured during an environmental noise survey are as follows:

o Average Daytime Background Noise Level ≤40dB LAF90, and;

o Average Evening Background Noise Level ≤35dB LAF90, and;

o Average Night-time Background Noise Level ≤30dB LAF90.

Low frequency noise LFN - noise which is dominated by frequency components towards the lower end of

the frequency spectrum; see Appendix VI for a more detailed discussion.

LpA (dB) An ‘A-weighted decibel’ K a measure of the overall level of soundacross the audible

frequency range (20Hz – 20kHz) with A-frequency weighting (i.e. ‘A–weighting’) to

compensate for the varying sensitivity of the human ear to sound at different

frequencies.

Noise Any sound, that has the potential to cause disturbance, discomfort or psychological

stress to a person exposed to it, or any sound that could cause actual physiological

harm to a person exposed to it, or physical damage to any structure exposed to it, is

known as noise.

Noise sensitive location NSL – any dwelling house, hotel or hostel, health building, educational

establishment, place of worship or entertainment, or any other facility or other area

of high amenity which for its proper enjoyment requires the absence of noise at

nuisance levels.

Octave band A frequency interval, the upper limit of which is twice that of the lower limit. For

example, the 1,000Hz octave band contains acoustical energy between 707Hz and

1,414Hz. The centre frequencies used for the designation of octave bands are defined

in ISO and ANSI standards.

Rating level See LAr,T.

RMS The RMS (Root Mean Square) value of a set of numbers is the square root of the

average of their squares.

SEL (LAX or LAE) Sound exposure level – a measure of the A-weighted sound energy used to describe

noise events such as the passing of a train or aircraft; it is the A-weighted sound

pressure level if occurring over a period of 1 second, would contain the same amount

of A-weighted sound energy as the event.

Sound pressure level Sound pressure refers to the fluctuations in air pressure caused by the passage of a

sound wave. It may be expressed in terms of sound pressure level at a point.

Specific noise level A component of the ambient noise which can be specifically identified by acoustical

means and may be associated with a specific source. In BS 4142, there is a more

precise definition as follows: ‘the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure

level at the assessment position produced by the specific noise source over a given

reference time interval (LAeq, T)’.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20


Rehab Glassco


Time weighting One of the averaging times (Fast, Slow or Impulse) used for the measurement of RMS

sound pressure level in sound level meters.

Tonal Sounds which cover a range of only a few Hz which contains a clearly audible tone,

i.e. distinguishable, discrete or continuous noise (whine, hiss, screech, or hum etc.)

are referred to as being ‘tonal’.

1/3 octave analysis Frequency analysis of sound such that the frequency spectrum issubdivided into bands

of one–third of an octave each.

For

insp

ectio

n pur

pose

s only

.

Conse

nt of

copy

right

owne

r req

uired

for a

ny ot

her u

se.

EPA Export 04-01-2017:02:18:20

Documents

Rehab Glassco - Environmental Protection Agency · The survey was carried out in strict accordance with the standard ISO 1996 Parts 1 – 3, Acoustics – ... Cirrus Optimus Green