Residential Buildings
Noise is often a concern for Residential Developments particularly in urban and sub-urban areas. The Local Planning Authority can often place per-commencement conditions relating to noise on a residential planning application. The following areas relating to noise for a residential development are often considered:
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Educational Buildings
The constructional standards for acoustics in new school buildings are required to be achieved under the Building Regulations. Since 31 October 2012 the acoustic performance standards for schools specified within Section 1 of Building Bulletin 93 have been replaced with the ‘Acoustic Performance Standards for the Priority Schools Building Programme’. The document specifies the following areas that acoustic performance standards should be achieved in the design of School buildings.
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Environmental
Aran Acoustic carry out Environmental Impact Assessments for a variety of projects and developments.
Environmental Noise Impact Assessments are generally required when a new noise source is been proposed for an existing area. The assessment will determine the level of impact the proposed noise source will have on the existing noise climate. To carry out a noise impact assessment a noise survey is required to establish the existing noise levels in the area and at nearby noise sensitive locations.
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Industrial
Noise from industrial premises has the potential to cause disturbance to nearby noise sensitive locations leading to complaints. A noise survey and assessment in normally required at the planning stage however the addition of new machinery and processes can often require an updated assessment. For industrial premises a survey and assessment is normally carried out in accordance with British Standard 4142: ‘Method for rating industrial noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas’.
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Healthcare
Aran Acoustics provide guidance to Architects, Design Teams and Building Contractors on the acoustic design of Hospitals and Healthcare facilities.
Acoustic design is fundamental to the quality of healthcare buildings. Sound affects us both physiologically and psychologically. Noise, which can be defined as “unwanted sound”, can have a negative effect on our well-being. Pleasing sounds help create a sense of well-being. Music can be used to treat depression, to reach autistic people and to calm and relax tense patients.
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Commercial
Aran Acoustics provide acoustic design advice for Offices and other Commercial premises. Noise and Acoustic control within commercial premises covers a very wide spectrum. Commercial premises include Hospitality Premises, Retail Units, Cinemas, Leisure Facilities, Offices and Industrial Units.
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Leisure
Aran Acoustics can provide design advice on a range of Leisure facilities including Gyms, Sports Halls and Swimming Pools.
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Entertainment
Aran Acoustics can provide design advice for both the sound insulation and the acoustic performance of entertainment venues.
Nightclubs and music venues tend to produce high internal noise levels. Sound insulation within these types of buildings is critical to the overall performance as having to reduce or limit the noise level from music can have a negative effect. Correct sound proofing will help maintain suitable internal noise levels without risk of complaints from nearby noise sensitive properties.
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Vibration in Buildings
Aran Acoustics can carry out a noise and vibration survey for a variety of developments including planning application reports.
Structural vibration in buildings can be detected by the occupants and can affect them in many ways; their quality of life can be reduced, as can their working efficiency. In homes, adverse comment about building vibrations is likely when the vibration levels to which occupants are exposed are only slightly above thresholds of perception. In workplaces, adverse comment often arises at rather higher levels. The way in which people perceive building vibration depends on various factors, including the vibration frequency and direction. Vibration magnitudes that would normally result in adverse comment can sometimes be tolerated, particularly for temporary disturbances or infrequent brief events such as a construction project.
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BREEAM Acoustics
Aran Acoustics provide design advice for BREEAM acoustic performance and carry out noise surveys and assessments to show compliance with BREEAM noise attenuation criteria for a variety of green building developments. Additionally, acoustic testing can be carried out to show compliance with the BREEAM acoustic performance targets.
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