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How to reduce noise in construction operations

Construction sites are intrinsically noisy environments and construction site noise pollution is simply the nature of the business, right? Not exactly.

The world has moved on from accepting that noise in any kind of industrial setting is par for the course. Construction companies today are obliged to protect their staff as well as others who come into contact with a construction site in any way, including members of the public. However, while having to meet strict construction noise regulations, companies also need to focus on meeting demanding sustainability targets and at the same time not allowing these goals to have a detrimental effect on productivity. 

Return on Investment (ROI), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), and profitability are still extremely important factors in the construction industry – which has faced some tough challenges in recent years, as have many other sectors – but now those factors have to be tempered against the obligations that companies need to have towards the environment.

construction site noise reduction

Road construction work in metropolitan area

Sources of construction noise pollution

Noise on construction sites tends to be generated by metallic components in construction equipment during general usage, including earthmoving machinery, jackhammers, dump trucks, cement mixers, cement cutters, and electric saws. A significant amount of noise pollution can also be caused by systems that deliver energy to a construction site, in charge of covering the onsite power demand.

Construction noise restrictions and regulations

Restrictions and regulations relating to construction equipment noise levels have been put in place around the world to minimize noise pollution from construction sites. These relate to noise levels as well as location and time.

Noise level permissions

In the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW), noise levels are controlled by such legislation as the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, and the maximum fine for breaching regulations is $1m. In the UK it’s the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which restrict noise levels to no more than 85dB(A). In France, countrywide noise restrictions are monitored by the Conseil National du Bruit whereas in Germany the AVV-Baulärm puts restrictions on construction workers. In the Netherlands, the Bouwbesluit 2012 building regulations allow relatively high noise levels but within limited duration times while the Retningslinje for behandling av støy I arealplanlegging dictates construction noise restrictions in Norway.

What time do restrictions start?

In Australia, restrictions dictate that ‘normal’ construction cannot begin until 7.00 am. For UK builders, noisy work is restricted to starting at 8.00 am, which is the same in much of France Monday through to Saturday. However, in Paris building activities on working days can begin at 7.00 am, which is the same across Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. 

In residential areas

In both Australia and the UK, construction noise must cease by 6.00 pm Monday to Friday whereas in France there must be no noise after 8.00 pm Monday to Saturday (10.00 pm in Paris), with a noise-free two-hour gap between noon and 2.00 pm. In Germany, in areas where there are dwellings, all construction work must stop after 8.00 pm.

In the Netherlands the deadline is 7.00 pm but there are restrictions on the number of days’ work that can be carried out at specified noise levels. For instance, there is no limit up to 60dB(A) but no more than 30 days at 65dB(A) and only with official dispensation over 80dB(A). The Netherlands also operates a complex ratio of noise v distance, for example, pile driving at a distance less than 60m way from dwellings will exceed the limit of 80dB(A) but 400m away it will be within 60dB(A).

In Norway, construction activities lasting no more than six weeks should not exceed set outdoor noise limits – for example, 65dB(A) near homes, hospitals, and healthcare centres between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm – but restrictions are higher if work goes on for longer, for example, there is another 3dB(A) limit on building work that lasts between six weeks and six months. 

At weekends

In both New South Wales and the UK, noisy construction work on Saturdays can only take place between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm. In Paris, building activities are not allowed on Saturdays between 8.00 am and 10.00 pm and not at all on Sundays and feast days. Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway include Saturday as a working day when it comes to noise restrictions. On Sundays and feast days in Norway, work can take place between 7.00 am and 11.00 pm but only at 60dB(A). There is even a night period noise level of 45dB(A).

How to prevent or reduce noise pollution

These strict and sometimes complex regulations and standards have forced construction companies to look at ways of keeping their noise pollution levels as low as possible. There are various options that construction companies can adopt to minimize the levels of on-site noise.

Energy storage systems

Atlas Copco Energy Storage System ZBC hybrid mode

Atlas Copco ZBC energy storage system working in hybrid mode with two QAS+ power generators

A battery-powered energy storage system (ESS), such as the ZenergiZe range manufactured by Atlas Copco, provides many advantages because its operation is completely silent, with zero noise. In addition, Atlas Copco’s QAS+ range represents the company’s most efficient and sustainable diesel generators, on average 5dB(A) to 8dB(A) quieter than comparable generators. They are capable of reducing noise levels by up to six times, depending on the application and the load profile.

When working in hybrid mode with a diesel generator, energy storage systems can offer the optimal solution to construction companies – maximum efficiency, lower noise levels, and reduced fuel consumption. Low loads and peaks of power that occur during hybrid operation can be managed by a smart load management controller, resulting in fuel consumption savings of around 50 percent, lower carbon emissions in construction operations, and a reduction in a generator’s footprint to around 40 percent of what would traditionally be required.

Consisting of inverters for power output and batteries to store the energy, an energy storage system can offer autonomous operation for up to 12 hours, with rapid battery charging periods of around 1.5 hours. An energy storage system can also be connected to renewable energy sources , like solar or wind, achieving a 100% green solution with silent operation.

energy storage system power plant

Are you looking for sustainable energy storage solutions?

Developed with sustainability in mind, it helps operators to dramatically reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while delivering optimal performance with zero noise and virtually no maintenance.

Controlling noise pollution

The beauty of an advanced technology energy storage system capable of operating in hybrid mode is that construction companies can control the noise pollution that their activities generate.

This means that during the day when most work takes place a diesel generator might cover the bulk of the power load, and the energy storage system’s batteries can be recharged in the process. It would then be possible to switch to hybrid mode later in the day when the batteries are fully charged to complement the power produced by the generator. Even later in the day, when workloads reduce, the energy storage system can take over the power delivery role in full. When an energy storage system works in island mode, there is minimal noise generated and if the batteries are charged using renewable energy, this represents a 100% clean solution.

This flexible way of operating is especially beneficial in an urban setting where the construction company may need to continue working long into the night after an excess noise curfew has come into operation. Being able to work for longer periods while keeping noise pollution to minimal levels enables the construction company to complete projects faster without disturbing others, enhancing its reputation as a considerate builder, and making it easier to increase productivity in construction operations than would otherwise be possible.

Temporary construction noise barriers

Temporary noise barriers for construction sites, including acoustic noise barriers and acoustic quilts, can also minimize construction noise. Easy to install and environment-friendly, the barriers are capable of withstanding the harshest weather conditions and can also be UV protected and fireproof.

Alternatives to ‘beeper’ alarms for construction equipment

Noise reduction doesn’t necessarily have to do with the physical operation of equipment. In some regions, like New South Wales, research has looked into alternatives to reversing ‘beeper’ alarms for use on construction equipment. Suggestions have included using a broadband alarm on mobile construction equipment.

All of these solutions prove that it is no longer inevitable that construction sites must produce uncontrollable levels of noise pollution. The solutions also ensure building companies can protect their staff and members of the public while meeting stringent sustainability targets and maximising productivity levels. At the same time, operators in the construction industry can achieve the best levels of Return on Investment (ROI) and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by adopting these measures. For all of these reasons, reducing noise in construction operations is no longer just an option, it is an absolute necessity.

green solutions

These solutions are an answer to a growing demand in intelligent and compliant machines. Presenting many advantages in operation and serviceability, and without compromising in efficiency, these products are able to deliver zero noise, zero emissions and zero fuel consumption.

How to reduce noise in construction operations

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