How to reduce noise in construction operations

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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. 

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).

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.

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 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.

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.