179 GREENHILL ROAD

179 GREENHILL ROAD

Environmental Noise Assessment

S4875C2 June 2016

Author Jason Turner (MAAS)

Reviewer Chris Turnbull (MAAS)

Sonus Pty Ltd 17 Ruthven Avenue

ADELAIDE SA 5000 Phone: +61 8 8231 2100

www.sonus.com.au ABN: 67 882 843 130

Contact: Jason Turner [email protected]

+61 (0) 410 920 122

179 Greenhill Road Environmental Noise Assessment June 2016 S4875C2 Page 2

INTRODUCTION

An environmental noise assessment of the proposed mixed use residential and commercial

development at 179 Greenhill Road has been conducted based on the JPE Design Studio

architectural drawings received via email on 19 May 2016.

The proposed development is located primarily in an Urban Corridor Zone of the Unley

Council Development Plan with a portion of the site extending into a Residential Streetscape

(Built Form) Zone. The nearest residences to the subject site are located in the Residential

Zone.

The assessment considers external noise intrusion from traffic on Greenhill Road and

provides information so that the dwellings can be designed in accordance with the Ministers

Specification SA78B. SA78B mandates façade construction requirements to ensure

adequate traffic noise levels inside residential development. The satisfactory inclusion of the

SA78B requirements forms part of the Building Rules Consent process in a similar way to

the internal party wall construction requirements.

Environmental noise from the development to surrounding residences is also considered

from car parking, commercial activity and mechanical plant operation associated with the

development.


ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE Criteria The existing acoustic environment in the vicinity of the subject site is dominated by the

influence of Greenhill Road and George Street.

Noise sources at the development, comprising vehicle movements, small scale commercial

activity and mechanical plant operation, are unlikely to differ significantly from activities

already occurring in the locality.

Notwithstanding the above, objective criteria to prevent adverse impacts at the nearest

existing dwellings have been considered and are summarised below.

Development Plan The subject site is located on the border between an Urban Corridor and Residential

Streetscape (Built Form) Zone of the Unley Council Development Plan. The nearest

residences are located in the Residential Streetscape (Built Form) Zone. The Development

Plan has been reviewed and particular regard given to the following relevant provisions:

General Section - Interface Between Land Uses

OBJECTIVES

29. Development located and designed to minimise adverse impacts and conflict

between land uses.

30. Protect community health and amenity from adverse impacts of development.

31. Protect desired land uses from the encroachment of incompatible development.

PRINCIPLES OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROL

97. Development should not detrimentally affect the amenity of the locality or cause

unreasonable interference through any of the following:

…

(b) noise


103. Development that emits noise (other than music noise) should include attenuation

measures that achieve the relevant “Environment Protection (Noise) Policy” criteria

when assessed at the nearest existing noise sensitive premises.

105. Development proposing music should include noise attenuation measures that

achieve the following desired noise levels at the adjacent existing noise sensitive

development property boundary:

Less than 8 dB above the level of background noise (L90,15 min) in any octave band of

the sound spectrum and less than 5 dB(A) above the level of background noise

(LA90,15 min) for the overall (sum of all octave bands) A-weighted level

Environment Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 Interface Between Land Uses Principle of Development Control 103 references the current

Environment Protection (Noise) Policy, which is the Environment Protection (Noise) Policy

2007 (the Policy).

The Policy establishes goal noise levels based on the Development Plan Zone in which the

noise source (the development) and noise sensitive receiver (the nearest existing dwelling)

are located. For a proposed development which straddles an Urban Corridor Zone and a

residential zone, and surrounding dwellings in a residential area, the Policy recommends

goal noise levels of 52 dB(A) during the day (7am to 10pm) and 45 dB(A) during the night

(10pm to 7am).

When measuring or predicting noise levels for comparison with goal noise levels, penalties

may be applied for each characteristic of tone, impulse, low frequency or modulation of the

noise source. To apply a penalty, these characteristics must be fundamental to the nature

and impact of the noise rather than simply a part of it. Due to the nature of the existing

acoustic environment and the new noise sources associated with the development, a penalty

under the Policy is not warranted in this circumstance.


Assessment Car Park Noise

The car parking arrangement of the proposed development is of good acoustic design such

that it is mostly enclosed or underground and the access ramp is centrally located in the site

away from other dwellings. A small number of ground level, outdoor car parks are provided

on the northern side of the development site; however nearby residences are shielded from

activity in this area by the main building of the proposed development.

Based on the above, noise from the proposed car park is predicted to be well within the

range of noise levels associated with existing vehicles on Greenhill Road and George Street

and will easily achieve the requirements of the Policy. As such, car parking activity within

the proposed development will not adversely impact on the amenity of existing dwellings in

the area.

Mechanical Plant At the development application stage of a project, the mechanical plant is generally not

designed or selected, and as such detailed predictions of the noise from the mechanical

plant cannot be made.

Based on mechanical plant typically used for developments of this nature, noise from the

plant can practicably achieve the Policy criteria when measured at the nearest existing

residences. Notwithstanding, it is recommended that a detailed assessment of mechanical

services noise be carried out following the final selection of mechanical plant, during the

detailed design phase of the project.

A suitable condition to ensure compliance with the Policy is as follows:

a maximum average noise level (Leq) of 52 dB(A) during the day (7am to 10pm) and,

a maximum average noise level (Leq) of 45 dB(A) during the night (10pm to 7am)

The above noise levels should be determined at the nearest dwelling in existence at the time

of development approval, and should be measured in accordance with the Environment

Protection (Noise) Policy 2007.


Commercial activity

The final tenant for the commercial aspect of the development is not yet known and

therefore the operating hours and detailed operational information cannot be defined.

In these circumstances, it is appropriate that future applications consider suitable conditions

to ensure compliance with the Policy and in the circumstance where music might be played,

to ensure compliance with relevant music criteria.

Based on the above, proposed conditions include the following:

a maximum average noise level (Leq) of 52 dB(A) during the day (7am to 10pm);

a maximum average noise level (Leq) of 45 dB(A) during the night (10pm to 7am);

for noise from patrons and plant and equipment; and

maximum music levels to achieve Interface Between Land Uses Principle of

Development Control 105 of the Development Plan (see above).

The above noise levels should be determined at the nearest dwelling in existence at the time

of development approval, and should be measured in accordance with the Environment

Protection (Noise) Policy 2007 in combination with any plant and equipment at the site.

The proposed layout of the development has been considered and the arrangement

provides the opportunity to conduct typical commercial activities which can practicably

comply with the above conditions.


EXTERNAL NOISE INTRUSION Criteria Ministers Specification SA78B

SA78B applies to “all Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 9c aged care buildings that are in a designated area

identified on the Noise and Air Emissions Overlay in the relevant Development Plan”.

The subject site is located within a designated area of the Development Plan through the Air

and Noise Emissions Overlay of the Development Plan and Greenhill Road is designated to

be a “Type A” road within the Plan.

SA78B mandates façade construction requirements to be included into a residential

development to ensure adequate (internal) traffic noise levels. The satisfactory (and

mandatory) inclusion of the requirements forms part of the Building Rules Consent process

in a similar way to the Building Code of Australia requirements for party wall constructions.

SA78B assigns “sound exposure categories” to the façades of dwellings based on the

following;

the designation and speed of vehicles on the road network;

the distance from the road;

any shielding effects from buildings or structures;

the window area as a percentage of the floor area of the room; and

the proposed use of the room.

The “sound exposure categories” range from 1 to 5, with Category 1 requiring limited

acoustic treatment and Category 5 requiring extensive treatment.


Assessment

The sound exposure categories for facades on each level of the development are included in

Appendix A, and should be used for reference when applying the following construction

recommendations.

All facades in the development are either Category 1 or 2, which represents the lower end of

the range of acoustic treatments which can be applied. The higher end of the range would

be assigned to dwellings proposed in very close proximity to a major road.

External Walls

External walls in Category 2 facades are required to achieve an Rw + Ctr ≥ 50. The following

wall constructions will achieve this rating; however, other options can be developed or

reviewed if required as the detailed design progresses:

a brick / masonry veneer construction incorporating:

o a row of 70mm x 35mm timber studs or 64mm steel studs at 600mm centers;

o a cavity of 25mm between leaves;

o 75mm thick glass or mineral wool insulation with a density of 11kg/m3 or

75mm thick polyester insulation with a density of 14kg/m3, positioned

between studs, and;

o one layer of 10mm plasterboard fixed to the inside face;

a lightweight construction incorporating;

o Staggered steel studs in 150mm thick tracks, with:

o two layers of 16mm fire rated plasterboard on one side of the studwork;

o two layers of 9mm fibre cement sheet on the other side of the studwork, and;

o 75mm thick insulation with a minimum density of 14kg/m3 within the cavity.

a precast concrete construction comprising;

o precast panel of minimum thickness 150mm

o 1 layer of 13mm fire rated plasterboard directly mounted on furring channels

on the internal side; and

o 25mm thick insulation with minimum density 14kg/m3 within a cavity no less

than 50mm.


External walls in Category 1 facades are required to achieve an Rw + Ctr ≥ 45. The Category

2 wall constructions stated above will inherently achieve this rating. Rationalisation of

options for Category 1 facades can be developed or reviewed during the detailed design

phase if required.

Roof and Ceiling System

The Roof and Ceiling system requirements of SA78B are Category 1 and therefore require

no specific acoustic treatment.

Ventilation

If outside air ventilation other than openable windows is provided across Category 1 or 2

facades then that ventilation system must be designed to achieve an Rw rating of 40.

Further advice can be provided if required as the detailed design progresses.

Solid External Doors

Solid external doors in a Category 2 façade are required to achieve an Rw of 27 or higher.

This acoustic rating can typically be achieved with a 35mm thick solid core door, fully fitted

with Raven “RP8” and “RP10” (or equivalent) acoustic doors seals. These seals should be

fitted and adjusted to ensure that the doors are sealed as close as practicable to airtight

when closed. There are no specific requirements for solid external doors in Category 1

facades.

Windows and Glazed Doors

The SA78B requirements for windows and glazed doors are dependent on the facade

category, the area of glazing as a percentage of floor area, and the proposed room function.

The airborne noise ratings (Rw + Ctr) required by SA78B for the glass selections are provided

in the following table:


Room Area of window and external glass

doors as a percentage of the floor area of the room

Minimum Required

Rw + Ctr

Category 1 Category 2

Bedrooms (including attached ensuites and walk-in-robes)

Not more than 20% 25 28

More than 20% but not more than 40% 28 31


More than 20% but not more than 40% 34

More than 80% 37

Kitchens, living rooms, and laundry spaces

Not more than 20% 22 25




More than 80% 34

Rooms which fall into the grey areas of the table are outside the “deemed-to-satisfy”

provisions of SA78B and detailed advice on the approach taken should be sought from the

building certifier due to the ambiguity of the relevant provisions. At this stage of the project,

the construction associated with an Rw + Ctr of 37 in the following table can be taken to be

representative of the final design solution. Minimum acoustic treatments required to achieve

each specified Rw + Ctr are included in the following table:

Rw + Ctr Minimum Required Construction for

External Glazed Doors

Minimum Requirement Construction for

Windows

22 Rating can be achieved with 4mm glass in

any arrangement.

Rating can be achieved with 3mm glass in any

arrangement.

25 Rating can be achieved with 4mm glass in

any arrangement.

Rating can be achieved with 4mm glass in any

arrangement.

28

Rating can typically be achieved with the

following systems:

minimum 6.38mm thick glass in

system with acoustic seals


following systems:

6.38mm thick laminated glass as fixed

panes or in a system with acoustic

seals

31


following systems:

minimum 10mm thick glass in a

system with acoustic seals


following systems:

minimum 8.38mm thick laminated

glass as fixed panes or in a system

with acoustic seals


Rw + Ctr Minimum Required Construction for

External Glazed Doors

Minimum Requirement Construction for

Windows

34

Standard sliding door arrangements typically

will not achieve an airborne noise rating RW +

Ctr of 34 or higher. Options to achieve this

rating include the following systems:

Tandem sliding door arrangement

with minimum air gap of 100mm;

AWS “Thermally Broken Sliding

Door” with 8.5mm “VLAM Hush”

glass separated from 6.5mm “VLAM

Hush” glass by a 10mm air cavity


following systems:

12.38mm thick laminated glass as

fixed panes or in a system with

acoustic seals

8.5 mm thick “VLAM Hush” glass as


acoustic seals

37

Standard sliding door arrangements typically

will not achieve an airborne noise rating RW +

Ctr of 37 or higher. Options to achieve this

rating include the following system:

Tandem sliding door arrangement

consisting of a 6mm thick glass door

separated from a 4mm thick glass

door by a minimum 100 mm air gap.


following systems:

12.5mm thick “VLAM Hush” glass as


acoustic seals

Double glazing with a 6mm thick glass

pane separated from a 4mm thick

pane by a minimum 100mm air gap

To incorporate SA78B into the development as the design progresses, the following

procedure will need to be followed during the design stage of the project, when the relevant

information is finalised:

calculate the final window area as a percentage of the floor area for each room in the

proposed development;

assign appropriate treatments using the areas;

rationalise the glass selections as required to ensure the minimum requirements are

met.


CONCLUSION

A noise assessment has been made for the proposed residential and commercial

development at 179 Greenhill Road, Adelaide.

The external noise intrusion component of the assessment has been conducted in

accordance with the procedures of Minister’s Specification SA78B Construction

Requirements for the control of external sound and the likely extent of treatments provided.

The final extent of treatments will be the subject of the detailed design process.

The assessment also considers environmental noise generated by mechanical plant, car

parking and potential commercial activities associated with the development. Car parking

activities are expected to easily achieve the requirements of the Environment Protection

(Noise) Policy 2007 due to the enclosed and centralised car parking arrangement. Conditions

to ensure compliance with the relevant environmental noise standards have been proposed for

the mechanical services systems and for the future café use, for application when the details

of these activities are known.


APPENDIX A

Ministers Specification SA78B Façade Categories


Figure 1: Ground Floor Façade Categories

Legend

Category 1

Category 2


Figure 2: First Floor Façade Categories Legend

Category 1

Category 2


Figure 3: Second Floor Façade and Roof Categories

Legend

Category 1

Category 2


Figure 4: Third Floor Façade and Roof Categories

Legend

Category 1

Category 2


Figure 5: Fourth Floor Façade Categories

Legend

Category 1

Category 2


Legend

Category 1

Category 2

Figure 6: Fifth Floor Façade and Roof Categories


Figure 7: Sixth Floor Façade Categories

Legend

Category 1

Category 2


Legend

Category 1

Category 2

Figure 8: Seventh Floor Façade Categories


Legend

Category 1

Category 2

Figure 9: Eighth Floor Façade and Roof Categories


Legend

Category 1

Figure 10: Ninth Floor Façade and Roof Categories


Figure 11: Top Level Roof Categories

Legend

Category 1

Documents

179 GREENHILL ROAD