Your Quick Guide toNoise Control

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The Science Behind Noise Control:

Managing noise on site can be a challenge; you have a variety of machinery creating different volumes andfrequencies, and they all need to be managed effectively. Noise from construction sites is controlled by theControl of Noise Regulations 2005. The regulations state that environmental noise from construction sitesand other commercial premises comes under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, and construction companiesand contractors are required to take all reasonable steps to control noise.

We have a responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment in which we work, and it is important tobe considerate of residents living nearby, shops, restaurants, offices, schools and even areas of naturalbeauty.

To control hazardous noise,you must ensure that aseamless barrier is placedwithin the sound pathbetween the source andpotential receivers (those onsite and nearby). The barriershould be positioned asclose to the noise source aspossible. This will maximisethe amount of soundadsorbed and create a noiseshadow.

Therefore, persons and properties within the noise shadow will be sufficiently protected from the mostintense, direct noise waves.

< The Shadow Effect

Sound adsorption is an essential component of effective noisecontrol. Sound waves can "bounce" off reflective surfaces, such asthe outsides of buildings and concrete. Sound reflection couldtherefore be used as a very basic form of acoustic control, but thesound waves have to go somewhere. As a result of reflection, theycould bounce around site or into nearby areas populated byresidents, workers and commuters. By simply redirecting thesound waves you are ultimately exposing people to hazardousnoise.

Therefore, barriers made of high-quality adsorbent material arevital to effective noise control. Employing seamless adsorbentbarriers allows the sound waves to be absorbed into the material,reducing the levels of hazardous noise from the work area. Whenworking in live, busy areas where strict noise regulations are inplace, adsorbent noise barriers are the ideal solution.

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A seamless barrier also prevents any sound waves travelling through gaps. Noise is like water; it does notmatter how small a gap may be, noise will leak through. By ensuring that your noise barriers are seamless,you prevent a significant amount of noise escaping.

For more noise intense activities, such as cutting, breaking and piling, you should consider using anenclosure. By fully enclosing the activity with a seamless structure that has walls and a roof made ofabsorbent material, you are entirely breaking the line of sight and ensuring maximum noise attenuation. The sound waves produced by the activity will be prevented from escaping in all directions and will beeasily adsorbed, reducing noise levels significantly.

What Types of Acoustic solutions are available?

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Environmental Noise Barriers for Modest Noise Reduction

Environmental noise barriers are a cost effective way to reduce the impact of site noiseon the environment. This type of noise barrier will have a modest noise reduction ratingand is ideal if you are looking for a perimeter barrier that will muffle the sound ofgeneral site activities.

Premium Noise Barriers to Protect those Living and Working Nearby

If you are looking for an acoustic barrier that will significantly reduce the impact of noiseon neighboring offices, shops, schools, hospitals, and even other site workers, then youwill need to install a premium acoustic solution that will provide higher soundattenuation and maximum adsorbency as described earlier in this document. Youshould also consider using enclosures to provide maximum protection from particularlynoisy activities and machinery.

High Performance Acoustic Barriers for Maximum Effectiveness

If you have an especially noisy activity, or are working in a particularly sensitiveenvironment, then you may wish to look for an acoustic barriers made from specialistmaterials that provide maximum noise reduction and sound adsorbency .

An ideal perimeter barrier with a large quilt area.

Designed for environmental noise reduction.

Can provide a modest noise reduction of 25.9dB.

Quick installation with cable ties, screws or fixings.

Easily transportable thanks to its fold-down design.

Wipe clean material, waterproof and fire resistant.

An ideal perimeter barrier, designed for environmental noise reduction. Idealfor the screening of HAKI staircases, scaffold, and walkways on site.

Certified to be hung from scaffolding and hoarding as per BS57955.

Can provide a modest noise reduction of 25.9dB.

Wipe clean material, waterproof, weather proof and fire resistant.

Can be attached with cable ties, screws or specialist fixing kits.

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Decibloc Curtain

Environmental Barriers

A low cost purchase option with next day delivery available.

Decibloc Curtain*

*A low cost purchase option with next day delivery available.

RVT's Decibloc products provide a low cost environmental barrier that are available to purchase withnext day delivery.

To estimate potential noise exposure on site you must think about:

what work is done or likely to be done;the ways in which the work may be done; andhow the work might vary from one day to the next.

Once you have done this, you can then make a well-informed decision of which type of noisecontrol you will require and offer the best protection for those on and around site. For moreinformation, see the HSE's guidance here.

Ideal to cover large areas when the noise source ismobile or transient, as with general site noise.

Low cost but high quality solution

Can provide a noise reduction of 28.2dB.

Quick installation with cable ties, screws or fixings.

Easily transportable thanks to its fold-down design.

Eyelets around the perimeter for easy suspensionfrom fences or scaffolding.

Ideal when there is a specific performance target to meet. Particularlyeffective for reducing internal resonance.

An impressive 98% noise absorption

Can provide a noise reduction of 32.9dB

Velcro connections for seamless acoustic performance

Certified to be hung from scaffolding BS 5795

Tested and certified to BS EN ISO 717-1 : 1997; BS EN ISO 345 : 2003; EN ISO11654 : 1997

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Soundex® Curtain

Soundex® Quilt

Looking to purchase a set of curtains or quilts in a bespoke design with your company logo – noproblem! Give us a call on 0808 178 3286 to discuss your options. Minimum quantities apply.

Premium Noise Barriers

For higher performance sound attenuation which will protect those on site and nearby, you need ourpremium performance solutions.

RVT's Soundex® range, made of high quality adsorbent material, is capable of an impressive 98% noisereduction. The non-irritant material is wipe clean with no glass-fibre content. It is also fire resistant,wind resistant, waterproof and weatherproof, meaning you will receive high performance in anyenvironment all year round.

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Soundex® Multi Purpose Enclosure

Ideal for manhole replacement and floor works withinoccupied buildings. Effective in surrounding noisymachinery and applications on site, particularly during fit-out of concrete frame buildings.

Various options including internal lighting facilities and frontaccess covers available.

Integrated dust / fume extraction port

Available in GRP for use near high voltage equipment

Independently tested and certified to BS EN ISO 717-1 : 1997;BS EN ISO 345 : 2003; EN ISO 11654 : 1997

(LxWxHmm) 2500 x 2500 x 2000mm

Can be adapted to surround a tower-light by removing theroof. Ideal for highways maintenance and rail works.

Can provide a noise reduction of 26.4dB

When using power tools and plant, you can maximise noise reduction by using an enclosure to fullysurround the noise source. This will provide premium protection to any one living or working nearby.

Soundex® Cutting Enclosure

Popular with M+E and Dry lining contractors, this enclosure is idealfor use with chop saws, mitre saws, threading machines, andbandsaws. Suitable for metal, wood or composites (plastics).

Quickly creates a standalone cutting zone within a site

Can provide a noise reduction of 32.3dB

Complete with cutting deck for chopsaws and internal lighting

Unique left and right ports allow cutting of long lengths of material

Industrial robust aluminium construction - Temporary DesignCertificate available

Integrated vent, allowing unit to be used with dust controlequipment

(LxWxHmm) 2500 x 2250 x 2000

(LxWxHmm) 5700 x 2500 x 2100mm

Various options including internal lighting facilitiesand front access covers available.

Can be used on a variety of terrains from buildingsites to department stores

Mobile option available

Integrated dust / fume extraction port

Ideal for small scale workshops on short durationapplications and sheet material applications.

Industrial robust aluminium construction

Folds down for easy transportation

Can provide a noise reduction of 32.3dB

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Soundex® Construction Enclosure

Velcro connections to ensure optimum acoustic performance

Certified to be hung from scaffolding BS57955

Tested and certified to BS EN ISO 717-1 : 1997; BS EN ISO 345 : 2003; ENISO 11654 : 1997

Soundex® PLF Tech Curtain

High Performance Acoustic Barriers for Maximum Effectiveness

Are you looking for absolutely maximum noise reduction? Look no further than our PLF Tech Barriers.Using the same strong and high quality material as our premium Soundex® products, but featuring ahigher noise adsorbent core, these barriers represent the most powerful temporary acoustictechnology available.

Ideal for low frequency sound applications, particularly in sensitiveenvironments like hospitals.

Can provide a noise reduction of 35.6dB

Want to hire from our Soundex® Range? We offer nationwide next day delivery!

Industrial and robust clip-together aluminiumconstruction that is quick and easy to assemble.

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Soundex® Generator Enclosure

Ideal for enclosing medium to large generators either forlong term applications or events where acousticperformance and minimal disruption are key.

Can provide a noise reduction of 59.9dB

Easy access door for maintenance and refuelling

Once unassembled, the entire enclosure can betransported around on two standard pallets

Fully printed personalisation available

Easy to understand visualization of current noise levels

Visual alarm when hearing protection is required

Including software to monitor noise levels

Measuring range from 30 dB to 120 dB

Built-in log that saves LAeq measurements for up to 90 days

Easy transfer of data to the SoundEar software via USB

All measurements are saved in a CSV format and can be opened in Excel

Trigger levels can be adjusted

Can be wall mounted or on tripod

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Can’t find what you are looking for? RVT Group have an extensive range of noise control productsavailable for hire. Visit our website to view all 24 products here!

Looking for a monitor that will give you an instant visual indication that WELs have been breached? Try our Monitex Portable Noise Level Warning System:

IEC 61672 class 1 (Class 2 option)

Automatic upload & display of data

Automatic reporting

SMS & email alerts

110v - 240v or 12v batteries

Plug & play - connect power & your system is running, userrights control to share all or restricted access to data

Weather data from local internet service logged automaticallywith your sound level data.

Don't Forget Monitoring!

"Good-quality monitoring will not just identify problems but will help you understand what caused them and what sort of changes are needed to address them." (The HSE)

If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it! To ensure that you do not breach any noise limits, install our Monitex Area Noise Monitor with real time recording that is accessible via the cloud.