Acoustic Survey London
The effects of the lockdown have necessarily changed some working and assessment procedures. Be assured that in most circumstances work can proceed at this time, albeit in a somewhat altered fashion. In some cases, and where possible, survey information may be sourced from existing historical data. In terms of normal working practices, most of our activities are undertaken remote from Clients/Patrons and therefore social distancing can be easily maintained at all times.
Competitively priced, acoustic survey, assessment, design and specification work carried out by Institute of Acoustics qualified and experienced personnel. Fast third party accredited pre-completion sound insulation testing service. Acoustic Survey London. Noise Impact Assessment London. Sound Testing in London and the Home Counties.
- Iain Jee, Head of Operations, Neptune Investment Management
The service provided is personalised and professional, focusing on acoustic survey, noise impact assessment, sound testing, acoustic design and noise control in the built environment.
- Liam N, Bromley
Feasibility studies and preliminary acoustic design advice to ensure appropriate site acquisition. Noise impact assessment input for successful planning outcomes on numerous projects.
David attended speedily, understood the requirement and carried out the assessment to a high standard. He subsequently produced a report that was very well presented and easy to understand. We would certainly use dBA again for similar projects "
- Tony Jackman, Head of Technical Services, Jaguar Building Services
Tailored for small and medium sized projects, consultancy services include:
always been a problem, especially with patient confidentiality; we even had
to limit the number of patients in the building such that nothing could be
overheard. I consulted Mr Fernleigh; he covered all aspects of building
acoustics, outlining the structural "leaks". Everything was clearly
explained, even to a layman such as I. I received a detailed report and
was able to instruct my builder accordingly. The sound-proofing measures
have been excellent. I will most definitely be using Mr Fernleigh again on our next
surgery project; I cannot recommend him highly enough "
- Dr Simon Crawley, Rosewood Clinic, Surrey
Survey and noise impact assessment work is also regularly undertaken on behalf of acoustic consultancies and other colleagues within the sector.
dBA Acoustics has worked on many, many projects in London and the South East of England. The consultancy has experience and, although based in the South East of England, has reach working across the UK where necessary. The consultant services offered include acoustic survey, measurement, testing, calculation, assessment, design and specification work covering most sectors.
- Alison Kan, Architect, London
Many local authorities and particularly the London and other urban Borough's require a noise impact assessment carried out for new items of building services plant. Usually, at the initial planning stage but also retrospectively if installed items of plant and/or noise emissions subsequently become known to the Local Authority. In this instance once again a noise impact assessment, usually in accordance with BS4142:2014 is likely to be required. dBA Acoustics specialise in noise impact assessment in London and the South East of England.
Acoustic survey London, independent acoustic consultancy based in South East England.
Through the design phase Clients including many Developers and Contractors, seek design advice from qualified acousticians in order to confirm the likely performance of some aspects, or indeed a whole development. From ad hoc advice to RIBA Stage design reviews, dBA Acoustics is able to input into just part of the development process, or provide advice for the complete design, as necessary.
Additionally, when a development is commissioned prior to practical completion, acoustic testing may be required in order to demonstrate that the built conditions achieve those targets or criteria set out at the design stage. In this case acoustic testing will be required. This can be to the advantage of Contractors, Developers and Authorities as it not only shows that the development is compliant, but can also assist in identifying where shortfalls may exist and provide guidance for rectifying any shortcomings, should any become apparent. dBA Acoustics offers testing and troubleshooting services.
- Amir, Resident, Richmond upon Thames
As of 2003, Building Regulations part E1 requires that all new or converted residential dwellings (including adjoined houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes) achieve certain levels of sound insulation. The required sound insulation performance can be verified in one of two ways. Either through the adoption and validation of specific construction details used in their construction, known as Robust Details. Or alternately, if Robust Details are not adopted, the sound insulation performance of the development must be validated by means of on-site pre-completion testing. If this approach is adopted, it is the responsibility of the builder to arrange for suitable on-site pre-completion testing to be carried out by a suitably qualified and accredited tester or testing body.
There are three types of sound insulation test: an airborne wall test, an airborne floor test and an impact floor test. A full set of tests is comprised of 2 airborne wall tests, 2 airborne floor tests and 2 impact floor tests. For up to 10 dwellings 1 full set of tests is normally required. Tests are not required for adjacencies that do not exist i.e. for flats where there are no separating walls I set of tests is normally comprised of 2 airborne floor tests and 2 impact floor tests. Similarly, for semi-detached houses where there are no separating floors, 1 set of tests would normally be comprised of just 2 airborne wall tests. Tests are undertaken only between adjacent habitable rooms (i.e. living rooms and bedrooms). The extent and location of the separating partitions to be tested is set out in the general guidance contained in Approved Document E but ultimately at the discretion of Building Control.
Procedure
The testing and rating procedure currently used is set out in the Standards BS EN ISO 140-4:1998; BS EN ISO 140-7:1998; BS EN ISO 717-1:1997 and BS EN ISO 717-2:1997
Pass or Fail?
Once testing has been completed a report and certification will be provided which can be submitted to Building Control. Should any part of the testing program fail to achieve the requirements then remedial measures will need to be implemented and re-testing undertaken to the satisfaction of Building Control.
- Jonathan and Kaye, Residents, Blackheath, London
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A logarithmic scale representing the sound pressure or power level relative to the threshold of hearing (ref : 20μPa).
Sound Pressure Level :
The sound pressure level is the sound pressure fluctuation caused by vibrating objects relative to the threshold of hearing.
Airborne Sound :
Sound that originates from, and travels through, the medium of air e.g. speaking voice, although it may subsequently travel through structure.
Impact Sound :
Sound that originates from, and travels through, structure e.g. footfall, although it may subsequently travel through air.
DnT,w :
The weighted (w) standardised (nT) sound level difference (D), a single number indicator of the on-site airborne sound insulation performance of a construction, usually measured across the frequency range 100-3150 Hz. The higher the value of DnT,w, the greater the sound insulation, and the more onerous the requirement. A spectrum adaptation term C, or Ctr, may be applied to the DnT,w
L’nT,w :
The weighted (w) standardised (nT) sound pressure level (L), a single number indicator of the on- site impact sound insulation performance of a construction, usually measured across the frequency range 100-3150 Hz. L’nT,w is usually specified as a maximum sound pressure level in the receiving room. The lower the value of L’nT,w, the quieter the received impact sound, and the more onerous the requirement.
Reverberation Time :
The time taken, in seconds, for a sound to decay by 60 dB. The longer the time taken for the decay, the longer the reverberation time. Reverberation generally differs with frequency and hence is normally measured in octaves (125 Hz-4kHz) or third octaves (100 Hz-5 kHz).
LAeq,T :
The equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level defined IN BS4142:2014 as the value of the A-weighted sound pressure level in decibels of continuous steady sound that, within a specified time interval, T = t2 – t1, has the same mean-squared sound pressure as a sound that varies with time.
LA90 :
The background sound level as defined in BS4142:2014 as the A-weighted sound pressure level that is exceeded by the residual sound at the assessment location for 90% of a given time interval, T, measured using time weighting F and quoted to the nearest whole number of decibels.
LAmax :
The maximum A-weighted sound pressure level in a given time interval, T, measured using time weighting S (slow) or F (fast) and quoted to the nearest whole number of decibels.
Ambient Sound :
As defined by BS4142:2014 is the totally encompassing sound in a given situation at a given time, usually composed of sound from many sources near and far.
Specific Sound :
As defined by BS4142:2014 is the sound source being assessed.
Residual Sound :
As defined by BS4142:2014 is the ambient sound remaining at the assessment location when the specific sound is suppressed to such a degree that it does not contribute to the ambient sound.
Rating Level :
As defined by BS4142:2014 is the specific sound level plus any adjustment for the characteristic features of the sound.
Tonal Characteristic :
As defined by BS4142:2014 Annex C: For a prominent, discrete tone to be identified as present, the time-averaged LZeq,T sound pressure level in the one third-octave band of interest is required to exceed the time-averaged LZeq,T sound pressure levels of both adjacent one-third-octave bands by some constant level difference.
The level differences between adjacent one-third-octave bands that identify a tone are:
•15 dB in the low-frequency one-third-octave bands (25 Hz to 125 Hz);
•8 dB in the middle-frequency one-third-octave bands (160 Hz to 400 Hz);
and
•5 dB in the high-frequency one-third-octave bands (500 Hz to 10 000 Hz).
WHO :
The World Health Organisation.
BB93 :
Is Building Bulletin 93 “Acoustic Design of Schools: Performance standards” and sets out the minimum performance standards for the acoustics of school buildings.
IANL :
As defined in BB93 is the indoor ambient noise level within teaching accommodation and is comprised of a 30minute LAeq.