Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 1 - Low Frequency Noise

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is 40 mins. It is available from 3 May 2022 to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or FREE TO EMAQ MEMBERS

1. Low Frequency Noise

[TH] “So you have this hum?” How many times has this been a complaint, and how many times has the heart sunk a little as the complainant explains… “Well its sort of a low rumble…” or something similar…

Low Frequency Noise is a challenging and difficult thing to identify, evaluate and determine compliance with.  During this tool box talk we will look at frequency and noise, and in particular low frequency noise using a planning case study.  We will highlight other issues such as when LFN becomes vibration, or the other way around, and also what types of monitoring device can help.  We will also look at the key standard NANR45 and its potential use.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 2 - Vibration

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is 1 hr 15 mins. It is available from 3 May 2022 to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

Vibration is the less well understood brother of noise.  All noise starts with a vibration, so understanding vibration, the principles behind it, and the methods of control may help deal with noise at source.  Sometimes however, vibration itself is the key issue, so for environmental application, things like construction, particularly piling, and quarrying (blasting) can be a source of significant vibration, but more common is occupational vibration.  We will explore the theory, measurement method and key standards in a short presentation to demystify vibration and the issues surrounding it.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 3 - BS4142 Assessment Example

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is 1 hr 30 mins. It is available from 3 May 2022 to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

To quote Carlsberg… “Probably the noise standard in the world”, or is it?  This talk will review BS4142 how it works, the issues arising and the drawbacks in using the standard.  It will focus on correct application, and understanding of the results, so that we can eventually decide if the Carlsberg principle is correct for BS4142 or if we need other metrics to make sense of observed measured sound.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 4 - Reviewing A Noise Report

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is 1 hr 15 mins. It is available from 3 May 2022 to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

This session will pick up a noise report, and provide a step by step review of the report in real time.  Highlighting key issues as we go, looking at the what can be verified from the desk, and what may need to be questioned, challenged or rejected.  The aim is to provide a realistic example of what types of things to look for, and what questions to ask of consultants preparing noise reports.  It will also hopefully highlight what issues should be covered in preparing your own reports.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 18 - Environment Agency Noise Guidance - From 6 March 2023

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar.  It is available from 6 March to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

In July 2021, the Environment Agency withdraw the H3 - Noise Guidance, and replaced it with an online tool.  The implications of the change are such that BS4142 is now the preferred impact assessment tool for the EA regulated processes.

This webinar will review the changes in guidance, and identify how this links into the wider Environmental Noise framework in particular statutory nuisance and planning.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 20 - Noise Calculations - From 25 January 2023

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is approximately 40 mins.  It is available from 25 January 2023 to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

This toolbox talk is suitable for anyone involved in the assessment of noise and has been prepared to specifically assist with the understanding of some of the common calculations used within noise assessments.

It's sometimes been said by some in Environmental Health circles that some officers would rather have nails removed with rusty pliers than ‘do’ noise.  The reason, when we get down to it, is normally that “doing” noise involves calculations and maths, and that is certainly true!  However, the maths, and the theory underpinning those calculations doesn’t have to be frightening or particularly challenging.  A few simple rules, and a basic understanding of the first principles of the way sound works, can provide a reliable toolkit for helping assess even some of the most complex noise reports and problems. 

Often all that is required is to verify someone else’s work, and simple calculation tools and the first principles of acoustics are sufficient!   This toolbox talk aims to provide the key information to feel comfortable with noise, and the basic calculations you need in order to verify and validate a noise report.  The session will also help go back to the basics of how sound works in the environment, and demystify terms like ‘propagation’.

The session also provides reference to some useful online tools that may also assist in day to day work. 

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 21 - Noise Management Plan - Licensing/Permitting/Planning - from 22 March 2023

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is approx 90 mins.  It is available from 22 March 2023 to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

Compliance with noise standards can be  achieved with physical intervention like enclosures or barriers, or fixed constraints on numbers or hours of operation or use, but where those options have been exhausted or do not achieve he the full standard, other controls on the management of the sources become necessary.  Typically called Noise Management Plans (or Noise and Vibration Management Plans) there are no fixed methods of how these should be constructed.  This tool box talk provides insight into what NMP’s are, what they should contain, and how they might be used.  

The session also reviews the helpful Environment Agency guidance that tries to frame the key requirements for such plans.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 25 - Noise Models Verification and Validation - from 9 October 2023

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. It is available from 9 October 2022 to 31 March 2025.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

This toolbox talk will look at the construction of noise models, verification of the modelling outcomes, and provide a method to understand the degree of potential uncertainty inherent within modelling.  The talk will highlight the methods for determination of uncertainty specifically focussing on the Salford University methodology that is the normally accepted method for quantification of uncertainty.

The presentation will review a example model, and provide an confidence that the modelling uncertainty can be understood, and what they means in assessing the model output.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 30 - Tranquillity - from 12 February 2024

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is 1 hr 15 mins. It is available from 12 February 2024.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

We have all used the phrases “Its quiet as the grave” or “You could hear a pin drop”, and both normally relate to areas of absolute quiet.  Quiet can be defined based on those descriptors.  Regrettably planning policy doesn’t mention ‘quiet’ it mentioned “Tranquillity”.

This Toolbox Talk will look at the concept of tranquilities, it will review what guidance there is on the subject, and then provide some advice on what features a tranquil area should have, hopefully leading to a set of useful criteria to define tranquil areas and more importantly, demonstrate that areas are tranquil.

The session will also touch on the increasingly useful concept of soundscape.

Noise Toolbox Talks

Toolbox Talk No. 35 - Noise and Statutory Nuisance Updates

This is a pre-recorded mini-webinar. Duration of this webinar is approx 60 mins.  It is available from 8 July 2024.

Fee = £65.00 plus VAT or 1 credit

This one hour toolbox talk is intended to provide a summary of the key issues surrounding the requirements for LA’s to manage, investigate and enforce statutory nuisance.  The session includes a review of the legislation and investigation processes, provides key case law and updates, and discusses evidencing of statutory nuisance.  It also provides a critique on the wording of notices, and looks at the potential difficulties in matching environmental exposure to prejudice to health.