What is a Noise Impact Assessment?
Noise Impact Assessments are assessments that are done to determine the noise impact that a particular activity will have on the existing area. A noise impact assessment can be required for many activities. The most common activity is building construction, where the noise may have quite a large impact on the surrounding area and the people within it.
How is a Noise Impact Assessment Done?
Several regulations have been published in South Africa which compel those erecting industrial sites or construction to submit a noise impact assessment.
The first step in obtaining this assessment, as prescribed by the regulations, will be to first conduct an assessment of the sensitivity of the land. A specialist will conduct the assessment of the land in full, where after the impact statement will be compiled, and submitted, together with supporting documents, to the relevant authorities.
The consequences of not adhering to this requirement are severe and include fines, suspension of building activities, various impacts on one’s reputation, but also the potential negative effect it may have on the health and wellbeing of people in the community.
What will the Noise Impact Assessment Include?
The report must reflect those aspects as are set out in the law, for the report to be compliant. To start, and as required, the name and expertise of the person who compiled the report must be presented in the document.
The Noise Impact Assessment will begin with an introduction, setting out the study area and all its relevant components and aspects, and evaluating the typography and the surrounding area. An evaluation will be made of the environmental sound character of the area, considering aspects like the wind, temperature, humidity, etc.
Policies and the legal context of the area will be considered concerning the development, taking into account the relevant laws and by-laws that govern the proposed disruption, as well as any other guidelines in this regard.
The actual potential noise source will too be considered, with all its aspects that will influence the noise levels in the area. Other aspects considered in the assessment are any assumptions or limitations in the area, the projected noise rating levels as well as any other mitigating factors to be taken into account.
To get your project off to a good start, and to avoid any unnecessary noise disputes along the way, contact Acoustech today for an in-depth Noise Impact Assessment.