Industrial and Commercial Noise
Noise complaints are dealt with
under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 - Statutory Nuisance.
This legislation covers ongoing and frequent noise problems and not
one off events.
In terms of noise from an actual
industry process our aim is to identify the source of the noise and
separate it out from all of the other noises that a site produces.
Once we know what is causing the problem we are better placed to
work with the company in putting things right. In some cases
however there is no solution to the problem due to the nature of
the business, so in these cases, we work to ensure that the best
available methods are being used to keep the noise to its
minimum.
A sound level meter may be used to
investigate industrial work. These can tell us what decibel levels
are being emitted and also whether the noise is a high or low pitch
(frequency). There are no set maximum or minimum levels in terms of
decibels, although sometimes levels are set within planning
permissions. Without these planning permission levels it is up to
the local authority officer to determine whether a problem actually
exists and where any work needs to be focussed.
The main sources of noise from
industrial processes are as a result of fans and generators,
vehicles, plant and equipment and sometimes even the site
radio!
Upon investigation it may be the
officers professional opinion that the matter complained off is not
severe enough to be classified a Statutory Nuisance, in which case
all parties will be informed and the case closed.
Most cases that we deal with are
solved informally although at times we do have to serve formal
Notices.
For details of our formal complaint
procedure in relation to industrial or commercial noise, please
visit our Noise Control - Making a Complaint page using the link
below.
