Report. Fighting Cocks Bar & Venue 56 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames. Acoustic Assessment. Prepared by J. R. Tee BSc. (Hons.

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1 Report Fighting Cocks Bar & Venue 56 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames Acoustic Assessment Prepared by J. R. Tee BSc. (Hons.) MIOA Date 23rd June 2015 Project No

2 Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Assessment Methodology and Criteria 3.0 Noise Survey and Sources 4.0 Road Traffic Noise Assessment 5.0 Sound Insulation between Residential Element and the Commercial / Retail / Venue Element 6.0 Mechanical Services Plant Noise Assessment 7.0 Conclusions Appendices A. Acoustic Terminology B. Site Plan C. Noise Survey Results Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 2

3 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Sharps Redmore has been instructed by Mr J. O Grady, of the Fighting Cocks Bar and Venue, to undertake an environmental noise survey and acoustic assessment at his proposed site. The proposal is at 56 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames and comprises the redevelop of the site by retaining an element of the public bar on the ground floor, constructing a new basement music venue, provide a separate ground floor commercial/retail unit, and eight self-contained residential flats from first to second floors. There will be an element of refurbishment and new build in this proposal. 1.2 The site overlooks Old London Road to the north and Fairfield North road, which forms part of the A308, to the south. There are existing retail units neighbouring the site and residential dwellings on the opposite sides of the roads. It is the purpose of this assessment to assess the impact of the road traffic noise to the proposed new residential accommodation. The new location of music venue will be considered in regards to noise disturbance to the proposed new residential accommodation above. Noise from any plant or air conditioning associated with these uses has the potential to disturb, so this has also been considered. 1.3 Measurements were undertaken of the environmental noise levels experienced at both sides of the site; these are detailed in Section 3.0. Sections 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 consider the noise impact from road traffic, the music venue and mechanical servicing plant noise. Assessment conclusions are in Section Appendix A contains acoustic terminology used in this report and a guide to the use of statistical indices. 1.5 The following areas will be assessed: the glazing specification to achieve internal noise level criteria; the separating partitions to the ground floor commercial unit and the basement music venue; and external mechanical services plant noise. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 3

4 2.0 Assessment Methodology and Criteria 2.1 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government s economic, environmental and social planning policies for England and these policies articulate the Government s vision of sustainable development. In respect of noise, Paragraph 123 of the NPPF states the following: Planning policies and decisions should aim to: avoid noise from giving rise to significant adverse impacts 27 on health and quality of life as a result of new development mitigate and reduce to a minimum other adverse impacts 27 on health and quality of life arising from noise from new development, including through the use of conditions, recognise that development will often create some noise and existing businesses wanting to develop in continuance of their business should not have unreasonable restriction put on them because of changes in nearby land uses since they were established; 28 and identify and protect areas of tranquillity which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason 27 See Explanatory Note to the Noise Policy Statement for England (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). 28 Subject to the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other relevant law. 2.2 The NPPF reinforces the March 2010 DEFRA publication, Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE), which states three policy aims, as follows: Through the effective management and control of environmental, neighbour and neighbourhood noise within the context of Government policy on sustainable development: avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life; mitigate and minimise adverse impacts on health and quality of life; and where possible, contribute to the improvement of health and quality of life. 2.3 Together, the first two aims require that no significant adverse impact should occur and that, where a noise level which falls between a level which represents the lowest observable adverse effect and a level which represents a significant observed adverse effect, then according to the explanatory notes in the statement: all reasonable steps should be taken to mitigate and minimise adverse effects on health and quality of life whilst also taking into consideration the guiding principles of sustainable development. This does not mean that such effects cannot occur. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 4

5 2.4 It is possible to apply objective standards to the assessment of noise and the design of new dwellings should seek to achieve these objective standards. Such guideline values are given in the World Health Organisation document Guidelines for Community Noise and these are replicated within a British Standard, BS 8233: The WHO guideline values are appropriate to what are termed critical health effects. This means that the limits are at the lowest noise level that would result in any psychological, physiological or sociological effect. They are, as defined by NPSE, set at the Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level (LOAEL), but do not define the level above which effects are significant (the SOAEL). Compliance with the LOAEL should, therefore, be seen as a robust aim. 2.6 The WHO LOAEL guideline values are summarised in table 1 below: Table 1: WHO LOAEL guideline values Value Guidance Location L AeqT = 55 db L AeqT = 50 db L AeqT = 35 db L AeqT = 30 db L AMAX = 45 db Few seriously annoyed, Daytime and evening. Few moderately annoyed, Daytime and evening. Acceptable level to avoid speech interference, daytime and evening. To avoid sleep disturbance at night. To avoid sleep disturbance at night. Continuous noise, outdoor living areas Continuous noise, outdoor living areas Continuous noise, Dwellings, indoors Continuous noise, Bedrooms, indoors Noise peaks, Bedrooms, indoors 2.7 The national interpretation of the WHO guidelines is contained in BS 8233:2014 'Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings'. BS 8233 recommends the following indoor ambient noise levels for dwellings: Table 2: BS 8233 indoor ambient noise levels for dwellings Activity Location 07:00 to 23:00 23:00 to 07:00 Resting Living Room 35 db L Aeq, 16Hr -- Dining Dining room/area 40 db L Aeq, 16Hr -- Sleeping (daytime Resting) Bedroom 35 db L Aeq, 16Hr 30 db L Aeq, 8Hr 2.8 Combining the two sets of guidance would give the following design targets for new dwellings, which would represent compliance with the robust LOAEL: Gardens L Aeq,T = db Living rooms L Aeq,T = 35 db Bedrooms L Aeq,T = 30 db L AMAX = 45 db Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 5

6 2.9 This is considered a robust but balanced view in the context of current policy. If, for practical reasons, these internal noise limits are not achievable, some flexibility (up to 5 db relaxation of L Aeq criteria) may be available. This is stated in BS 8233:2014 Where development is considered necessary or desirable, despite external noise levels above WHO guidelines, the external target levels may be relaxed by up to 5 db and reasonable internal conditions still achieved In order to ensure the proper control of fixed plant or equipment (including mechanical services) that may be operated at this site as a consequence of this development, the appropriate assessment methodology is to compare the noise levels resulting from such operation against the background noise level (L A90 ) of the area. This is the method employed by BS 4142:1997 to determine the likelihood of complaint from noise of an industrial nature BS 4142 enables the likelihood of complaint to be determined according to the following summary process: i. Determine the background noise levels, in terms of the index L A90, at the receptor locations of interest. ii. Determine the specific noise level of the source being assessed, in terms of its L AeqT level (T = 1 hour for day or 5 minutes for night), at the receptor location of interest. iii. Correct (penalise) the rating level, if the source noise is of tonal or intermittent nature so as to attract attention. The correction factor is 5 db. The resultant level is termed the rating noise level. iv. Compare the rating noise level with the background noise level; the greater the difference between the two, the higher the likelihood of complaint of the noise. v. Differences (rating background) of around +10 db indicate that complaints are likely; a difference of +5 db is of marginal significance; a difference of -10 db is a positive indication that complaints are unlikely. vi. The general intent of the planning system is to ensure that a development does not result in significant environmental impacts. This is, in our judgement, equivalent to the BS 4142 marginal significance criterion of +5 db The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council s Adopted Core Strategy document does not contain specific levels in relation to mechanical services plant noise, but it does infer that noise pollution should be taken into account. The document highlights their desire for all developments to achieve BREEAM credits. As such it can be established that BRREAM have a credit for noise pollution called Pol 05. Therefore, it is considered that the BREEAM Pol 05 criteria would provide an acceptable limit for this development and shall be used in this assessment for all fixed mechanical services plant The BREEAM criteria for mechanical services plant noise is as follows: The noise level from the proposed site/building, as measured in the locality of the nearest or most exposed noise sensitive development, is a difference no greater than +5 db during the day (07:00 to 23:00) and +3 db at night (23:00 to 07:00) compared to the background noise level. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 6

7 3.0 Noise Survey and Sources 3.1 A noise survey was undertaken between the 17th September and the 19th September Measurements were recorded using two Norsonic 118 Type 1 sound level meters (SLMs) in two positions to capture road traffic noise and background noise levels. The first SLM captured road traffic noise and the microphone was mounted on a tripod positioned 1.5 metres above the ground approximately 2.5m from the kerb opposite the Fighting Cocks pub on the A308. The second SLM was positioned 1m out of a first floor window facing Old London Road to capture daytime and night time ambient and background noise levels. The SLMs were calibrated prior to and after use and no significant drift was recorded. Weather conditions over the course of the survey were warm, calm and dry. Road Traffic Noise Survey on A CRTN contains a shortened measurement procedure for use in calculating the L A10,18hr Level. This method requires that L 10 levels are recorded over any three consecutive hours between 1000 hours and 1700 hours. The L A10,18hr can then be calculated from the arithmetic mean of the three hour measurements, using the relationship given in CRTN. 3.3 The 3 hourly measured levels at the south eastern boundary (L A10 ) were: Table 3: Shortened CRTN measurement results Time Period (hours) Measured Noise Levels (db) For road traffic noise the arithmetic average over the surveyed 3 hour period is L A10,3hr 79.1dB. From this figure the L A10,18hr can be derived by subtracting 1 db (see paragraph 43 of CRTN). Therefore L A10,18hr = 78.1 db. From this a ambient 16 hour daytime noise level for the site can be calculated (L Aeq,16hr ). To covert from L A10,18hr to LAeq,16hr, the L A10,18hr figure should be reduced by 2 db. The traffic noise level for daytime is therefore L Aeq,16hr = 76 db. 3.5 Maximum noise levels were consistent throughout the survey period and peaked at approximately L Amax = 93 db. These were due to vehicles (cars, busses and lorries) passing the site and are considered representative maximums during the day and night. 3.6 Fairfield North is a busy road with a constant flow of traffic throughout the day continuing through the night. This would give rise to night time noise levels being similar to the day time levels, as observed on other similar sites. Ambient and Background Noise Survey on Old London Road 3.7 The full data set is graphically represented in Appendix C. 3.8 The measurement data, based on the detailed survey, is summarised below rounded to the nearest db: Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 7

8 Table 4: Old London Road Measurement Summary Time Period (Day/Night) Day hours L Aeq, 1hr db L A90, 1hr db (Highest) (Lowest) L Aeq db (Highest) Night hours L Afmax db L A90, 5min db (Lowest) 17th to 18th th to 19th The third highest measured night time event over the survey duration. The highest single event was 90 db, which was considered to be an emergency siren. The second highest event was 85 db and too was considered an emergency siren. 2 The fourth highest measured night time event over the survey duration. The highest single event was 92 db, which was considered to be an emergency siren. The second and third highest events were 84 db and too were considered emergency sirens. 3.9 Old London Road is a no through road and has a much smaller flow of traffic. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 8

9 4.0 Road Traffic Noise Assessment 4.1 The primary aim of current policy is to avoid significant adverse impacts on health and quality of life. Although not the only consideration it is essentially the internal noise level which must be satisfactory for reasonable resting and sleeping conditions. 4.2 Noise levels on Fairfield North were higher than on Old London Road and this would continue to be the case with the development complete. The site can be suitable for residential development, subject to mitigation measures to provide an adequate level of protection against noise. The recommended mitigation measures are discussed, below. Façade overlooking Fairfield North 4.3 The sound reduction requirement for all bedroom windows and glazed doors, including seals and frames, overlooking Fairfield North has been calculated and a R W of 49 db is recommended. This level of reduction could typically be achieved by a double glazing specification of 14.8/24/10.8 (glass/air-gap/glass, in millimetres where the.8 refers to laminated glass Saint-Gobain and Pilkington supply such glazing) and is to be achieved by the glass, frames and seals. Alternatively, a deep void double glazing arrangement could be utilised and comprise a standard thermal double glazed unit and then an internal 10mm single glazed unit with a 100mm air gap between units. 4.4 Any weakness in the window frames and seals on any façade will reduce the sound reduction. It is advised therefore, to use a complete system that has sound insulation/reduction data to show compliance. This level of performance is typically achieved in full aluminium frames such as thoughts supplied by Schueco or Kawneer. 4.5 The sound reduction requirement for all living area windows and glazed doors, including seals and frames, overlooking Fairfield North has been calculated and a R W of 49 db is also recommended. This level of reduction is the same as for bedrooms and so the advice provided in paragraph 4.3 reiterated. 4.6 Ventilation will need to be provided in order that windows can remain closed if required. This ventilation may be either passive or mechanically forced. The acoustic ventilator shall be selected to maintain compliance with the internal noise limits when considered in combination with the overall façade. An example of a suitable passive acoustic trickle vent for bedrooms is the Greenwood MA3051, which provides a D ne,w of 55 db. Should a mechanical heat recovery system be employed, any ducts taken off the Fairfield North façade will inevitably need acoustic attenuators fitted to reduce noise break-in via the systems ductwork. Façade overlooking Old London Road 4.7 The sound reduction requirement for all bedroom windows and glazed doors, including seals and frames, overlooking Old London Road has been calculated and a R W of 40 db is recommended. This level of reduction could typically be achieved by a double glazing specification of 10/12/6.8 (glass/air-gap/glass, in millimetres where the.8 refers to laminated glass) and is to be achieved by the glass, frames and seals. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 9

10 4.8 The sound reduction requirement for all living area windows and glazed doors, including seals and frames, overlooking Hickman Avenue has been calculated and a R W of 35 db is recommended. This level of reduction could typically be achieved by a double glazing specification of 6/12/6.8 (glass/air-gap/glass, in millimetres where the.8 refers to laminated glass) and is to be achieved by the glass, frames and seals. 4.9 Ventilation will need to be provided in order that windows can remain closed if required. This ventilation may be either passive or mechanically forced. The acoustic ventilator shall be selected to maintain compliance with the internal noise limits when considered in combination with the overall façade. The examples provided in paragraph 4.6 would also be recommended The roof of a development can be a potential weakness for sound insulation and should be addressed. Dependant on the type of roof construction proposed it may be necessary to upgrade from using the standard one sheet of plasterboard to the underside of the top floor ceilings, to two sheets of dense plasterboard Lightweight façade constructions, for example render or brick-slip on a metal frame system, can be acoustically weaker than traditional masonry façades and can negate the performance of the glazing specification. If a lightweight façade construction is being considered for the new build element of the development it is recommended that, once a construction detail has been decided upon, this is referred back to the Sharps Redmore so we can reassess the façade element as a whole and provide advice as and where necessary. This may marginally change the glazing specification provided above. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 10

11 5.0 Sound Insulation between Residential Element and the Commercial / Retail / Venue Element 5.1 It is not untypical to have new residential dwelling constructed above commercial and retail units and the sound insulation provided by the type of construction will be considered at the detailed design of the scheme in order that a compliant design is progressed. 5.2 However, as part of this development, new residential units are being constructed within an existing building where the ground floor is used as a public house. Additionally, a music venue is to be constructed in the basement of the new build element. Both these uses, when in combination with new residential dwellings, needs specialist care and attention at an early stage to help minimise the chance of complaint from noise arising from the public house and music venue by good design and practices. 5.3 The walls and floors between the adjacent residential apartments themselves will have to be designed to achieve Building Regulation Approved Document E requirements, which will be progressed during the detailed design stage of the development. 5.4 All three of the proposed non-residential uses: music venue; commercial unit; and public house, will be assessed and advice provided to the sound insulation in order that a compliant design can be progressed at this early stage of planning. Music Venue Assessment 5.5 A noise survey was conducted within the existing music venue, which currently functions onsite and has permission to operate up to 23:00 hours at night; this operation time is not changing. The survey captured samples of a heavy metal band using a live drum kit, electric guitars, vocals and a PA system. The ambient noise level in the venue with the band playing was approximately 104 db L Aeq. Maximum noise events were approximately 110 db L Amax during the gig. 5.6 In regards to assessment criteria, there is no official guidance for musical noise to new residential dwellings. However, it is widely accepted that this type of noise should be inaudible in the habitable rooms of residential dwellings. However, as an industry an objective assessment criteria is required. From various research and investigations, it has been found that if the maximum noise events of a music performance are 10dB below the background noise level in the residential dwellings habitable rooms then the musical noise would be, to all intents and purposes, inaudible. This is the recommended criteria to achieve at his development. 5.7 An assessment has been undertaken in order to comply with the above criteria. As this development is at an early stage of the planning process, there are many assumptions that need to take place in order that this assessment can take place. It is recommended that a further assessment is undertaken at detailed design stage to ensure compliance to the recommended criteria is achieved. 5.8 It has been calculated that the lowest background noise level within a flat on the Old London Road elevation would be approximately 22 db. This is calculated using the known external noise level and the sound reduction of the proposed windows (as recommended above in Section 4.0). Therefore, it is estimated a level of 12 db from the maximum musical events would be compliant with the recommended criteria. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 11

12 5.9 Using this assessment criteria the proposed construction of the separating floors can be established in order that a sufficient level of sound insulation is attained. The following minimum construction specification is recommended. The floor slab between the basement and ground floor will need to comprise a minimum 250mm solid concrete RC slab, and the basement ceiling should comprise a double layer of 15mm dense acoustic plasterboard on an independent ceiling system with a minimum 150mm cavity filled with acoustic partition roll. All walls and columns in the basement venue would also need to be independently lined with a double layer of 15mm dense acoustic plasterboard on an independent lining system with a minimum 50mm cavity filled with acoustic partition roll. The first floor construction would also need to be a minimum 250mm solid concrete RC slab Provided these constructions are implemented, musical events in the basement would meet the recommended criteria and so would not cause any significant noise impacts to the residential dwellings above. Commercial Unit to Residential Separating Floor 5.11 A concrete slab has been proposed between the commercial unit and the first floor apartments at 250mm thick. This build-up would achieve a sound reduction of approximately R W 65 db. However, dependant on use this may not provide a sufficient level of sound insulation from commercial activities to the residents directly above To enhance this floor specification (if required) the soffit of the commercial unit should be lined with a double layer of 12.5mm plasterboard. This liner should be suspended from the soffit with an MF system creating a cavity of at least 100mm with the cavity between the soffit and liner filled with 50mm of mineral wool insulation. This would then enhance the sound reduction of this element and provide an R W of approximately 75 db, which then provides an enhanced reduction for this partition. Existing floors between public house bar and flats above 5.13 The floor between the existing public house bar and the existing first floor accommodation and the floor to the second floor accommodation would not have been designed for compliance with Building Regulation Approved Document E. To achieve Building Regulations these separating floors will need to be upgraded At this stage of the planning process the existing construction is not entirely known; it is considered it will comprise of a timber joist construction. There will need to be enhancements made to this partition in order to upgrade its performance. There are many different solutions typically requiring new systems to be fitted to the first floor accommodation and ground floor ceiling The partition between the public house bar and first floor apartments should have an increased level of sound insulation, such as that recommended in paragraph 5.11, albeit using a timber solution. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 12

13 5.16 This will be developed further at detailed design stage when a comprehensive assessment is completed to establish the existing constructions and current performance. There are many solutions available to enable existing constructions to achieve a compliant design. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 13

14 6.0 Mechanical Services Plant Noise Assessment External rooftop plant 6.1 Since the building design has not yet been finalised and any plant serving the Public House, the Venue or retail unit has not been selected, it is proposed that noise from such plant be controlled by condition, based on the requirements BREEAM Pol 05 and BS In order for this equipment to meet the required criteria, the rating noise level should not exceed 5dB during the day (07:00 to 23:00) and 3dB at night (23:00 to 07:00) when compared to the lowest background noise level at any time (see Section 2.0). On that basis, the following condition is recommended: The rating level of noise emitted by all fixed plant on the site shall not exceed L Aeq,5min = 39 db, between 23:00 and 07:00 hours or L Aeq,1hr = 58 db at any other time. The measurement and assessment shall be made in according to BREEAM Pol 05 and BS Based on a knowledge of the size and likely noise emission characteristics of mechanical services plant for uses such as those proposed, and with intelligent design and mitigation were necessary, these levels should be achievable. Lift and lift shaft 6.4 There is a disabled lift proposed within the stair core serving from the ground floor to the basement venue. Dependant on the size of lift, they can potentially create high levels of vibrational energy that can enter into the structure of the building and reradiate as noise elsewhere within the building. 6.5 To prevent this, the lift car should travel within the shaft on rails with nylon shoes which should be resiliently connected to the shaft walls to prevent excessive vibrations entering the structure. With all machine steels on resilient pads it is considered that vibrational noise will be reduced to acceptable levels. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 14

15 7.0 Conclusions 7.1 Sharps Redmore has been instructed to undertake an acoustic assessment of the proposed residential development at the Fighting Cocks Bar and Venue, 56 Old London Road, Kingston upon Thames. 7.2 Calculations were performed to predict the glazing specification. The assessment estimated the sound reduction required by the glazing to each façade. It concluded that with the recommended performances the internal noise criteria due to external noise would be achieved and complies with current policies. 7.3 Early advice has been provided in regards to reducing live music noise from the venue by specifying appropriate construction details with a sufficient sound insulation performance so that corresponding noise levels within the proposed new residential apartments are in compliance with the criteria recommended in this report. The specification for the ground floor retail unit has also been discussed. Comments regarding the existing floor between the public house and adjacent residential apartments have also been highlighted, which will need further consideration at the detailed design stage. 7.4 It is considered at this early planning stage that a compliant design can be implemented onsite that will satisfy both current policies and recommended design criteria. Once further details are made available we can provide advice and continued support to ensure the acoustic integrity of the development is maintained to completion. 7.5 Finally, compliance with the proposed plant noise control condition will ensure that noise from externally sited mechanical services plant and equipment meets the BREEAM Pol 05 criteria which fulfils the desires from the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council s Adopted Core Strategy document. Advice regarding lift noise was also covered. Document reference R Fighting Cocks Kingston Upon Thames JRT Page 15

16 APPENDIX A ACOUSTIC TERMINOLOGY

17 A. Common acoustic parameters Noise, defined as unwanted sound, is measured in units of decibels, db. The range of audible sound is from 0 db to 140 db. Two equal sources of sound, if added together will result in an increase of 3 db, i.e. 50 db + 50 db = 53 db. A 10 db increase in sound is perceived as a doubling of loudness. Frequency (or pitch) of sound is measured in units of Hertz. 1 Hertz = 1 cycle/second. The range of frequencies audible to the human ear is around 20Hz to 1800Hz (or 18kHz). The capability of a person to hear higher frequencies will reduce with age. The ear is more sensitive to medium frequency than high or low frequencies. To take account of the varying sensitivity of people to different frequencies a weighting scale has been universally adopted called A-weighting. The measuring equipment has the ability to automatically weight (or filter) a sound to this A scale so that the sound level it measures best correlates to the subjective response of a person. The unit of measurement thus becomes dba (decibel, A-weighted). The second important characteristic of sound is amplitude or level. Two units are used to express level a) sound power level L W and b) sound pressure level LP. Sound power level is an inherent property of a source whilst sound pressure level is dependent on surroundings/distance/directivity etc. The sound level that is measured on a meter is the sound pressure level, LP. These are the main noise indices in use in the UK: db(a): The human ear does not hear all frequencies with the same intensity. It is most sensitive to sounds in the 500Hz-8kHz range. Above and below this range the ear becomes progressively less sensitive. To compensate for this, sound level meters incorporate electronic filtering to correspond with the varying sensitivity of the ear. This filtering is called A-weighting and Sound Pressure Levels obtained with this weighting are referred to as A- weighted and signified as db(a). L A90 : The sound level (in dba) exceeded for 90% of the time. This unit gives an indication of the sound level during the quieter periods of time in any given sample. It is used to describe the background noise level of an area. Please note, however, that references to Background noise in the main body of this report, refer to a short measurement of the ambient (L A90 ) noise level in the absence of the measurement noise signal. L AeqT : The equivalent continuous sound pressure level over a period of time, T; (in dba). This unit may be described as the notional steady noise level that would provide, over a period, the same energy as the varying noise in question. In other words, the energy average level. This unit is now used to measure a wide variety of different types of noise of an industrial or commercial nature, as well as road traffic, aircraft and trains. L A1 : The sound pressure level (in dba) exceeded for 1% of the time. This unit can give an indication of a regular maximum noise level from such activities as dance music. L Amin : The minimum sound pressure level (in dba) measured over the time period. L Amax : The maximum level of sound (in dba), i.e. the peak level of sound measured in any given period. This unit is used to measure and assess transient noises, i.e. gun shots, individual vehicles, etc.

18 TL, Transmission Loss: Transmission Loss (TL) is a figure which rates the ability of a material to block sound. It is usually measured in 1 / 3 rd octave band or octave band ranges. Mathematically it is defined as the ratio of the sound energy transmitted through a material to the sound energy incident on the material. SRI, Sound Reduction Index: Sound Transmission Losses measured in an acoustic laboratory as above are referred by the European ISO Standards as Sound Reduction Indices (R). This covers the 1/3rd octave bands 100Hz to 3150Hz. In order to obtain a single figure value for the sixteen 1/3rd octave bands measured ISO 717/1 defines a standard contour and a procedure for fitting the contour to the measured sound reduction indices. This rating is called the weighted sound reduction index (R w ). Weighted Sound Reduction Index (R w ): The contour fitting procedure requires: The sound reduction values be determined to one decimal place The contour be raised in 1 db increments to a point where the cumulative deficiency over the contour frequency range is no more than 32 db. The resultant R W value is equal to the fitted contour value at 500Hz. It should be noted that the SRI value has been developed to approximate the performance of a material in reducing the transmission of speech. The SRI value obtained from the TL data is useful for a quick comparison of materials but does not give a true idea with respect to nonspeech sounds such as music, traffic, trains, aircraft etc. in order to represent the noise spectrum of road traffic noise corrections to the 1/3rd octave bands have been developed to provide the C tr correction, which is mainly determined by the lower frequencies. The resultant R w +C tr value is the sound reduction relative to road traffic noise. Apparent Weighted Sound Reduction Index (R w ): The weighted Sound Reduction Index as measured in the presence of flanking noise, such as measured on site. This is similar to D nt,w but corrects the result for the area of dividing wall, the volume of the receiving room and the reverberation time of the receiving room in order to show the Transmission Loss of the element being tested on site. This, however, may be significantly lower than the laboratory tested R W value if there is noise transmission around the perimeter of the element or along flanking structures.

19 STC, Sound Transmission Class: STC is the American ASTM, standard E413, equivalent to the European SRI but based on the averaged sound insulation achieved between 125Hz and 4kHz. As before, the standard defines a procedure for determining the STC rating for a TL spectrum by fitting a contour to the 1/3rd octave data as for SRI. The STC rating resulting from the contour fitting procedure is the TL value of the contour at 500Hz. As the STC frequency range is slightly higher than that used for SRI the STC value is normally higher than the SRI value, typically by 1. Standardised Weighted Sound Pressure Level Difference, D nt,w : This is the site measurement of the sound level difference between two rooms/spaces. This includes noise transmitted through the dividing element plus all other/flanking elements. Measured in a similar manner to SRI but Standardised to the specified reverberation time (T) in the receiver room. For Approved Document E the reverberation time is 0.5 seconds to represent a normally furnished living room or bedroom. The higher the D ntw value the greater the airborne sound insulation provided. D nt,w +C tr : The site measured D nt,w value including the correction Ctr as defined in BS EN ISO 717:1. This is the current measurement method for Approved Document E to rate the minimum sound insulation for walls and floors between residential rooms, including houses, apartments and hotel guestrooms. This index places a greatly increased weighting on the lower frequencies when compared to the D nt,w index. Standardised Weighted Impact Sound Pressure Level, L nt,w : As measured on site by locating a tapping Machine on the floor to be measured. The 1/3rd octave band sound pressure levels 100Hz to 3150Hz are measured in the room below and the results standardised to the required Reverberation Time (T). For Approved Document E the reverberation time is 0.5 seconds. The single figure weighted value is obtained by comparing the 1/3rd octave band values with the contours in BS EN ISO 717:2, in a similar manner to SRI. The lower the L nt,w value the higher the impact sound insulation and the less impact noise that will be heard. Impact Isolation Class, IIC: The American equivalent of L nt,w. This calculates the impact level in reverse to L nt,w such that the higher the value the better. For site measurements this is defined as the Field Isolation Class (FIIC). Reverberation Time (T): The time taken for a sound level to decrease by 60 db when a loud sound source is switched off. This gives an indication of the liveliness of a room/space and is a measure of the amount of sound absorption in the room/space.

20 Pink Noise This is a clearly defined noise signal which is random or pseudo random in its nature. It is defined as having a spectral shape which has equal acoustic energy in each third octave band. It is similar to White Noise, which has equal energy per Hz. White noise is familiar to many as the sound of radio static. Pink noise sounds more Bass heavy and is subjectively sounds more like the sound of a large waterfall or jet-engine. Ensemble Average Measurement of reverberation time in a space requires that the result is averaged around that space. The conventional method is to calculate the reverberation time for each measurement and then determine the arithmetic average of each measurement result. Ensemble averaging is a method for producing the average of a number of individual discrete measurements by taking the averaged decay trace with synchronised start times (thereby averaging the shape of the measured decay). The reverberation time is then calculated from the averaged decay shape. This method can be applied either to a number of measurements made with fixed microphone and speaker locations, or to the combined result of all the measurements made in a room. The latter option is used for measurements used for calculations for on-site sound insulation test measurements.

21 APPENDIX B SITE PLAN

22 = Measurement Positions

23 APPENDIX C NOISE SURVEY RESULTS

24 Survey Results of Noise Measurements Recorded at Old London Road 17th - 19th September 2014 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 17/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :

25 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 17/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :

26 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 17/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :

27 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 17/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :

28 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 18/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :

29 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 18/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :

30 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 18/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :

31 Date Time L Aeq L Amax L A10 L A90 18/09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ : /09/ :