Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

Question 1

a) Establish the reverberant sound pressure level in the Chapel due to the ventilation system
acting on its own (i.e. with the furnace installation turned off).

The reverberant SPL in a room can be calculated using equation 8.6 in Acoustics Course book:

For convenience the data will be inserted in a worksheet based on the DUCT worksheet template. As
directional and distance factors are not considered when calculating reverberant SPL, ‘Q ‘ (directivity
index) will be set to ‘0’ and ‘r’ (distance) to its pre-set value of ‘1’.

The SWL (sound power level) of the fan is given and values inserted into the spreadsheet.

The information about the ductwork is extracted from the schematic provided and input into
corresponding worksheets:

• RUNS is used to calculate attenuation due to ductwork runs

• BEND is used to calculate attenuation due to bends
• TERM is used to calculate attenuation due to air terminals

The room constant Rc is determined using the calculation sheet ROOM.

The resultant reverberant SPL in the Chapel, due to the ventilation fan, is

Octave Band Centre

Frequency [Hz] 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Room Rev Sound Pressure
Level from Fan [dB] 54 64 59 55 46 42

We can notice a high noise level which, when checked against the NR Curves (as shown in
Coursebook fig. 4.4) would point to a NR55. Indeed, after calculating the NR value according to
equation 4.1 we get the following results:

Octave Band NR 36.2 56.1 55.5 55.2 49.2 47.0

NR value 56

The complete calculation sheets are presented below.

Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509
Reverberant SPL in Chapel due to DUCT
Fan

Octave Band Centre

Frequency [Hz] 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000

SOUND POWER LEVEL OF FAN dB 94 99 93 85 74 68 from given DATA

ATTENUATION
Straight Duct Runs:
Primary ductwork 13 8 5 4 4 4 from RUNS
Secondary ductwork 10 8 5 4 4 4 from RUNS
Bends:
no allowance made for swept
Primary ductwork bend
Secondary ductwork 0 2 8 5 3 3 from BENDS
Ductwork changes of section
Area ratio
Branches %Flow 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 no data
Duct termination [m^2] 5.5 2.5 0 0 0 0 from TERM
Miscellaneous items n/a

Sound power level

at duct termination [dB] 65.5 78.5 75 72 63 57
Correction for no. of outlets
Overall Sound power level [dB] 65.5 78.5 75 72 63 57

Room Constant Rc [m^2] 63 108 166 193 180 123 from ROOM
Directivity Index Q 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Distance Source
to Receiver [m] 1 n/a
Room Rev Sound Pressure 54 64 59 55 46 42
Level from Fan [dB]

Octave Band NR 36.2 56.1 55.5 55.2 49.2 47.0

NR value 56

CONSTANTS a and b for NR

values
constant a 22 12 4.8 0 -3.5 -6.1

constant b 0.87 0.93 0.974 1 1.015 1.025

Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509
ROOM CALCULATIONS - Chapel ROOM
Octave Band Centre frequency [Hz] 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Material Absorption Coefficients
Sprayed Acoustic Plaster 0.300 0.350 0.500 0.700 0.700 0.700
Board on Joist Floor 0.150 0.200 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100
Breeze Block 0.200 0.300 0.600 0.600 0.500 0.500
Brickwork-plain/painted 0.050 0.040 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050
Concrete, Stone, Granolitic 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050
Cork, 25mm solid backing 0.050 0.100 0.200 0.550 0.600 0.550
Fibreboard-solid backing 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.250 0.300 0.300
Fibreboard-25mm air space 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300
Glass 3-4mm 0.200 0.150 0.100 0.070 0.050 0.050
Glass >4mm 0.100 0.070 0.040 0.030 0.020 0.020
Plaster, lime, gypsum solid backing 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.030 0.040 0.050
Plaster on laths/studs, air space 0.300 0.150 0.100 0.050 0.040 0.050
Plywood/Hardboard air space 0.320 0.430 0.120 0.070 0.070 0.110
Wood block/Lino/Rubber
flooring 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050 0.100 0.050
Wood panels, 12mm on 25mm battens 0.310 0.330 0.140 0.100 0.100 0.120
Carpet, haircord on felt 0.100 0.150 0.250 0.300 0.300 0.300
Carpet, pile and thick felt 0.070 0.250 0.500 0.500 0.600 0.650
Acoustic `blocks' 0.380 0.800 0.430 0.400 0.420 0.500
Acoustic timber wall panels 0.180 0.340 0.420 0.590 0.830 0.680
Proprietary ceiling tile:
A. fixed to solid backing
Mineral wool fibre 0.100 0.250 0.700 0.850 0.700 0.600
Perf. metal 31mm thk abs infill 0.100 0.300 0.650 0.750 0.650 0.450
B. on battens 25 to 50 mm thick
Mineral wool fibre 0.150 0.350 0.650 0.800 0.750 0.700
Perf. metal 31mm thk abs infill 0.200 0.550 0.800 0.800 0.800 0.750
C. Suspended
Mineral wool fibre 0.500 0.600 0.650 0.750 0.800 0.750
Perf. metal 31mm thk abs infill 0.250 0.550 0.850 0.850 0.750 0.750
Occupants per person [m^2 units] 0.330 0.400 0.440 0.450 0.450 0.450
Upholstered seat [m^2 units] 0.450 0.600 0.730 0.800 0.750 0.640
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509

OVERALL ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT

Octave Band Centre Frequency [Hz] 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Are
a Occ Absorption Coefficients
m^2 No

Ceiling finish 120 * 0.150 0.350 0.650 0.750 0.650 0.450 mineral wool on battens
Floor finish 120 * 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050 0.100 0.050 wood blocks

plaster on solid
Wall finish 1 90 * 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.030 0.040 0.050 backing
Wall finish 2 32 * 0.31 0.33 0.14 0.1 0.1 0.12 rear wall - 12 mm wood panels on battens
Wall finish 3 32 * 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.030 0.040 0.050 plastered single leaf brick, door ignored

Windows 30 * 0.100 0.070 0.040 0.030 0.020 0.020 25%

Occupants * 20 0.33 0.4 0.44 0.45 0.45 0.45

Seats * 25 0.45 0.6 0.73 0.8 0.75 0.64
0.129 0.203 0.281 0.313 0.298 0.225
Overall Absorption coefficient 3 1 1 1 2 3
62.97 108.0 165.7 193.2 180.1 123.3
Room constant Rc [m^2] 3 7 6 8 5 3
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509
ROOM CALCULATIONS Furnace ROOM
Octave Band Centre frequency [Hz] 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Material Absorption Coefficients
Sprayed Acoustic Plaster 0.300 0.350 0.500 0.700 0.700 0.700
Board on Joist Floor 0.150 0.200 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100
Breeze Block 0.200 0.300 0.600 0.600 0.500 0.500
Brickwork-plain/painted 0.050 0.040 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050
Concrete, Stone, Granolitic 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050
Cork, 25mm solid backing 0.050 0.100 0.200 0.550 0.600 0.550
Fibreboard-solid backing 0.050 0.100 0.150 0.250 0.300 0.300
Fibreboard-25mm air space 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300 0.300
Glass 3-4mm 0.200 0.150 0.100 0.070 0.050 0.050
Glass >4mm 0.100 0.070 0.040 0.030 0.020 0.020
Plaster, lime, gypsum solid backing 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.030 0.040 0.050
Plaster on laths/studs, air space 0.300 0.150 0.100 0.050 0.040 0.050
Plywood/Hardboard air space 0.320 0.430 0.120 0.070 0.070 0.110
Wood block/Lino/Rubber flooring 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050 0.100 0.050
Wood panels, 12mm on 25mm battens 0.310 0.330 0.140 0.100 0.100 0.120
Carpet, haircord on felt 0.100 0.150 0.250 0.300 0.300 0.300
Carpet, pile and thick felt 0.070 0.250 0.500 0.500 0.600 0.650
Acoustic `blocks' 0.380 0.800 0.430 0.400 0.420 0.500
Acoustic timber wall panels 0.180 0.340 0.420 0.590 0.830 0.680
Proprietary ceiling tile:
A. fixed to solid backing
Mineral wool fibre 0.100 0.250 0.700 0.850 0.700 0.600
Perf. metal 31mm thk abs infill 0.100 0.300 0.650 0.750 0.650 0.450
B. on battens 25 to 50 mm thick
Mineral wool fibre 0.150 0.350 0.650 0.800 0.750 0.700
Perf. metal 31mm thk abs infill 0.200 0.550 0.800 0.800 0.800 0.750
C. Suspended
Mineral wool fibre 0.500 0.600 0.650 0.750 0.800 0.750
Perf. metal 31mm thk abs infill 0.250 0.550 0.850 0.850 0.750 0.750
Occupants per person [m^2 units] 0.330 0.400 0.440 0.450 0.450 0.450
Upholstered seat [m^2 units] 0.450 0.600 0.730 0.800 0.750 0.640
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509
OVERALL ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT
Octave Band Centre Frequency [Hz] 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Area Occ Absorption Coefficients
m^2 No

Ceiling finish 48 * 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050 concrete

Floor finish 48 * 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050 concrete

Wall finish 1 68 * 0.050 0.040 0.020 0.040 0.050 0.050 brickwork painted
Wall finish 2 32 * 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 brickwork plastered
Wall finish 3 *

Windows 12 * 0.1 0.07 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.02 6 mm single glazing

Occupants * 1 0.33 0.4 0.44 0.45 0.45 0.45 from DATA

Seats * 3 0.45 0.6 0.73 0.8 0.75 0.64 from DATA
Overall Absorption coefficient 0.044 0.0415 0.0338 0.0516 0.0597 0.0597
Room constant Rc [m^2] 9.582 9.0144 7.2759 11.314 13.209 13.197
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509
ATTENUATION IN STRAIGHT DUCTS dB per
metre run RUNS
Octave Band Centre frequency Hz 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
dia
Circular/oval unlined mm Attenuation
75-200 0.07 0.1 0.1 0.16 0.33 0.33 0.33
200-400 0.07 0.1 0.1 0.16 0.23 0.23 0.23
400-800 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.1 0.16 0.16 0.16
800-1500 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07
dim
Rectangular unlined mm
75-200 0.16 0.33 0.49 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33
200-400 0.49 0.66 0.49 0.33 0.23 0.23 0.23
400-800 0.82 0.66 0.33 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16
800-1500 0.66 0.33 0.16 0.1 0.07 0.07 0.07
dia
Circ/oval ext. lagged mm
75-200 0.14 0.2 0.2 0.32 0.33 0.33 0.33
200-400 0.14 0.2 0.2 0.32 0.23 0.23 0.23
400-800 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.2 0.16 0.16 0.16
800-1500 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.14 0.07 0.07 0.07
dim
Rect. ext. lagged mm
75-200 0.33 0.66 1 0.66 0.33 0.33 0.33
200-400 1 1.32 1 0.66 0.23 0.23 0.23
400-800 1.64 1.32 0.66 0.32 0.16 0.16 0.16
800-1500 1.32 0.66 0.32 0.2 0.07 0.07 0.07
PRIMARY DUCT
Length [m] 10 6 + 4

Dimension 1 Attn/m [dB] * 0.82 0.66 0.33 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 550 mm

Dimension 2 Attn/m [dB] * 0.49 0.66 0.49 0.33 0.23 0.23 0.23 350 mm

Overall Attenuation [dB] * 13.1 13.2 8.2 4.9 3.9 3.9 3.9
SECONDARY DUCT
Length [m] 8

Dimension 1 Attn/m [dB] * 0.49 0.66 0.49 0.33 0.23 0.23 0.23

Dimension 2 Attn/m [dB] * 0.49 0.66 0.49 0.33 0.23 0.23 0.23

Overall Attenuation [dB] * 7.84 10.56 7.84 5.28 3.68 3.68 3.68

OVERALL DUCT RUN ATTN [dB] 20.94 23.76 16.04 10.18 7.58 7.58 7.58
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509

ATTENUATION DUE TO
END REFLECTION AT
DUCT TERMINATION dB TERM
Octave Band Centre frequency Hz 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Area of opening [m^2] attenuation dB
0.01 23 19.5 12 6.5 2.5 0 0
0.02 20.5 15 9 5 1 0 0
0.03 19 13 8 3.5 1 0 0
0.04 17 11.5 7 3 0 0 0
0.06 15.5 10 5.5 2 0 0 0
0.08 14 9 5 1.5 0 0 0
0.1 13.5 8 4 1 0 0 0
0.2 10.5 5.5 2.5 0 0 0 0 0.16 sqm grille
0.3 9 4.5 1.7 0 0 0 0
0.4 8 3.7 1 0 0 0 0
0.6 6.5 3 0.7 0 0 0 0
0.8 5.5 2 0.2 0 0 0 0
1 5 1.8 0 0 0 0 0
2 3 0.7 0 0 0 0 0
3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

b) Establish the reverberant sound pressure in the Chapel with the ventilation system working
and the furnace installation turned on (i.e. you need to account for the noise from the
furnace room when estimating a final value for the sound pressure level in the chapel).

In order to establish the overall reverberant SPL in the chapel we need to calculate the reverberant
noise in the chapel transmitted through the partition from the furnace installation and then combine
the two SPLs logarithmically.

Based on the conditions in the furnace room, as shown in the ROOM WS for Furnace room, we
calculate the reverberant SPL in the furnace room.

We can then calculate the reverberant SPL in the chapel due to the furnace system. We will use
worksheet TRANS to account for attenuation due to the partition wall between the two spaces. We
also account for the wooden door installed in the partition.

The calculation sheet is found below:

Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509
REVERBERENT SPL IN CHAPEL DUE
TO FURNACE (USING TRANS.WK1)

Octave Band Centre Frequency Hz 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Panels of sandwich construction
Lead 1.5mm/ 2 shts 5mm ply 26 30 34 38 42 44
Asbestos 9mm/2 shts 18g steel 22 27 31 27 37 44
Comp straw/2 shts 3mm h'brd 22 23 27 27 35 35
Single leaf brick plastered:
125mm thick 36 37 40 46 54 57
255mm thick 41 45 48 56 65 69
360mm thick 44 43 49 57 66 70
Solid breeze/clinker block:
Plastered both sides 27 33 40 50 57 56
Unplastered 17 18 20 24 30 38
Hollow cinder concrete blocks:
Painted concrete base paint 30 34 40 50 50 52
Unpainted 27 32 37 40 41 45
Thermalite blocks 27 31 39 45 53 38
Glass bricks 30 35 40 49 49 43
Double masonry walls:
280mm brick 56mm cavity
outer face plastered
Strip ties 34 34 40 56 73 76
Expanded metal ties 27 43 55 66 77 85
Stud partitions:
50 X 100mm studs
12mm insulating board 16 22 28 38 50 52
9mm plasterboard/
12mm plaster coat 25 28 34 47 39 50
Single glass in heavy frame:
6mm thick 11 24 28 32 27 35
8mm thick 18 25 31 32 28 36
9mm thick 22 26 31 30 32 39
Double glazing:
2.44mm panes, 7mm cavity 22 16 20 29 31 27
9mm panes, 50mm cavity 25 29 34 41 45 53
6mm panes, 100mm cavity 28 30 38 45 45 53
6mm panes, 188mm cavity 30 35 41 48 50 56
as above with abs blanket 33 39 42 48 50 57
Doors:
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustic Assignment – ME5509
Flush panel, hollow core/
normal cracks 12 13 14 16 18 24
Solid hardwood, normal cracks 17 21 26 29 31 34
Acoustic door 36 39 44 49 54 57
Floors:
T & G, sealed joints 21 18 22 24 30 33
T & G boards, 12mm p'brd
ceiling under, 3mm plaster 18 25 37 39 45 45
as above, boards floating
on glass wool mat 25 33 38 45 56 61
Reinforced concrete:
100mm thick 37 36 45 52 59 62
200mm thick 42 41 50 57 60 65
300mm thick 40 45 52 59 63 67
126mm thick, floating screed 38 43 48 54 61 63

AREA
m^2 SOUND REDUCTION INDEX VALUES

Plastered Single brick 31 44 43 49 57 66 70

Door solid hardwood normal
cracks 1 17 21 26 29 31 34

3E- 1E-
Overall Transmission coefft 7E-04 3E-04 9E-05 4E-05 05 05

OVERALL SOUND REDUCTION INDEX 32 35 40 44 46 49

Total area of partition [m^2] 32

from ROOM WS for
Reverberant SPL in FURNACE [dB] 82 82 85 85 62 52 Furnace
Room constant for Chapel [m^2] 63 108 166 193 180 123 from ROOM WS for Chapel

Reverberant SPL in Chapel

-
due to Furnace noise [dB] 47.27 41.44 37.43 33.35 8.49 2.87 equation 9.7
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

We can now calculate the overall reverberant SPL in the Chapel due to both the fan and furnace
installation. To do this we need to add the two values logarithmically. The formula used can be
found also in BS8233/2014 Guidance on Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction for Buildings, Annex
A.2.( see below).

The results are

c) Establish whether the sound pressure in the chapel meets the NR35 design requirement.
Discuss any issues or problems with the design. Is any further action required, if so, what
action would you take? Note that you have two identical acoustic attenuators at your
disposal – these attenuators may be placed within the ducting system to attenuate the sound
power emitted by the fan. The characteristic of the attenuators are listed below

There are several issues that could arise during the design. These are:
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

1. NR criteria for the Chapel

2. Crosstalk from other spaces connected to the same ventilation system
3. Atmospheric side noise

And we will address each one separately.

1. As calculated above, the resultant NR value is considerably above the required NR35
criteria.

The overall noise rating in the chapel is NR56. It is evident that the main noise source is the fan. No
considerable attenuation is achieved on the ductwork.
To increase attenuation levels of the ductwork there are several options that can be taken into
account:

• Duct external lagging or internal lining

• Bends external lining
• Increase the number of termination grilles into the chapel
• Choose a centrifugal fan with backward curving blades
• Install a proprietary made attenuator

The options are assessed below:

• Internal lining of the ductwork is discarded due to the low width of the ducts.
• External lagging only offers attenuation in low and medium frequency ranges while the high
frequencies are still at high values.
• number of bends in the system is low (only one) so the attenuation acquired would not be
sufficient.
• TO increase the number of termination grilles will only have a minor impact on the
attenuation.
• To choose another fan type might introduce additional costs for procurement and
maintenance. Also, the physical size might be another disadvantage.
• Fitting a proprietary made attenuator seems the most reasonable solution. This can be
predictable in performance and only requires a small length.

Therefore, an attenuator is proposed to be installed after the fan.

The results are as follows

Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

It can be seen that the reverberant SPL in the chapel due to the fan system has considerably
reduced.
We now need to repeat adding the SPL from the furnace to the attenuated SPL from the fan. The
results are

It can be noted that the overall NR (NR34) is now lower than the required NR35 criteria specified.

2. Another issue with the current arrangement might arise from crosstalk.

Although no full details are given regarding the Waiting Room space or the Office space, it appears
that noise emanating from these rooms could affect the NR criteria in the chapel.
As an exercise and based on certain assumptions, we will assess the influence from the Office room.
As per worksheet SWLS we can expect certain levels of sound power in an office environment.
SOUND POWER LEVELS -
SPEECH & OFFICE
EQUIPMENT SWLS

Octave Band centre Frequency

[Hz] 63 125 250 500 1000 200 4000 8000
dB
Normal male voice 57 61 63 68 69 65 54 42
Raised male voice 62 68 70 74 75 70 60 50
Male voice - loud as possible
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

without strain 68 72 76 80 80 75 65 55
Dot-matrix printer 68 73 68 65 65 70 72 69

In our case we make the following assumption:

• Raised male voice

In order to calculate the reverberant SPL within this room we would need to know certain details
(geometry, finishings, and occupancy) that are not available at this stage. We will therefore make
the following assumptions:

• Room: 10m by 5m by 3m (LxWxH)

• Walls finishing: plaster with 25% glazing
• Floor finishing: haircord carpet on felt underlay
• Ceiling: fibre boards on solid backing
• Occupancy: 5
• Seating: nonupholstered

We can now calculate the Room Constant (Rc) and the overall absorption coefficient.

The reverberant SPL in the office can now be calculated.

Less the reflection losses due to terminal grille

0.2 10.5 5.5 2.5 0 0 0 0

Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

We have

Room Rev Sound Pressure 51 57 63 65 60 49

Level from Office [dB]

We can calculate the Sound Power Level in the end of the duct using relationship 12.1 from our
coursebook (S is the duct area – 0.35 m x 0.55 m = 0.1925)

Therefore, we have

Room Rev Sound Power 44 50 56 58 52 42

Level from Office [dB]

We can use this values to assess the crosstalk to the chapel space.
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

According to the calculations and based on the assumptions made above, cross talk noise from the
Office space should not create a problem in the chapel.
The same process can be followed to assess the noise impact from the Waiting Area.

3. Atmospheric side noise

To meet the requirements of BS 4142:2014 – Methods for rating and assessing industrial and
commercial sound additional attenuation on the atmospheric side may therefore be required.

The atmospheric criterion is assumed to be based on a background noise level of 40 dB(A).

Calculations have been made using the worksheet DUAT and following values obtained.

According to the results attenuation is needed on the atmospheric side of the fan as well, where the
second available attenuator may be used. With the attenuator fitted the results would be
satisfactory and below the SPL values for NR40.
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

Question 2

You have been retained by the local authority to prepare a report on any potential noise problems at
the Eastmouth Crematorium. In the report you should examine all potential sources of noise
problems, as well as discussing any remedial action that may be necessary. You should also discuss
any general utility advice suitable for the ventilation installation.

EASTMOUTH CREMATORIUM

Acoustic Report

The aim of this report is to present in an accessible format the acoustic impact of the development
of Eastmouth Crematorium.

BRIEF:

A new crematorium is proposed for the town of Eastmouth on the South Coast of England. This is to
be sited only 45 m away from a residential housing estate. Concerns are that the Crematorium will be
a source of noise pollution for the residents.

According to UK legislation, Councils must look into complaints about noise that could be
a ‘statutory nuisance’. For the noise to count as a statutory nuisance it must do one of the following:

• Unreasonably and substantially interfere with the use or enjoyment of a home or

other premises
• Injure health or be likely to injure health

We will look at the proposed development from these two points of view.

Interference with the use or enjoyment of a home or other premises

Due to the close proximity to the residential estate, strategies must be put in place to ensure the
noise emanated by the plant installed doesn’t give reasons for complaints to be risen.

The main two sources of noise are the ventilation fan and the furnace.

It is envisaged that the installations will only function during the day. The background noise rating
during the day it is assumed to be NR45.

The location we are interested to assess the noise effects for is the closest residential building,
situated at 45m away.
Gabriel Laptuca – Student 1515852 – Acoustics Assignment ME5509

According to initial calculations and based on sound power levels of the ventilation fan and the
furnace, the following actions have to be considered:

• Attenuation on the atmospheric side of the ventilation fan is required. This should take the
form of a proprietary made attenuator, sized to provide the necessary insertion losses.
• Consideration has to be given to the use of sound barriers to isolate or change the noise
path from the furnace. It is calculated that the noise from the furnace installation would rise
to values close to NR50 which are very likely to give reasons for complaints.

Injure health or be likely to injure health

According to HSE the Control of Noise Regulations 2005 the aim is to ensure that workers hearing is
protected from excessive noise at their place of work, which could cause them to lose their hearing
and/ or to suffer tinnitus (permanent ringing in the ears).

The level at which employers must provide hearing protection zones is now 85 dB and the level at
which employers must assess the risk to workers' health and provide them with information and
training is now 80 decibels.

Within the Eastmouth Crematorium the space that needs attention is the furnace room.

The noise levels within the room due to the furnace could rise over 85dB and this places an
obligation on the employer to provide hearing protection zones. Also, training needs to be provided
to the workers and surveys made to ensure protection is achieved.

The employer would need to provide ear defenders for the workers to use.

Another solution could be upgrading the furnace room with sound attenuating materials in order to
reduce the sound pressure levels.