Construction Phase
Construction noise is strongly regulated by legislation as noise from construction site operations can have negative health and productivity impacts for both site workers and occupants of neighbouring buildings.
Considerate constructors scheme
In addition to adhering to legislative requirements, contractors can sign up to the best practice Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) code of good practice. Many construction companies and clients register all their sites with the CCS.
The Scheme covers all aspects of site management, of which noise is one. Registered sites are randomly audited by CCS monitors. In addition, all registered sites display posters that set out the Code to which the constructors are committed.
If passers-by wish to comment, the name and telephone number of the Site Manager is clearly displayed, together with the free phone telephone number of the Scheme administration offi ce.
Complaints received by the CCS are recorded. Information requested covers the name and contact details of the complainant and the nature of the complaint together with the site concerned.
The site manager is informed by a CCS representative of the nature of the complaint and is expected to deal with the concerns of the complainant within two days. In the event of the complaint not being adequately dealt with, CCS pushes the complaint higher up the contractor hierarchy, and ultimately raises it at company director level, to ensure it is appropriately dealt with.
In the case of the company failing to deal with the problem in an effective manner or for any other reason breaching the Code of Considerate Practice, the CCS General Manager will provide a report of the incident(s) to the Chairman of the Steering Group, for his decision to determine whether or not the site should be removed from the Considerate Constructor Scheme.
For more information on the Considerate Constructor Scheme, see considerateconstructorsscheme.org.uk
Site practices
Best practice noise management techniques which facilitate a reduction or avoidance of noise, or lessen its cumulative effects include:
- avoid site drilling wherever possible. For example specifi cation of cast-in anchors instead of the drill-and-fix type
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keep site grinding, cutting and similar activities to a minimum, using alternatives where possible
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detail mesh enforcement to suit bay sizes rather than cut to suit on site
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specify non-standard concrete blocks, so they are cut off site under controlled conditions
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avoid vibro-compaction of ground as much as possible
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specify the position of construction joints so to limit the size of concrete pours to what can be achieved in two hours
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design for and specify the quieter methods of driving piles.
Use of off-site manufactured components
In addition to working legislative requirements, and best practice site management principles, another signifi cant way in which noise can be reduced on site is to use off-site manufactured components.
Off-site manufacturing of elements such as walls and floors is rapidly gaining favour for a number of reasons, including:
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reduced site generated waste
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reduced on site labour requirement
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reduced construction programme
R educing on site labour and the construction programme has the added benefit of displacing construction generated noise to more controlled and specifi cally designed premises, i.e. manufacturing facilities, factories.