Noise Assessments and Noise Surveys
Environmental and industrial or commercial noise
assessments for planning compliance
Jostec provides professional noise assessments and noise surveys to support planning applications, discharge planning conditions and meet local authority requirements.
Whether you need an environmental noise assessment for a new residential development, or an industrial or commercial noise assessment for plant, equipment or operational noise, our noise consultants provide the technical expertise and advice to keep your project moving.
Key Takeaways
- Noise assessments and noise surveys are commonly needed for planning applications and local authority requirements.
- A noise survey measures on-site noise levels and noise sources; the noise assessment interprets those results and explains what they mean for the project.
- Noise assessments are often required at pre-planning stage, although they can also be carried out retrospectively where needed.
- Jostec provides two main types of noise assessment: Environmental Noise Assessment for residential or other noise-sensitive sites, and Industrial or Commercial Noise Assessment for plant, equipment and operational noise.
What is a noise assessment?
A noise assessment is a technical review that evaluates how noise impacts a specific site or how a proposed development will affect the existing acoustic environment.
Noise assessments help assess the likely impact on neighbouring properties and the surrounding noise environment, and identify any mitigation that may be needed to satisfy planning permission or local authority requirements
What is a noise survey?
A noise survey, sometimes called an acoustic survey, is the physical measurement stage of a noise assessment, which involves on-site measurement of environmental or operational noise.
These measurements identify the existing noise climate and dominant noise sources in terms of their levels and frequency content. The results underpin a noise assessment, which interprets the impact of noise data for planning or compliance purposes.
In short: a noise survey gathers raw noise data and a noise assessment explains what that data means for the project.
Do I need a noise assessment?
You will likely need a noise assessment if your project requires planning permission and noise could affect future occupants, neighbouring properties or the wider environment.
Local authority planning departments will often indicate whether a noise assessment is needed and what type of assessment is likely to apply. On some projects, particularly mixed-use schemes, more than one type of noise survey may be required.
Noise assessments are commonly needed at pre-planning stage, although they can also be carried out retrospectively.
Our noise consultants help you navigate:
- Pre-planning stage: identifying likely noise constraints before design decisions are fixed
- Discharging Planning Conditions: providing the evidence needed to support, fulfil or discharge noise-related requirements
- Retrospective Assessments: reviewing existing noise issues and recommending mitigation where needed
Can a noise assessment support Building Regulations compliance?
A noise assessment can support Building Regulations compliance where external noise needs to be considered as part of the wider acoustic strategy for a project.
Depending on the development, a noise assessment may be needed alongside acoustic design and consultancy for design-stage acoustic advice, or sound insulation testing where pre-completion testing is required under Approved Document E.
Types of noise assessment
Jostec provides two main types of noise assessment, depending on the site, the proposed development and the source of the noise. These are Environmental Noise Assessment and Industrial and Commercial Noise Assessments.
Environmental noise assessment
An environmental noise assessment is typically required where new residential or other noise-sensitive development is proposed.
Environmental noise assessments evaluate how external noise from noise sources such as road, rail and air traffic may affect the site and amenity of future occupants.
A site noise survey is carried out and collected noise data is assessed against the relevant standards and methods, including BS 8233 and calculation methods based on BS 12354, together with any specific local authority requirements. This helps inform whether noise level criteria can be met through the design of the building envelope.
Impact Sound Insulation Testing
Impact sound insulation testing measures how effectively a separating floor reduces structure-borne noise, such as footsteps or movement across the floor above, into the dwelling below.
Impact sound insulation testing is carried out on separating floor/ceiling divides between dwellings.
At JosTec, we conduct an impact sound insulation test through the use of a tapping machine to generate impact noise on the floor above, then measure the sound level that passes through the partition to the room below to assess how effectively the floor construction reduces transmitted impact sound between dwellings.
What does a Noise Assessment Involve?
Our approach to noise assessment follows industry best practice and ensures your project meets noise standards to comply with planning permission and local authority requirements. A noise assessment involves:
- Reviewing the site and project context to understand why the assessment is needed and which type of noise assessment is most appropriate.
- Carrying out a noise survey to measure sound levels in and around the site and identify noise sources.
- Analysing the survey data against the relevant standards, guidance and local authority requirements.
- Assessing the likely impact, whether that is environmental noise affecting a proposed development or noise from plant, equipment or commercial activity affecting nearby properties.
- Recommending mitigation where needed to help meet the relevant criteria and support planning, compliance or design decisions.
Why Choose JosTec?
With over 20 years of experience, JosTec provides noise assessments and noise surveys across a wide range of projects throughout the UK.
- M.I.O.A.-qualified noise consultants, all with at least 5 years of noise assessment experience
- Trusted by developers, building owners, construction companies, and local authorities
- Support provided to discharge any planning conditions or resolve other environmental noise issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a noise assessment and a noise survey?
A noise survey is the measurement stage of a noise assessment. It records noise data at or around a site so the existing noise climate and dominant noise sources can be understood properly. A noise assessment then uses that data to assess likely impact and explain what it means for the project.
Do I need a noise assessment for planning permission?
You may need a noise assessment if your project requires planning permission and noise could affect future occupants, neighbouring properties or the surrounding site. Local authority planning departments will often indicate whether a noise assessment is needed and what type of assessment is likely to apply. Looking for further support? Discuss your project with Jostec.
What types of noise assessment are there?
Jostec provides two main types of noise assessment: Environmental Noise Assessment and Industrial or Commercial Noise Assessment. The right type depends on the site, the proposed development and the source of the noise. Some mixed-use schemes may require both.
What is the BS 4142 standard?
The BS 4142 standard is a method to assess industrial or commercial sound that could affect nearby people in residential properties. This often applies to fixed plant, extract systems, loading activity and other operational noise sources. Learn more about BS 4142 Noise Assessments
Can one project need more than one type of noise assessment?
Yes. On some projects, particularly mixed-use developments, more than one type of noise survey may be needed. This can include both environmental noise assessment and industrial or commercial noise assessment.
What does a noise assessment involve?
A noise assessment usually involves reviewing the site and project context, carrying out a noise survey, analysing the results against the relevant standards and local authority requirements, assessing likely impact and recommending mitigation where needed.
Can noise assessments be carried out retrospectively?
Yes. Noise assessments are commonly needed at pre-planning stage, but they can also be carried out retrospectively where required.
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