Noise compliance requires businesses to adhere to a limit on the level of noise that affects the surrounding area.
The issue of noise compliance is a long-standing challenge that has affected the industrial, energy and construction sectors for years. When operating near residential areas, schools, parks etc. it is crucial to adhere to the noise regulations set out by the local council.
Dealing with the Challenge of Noise Compliance
A manufacturing plant has been having problems with its noise output for a while now.
Traditional methods of dealing with the source of the noise has been unsuccessful, this is due to the complexity of the plant and the massive amount of noise sources. As a result no conclusion has been made and any attempts to stifle the noise is futile as the plant don’t even know where to start.
This Has Led to Increasing Pressure from External Forces:
- Nearby residents have become angered by the noise, with lengthy, expensive legal battles imminent. This is something that the plant cannot afford to deal with as this only adds to increasing tension with the local council.
- The local council is unhappy, and action is being threatened, with fines, sanctions and even closure seen as a serious possibility.
- However, it is not only the public that are being negatively affected by this issue. The health and safety officer has also identified serious health risks to workers due to high decibel exposure.
Addressing Noise Compliance by Visualising Sound
After traditional methods didn’t work, the plant decided to try a new avenue of visualising the sound sources using heatmaps.
This was done with the help of the Sound Scanner P132, an acoustic camera that turns what you can hear into what you can see.
The Sound Scanner mounts on a tripod and uses a series of sensors set into a rotating motion to detect the sounds and where they are noisiest.
This is all then displayed in easy to digest heatmaps, that help identify noise sources, allowing for targeted response on what is causing the issue.
But What Makes the Sound Scanner Stand Out?
The Sound Scanner is not only specialised for use in industrial settings it also has a host of features that make it a popular choice of acoustic camera. Features like:
- Higher quality, reliable measurements.
- Superior price-performance ratio due to the ingenuity of the design. With current pricing, you are getting an acoustic camera for the price of a sound level meter.
- Exceptional mobility and ease of set up, allowing for efficient measurements. There is no laptop, no power adapter or data recorder needed while undertaking the measurements.
- It is also incredibly robust, using high quality materials such as carbon, ceramic and aluminium.
What Are the Benefits of Identifying Noise This Way?
By identifying the source of noise, the manufacturing plant, despite the complexity of noises, were able to address the issue from its source.
This resulted in:
- Rectifying relationships with the residents, creating a strong bond with the local community which goes a long way in ensuring the long-term success of the business.
- Easing tension with the local council, meaning that the plant avoided fines, which could have led to closure if the issue persisted.
- Improvement of employee wellbeing, which led to the increase in morale, lower employee turnover and higher productivity.
This is just one of the many uses of the Seven Bel Sound Scanner, if you’re interested in seeing more of what it can do, view our Sound Scanner product page.
