BS8233 NOISE ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE FOR DEVELOPERS
BS8233 Noise Assessment Guidance
One of the planning conditions for your new development states that you need to undertake a BS8233 noise survey; however, what is a noise assessment and how do I undertake one?
Understanding your planning requirements when planning a residential project or development can be confusing. With various permissions and assessments available, knowing which you need and what they all mean is often a struggle.
A BS8233 noise assessment is a common assessment that you might come across while planning your development. It relates to noise levels on development projects and is often required for obtaining planning permission. If you are undergoing a residential development near to noise sources in London and the South East and/or the United Kingdom, then please read our expert guide on BS8233 noise assessments.
BS8233 Noise Assessment Guide for Developers
A BS8233 noise assessment refers to ‘guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings. It is used to handle the noise levels from outside the building, noise from a plant and services within it, the impact on occupiers and even how sound varies in individual room acoustics. The assessment will suggest appropriate criteria and limits for various situations within a development project to bring the internal/external noise levels down to the acceptable levels in line with BS8233.
The following table below shows the required indoor ambient noise levels to comply with BS8233.
BS8233 sets out appropriate noise levels for both internal and external projects for daytime and night time. It provides some guidance on the design of sound insulation in buildings as well as various methods of achieving noise reduction in new build projects and refurbishments.
When you choose APT Sound Testing for a BS8233 noise assessment we will arrange for our acoustic engineers to complete the report on your behalf. A noise survey will be carried out at the development site, and the sound environment will be evaluated. The survey helps us to determine any potential noise impact, and we will consider all aspects of BS8233.
Why is a BS8233 Noise Assessment Required on my Project?
Any development such as commercial projects, such as offices, schools or residential houses and flats, that is located near a transport noise source such as a railways line or main road are likely to require a BS8233 noise impact assessment; which most likely requires the assessment to consider the guidance contained in the British Standard 8233:2014. Developments near roads or railways often need this assessment as part of the planning permission to check that appropriate external and internal noise levels can be achieved. This is necessary to protect any future occupants of the site from excessive noise, as well as to protect other people nearby to the development.
A local planning authority will request a noise impact assessment should support the planning or preferably be provided at the pre-application stage of planning application for a new project. The information provided in the noise impact assessment which considers BS8233, provides the authorities the necessary information to assess the level of noise on the development and surround areas. This can then be used to ensure that appropriate noise reduction measures are put in place if required, such as acoustic upgrades to the building façade etc. if you undertake a BS8233 noise survey you increase the chance of planning consent being awarded for your new residential or commercial development.
The key reason for a BS8233 noise assessment is to make sure that a development is compliant with the Noise Policy Statement for England and the National Planning and Policy Framework.
What Does A BS8233 Noise Assessment Involve?
APT Sound Testing will arrange for our acoustic engineers to visit site to undertake a BS8233 noise assessment and the sound environment will be calculated. Measurements are usually undertaken over a minimum 24 hour period to the nearest building façade facing the main noise source. If there are multiple noise sources extra survey locations may need to be carried out. We will then carry produce the noise assessment report. The survey helps us to determine any potential noise impact, and we will consider all aspects of BS8233.
After the survey, we will be able to recommend solutions (if required) to make sure your development meets all the local regulations. This will all be used to create your BS8233 noise assessment report which can then be used for planning permission applications and compliance with your relevant planning condition/s.
We have undertaken hundreds of noise surveys throughout London and the South East, if you need any further information on our BS8233 noise assessments service to comply with your planning conditions, or you would you like to contact us to discuss your noise survey requirements then please contact us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk or call us on 01525 303905.
Alternately, for more information, please visit our BS8233 noise survey page, or please visit our noise survey guidance page. You can also download our BS8233 noise assessment checklist here.