noise baseline assessment

Noise Baseline Assessment

Noise can be defined as “unwanted sound” and an audible acoustic energy that adversely affects the physical and/or psychological well-being of people, or which disturbs or impacts the convenience or peace of any person. We can generalize by saying that sound becomes unwanted when it;

• Hinders speech communication
• Impedes the thinking process
• Interferes with concentration
• Obstructs activities (work or leisure)
• Presents a health risk due to hearing damage

Sound is the results of pressure changes in the air, caused by vibration of turbulence. Environmental Assurance can measure these changes in air by the use of a Type 1 sound level meter, sound level calibration and specified widescreen microphone. SANS 10328:2008 Methods for environmental noise impact assessments are used for the assessing of the noise impact.

Baseline noise monitoring is conducted prior to development. This is then compared to the expected noise from the proposed activities and is used to assess the potential noise impacts. Noise Impact Assessments identify potential noise impacts, and provide mitigation measures and a recommended noise monitoring programme.

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