Noise Assessment & Acoustic Consultancy
BS 4142 industrial / commercial, BS 5228 construction, BS 8233 / ProPG residential, workplace noise dosimetry and HAVS vibration. Class 1 instrumentation. Chartered and qualified acoustic consultants, UK-wide.
The right standard for the source and the receptor
Noise sits alongside air quality and dust as one of the planning-system's three core pollution-control disciplines. Almost every UK residential development, commercial scheme, industrial application or major construction project needs a noise assessment to support the planning application or to discharge a noise-related condition. Workplaces with machinery, plant or repetitive vibrating tools have parallel duties under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Air Dust Odour provides the full acoustic consultancy service alongside our chartered air quality, dust and odour offering. We deliver BS 4142 industrial / commercial sound rating assessments, BS 5228 construction noise and vibration monitoring with Trigger Action Plans, BS 8233:2014 and ProPG residential planning noise assessments, workplace noise dosimetry surveys, hand-arm vibration (HAVS) assessments, plant and mechanical services noise design and complaint investigations — all from one consultancy, one project manager, one fixed-fee quote.
Combining the acoustic work with your air, dust and odour assessment saves the project team the cost of running multiple consultants and produces a more coherent submission to the local authority. Acoustic work is delivered by qualified acoustic consultants within the ADO team and signed off by Malcolm Pounder CEnv MIAQM, our Chartered Environmentalist.
undefined
undefined
BS 4142 Industrial / Commercial Noise
Sound rating of industrial / commercial sources at residential receptors per BS 4142:2014+A1:2019. The standard methodology for fixed plant, industrial estates, commercial extract systems, refrigeration plant, generators and process equipment. Reports written to the format expected by environmental health.
BS 5228 Construction Noise & Vibration
Construction-phase noise and vibration monitoring per BS 5228-1 and BS 5228-2. Real-time boundary monitoring with telemetry, Trigger Action Plans, monthly compliance reports and discharge of planning conditions. Often combined with our PM10 dust monitoring scheme on the same site.
Planning & ProPG Residential
Residential development noise assessment per BS 8233:2014 and the ProPG (Professional Practice Guidance on Planning & Noise). Internal LAeq targets, garden amenity space criteria, mitigation design, glazing and acoustic ventilation specifications, overheating-cooling interaction.
Workplace Noise Dosimetry
Personal noise dosimetry under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Identification of workers above the 80 dB(A) lower action level, 85 dB(A) upper action level and 87 dB(A) exposure limit (with hearing protection). Hearing surveillance recommendations, control hierarchy.
Hand-Arm Vibration (HAVS)
HAVS surveys per the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and HSE HSG 247. Tool measurement, points exposure calculation, EAV 2.5 m/s² A(8) and ELV 5.0 m/s² A(8) assessment, health surveillance triggers.
Plant & Building Services Noise
Design-stage and post-installation acoustic assessment of mechanical services plant: HVAC, AHUs, chillers, refrigeration, generators, extract systems. Includes commercial-kitchen extract acoustic design alongside our EMAQ+ odour work.
Complaint Investigation & Statutory Nuisance
Independent investigation of noise complaints with reference to BS 7445 environmental noise description and the statutory nuisance provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Documentation suitable for environmental health or court use.
Cost Guide
Indicative 2026 prices for the most common noise assessment scopes — BS 4142, BS 5228, ProPG residential, workplace dosimetry and HAVS — with worked examples.
undefined
undefined
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a noise assessment for my planning application?
Most residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use applications need a noise assessment where the site is close to existing noise sources (or vice versa). The local validation list usually tells you, but in practice if the site is within ~50 m of a busy road, any industrial activity, a railway, a pub or restaurant, or any other potentially noisy use, a noise assessment is required.
Which British Standard applies to my project?
It depends on the source and the receptor. Industrial / commercial fixed plant at residential receptors = BS 4142. Residential development design for new dwellings exposed to existing noise = BS 8233 + ProPG. Construction phase = BS 5228. Workplace = HSE Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. We work out the right framework for you at the scoping call.
Are your noise reports accepted by local authorities?
Yes. Reports are written to the standards expected by UK environmental health and planning officers, follow the relevant British Standard or HSE methodology exactly, use Class 1 instrumentation with field calibration verification, and are signed off by qualified acoustic consultants within the ADO team.
Can you combine noise with air quality and dust?
Yes, and clients usually save money doing so. Combining acoustic, air quality, dust and odour into one consultancy submission means one project manager, one fixed fee, and one coherent CEMP / dust management plan / acoustic strategy package for the planning authority.
How quickly can you deliver a noise assessment?
A typical BS 4142 or ProPG report turns around in 3 to 4 weeks from the scoping call: 1 to 2 weeks to schedule and complete the noise survey, 1 week for analysis and 1 week for the report. BS 5228 construction monitoring schemes can be installed within 10 working days of confirmed instruction.