Construction acoustics, explained
Everything to do with construction noise in one place: what the law says, how noise is measured and rated, and what actually reduces it. Written for residents and contractors alike.
Explainers
Understanding the Control of Pollution Act 1974
The Control of Pollution Act 1974 remains one of the key pieces of legislation governing construction noise in the UK. Learn what it means for you.
Read →What Is a Statutory Nuisance and How Does It Affect You?
Statutory nuisance is the legal threshold your council must reach before they can take action. Understand what it means and how to prove it.
Read →Writing an Effective Complaint Letter to Your Council
Learn the key elements that make a noise complaint letter effective, and what councils look for when deciding how to respond.
Read →How to Measure Construction Noise Effectively
A practical guide to measuring noise levels using your smartphone and what the readings mean in the context of UK guidance.
Read →BS 5228:2009 – What Contractors Need to Know
BS 5228 is the British Standard for managing noise and vibration on construction sites. Here's an accessible summary of what it requires.
Read →How to Use Decibel X (Free Version) to Record Construction Noise
A step-by-step guide to using the free version of the Decibel X app on iOS and Android to measure, capture, and export noise evidence for your complaint.
Read →Types of Pile Drivers: A Guide to Piling Methods and Their Noise Impact
Not all piling is the same. From near-silent screw piles to high-impact driven concrete, this guide explains every major piling method and the noise levels each one produces.
Read →How Construction Noise Affects Wildlife – Badgers, Birds and Beyond
Construction noise doesn't just disturb residents — it can have serious consequences for local wildlife. From badger setts to nesting birds, here's what developers are legally required to consider.
Read →In-depth guides
Longer pieces on barriers, ratings and noise control.
Demolition noise barrier: does a 4 m acoustic wall protect upper-floor flats?
A demolition noise barrier only works if it blocks the line of sight between the breaker or crusher and the window. For upper-floor flats, a 4 m acoustic wall on the site boundary…
Read →Top 5 temporary acoustic barrier suppliers in the UK: Echo Barrier, Siderise, BIGBEN, Hushtec and RVT Group compared
Five of the best-known names in UK temporary acoustic barriers are Echo Barrier, Siderise, BIGBEN Sound Blocker, Hushtec and RVT Group. Published ratings for their fence-mounted…
Read →Can a noisy machine on a building site be made quieter, and what can you ask for?
Often, yes. Contractors can fit shrouds or enclosures to the noisiest machines, put acoustic barriers around the work area and boundary, and plan noisy work for less sensitive hours.…
Read →How high does an acoustic wall need to be to screen generator and plant noise?
As a rule of thumb, an acoustic wall should stand about 1.5 m higher than the top of the noise source. A generator 2.5 m tall therefore needs a wall about 4 m high. This guide explains…
Read →What is the Rw dB rating on an acoustic barrier, and why does it matter?
Rw (weighted sound reduction index) is a single number in decibels that shows how well a material stops sound passing through it, measured in a laboratory to ISO 10140-2 and calculated…
Read →How can piling noise be reduced? Perimeter barriers vs piling shrouds compared
Airborne noise from driven piling can be cut in three main ways: a tall barrier around the site perimeter, a freestanding acoustic enclosure around the pile being driven, or a shroud…
Read →What is Echo Barrier? A plain-English guide for residents
Echo Barrier is a brand of lightweight, rollable temporary acoustic panels. The company is registered in England with its head office in Suffolk, and the panels are made in Slovakia.…
Read →What is an Rw 26 dB acoustic barrier and is it enough?
An Rw 26 dB acoustic barrier is rated at 26 dB for sound passing through the panel in laboratory tests, but the reduction you hear on site is lower because noise also travels over the…
Read →How to Record Construction Noise Evidence Your Council Will Accept
Councils act on patterns, not single events. A log that records the date, time, duration, noise type and an indicative level for several weeks is usually enough for an Environmental…
Read →Temporary Acoustic Barriers on Construction Sites: What Actually Works
A properly specified temporary acoustic barrier can cut construction noise by 10 to 20 dB at a neighbouring facade — enough to turn a nuisance into a normal working site. The…
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