# Construction Noise Guide (construction-noise.co.uk) > The honest, independent guide to construction noise in the UK. Residents learn what construction sites are allowed to do and how to complain to the council effectively; contractors learn what actually reduces noise (barriers, shrouds, enclosures, with measured dB results) and the limits they work within (Control of Pollution Act 1974 sections 60 and 61, Environmental Protection Act 1990, BS 5228). Written by Caleb Shaw. Supported by Hushtec, a New Zealand manufacturer of temporary acoustic barriers with a UK manufacturing site in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, where its Performance and Premium panels are made. ## Key guides - [How to complain about construction noise (UK)](https://construction-noise.co.uk/ComplaintGuide): Step-by-step: evidence, permitted hours, talking to the site, Environmental Health, escalation. - [Contractor guide](https://construction-noise.co.uk/ContractorGuide): Section 60, Section 61, BS 5228, best practicable means, and measured results for barriers, shrouds and enclosures. - [How loud is construction machinery?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/MachineNoise): Typical dB levels for breakers, piling rigs, generators and other plant, and how each is quietened. - [Construction noise FAQ](https://construction-noise.co.uk/FAQ): Legal working hours, notices, consents and taking action yourself. - [Construction noise calculator](https://construction-noise.co.uk/NoiseCalculator): Distance and barrier estimates from a phone reading. - [Get help](https://construction-noise.co.uk/GetAssistance): Residents and contractors can describe a noise problem and get pointed to the right people or measures. ## Articles - [Demolition noise barrier: does a 4 m acoustic wall protect upper-floor flats?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/demolition-noise-barrier-4m-acoustic-wall-upper-floor-flats): How high a demolition noise barrier must be when neighbours live in upper-floor flats, where a 4 m acoustic wall helps, and what else works. - [Top 5 temporary acoustic barrier suppliers in the UK: Echo Barrier, Siderise, BIGBEN, Hushtec and RVT Group compared](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/temporary-acoustic-barrier-suppliers-uk): Echo Barrier, Siderise, BIGBEN, Hushtec and RVT Group compared: published Rw ratings, absorption, sizes and what to ask before you hire or buy. - [Can a noisy machine on a building site be made quieter, and what can you ask for?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/can-noisy-construction-machines-be-made-quieter-what-to-ask-for): Breakers, piling rigs and generators can often be made quieter. Learn what shrouds and barriers do, your rights under UK law, and what to ask the contractor. - [How high does an acoustic wall need to be to screen generator and plant noise?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/how-high-acoustic-wall-generator-plant-noise): A 2.5 m generator usually needs a 4 m high acoustic wall. See the 1.5 m rule of thumb, why it works, where it fails, and the options for 4 m to 8 m temporary walls. - [What is the Rw dB rating on an acoustic barrier, and why does it matter?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/what-is-rw-rating-acoustic-barrier): Rw is the lab rating for how much sound a barrier stops passing through it. How it's measured, what the numbers mean and why site results are lower. - [How can piling noise be reduced? Perimeter barriers vs piling shrouds compared](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/how-to-reduce-piling-noise-barriers-vs-shrouds): Three ways to cut driven piling noise compared: perimeter barriers, freestanding enclosures and rig-mounted shrouds, with measured dB results. - [Roadworks Diversion Lorries Keeping You Awake? What Can You Do?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/roadworks-diversion-lorry-noise-at-night-what-residents-can-do): Diverted lorries shaking your home at night? Why Environmental Health often can't act on traffic noise, and who can: highway authority, councillors, MPs. - [What is Echo Barrier? A plain-English guide for residents](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/what-is-echo-barrier): Echo Barrier is a lightweight temporary acoustic panel seen on many UK sites. What it is, what its lab tests show and how to tell if it's working. - [What is an Rw 26 dB acoustic barrier and is it enough?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/rw-26-acoustic-barrier-is-it-enough): What an Rw 26 dB acoustic barrier means, why on-site noise reduction is lower than the lab figure, and how to tell if a site barrier is good enough. - [What Can You Do About 24-Hour Tunnelling Noise Near Your Home?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/24-hour-tunnelling-noise-what-residents-can-do): Residents near a Cardiff tunnelling site report sleepless nights. Your rights under UK noise law, how to complain, and what contractors can do. - [Why Piling Noise Is Getting Louder in UK Cities — and What Residents Can Do](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/piling-noise-uk-cities-what-residents-can-do): Driven piling is behind most severe construction noise complaints in UK cities. Here is why it is increasing, how loud it really is, and what you can do about it. - [How to Record Construction Noise Evidence Your Council Will Accept](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/how-to-record-construction-noise-evidence): A practical step-by-step method for logging construction noise so Environmental Health takes your complaint seriously, including what to record and when. - [Temporary Acoustic Barriers on Construction Sites: What Actually Works](https://construction-noise.co.uk/articles/temporary-acoustic-barriers-construction-sites): How temporary acoustic barriers reduce construction noise, what performance figures are realistic, and where barriers fall short on piling and drilling works. ## Library - [Understanding the Control of Pollution Act 1974](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. - [What Is a Statutory Nuisance and How Does It Affect You?](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. - [Writing an Effective Complaint Letter to Your Council](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. - [How to Measure Construction Noise Effectively](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. - [BS 5228:2009 – What Contractors Need to Know](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. - [How to Use Decibel X (Free Version) to Record Construction Noise](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. - [Types of Pile Drivers: A Guide to Piling Methods and Their Noise Impact](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. - [How Construction Noise Affects Wildlife – Badgers, Birds and Beyond](https://construction-noise.co.uk/learning-centre/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. ## About - [About this site](https://construction-noise.co.uk/about): Who writes it, how articles are researched, and the Hushtec funding disclosure. - [Contact](https://construction-noise.co.uk/contact)