Pol05 - Reduction of noise pollution – Above Green

(1 point available)

Aim

To reduce the likelihood of noise arising from fixed installations on the new development affecting nearby noise-sensitive buildings.

Assessment criteria

Applicability:

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit

Where there are, or will be, no noise-sensitive areas or buildings within an 800m radius of the assessed site.

Alternatively, where the building does have noise-sensitive areas or buildings within an 800m radius of the site, one credit can be awarded as follows:

2.a

Where a noise impact assessment has been carried out and the following noise levels measured or determined in accordance with the ISO 1996 series:

2.a.i

Existing background noise levels at the nearest or most exposed noise-sensitive development to the proposed development or at a location where background conditions can be argued to be similar

2.a.ii

The noise level resulting from the new noise source (see CN3.1).

The noise impact assessment must be carried out by a suitably qualified acoustic consultant holding a recognised acoustic qualification and membership of an appropriate professional body (see Relevant definitions).

The noise level from the proposed site or building, as measured in the locality of the nearest or most exposed noise-sensitive development, is a difference no greater than +5dB during the day (07:00 to 23:00) and +3dB at night (23:00 to 07:00) compared to the background noise level.

Where the noise level from the proposed site or building is greater than the levels described in criterion 4 , measures have been installed to attenuate the noise at its source to a level where it will comply with criterion 4 .

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Shell and core (non-residential and residential institutions only)s
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Shell only: This issue is not applicable. Shell and core: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix D – Shell and core project assessments for a more detailed description of the shell and core assessment options.
Residential - Partially fitted & Fully fitted
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria - Single dwellings	Both options: This issue is not applicable. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.
CN2.1	Applicable assessment criteria - Multiple dwellings	Both options: These criteria will be applicable to multiple dwellings with communal HVAC systems only. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.
General
CN3	Standard not appropriate or not applicable	Where a suitably qualified acoustician confirms that ISO 1996:2007 is not an appropriate standard of assessment for the proposed building or site, their assessment of the likelihood of complaints from noise impact can be accepted for the purpose of assessing this issue.
CN3.1	Compliance at the design stage. See criterion 2 .	At the design stage of assessment, where noise-sensitive areas or buildings are present, actual measurement is unlikely to be possible due to the planned but non-existent installation. In such situations compliance can be demonstrated through the use of acousticians' calculations or by scale model investigations. For such cases ISO 1996-2:2007 states that 'as universally agreed prediction models do not exist, the method adopted should be carefully described in the acoustician's report' and that 'when available, prediction models accepted by relevant authorities should be used'. Where prediction through these methods is not possible, measurement will be necessary using either a noise source similar to that proposed or, alternatively, measurement of the actual noise from the installation (once installed). Compliance with the latter approach requires a written commitment to appoint a suitably qualified acoustician to carry out the required measurements post installation, and a further commitment to attenuate the noise source in compliance with criteria 4 and 5 of BREEAM (if proved necessary by the measurements).
CN3.2	Untreated buildings	This assessment issue does not apply to buildings designed to be untreated, i.e. where internal spaces will not be serviced by heating, ventilation or air-conditioning systems and therefore have no noise generating plant. Examples of such building types could include industrial warehouse storage.
CN3.3	National or local alternative to ISO standard	It is possible to use a national or local equivalent to the ISO 1996 series; however this must be approved by BRE Global. The approved standards and weightings list can be used to check for previously approved standards or to propose a new national or local standard.

Methodology

None.

Evidence

Criteria

Interim design stage

Final post construction stage

Design drawings highlighting:

All existing and proposed noise-sensitive buildings local to, and within, the site boundary
Proposed sources of noise from the new development
Distance (m) from these buildings to the assessed development.

As design stage. BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence.

2–3

The acoustician’s report, acoustician’s qualifications and professional status OR Relevant section or clauses of the building specification or contract requiring a noise assessment by a suitably qualified acoustician in compliance with ISO 1996:2007

A letter from the client or design team confirming that they will appoint an acoustician to carry out a noise assessment in compliance with ISO 1996.

The acoustician’s report with measurements based on installed and operating plant.

4–5

Acoustician’s report with recommendations for noise attenuation measures AND EITHER:

A marked-up design plan highlighting the specification of the acoustician’s attenuation measures

A formal letter from the client or design team confirming where relevant, that attenuation measures recommended by an appointed suitably qualified acoustician will be installed.

BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence confirming the existence of the specified noise attenuation measures

A letter from the acoustician confirming that all specified attenuation measures have been installed to the required standard.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Noise-sensitive area

Landscapes or buildings where the occupiers are likely to be sensitive to noise created by the new plant installed in the assessed building, including:

Residential areas
Hospitals, health centres, care homes, doctor's surgeries etc.
Schools, colleges and other teaching establishments
Libraries
Places of worship
Wildlife areas, historic landscapes, parks and gardens
Located in an area recognised as having outstanding natural beauty, scientific or ecological interest
Any other development that can be considered noise-sensitive.

Suitably qualified acoustician

An individual who holds a recognised acoustic qualification and membership of an appropriate professional body. Acousticians that meet the definition of a suitably qualified acoustician in Hea 05 Acoustic performance, will also meet the definition for the purposes of compliance with this issue.

Other information

None.