Noise solutions business Echo Barrier has just launched a new-generation acoustic barrier into the local market which the company claims can reduce construction noise by up to 30dB(A).
The company says the barriers will benefit construction
companies, local businesses and residents due to the barrier’s
ability to soak up sound rather than reflecting it like other
products on the market.
Echo
Barrier adds it has already proven popular on large scale
overseas projects including the 2012 London Olympics.
Echo Barrier Director Ray Lee says the company’s local clients
include John Holland Group, Regional Rail Link and Aggreko.
“These barriers can significantly reduce noise impacts on people
living and working near construction projects,” he says.
“Construction companies often have to spend time dealing with
noise complaints, liaising with councils, local businesses and
residents to keep work moving on site.”
“From a residents’ and local businesses’ perspective, excessive
noise from construction projects can cause significant impacts
including loss of sleep or inability to work or study for
residents, as well as the potential loss of revenue for local
businesses.”
“So keeping noise levels to a minimum is also about enhancing a
company’s reputation as a member of a community.”
Lee adds before the introduction of the Echo Barrier’s
soundproof barrier, mitigating the noise from construction projects
meant building heavy duty walls which can be expensive, time
consuming and sometimes impractical.
According to Echo Barrier, its soundproof walls are engineered
from a patented lightweight material which is highly sound
absorbent but does not absorb water. This means they stay light and
manoeuvrable even on wet days so one person can easily move the
barriers around sites as required.
“With Echo Barrier, you can create a noise wall where one
couldn’t previously have been made and it’s even feasible to set up
and take down the noise walls on a daily basis, making them an
incredibly versatile, affordable and easy to use solution to
construction noise,” Lee says.
Although construction noise is not addressed by national
building code legislation, the Association of Australian Acoustical
Consultants says there is a desire in the industry to implement
best practice noise management strategies.
The Association’s Chairman Martti Warpenius says control is
necessary due to noise becoming an increasing issue as Australia’s
urban population grows.
“We work with a lot of construction companies providing advice
on best practice acoustic control during the construction phase and
in the building design itself,” he says.
“There is no national legislation governing noise, with
acceptable levels determined on a project by project basis, but we
do see that companies are generally striving for best practice
noise protection approaches.”
In the absence of guidelines, what ‘best practice’ implies can
be difficult to identify but Warpenius says to look to the specific
needs of a community for guidance.
“Options can range from the use of noise barriers to using
equipment which emits lower noise levels, or even temporarily
relocating affected communities during peak construction
periods.”