dBA report 079.2 · Solutions Ltd. (TQS), to carry out a noise survey at the TQS facility at...

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This report and its contepermission. The report ispersonal and non-assigna

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2017 annual noise

liance survey in vicinity of

more Quarry Solutions &

n’s Quarry Products facility,

gmore, Dripsey, Co. Cork

Licence ref. W0255-02

thbert EnvironmentalO Tulligmore Quarry Solutions

mian Brosnan BSc MSc MIOA MIEI

port no Date Status079.2.1 18.10.17 Release 1

n brosnan acoustics

serving Ireland 086 813 [email protected] damianbrosnan.com

nts are copyright of damian brosnan acoustics. It may not be reproduced withoutto be used only for its intended purpose. The report is confidential to the client, and isble. No liability is admitted to third parties. © damian brosnan acoustics 2017

mian Brosnan – assisting clients since 2001 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||

dBAdamian brosnan acoustics

2017 annual noise survey at Tulligmore Quarry Solutions & O’Regan’s Quarry Products facility, Dripsey, Co. Cork dBA report 079.2.1

© damian brosnan acoustics 2

Contents

1 Introduction 3

2 Results 3

3 Conclusions 4

Appendix 1: Noise stations 5

Appendix 2: W0255-02 noise conditions 6

Appendix 3: Survey details 7

Appendix 4: Noise data 8

Appendix 5: Profiles & spectra 9

Appendix 6: Glossary 10

Summary

On 03.10.17, Damian Brosnan Acoustics carried out a daytime environmental

noise survey in the vicinity of the Tulligmore Quarry Solutions facility at

Tulligmore, Dripsey, Co. Cork. The survey is an annual requirement of waste

licence W0255-02 which relates to the site.

Activities subject to licence W0255-02 have not yet commenced at the facility.

However, the related firm O’Regan’s Quarry Products is also based at the site,

and quarrying and processing operations associated with same were underway

throughout the survey.

Site noise emissions were audible to varying degrees at all five measurement

stations. Site specific LAeq 30 min levels at four boundary stations were 43-55 dB.

At a fifth offsite station, the site specific level was less than 44 dB. These levels

did not exceed the 55 dB daytime limit specified in waste licence W0255-02. No

audible tones or impulses were noted in facility emissions, thus complying with

schedule B.4 of the licence.



1 Introduction

1.1 Damian Brosnan Acoustics was instructed by Cuthbert Environmental, on behalf of their client Tulligmore Quarry

Solutions Ltd. (TQS), to carry out a noise survey at the TQS facility at Tulligmore, Dripsey, Co. Cork. The survey is

an annual requirement of waste licence W0255-02 issued 21.03.13 by the Environmental Protection Agency in

respect of the facility. The objectives of the survey were as follows:

Undertake noise monitoring in accordance with International Standard ISO 1996-2:2007 Acoustics – Description,

measurement and assessment of environmental noise, Part 2: Determination of environmental noise levels (2007).

Measure noise levels at four boundary stations and one offsite station specified in licence W0255-02, as shown in

appendix 1.

Assess measured levels in the context of noise limits specified in the waste licence, reproduced in appendix 2.

1.2 The noise survey was undertaken during daytime hours Tuesday 03.10.17. Activities subject to licence W0255-

02 have not yet commenced at the facility. However, the related firm O’Regan’s Quarry Products is also based at the

site, and quarrying and processing operations associated with same were underway throughout the survey, with

emissions arising from processing plant near the weighbridge, several loaders in intermittent use, several tracked

excavators and 6x6 dump trucks, occasional truck movements, and maintenance garage activity.

1.3 It was agreed with the applicant that survey methodology would follow that set out in the Environmental

Protection Agency 2006 document Guidance note for noise in relation to scheduled activities. Survey methodology,

equipment specifications and weather conditions are listed in appendix 3.

2 Results

2.1 Noise data recorded are presented in appendix 4, and summarised in table 1 over. Frequency spectra and time

history profiles are shown in appendix 5.

2.2 LAeq 30 min levels at the four boundary stations AN1-AN4 were 43-55 dB. All four stations were affected to varying

degrees by onsite sources, chiefly occasional trucks movements on the site access road and continuous emissions

from the processing plant. At AN2 and AN3, measured LAeq 30 min levels of 55 and 43 dB are considered

representative of site emissions. The site specific LAeq 30 min level was calculated at 44 dB at AN1, and 52 dB at AN4.

These contributions did not exceed the 55 dB daytime limit specified in waste licence W0255-02.

2.3 The LAeq 30 min level at AN5, the only offsite station, was 48 dB. This level was influenced chiefly by offsite

construction plant. The quarry processing plant was audible at a low level, giving rise to a contribution calculated at

less than 44 dB.



2.4 No audible tones or impulses were noted in facility emissions. Third octave band frequency analysis detected

energy in the 25 Hz band at stations AN1, AN2 and AN4, most likely attributable to the onsite processing plant.

Energy in the 40 Hz band detected at AN3 most likely arose from an idling dump truck onsite. These signals were not

tonal when assessed using annex D of International Standard ISO 1996-2:2007 Acoustics – Description,

measurement and assessment of environmental noise, Part 2: Determination of environmental noise levels (2007).

Table 1: Noise data summary.

Station AN1 AN2 AN3 AN4 AN5

Period Daytime Daytime Daytime Daytime Daytime

Ambient LAeq 30 min (dB) 47 55 43 51 48

Facility specific LAeq 30 min (dB) 44 55 43 52 <44

Tone objectively detected x x x x x

Tone attributable to facility x x x x x

Facility audibly tonal x x x x x

Facility audibly impulsive x x x x x

Facility rated LAReq 30 min (dB) 44 55 43 52 <44

Limit (dB) 55 55 55 55 55

Compliance

3 Conclusions

3.1 Site noise emissions were audible to varying degrees at all five stations. Site specific LAeq 30 min levels at the four

boundary stations were 43-55 dB. At the offsite station, the site specific level was less than 44 dB. These levels did

not exceed the 55 dB daytime limit specified in waste licence W0255-02.

3.2 No audible tones or impulses were noted in facility emissions, thus complying with schedule B.4 of the licence.



Appendix 1: Noise stations



Appendix 2: W0255-02 noise conditions



Appendix 3: Survey details

File Project ref. 079

Client Cuthbert Environmental OBO Tulligmore Quarry Solutions

Location TQS / O’Regans quarry Tulligmore Dripsey Co Cork

Stations Onsite: AN1 AN2 AN3 AN4 Offsite: AN5

Purpose Waste licence compliance survey

Comment TQS operations not yet commenced O’Regans quarry operating

Event Period Daytime

Date 03.10.17

Day Tuesday

Time 0800-1200

Operator Damian Brosnan BSc MSc MIOA MIEI

Sound level meter 2250

Conditions Cloud cover Initially 50 %, increasing gradually to 100 %

Precipitation 0 mm

Temperature 6 rising to 12 °C

Wind Direction W

Speed 0-1 m/s

Measurement Anemo anemometer 2 m above ground level

Sound level meter Instrument Bruel & Kjaer Type 2250

Instrument serial no. 2506594

Microphone serial no. 2529531

Application BZ7224 Version 2.5

Bandwidth Broadband & 1/3 octaves

Max. input level 141.16 dB

Broadband weightings Time: Fast Frequency: AC

Spectrum weightings Time: Fast Frequency: Z

Windscreen correction UA-1650

Sound field correction Free-field

UKAS calibration 08.02.16

Calibrating laboratory Bruel & Kjaer Denmark

Calibration certificate Available on request

Onsite calibration Time 03/10/2017 08:16:18

Type External

Sensitivity 47.86 mV/Pa

Post survey check 93.9 dB

Onsite calibrator Instrument Bruel & Kjaer Type 4231

Instrument serial no. 3017723

UKAS calibration 20.01.17

Calibrating laboratory Bruel & Kjaer Denmark

Calibration certificate Available on request

Methodology Standards ISO 1996 (2007 & 2016) EPA NG4 (2006)

Microphone position Free field, 1.5 m above ground level

Intervals 30 min logging at 10 s

Uncertainty Instrumentation ±1 dB (IEC 61672:2002 Class 1)

External ±0-3 dB (station & weather dependent, estimated)

Total ±5 dB (estimated, including expanded uncertainty)



Appendix 4: Noise data

See glossary at end of report for definition of parameters

Station Date Time Wind

vector

LAeq 30 min

dB

LAF10 30 min

dB

LAF90 30 min

dB

Specific

LAeq 30 min dB

AN1

03.10.17 0946-1016 x 47 50 38 44

Facility: No TQS emissions. Quarry emissions quite audible continuously from 0957. Sporadic truck

movements quite audible on access road.

Extraneous: Tractor operating in field to E becoming more clearly audible from start of interval, increasing to

0957 when departed. Thereafter, road traffic to S, W and NW intermittently quite audible. Sporadic activity

audible at nearest offsite premises. Bird song/calls and aircraft.

Specific LAeq T determination: L90 from 0957 representative of processing plant.

AN2

03.10.17 1025-1055 x 55 58 51 55

Facility: No TQS emissions. Quarry emissions clearly audible continuously. Mobile plant audible at low level

on occasion. Several truck movements on access road dominant when present.

Extraneous: Intermittent road traffic outside boundary clearly audible. Local birdsong.

Specific LAeq T determination: Leq dominated by quarry operations and access road traffic, thus

representative.

AN3

03.10.17 0901-0931 - 43 45 38 43

Facility: No TQS emissions. Quarry processing plant continuously clearly audible to 0923. 6x6 idling at plant

intake hopper audible at low level from 0925. Mobile plant in nearest quarry areas quite audible.

Extraneous: Local birdsong. Offsite road traffic slightly audible.

Specific LAeq T determination: Leq representative of quarry emissions.

AN4

03.10.17 0819-0849 - 51 54 46 52

Facility: No TQS emissions. Quarry operations continuously clearly audible from 0821, chiefly processing

plant.

Extraneous: Excavator operating offsite to E slightly audible continuously. Intensive dog barking quite audible

at 1-200 m NW from 0830. Local birdsong.

Specific LAeq T determination: Leq 0821-0830 representative of quarry emissions.

AN5

03.10.17 1128-1158 + 48 51 44 <44

Facility: Processing plant continuously audible at low level.

Extraneous: Excavator x2 and telescopic handler in continuous use at 100 m audible at low level. Bird

song/calls and aircraft.

Specific LAeq T determination: Measured parameters influenced by offsite plant. <L90 determination possible

only, re processing plant.

Audibility scale: Inaudible; faintly discernible; slightly audible; audible at low level; quite audible; clearly audible; dominant; intrusive; excessive.



Appendix 5: Profiles & spectra

Cursor: 03/10/2017 09:46:44 - 09:46:54 LAeq=41.9 dB

079003 AN1

09:50:00 09:55:00 10:00:00 10:05:00 10:10:00 10:15:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq

Cursor: (A) Leq=46.8 dB LF90=37.8 dB Leq=46.8 dB LF90=37.8 dB

079003 AN1

12.50 31.50 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 16000 A C

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB 03/10/2017 09:46:44 - 10:16:44

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 03/10/2017 10:25:02 - 10:25:12 LAeq=55.1 dB

079004 AN2

10:30:00 10:35:00 10:40:00 10:45:00 10:50:00 10:55:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq


079004 AN2

12.50 31.50 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 16000 A C

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB 03/10/2017 10:25:02 - 10:55:02

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 03/10/2017 09:01:26 - 09:01:36 LAeq=43.7 dB

079002 AN3

09:05:00 09:10:00 09:15:00 09:20:00 09:25:00 09:30:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq


079002 AN3

12.50 31.50 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 16000 A C

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB 03/10/2017 09:01:26 - 09:31:26

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 03/10/2017 08:19:08 - 08:19:18 LAeq=48.8 dB

079001 AN4

08:20:00 08:25:00 08:30:00 08:35:00 08:40:00 08:45:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq


079001 AN4

12.50 31.50 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 16000 A C

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB 03/10/2017 08:19:08 - 08:49:08

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 03/10/2017 11:28:18 - 11:28:28 LAeq=45.0 dB

079005 AN5

11:30:00 11:35:00 11:40:00 11:45:00 11:50:00 11:55:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq


079005 AN5

12.50 31.50 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 16000 A C

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB 03/10/2017 11:28:18 - 11:58:18

Hz

LZeq LZF90



Appendix 6: Glossary

Ambient Total noise environment at a location, including all sounds present.

Amplitude Maximum extent of oscillation in a noise signal. Greater amplitude results in louder signal.

A-weighting Weighting or adjustment applied to sound level to approximate non-linear frequency response of humanear. Denoted by suffix A in parameters such as LAeq T, LAF10 T, etc.

Background level A-weighted sound pressure level of residual noise exceeded for 90 % of time interval T. Denoted LAF90 T.

Broadband Noise which contains roughly equal energy across frequency spectrum. Does not contain tones, and isgenerally less annoying than tonal noise.

Decibel (dB) Unit of noise measurement scale. Based on logarithmic scale so cannot be simply added or subtracted. 3dB difference is smallest change perceptible to human ear. 10 dB difference is perceived as doubling orhalving of sound level. Examples of decibel levels are as follows: 20 dB: very quiet room; 30-35 dB: night-time rural environment; 55-65 dB: conversation; 80 dB: busy pub; 100 dB: nightclub. Throughout thisreport noise levels are presented as decibels relative to 20 µPa.

Fast response 0.125 seconds response time of sound level meter to changing noise levels. Denoted by suffix F inparameters such as LAF10 T, LAF90 T, etc.

Free field Noise environment away from all surfaces other than ground ie. outside near field.

Frequency Number of cycles per second of a sound or vibration wave. Low frequency noise may be perceived as hum,while whine represents higher frequency. Range of human hearing approaches 20-20,000 Hertz.

Hertz (Hz) Unit of frequency measurement.

Impulse Noise which is of short duration, typically less than one second, sound pressure level of which issignificantly higher than background.

Interval Time period T over which noise parameters are measured at position. Denoted by T in LAeq T, LAF90 T, etc.

LAeq T Equivalent continuous sound pressure level during interval T, effectively representing average A-weightednoise level of ambient noise environment.

LAF Sound pressure level averaged over one second, and changing each second in fluctuating noiseenvironment.

LAF10 T Sound pressure level exceeded for 10% of interval T, usually used to quantify traffic noise.

LAF90 T Sound pressure level exceeded for 90% of interval T, usually used to quantify background noise. May alsobe used to describe noise level from continuous steady or almost-steady source, particularly where localnoise environment fluctuates.

LAReq T Rating noise level, derived from LAeq T plus specified adjustments for tonal and impulsive characteristics.Equivalent to LAr T used by EPA.

Masking The rendering inaudible of one noise source by another noise source(s) which may be louder, or maycontain significant acoustic energy in the same part of the frequency spectrum. In the latter case, anytone(s) in the original source emissions may become inaudible.

Near field Noise levels recorded near walls or other surfaces, artificially increased due to reflections. Levels near wallsmay be increased by up to 3 dB, and up to 6 dB near corners. Free field conditions may be achieved bymaintaining separation distance of at least 3.5 m from walls.

Noise sensitive location Any dwelling house, hotel or hostel, health building, educational establishment, place of worship orentertainment, or any other facility or area of high amenity which for its proper enjoyment requires absenceof noise at nuisance levels.

1/3 octave band Frequency spectrum may be divided into octave bands. Upper limit of each octave is twice lower limit. Eachoctave may be subdivided into thirds, allowing greater analysis of tones.

Residual level Noise level remaining when specific source is absent or does not contribute to ambient.



Specific level LAeq T level produced by specific noise source under consideration during interval T, measured directly or byestimation or calculation.

Tone Character of noise caused by dominance of one or more frequencies which may result in increased noisenuisance.

Wind vector May be positive (+), negative (-), neutral (0) or crosswind (x). Positive wind vector blows from source toreceptor, within angular range of ±45°, creating conditions more favourable to propagation. During certainconditions, this range may increase to ±60° by day and ±90° at night. Negative wind vector occurs whenreceptor is upwind of source. Neutral vector arises during still conditions, or upwind when in close proximityto source. Crosswinds typically result in negative vector.

Z-weighting Standard weighting applied by sound level meters to represent linear scale. Denoted by suffix Z inparameters such as LZeq T, LZF90 T, etc. used to describe 1/3 octave band levels in frequency spectra.

In this report units are generally presented using US National Institute Of Standards & Technology guidelines.

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