dBA report 079.3Solutions (TQS), to carry out a noise survey at the TQS materials recycling and...

project

Environmental noise s

Tulligmore Quarry Sol

where

Tulligmore, Dripsey, Co.

when

April 2018

why

Waste licence W0255-02 complia

client

Cutbert Environmental OBO Tulligmore

prepared by

Damian Brosnan BSc MSc MIOA MIEI

report no. date status

079.3.1 11.05.18 Release to client

086 813 1195 | damianbrosnan.com

This report and its contents are copyright of damian

only for its intended purpose. The report is confiden

Cons

urvey at

utions & O’Regan’s Quarry Products

Cork

nce survey

Quarry Solutions

dBAdamian brosnan acoustics

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| [email protected] | © damian brosnan acoustics 2018

brosnan acoustics. It may not be reproduced without permission. The report is to be used

tial to the client, and is personal and non-assignable. No liability is admitted to third parties.

EPA Export 25-07-2018:04:29:22

Environmental noise survey at Tulligmore Quarry Solutions & O’Regan’s Quarry Products, Dripsey, Co. Cork dBA report 079.3.1

© damian brosnan acoustics 2

Contents

Summary 3

Profile 3

1 Introduction 4

2 Results 4

3 Conclusions 5

Appendix 1: Noise stations 6

Appendix 2: W0255-02 noise conditions 7

Appendix 3: Survey details 8

Appendix 4: Noise data 9

Appendix 5: Profiles & spectra 10

Appendix 6: Glossary 11

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Summary

On 30.04.18, 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 41-49 dB. At a fifth offsite station, the site specific level was 40 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.

Profile

This report was prepared by Damian Brosnan, who has the following qualifications and experience:

BSc (Honours) 1993 (University College Cork).

Postgraduate diploma in Acoustics & Noise Control 2009 (Institute of Acoustics).

MSc (Distinction) in Applied Acoustics 2015 (University of Derby).

Certificate of competence in workplace noise risk assessment (Institute of Acoustics).

Member of Institute of Acoustics (MIOA) & secretary of Irish IOA branch.

Member of Irish professional acoustic consultants association (ACASITI).

Member of Engineers Ireland (MIEI).

Engaged with continual professional development through IOA & EI.

Working in noise since 1996, and has worked on several hundred noise projects.

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1 Introduction

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

Solutions (TQS), to carry out a noise survey at the TQS materials recycling and recovery 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 (EPA) in respect of the facility. Activities subject to licence W0255-02 have not yet

commenced. The TQS facility is located at an active quarry site, operated by the related firm O’Regan’s Quarry

Products (ORQP).

1.2 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 (AN1-AN4) and one offsite station (AN5) 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.

1.3 The noise survey was undertaken during daytime hours Monday 30.04.18. It was agreed with the client that

survey methodology would follow that set out in EPA document Guidance note for noise in relation to scheduled

activities (2006), rather than its 2016 successor. Survey methodology, equipment specifications and weather

conditions are listed in appendix 3.

1.4 There were no TQS emissions during the survey. ORQP activities were underway throughout the survey, with

emissions arising from processing plant near the weighbridge, a front end loader in almost continuous use, two

tracked excavators in regular use, a 6x6 dump truck, occasional truck movements, and maintenance garage activity.

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. While stations AN1-AN4 are located around the ORQP boundary, their

proximity to noise sensitive receptors outside the boundary renders specified noise limits applicable to these stations.

Station AN5, although located offsite, is not positioned near a noise sensitive location, and thus limits are not

considered applicable here.

2.2 LAeq 30 min levels at the four boundary stations AN1-AN4 were 45-49 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 ORQP processing plant. At AN2-AN4, measured LAeq 30 min levels were representative of site emissions. The

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site specific LAeq 30 min level was calculated at 41 dB at AN1. 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 49 dB. This level was influenced by several extraneous

noise sources. ORQP processing plant emissions were audible at a low level, giving rise to a contribution of 40 dB.

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

acoustic energy in the 25 Hz band at all five stations, most likely attributable to the ORQP processing plant. The

energy was 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). A similar signal was detected at several stations during the 2017 survey.

Table 1: Noise data summary.

Station AN1 AN2 AN3 AN4 AN5

Period Daytime Daytime Daytime Daytime Daytime

Interval T (minutes) 30 30 30 30 30

Ambient LAeq T (dB) 45 49 48 45 49

Facility specific LAeq T (dB) 41 49 48 45 40

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

Rating correction (dB) 0 0 0 0 0

Facility rated LAReq T (dB) 41 49 48 45 40

Applicable parameter LAReq T LAReq T LAReq T LAReq T LAReq T

Relevant result 41 49 48 45 40

Limit (dB) 55 55 55 55 -

Compliance N/A

3 Conclusions

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

four boundary stations were 41-49 dB. At the offsite station, the site specific level was less than 40 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.

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Appendix 1: Noise stations

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Appendix 2: W0255-02 noise conditions

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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 30.04.18

Day Monday

Time 1345-1715

Operator Damian Brosnan BSc MSc MIOA MIEI

Sound level meter 2250

Conditions Cloud cover 100 %

Precipitation 0 mm

Temperature 13 °C

Wind Direction SW

Speed 0-2 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

Laboratory calibration 16.01.18

Calibrating laboratory Sonitus Systems

Calibration certificate Available on request

Onsite calibration Time 30/04/2018 13:55:05

Type External

Sensitivity 47.40 mV/Pa

Post survey check 93.9 dB

Onsite calibrator Instrument Bruel & Kjaer Type 4231

Instrument serial no. 2342544

Laboratory calibration 16.01.18

Calibrating laboratory Sonitus Systems

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 1 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)

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Appendix 4: Noise data

Parenthesised numbers in table refer to following audibility scale: 1 Faintly discernible, audible with difficulty only. 2 Slightly audible in

background. 3 More clearly audible in background, but readily masked by other sources. 4 Becoming more prominent when present, although not

a dominant contributor. 5 Clearly audible when present, and one of the most significant contributors. 6 Chief contributor to soundscape when

present, although other sources still audible and contributing to LAeq T. 7 Dominant source when present, almost entirely masking other sources,

allowing LAeq T become representative of source depending on duration. 8 Entirely dominant, completely masking all other sources when present.

9 Excessive, with short occurrences sufficient to influence LAeq T. 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

30.04.18 1523-1553 - 45 47 41 41

Facility: No TQS emissions. ORQP processing plant continuous (5). Occasional vehicle movements on

access road (5).

Extraneous: Intermittent road traffic to SW (6). Chainsaw in distance (4). Bird song/calls and aircraft.

Specific LAeq T determination: L90 representative of processing plant.

AN2

30.04.18 1558-1628 - 49 52 45 49

Facility: No TQS emissions. ORQP processing plant continuous (7). Occasional vehicle movements on

access road (7).

Extraneous: Intermittent road traffic outside boundary (3). Local birdsong.

Specific LAeq T determination: Leq representative.

AN3

30.04.18 1358-1428 x 48 51 42 48

Facility: No TQS emissions. Quarry processing plant continuous (6). Excavator and 6x6 regularly audible (5).

Extraneous: Local birdsong.


AN4

30.04.18 1437-1537 + 45 47 41 45

Facility: No TQS emissions. Quarry processing plant continuous (6).

Extraneous: Local birdsong.


AN5

30.04.18 1638-1708 + 49 47 38 40

Facility: No TQS emissions. ORQP processing plant continuously audible until tractor masking at 1655. (4).

Extraneous: Several local traffic movements (7). Occasional activity at nearby commercial premises (5).

Cattle lowing in nearby fields (4). Distant traffic (3). Bird song/calls and aircraft. Local truck at gateway 1652-

1655. From 1655, tractor operating at 200 m (5), masking processing plant.

Specific LAeq T determination: L90 to 1654 representative of processing plant.

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Appendix 5: Profiles & spectra

Cursor: 30/04/2018 15:23:03 - 15:23:04 LAeq=45.1 dB

079003 AN1

15:25:00 15:30:00 15:35:00 15:40:00 15:45:00 15:50:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq

Cursor: (A) Leq=44.8 dB LF90=40.5 dB Leq=44.8 dB LF90=40.5 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 30/04/2018 15:23:03 - 15:53:03

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 30/04/2018 15:58:41 - 15:58:42 LAeq=48.9 dB

079004 AN2

16:00:00 16:05:00 16:10:00 16:15:00 16:20:00 16:25:00

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 30/04/2018 15:58:41 - 16:28:41

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 30/04/2018 13:58:54 - 13:58:55 LAeq=47.0 dB

079001 AN3

14:00:00 14:05:00 14:10:00 14:15:00 14:20:00 14:25:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq


079001 AN3

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

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB 30/04/2018 13:58:54 - 14:28:54

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 30/04/2018 14:37:25 - 14:37:26 LAeq=42.2 dB

079002 AN4

14:40:00 14:45:00 14:50:00 14:55:00 15:00:00 15:05:00

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB

LAeq


079002 AN4

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

20

30

40

50

60

70

80dB 30/04/2018 14:37:25 - 15:07:25

Hz

LZeq LZF90

Cursor: 30/04/2018 16:38:05 - 16:38:06 LAeq=40.8 dB

079005 AN5

16:40:00 16:45:00 16:50:00 16:55:00 17:00:00 17:05:00

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 30/04/2018 16:38:05 - 17:08:05

Hz

LZeq LZF90

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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.

Extraneous Noise emissions unrelated to source under consideration.

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.

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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 >45° 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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dBA report 079.3Solutions (TQS), to carry out a noise survey at the TQS materials recycling and...

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