Ian Kilgour, health safety quality and environmental manager, Murphy Group
The diverse nature of our work means we are often close to highly-populated residential areas and it became evident that improvements could be made to noise reduction. We ran a test on several noise barrier products, which involved wrapping them around a speaker noise source on three sides and measuring noise attenuation and leakage. The Echo Barrier H came out best.
Mesh fencing is often erected around sites to secure the site and separate construction works from the public, and the lightweight Echo Barrier H panels are easily fitted to these by securing them with specially designed hooks and elastic ties.
The panels are made from a dense material that’s designed to achieve the maximum possible noise attenuation for the minimum weight, which is great for us because heavier barriers cause an issue for manual handling and transport and lighter barriers seriously compromise attenuation.
By fitting the barriers as close as possible to the noise source we are able to achieve a large “acoustic shadow”, which prevents the spread of noise across a street. This is particularly effective at higher noise frequencies, although low frequencies are less directional in their nature and tend to defract around the screen. The barriers are also very absorbent and minimise reflections back towards the workforce but don’t soak up rain water.
Apart from reducing complaints from residents, the barriers can help extend typical site working hours, as long as we meet noise levels and conditions set out in a Section 61 Noise Consent, which should help reduce project timescales and costs.
The barriers also have an added health and safety benefit in having reflective strips that aid night-time working during rail possessions.
