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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2560451 - Noise Reports Sragh Car breakers and End of Life Vehicle Disposal Castleblayney Co. Monaghan Noise Impact Assessment October 2011 Introduction F.R.Mark and Associates, noise and acoustic consultants were instructed by Mr Eugene Conlan to provide a noise impact assessment of the Sragh Car Breakers and End of Life Vehicle Disposal facility in Castleblayney. The report is in support of a retrospective planning application for the site. Noise measurements were taken during daytime on Friday the 7th October 2011. Weather conditions were good and dry with little wind in the morning and afternoon. Type 1 instrumentation was used (Cirrus CR831A and Norsonic 140 type 1 sound level meters with wind shields and calibrator). The measurement system is within 1 year of factory calibration. RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 2 Suitability of the Site for industrial/commercial development The existing noise environment at the site will be assessed for suitability for industrial development. The EPA Integrated Pollution Control guidance note for noise (1995) indicates 55 dBLAeq for daytime noise levels as an appropriate criteria and 45 dBLAeq for night time noise impact from developments. This is similar to the World Health Organisation Community Noise Guideline recommendations of 1999 which recommended 50-55 dBLAeq as a suitable daytime noise level. The EPA document, “The State of the Environment in Ireland” (1996) suggests similar criteria citing 50 dBLAeq to 55 dBLAeq as an appropriate daytime criteria, but also refers in a case histor y to the British Standard methodology of establishing a noise design target based on not more than 10 dB(A) above background noise level. Both of these documents provide target noise levels which provide suitable noise levels to aid resting and sleeping, for inside residential properties; and target noise levels to allow for the enjoyment of external garden/amenity spaces. Therefore the assessment will be based principally on EPA/WHO guidelines:- The following targets are presented as appropriate at the site. Maximum permissible impact on properties at the site Daytime target = 52 dBLAeq which is equivalent to not more than 10 dB above any measured background noise level. Night-time target = 45 dBLAeq which meets the EPA/WHO Guidelines and not more than 10 dB above any measured background noise level. A night time noise target level has been set as well as a daytime noise target but the site is not open at night and no fixed plant runs at night. It is not expected that any plant will be required to run overnight in the future but if that did occur then this external night -time noise target should not be exceeded. With regard to BS 4142:1997 Method for rating noise affecting mixed residential and industrial areas (if, by way of example only, the car breakers yard and workshop has been in existence for many years and new dwellings have been built near to the entrance of the site. BS 8233 (1999) has been compiled based on World Health Organisation latest directives and suggests that for avoiding sleep disturbance the level within any room should not exceed 30 dB(A)Leq,. However the car breakers yard and workshop operate from 8:00am to 6:30pm from Monday to Saturday and are closed on Sunday. RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 3 Mr Conlan had been advised by the local authority that any a ssessment should include noise measurements on the boundary of his property and at the boundary of the nearest occupied residential property nearest the main road as a complaint or objection had been received from the occupier of that dwelling. It was also suggested that long term background noise measurements and long term monitoring of activity from the breakers yard was needed. However following discussions with Mr Conlan and from visiting the site it was decided by F.R.Mark and Associates to take noise measurements over a working day when vehicles were being taken off site, when the digger was being used to crush cars and around the workshop. Daytime background noise measurements were taken at the boundary of the dwelling when there was minimal activity on the site. Monitoring was also carried out close to the digger, forklift truck, workshop and general storage area for scrapped cars during the daytime using one sound level meter and with another sound level meter at a fixed location on the boundary of the storage area nearest the dwelling. Noise measurements included large HGVs entering the site, cars being loaded onto them using the grab, reversing alarms and these HGVs leaving the site. Other potentially noisy activities included the wheeled digger/grab lifting scrap cars and crushing the roof with the bucket of the digger. This activity normally only occurs twice a week for an hour as the yard is reorganised but it was recorded to represent the „worst case‟ or highest likely noise impact at these properties. Measurements taken in the course of a day included all the normal activities that occur on a daily basis as well as the noisier activities that occur every few weeks such as removal of end of life cars by large HGVs. Two large HGVs arrived on site in the morning and cars were loaded onto them before they left. The full cycle including arrival, loading cars using the grab and reversing before departure was recorded in the morning and again several hours later when the two HGVs returned fo r more vehicles. F.R.Mark and Associates is satisfied that they have recorded loading of end of life vehicles onto HGVs, crushing cars using the digger bucket, forklift truck movement in the storage area and around the workshop and any noisy hand tools used in the workshop to represent the highest daily noise impact expected at any residential property. RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 4 Results Date/time Activity LAeq dB Comment 7/10/2011 10:10 Cars being loaded onto Felix Gormley’s HGV at 10m Arrival/loading/reversing/departure 62.3 Includes other HGV waiting on site and noise from grab, full cycle 7 minutes LAmax 76.4dB 7/10/2011 10:20 Cars being loaded onto second Felix Gormley’s HGV at 10m Arrival/loading/reversing/departure 67.2 Includes other HGV waiting on site and noise from grab, full cycle 8 minutes LAmax 83.0dB 7/10/2011 10:33 Large Fork Lift truck near workshop including reversing alarm at 25m mid section of yard 56.1 Includes workshop noise and FLT pass by 2 minutes 46 seconds LAmax 72.2dB 7/10/2011 11:01 Large 788 Case wheeled digger lifting cars, stacking them and crushing roof with bucket of digger at 10m 69.9 Carried out 30m from workshop mid site duration 6 minutes 24 seconds LAmax 85.9dB 7/10/2011 11:15 Large wheeled digger lifting cars, stacking them and crushing roof with bucket of digger at 10m 72.9 Carried out 30m from workshop mid site duration 8 minutes 39seconds LAmax 97.8dB 7/10/2011 11:27 Large wheeled digger and FLT driving past workshop at 10m 73.1 Carried out 10m from workshop, duration 1minute 23 seconds 7/10/2011 11:30 General workshop noise, airgun, smaller FLT driving past, vehicle delivered by FLT at 5m 66.5 Carried out 5m from workshop, duration 20 minutes LAmax 94.0 7/10/2011 11:50 Con saw used to cut bodywork At 5m, used occasionally 90.9 Carried out 5m from vehicle, duration 1 minute 19 seconds LAmax 97.2dB Table 1: Noise measurements of main activities on site RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 5 Date/time Activity LAeq dB LA90 dB LAmax dB Comment 7/10/2011 10:10-13:25 Cars being loaded onto HGVs, digger operating, FLTs and work shop and hand tools in use Recorded at boundary of site, 65m from nearest property 42.2 34.0 60.4 Sound level meter recording all activity across site over 3 hours. Recorded on boundary of site by scrap cars in storage area 7/10/2011 12:12 Background noise level at nearest property 20 minutes 49.5 42.6 72.0 Very little activity on site, not audible at location, mainly road traffic noise 7/10/2011 12:55 Noise level at nearest property during loading of vehicles on two HGVs 15 minutes 55.1 43.9 71.9 Noise from two HGVs entering site, lifting cars and leaving Table 2: Activity noise levels and background noise levels. Conclusions Background Noise Levels have been recorded to establish the quietest existing noise climate at the sites in accordance with those presented in EPA/WHO guidelines. Specific noise levels of the existing plant have also been measured. A criterion for design has been established based on EPA/WHO guidelines, BS4142 and BS8233 to ensure that no significant impact will result at any property. The assessment has included all noisy activity that takes place on a daily basis or that occurs less frequently. For example the digger is normally used to crush cars twice a week for one hour in order to manage the storage area. Cars are removed from site every few weeks and the „con‟ saw is used for very short periods in the workshop. The forklift truck was driven around the storage area past where the second sound level meter was located in order to represent the worst cas e or highest likely noise levels at the boundary. The background noise level at the nearest property was 42.6dBLA90 20 minutes and this was used to set a daytime external noise limit of 52dBLAeq 1 hour based on BS4142:1997. (Background noise level + 10dB). RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 6 The ambient noise levels were recorded at the boundary of the car breakers yard in the vehicle storage area over 3 hours and the equivalent continuous noise level or „average‟ level was 42.2dBLAeq 3 hours 15 minutes. This included all the activities shown in tables and 2. The boundary is at least 65m from the nearest property which is sitting at a lower level and screened by a garage/workshop. The impact from the car breakers yard will be less than that which was measured when account is taken of the additional attenuation by screening. However the background noise measurements and activity noise measurements when the two HGVs were being loaded with cars were recorded in the grassland adjoining this property. No allowance has been made for additional screening of the garden area by the garage/workshop belonging to this property as the background noise level would also be lower due to screening of private garden areas. The noise impact at the property when two HGVs arrived, were loaded and departed was 55.1dBLAeq 15 minutes. However no account has been taken of the „on time‟ over an hour and when this is used the impact will be at least 6 dB less. (Correction = 10log 15/60 minutes = -6dB). This short term activity represents the noisiest activity and would be within external noise targets. The predominant noise source in the absence of the car breakers yard is traffic on the main road and this property is facing the main road. Whilst there are some noisy activities on site they are at least 95m from the nearest property that is screened by a garage/workshop. Any of the noise sources are point sources as the vehicles are moving slowly or plant is fixed. This would typically provide sound attenuation of 20dB by distance and there would be screening by buildings/absorption over soft ground. Based on this assessment and criteria no additional mitigation measures are required. There is sufficient attenuation by distance, screening by intervening buildings and attenuation over soft ground to meet external daytime noise targets at the nearest residential properties and ensure no unreasonable disturbance. -------------------------------------- 19th October 2011 Rey Gaston B.Sc M.I.O.A. For F.R.Mark and Associates RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Q.E.D. ENGINEERING LIMITED Consulting Engineers Uni5 5 M-TEK Building 1 Armagh Road Monaghan Tel. (047) 72060 Mobile. 087 2438961 e-mail. hugh@Qedeng.ie Website: www.Qedeng.ie Re: Requirement for Annual Noise Assessment of Sragh Car Dismantlers Dear Sir/Madam Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd have undertaken a Noise Assessment of Sragh Car Dismantlers in June 2017 and previously in November 2015 as part of the sites Waste Facility Permit requirements. Table 4 in the Waste Facility Permit WFP-MN-15-0002-01 states that an Annual Noise Survey is required. The limit value are given in Schedule 3 as 55dBA daytime and 45dBA night time. The site only operates during daytime hours. Results of both surveys are provided in the following table: Location Date Leq dBA L10 dBA L90 dBA NSL1 4/11/15 47 50 31 8/6/17 43 45 35 NSL2 4/11/15 41 42 37 8/6/17 46 46 32 Limit Value 55 The Sragh site is a relatively quiet operation with occasional noise from the depolluting shed and noise from the forklift which operates intermittently throughout the day. The results from both surveys show that the average Leq noise level is well below the daytime noise level of 55dBA daytime and that tonal or impulsive noise is not an issue at this site. Therefore we are requesting from the Council on behalf of Sragh Car Dismantlers that the requirement of an Annual Noise survey be removed from the conditions of WFP-MN-15- 0002-01 and to replace it with a noise survey “as required”, as is common in waste facility permits for small sites with minimal noise emissions. We look forward to your response in this issue. Yours sincerely Patricia Murtagh BSc, MSc, AMIOA 12th June 2017 Monaghan County Council Waste Facility Permit Section RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Noise Survey Report for Sragh Car Dismantlers Sragh Ballybay Co. Monaghan by Q.E.D. Engineering Limited M-TEK Building I Armagh Road Monaghan Tel: 047 72060 June 2017 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 1 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2 2. Methodology and Instrumentation 2 3. Results 3 3.1 Noise measurements at Noise Sensitive Locations 3 3.2 Tonal Noise Assessment at Noise Sensitive Locations 4 4. Discussion 6 5. Conclusion 6 Appendix 1: Map of Noise Monitoring Locations Appendix 2: Noise Meter Calibration Certificates RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 2 1. Introduction Sragh Car Dismantlers operates a car dismantling / end-of-life vehicle recovery business in Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan. The site operates under Waste Facility Permit No. WFP-MN-15-0002-01, granted in April 2015. Condition 6.8 & 6.9 of the waste permit states: 6.8 Activities on-site shall not give rise to noise off-site, at noise sensitive locations, which exceed the following sound pressure limits: LAeq 55dB(A) 8 a.m. – 10p.m. (Mon-Fri) t = 30 mins LAeq 45dB(A) 10 p.m. – 8 a.m. and weekends t = 30 mins 6.9 There shall be no clearly audible tonal component or impulsive component in the noise emission from the activities on site at any noise sensitive location. The permit holder shall carry out a noise survey of the site operations if required by the Local Authority. The survey programme shall be undertaken in accordance with the methodology specified in the ‘Environmental Noise Survey Guidance Document’ as published by the Agency. The site is located in a rural area and is surrounded by agricultural land. A number of residential houses are located within close proximity of the site, some of which are occupied and some are unoccupied. The site is on the L71001 local road, approximately 80m from the R180 Ballybay to Carrickmacross regional road. Noise levels from the site were measured at two Noise Sensitive Locations (NSL) adjacent to the site to determine the noise emissions from the facility. A map showing the sampling locations is presented in Appendix 1 at the end of the report. The survey was undertaken on the 8th of June 2017 by Patricia Murtagh, AMIOA and Donal Beagan, of Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd. The site does not operate at night time, so a night time survey was not deemed necessary. 2. Methodology and Instrumentation Noise monitoring was carried out using two noise meters as follows; 1. Rion NA-27 Real Time 1/1, 1/3 Octave Band Logging SLM, Serial No. 00380685. This meter was last calibrated on 25/5/16. 2. NTi Audio XL2 Sound Level Meter, Serial No. A2A-12097-E0 with microphone NTi Audio M2230, Serial No. 6840 and Preamplifier MA220. The instrument was calibrated on 30/1/2017. A GA607 Dual Level Calibrator, Serial No. 036341 was used to calibrate both sound level meters and this was also last calibrated on 25/05/16. Both instruments were calibrated before measurements to 94dB and checked after measurement and were found to be satisfactory. Certificates of calibration for all instruments are provided at the end of the report. RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 3 Weather conditions during monitoring were sunny and mild with a light breeze. The average wind speed was 1.4m/s. The wind direction was from the South West. Weather conditions were recorded during the survey using a portable Kestrel 3000 Weather Meter (Serial No. 1637619). A standard windshield was used on both instruments during the survey. Noise monitoring was undertaken at two Noise Sensitive Locations (NSL) for 3 x 30 minute durations as specified in the EPA noise guidance document NG4. NSL1 is a dwelling to the north east of the site and NSL2 a dwelling directly across the road from the site entrance. Monitoring results are given in Leq i.e. continuous equivalent sound level. In addition, the LA90 and LA10 are also given. LA90 is the noise level exceeded for 90% of the measurement time and the LA10 is the noise level exceeded for 10% of the measurement time. The LA90 is generally indicative of the background noise level. It is generally lower than the average noise - the Leq. The LA10 is generally indicative of intermittent noise emissions and is generally higher than the LAeq. A small difference in LA10, LAeq and LA90 will indicate a relatively constant noise emission (or a lack of intermittent noise). Therefore the greater the difference between the LA10, LAeq and LA90, this indicates intermittent noise such as traffic. 3. Results 3.1 Noise Measurements at Noise Sensitive Locations 08/06/17 Location Ref. Time Leq L90 L10 Comments Occupied Private Residence NSL1 10:02 – 10:32 43 34 45 Noise from off-site road traffic on the R180 audible. Dogs barking at this NSL during survey. Very little site noise during survey. 10:32 – 11:02 43 36 45 11:02 – 11:32 42 36 45 Arithmetic Average 43 35 45 Occupied Private Residence NSL2 09.52 – 10.22 47 31 47 Noise from off-site road traffic on the R180 audible and some cars passing site also and visiting site. Very a little site noise audible. 10.28 – 10.58 48 33 47 10.59 – 11.29 44 33 44 Arithmetic Average 46 32 46 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 4 3.2 Tonal Noise Assessment of Noise Sensitive Locations 08/06/17 The Environmental Noise Standard ISO1996-2:2007(E) details that a prominent, discrete tonal component may be detected in one-third octave spectra if the level of a one-third octave band exceeds the level of the adjacent bands by some constant level difference. The appropriate level differences vary with frequency. They should be greater than or equal to the following values in both adjacent one-third-octave bands: • 15dB in low-frequency one-third-octave bands (25Hz to 125Hz); • 8dB in middle-frequency bands (160Hz to 400Hz), and; • 5dB in high-frequency bands (500Hz to 10,000Hz). Results of 1/3 octave analysis for all noise sensitive locations is provided in the following section. Graphical printouts are also provided with an assessment of tonal noise. Hz NSL1 NSL2 12.5 Hz 57 54 16 Hz 54 51 20 Hz 51 48 25 Hz 49 45 31.5 Hz 47 42 40 Hz 47 45 50 Hz 49 48 63 Hz 50 46 80 Hz 47 40 100 Hz 42 40 125 Hz 41 38 160 Hz 41 38 200 Hz 37 32 250 Hz 36 34 315 Hz 29 23 400 Hz 28 22 500 Hz 30 23 630 Hz 32 23 800 Hz 33 23 1 kHz 33 23 1.25 kHz 32 23 1.6 kHz 32 26 2 kHz 31 24 2.5 kHz 30 25 3.15 kHz 28 23 4 kHz 29 24 5 kHz 31 28 6.3 kHz 27 20 8 kHz 23 16 10 kHz 18 13 12.5 kHz 16 10 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 5 Tonal Noise Assessment NSL1 Location NSL1 Period Day Suspected 1/3 octave band frequency of tone, Hz None Magnitude of tone dB Leq - Is the magnitude greater than the threshold of hearing? - Level change from preceding 1/3 octave band, dB Leq - Level change from following 1/3 octave band, dB Leq - Are the level changes greater than or equal to; 15dB (low frequency), 8dB (middle frequency), 5dB (high frequency) - Conclusion No tone present Tonal Noise Assessment NSL2 Location NSL2 Period Day Suspected 1/3 octave band frequency of tone, Hz None Magnitude of tone dB Leq - Is the magnitude greater than the threshold of hearing? - Level change from preceding 1/3 octave band, dB Leq - Level change from following 1/3 octave band, dB Leq - Are the level changes greater than or equal to; 15dB (low frequency), 8dB (middle frequency), 5dB (high frequency) - Conclusion No tone present RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 6 4. Discussion Two noise sensitive locations were measured as part of the survey. Looking at each individual location and the results of the LA90 [noise level for 90% of the time] and LA10 [noise level for 10% of the time], the following was found: NSL1 the dwelling house located at the north eastern side of the site had a daytime LAeq reading of 43dBA. The difference of 10dBA between the LA10 reading of 45dBA and the LA90 reading of 35dBA indicates the presence of intermittent noise at this location, caused by off-site traffic on the adjacent R180 road, a dog barking in the garden of this dwelling house and some operational noise on-site. The LAeq noise level of 43dBA at this location is within the daytime noise limit of 55dBA, so is not problematic to houses in this direction. No impulsive or tonal noise from the site was audible at this location. NSL2 the dwelling house located at the southern side of the site had a daytime LAeq reading of 46dBA. The difference of 14dBA between the LA10 reading of 46dBA and the LA90 reading of 32dBA indicates the presence of some intermittent noise at this location, caused by off-site traffic on the adjacent R180 road and from some operational noise on- site. The daytime LAeq noise level of 46dBA at this location is within the daytime noise limit of 55dBA, so is not problematic to houses in this direction. No impulsive or tonal noise from the site was audible at this location. 5. Conclusion Noise from site operations at Sragh Car Dismantlers is not causing nuisance to nearby Noise Sensitive Locations. Noise levels are within the waste Facility Permit limit of 55dBA daytime. No impulsive or tonal noise from the site was evident at any of the noise measurement locations. RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 7 Appendix 1: Map of Noise Monitoring Locations N NSL1 NSL2 Sragh Car Dismantlers RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Appendix 2: Noise Meter Calibration Certificates Certificate of Calibration NTi Meter & Microphone RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 1 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 2 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 3 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 4 Certificate of Calibration for Rion NA-27 Noise Meter RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 5 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 6 Certificate of Calibration Castle Calibrator RECEIVED: 12/11/2025 Sragh Car Dismantlers, Sragh, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan 09/06/17 Report of Noise Monitoring 2017 Prepared by: Q.E.D. Engineering Ltd, M-TEK, Building 1, Armagh Road, Monaghan. Tel: 047 72060 7 RECEIVED: 12/11/2025