Staiano Engineering (SEI) has assessed noise impacts for many industrial operations—including: various surface mining extraction and processing sites, asphalt and concrete batching plants, construction sites, power plants, and trucking facilities. These assessments usually included a survey of existing ambient noise, in which SEI conducted repeated measurements and subjective observations at various times at each survey location to identify noise sources and their magnitudes. Average and percentile sound levels were recorded and the sound levels of specific events noted. Also, unattended noise monitors (and if necessary, a weather station) were installed to record sound levels (with meteorological data) continuously, 24 hr/da for several days. Sound levels from future operations were predicted at noise-sensitive locations. To support the site noise predictions, SEI tested the noise emissions of mobile equipment and fixed plant facilities. The predicted sound levels were compared to appropriate environmental limits. If the noise limits were exceeded at any analysis location, mitigation treatments (e.g., berms, equipment enclosures, and operational modifications) were evaluated to abate the exposure. SEI provided hearing testimony to document the assessment methods and findings, and to address regulators’ questions and the public’s concerns.
|
Industrial Noise Assessments
|
|
