Voith

  • RBA Client:Voith UK
  • Start Date:November 2009
  • Completion Date:February 2010

Voith Turbo UK provide extensive refurbishment and testing works to rail and heavy goods vehicles.  In order to house both the company’s offices as well as their engineering operation a proposal was made to relocate the facility from Hayes, Middlesex, to The Metropolitan Centre, Greenford.

As the proposed new location is in close proximity to residential properties the local council imposed a planning condition on the premises requiring a detailed environmental impact assessment of potential noise generated by the firm to be undertaken. RBA Acoustics were appointed to establish the likelihood of complaint due to activities at the site and if deemed problematic were requested to provide guidance on appropriate mitigation measures.

In order to complete our assessments, detailed noise surveys were conducted to monitor the existing noise levels around the new site. Extensive measurements were also taken from various operations within the existing Voith units to determine the typical noise levels likely to be generated within the new premises. Using this data a detailed noise model was created to enable us to assess the levels of noise breaking out from the new building for comparison with the existing background noise climate and allowed us to determine the likely noise impact to local residents

The results of the noise impact assessment suggested that the firm would not need to implement costly mitigation measures but more importantly it was extremely unlikely that any noise impact would be caused to the local residents and the requirements for discharge of the planning condition be met.

The premises began operating in May 2010 and no complaints regarding noise from the premises have been received by Voith.

Photos courtesy of Voith