Noise Monitoring Installed at Asda Superstore in Hounslow During Refurbishment Project

Project Overview

As part of its commitment to customers, Asda regularly makes improvements to its stores. Asda Hounslow is one of several businesses located on the ground floor of the Blenheim Centre, a high-rise, residential building containing a large number of apartments. Noise generated at previous schemes on the site resulted in residents complaining to environmental health. Asda chose Sigma to undertake the refurbishment to ensure that work was carried out with minimal noise pollution and disruption.

Challenge

To avoid disruption to the store and to enable customers to continue shopping, refurbishment works needed to take place after the store closed at midnight. This meant that work would take place while residents were asleep, increasing the likelihood of noise disturbance. The project required the use of drills to install new LED lighting and the operation of a long-running saw, both of which would generate loud noise. During the middle of the night, because of no background noise, even general working noise had the potential to cause a noise issue for residents.

Solution

The first stage was to install Monitex Area Noise Monitors to establish the existing nighttime noise levels that Blenheim residents experience on a day-to-day basis, for example, from passing traffic and forklift truck operations. Over a two-week period, measurements were taken to provide a quantifiable baseline of the average noise level that residents experience on a day to day basis.

The second stage was to continue monitoring noise throughout the two week refurbishment project. The Sigma engineer on site monitored noise levels and compared the data to the baseline tests recorded prior to work starting.

These results showed that the noise mitigation measures put in place worked effectively and that average noise levels over the working period were in line with the area’s usual levels. No noise complaints were made by residents about this project - a successful outcome.

How To Achieve Effective Environmental Monitoring

Monitor: Identify the activities being undertaken and whether noise, dust or vibration could pose a risk to the individual or the wider environment.

Manage: The HSE define maximum exposure limits over 8 hours, therefore handheld spot checks are not always suitable. Implement a continuous monitoring system and receive instant message alerts if pre-set parameters are exceeded.

Mitigate: If readings are outside the upper limits, you need to install adequate control equipment, such as noise barriers or dust extraction units. RVT are always on hand to advise you which hazard control equipment will be most effective