Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. Annual Noise Report 2013 Licence Number: W0115-01 Report Date: 09 th July 2013 Report Number: 3220-13-03 Version 0 AXIS environmental services 40 Coolraine Heights, Old Cratloe Road, Limerick Tel (061) 324587 Mobile(087) 6367436 info@axisenv.ie www.axisenv.ie
Report Content 1.0 Executive Summary. 3 2.0 Introduction. 4 3.0 Methods Employed. 5 4.0 Monitoring Locations. 6 5.0 Daytime Noise Measurements. 8 6.0 Conclusions. 12 Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 2 of 19 Version 0
1.0 Executive Summary are required as part of licence W0115-01: to carry out a noise survey at the installation on an annual basis. The noise monitoring positions have been located at site boundaries and in close proximity to other industrial and office units. AXIS environmental services were commissioned to carry out the survey after proposal acknowledgment and acceptance by s Environmental Department. For consistency in reporting, and the Agency have agreed noise monitoring locations at the installation. The same locations will be used for each monitoring round, unless circumstances prevent an accurate survey been carried out. In this event, Soltec (Ireland) Limited will agree new monitoring points with the Agency prior to the change. Four monitoring points were located within the boundary of the site. There were five points monitored in total during the survey period for broadband and one third octave frequency analyses. is located in Zone A, Mullingar Business Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. The surrounding facilities include a tyre centre, Eircom & general industrial warehouses & factories. There is a railway line at the rear of the property. The estate is quite busy with traffic and activities on-going at alternative industries in the vicinity. All operations in Soltec continued as normal during the day time survey survey. Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 3 of 19 Version 0
2.0 Introduction As part of compliance monitoring at, noise monitoring is carried out at a number of boundary locations and one off site monitoring point in the vicinity of the installation. Condition 8 of the Waste Licence W0115-01 outlines the following requirements: 8.6. Noise monitoring 8.6.1. The location of the noise monitoring points shall be as per Attachment J.7 of the application. Noise Monitoring Locations Location Note 1 Measurement Note 2 Frequency N1 North West Corner N2 South East Boundary N3 South West Boundary N4 North East Corner N5 Southern Boundary L Aeq 30 minutes L Aeq 30 minutes L Aeq 30 minutes L Aeq 30 minutes L Aeq 30 minutes Annual Annual Annual Annual Annual Note 1: Or at any other locations specified by the Agency. Note 2: International Standards Organisation. ISO 1996. Acoustics - description and Measurement of Environmental noise. Parts 1, 2 and 3. Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 4 of 19 Version 0
3.0 Methods Monitoring was carried out in strict accordance with ISO 1996 Parts 1 3, Description and Measurement of Environmental Noise. Reference was also made to the EPA guidelines NG4 Guidance Note for Noise: Licence Applications, Surveys and Assessments in Relation to Scheduled Activities April 2012, in conjunction with the frequently asked questions issued by the Agency in August 2012. Table 2: Equipment Details Meter No 2 Meter No 3 Manufacturer Cirrus Optimus Green Cirrus Optimus Green Model CR:171B CR:172B Serial Number G061082 G061817 Firmware V2.3.1156 V2.4.1529 Calibrator CR:515 Acoustic Calibrator CR:515 Acoustic Calibrator Microphone B&K4180-1893453 B&K4180-1893453 Windshield Type UA:237 90mm Foam Windshield UA:237 90mm Foam Windshield Calibration Date Noise Meter 18 th Nov 2012-2013 02 nd Aug 2012-2013 Certificate Number 191936 198890 Calibrator 18 th Nov 2012-2013 18 th Nov 2012-2013 Certificate Number 191937 191937 On site SLM calibration Prior to Survey 93.7 93.7 Calibration Offset -0.31 0.0 Post Survey 93.7 93.7 Frequency Weighting A - Broadband A - Broadband Meter Response Time Fast Fast Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 5 of 19 Version 0
4.0 Monitoring Locations 4.1 N1 This monitoring point was located in the North western corner of the site. This position is located between activities on site and the nearest noise sensitive location to the north east. The main sources of noise noted at this point were as follows: Background traffic in Mullingar Business Park i.e. Forklifts reversing, loud truck engines Birds chirping in surrounding vegetation Noise from air extraction unit on site approx 25m from monitoring point. Humming Noise from Industrial cooling unit at side of building approx 35m from monitoring point. Nearby heavy gate being unlocked and opened by employee approx 5m from monitoring point. 4.2 N2 This monitoring point was located at the south eastern corner of the site. This position is located between the Eircom car park entrance gate and the car park. The main sources of noise noted during the survey include the following: 4.3 N3 Truck reversing at nearby tyre shop (Mileage Tyres) approx 50m from monitoring point Birds chirping in surrounding vegetation. Person talking on phone in Eircom carpark approx 10m from monitoring point. Car entering Eircom car park. Backgournd traffic in the estate. Train movement on the train line behind Soltec. This monitoring point was located on the south western boundary of the installation between Soltec and the Eircom building. The main sources of noise recorded include the following: Birds chirping in nearby vegetation Background Traffic in Mullingar Business Park i.e. Forklift driving/reversing in Eircom. People chatting both in Soltec building and outside of building. Humming noise from industrial cooling unit at side of Soltec building approx 25m from monitoring point. Eircom s gates opening and closing. Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 6 of 19 Version 0
4.4 N4 The monitoring point was located to the north eastern corner of the site behind Sally s Salon Supplies in a semi-enclosed area. The main sources of noise recorded include the following: Birds chirping in the nearby vegetation Heavy gate at front of the site opening and closing; Train going by approx 20m from monitoring point Forklift loading truck and people talking Background noise in the industrial estate 4.5 N5 The monitoring point was located to the south of the site directly in front of the Eircom building. The noise meter was positioned between the Eircom boundary fencing and a road directly in front of Soltec (Ireland) limited. There was a range of noise sources recorded at this point. Traffic entering and leaving Eircom car park Engine left running idle Background Traffic in Mullingar Business Park Noise from truck engine and forklift as truck is being loaded approx 10m from monitoring point. Air-gun operating in nearby tyre shop (Mileage Tyres) approx 60m from monitoring point. Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 7 of 19 Version 0
5.0 Summary of Daytime Noise Measurements Noise Monitoring Location: N1 (Boundary Monitoring Point) Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2 x 10-5 Pa) Comments Period: Time L Aeq L AFMAX L A90 Daytime: 12:38 61 87 49 Arithmetic Average (db): 61 87 49 Daytime Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Evening: Evening Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Night Time: Night time Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Main noise sources include background traffic in Mullingar Business Park, Forklift operating in the yard, Birds chirping in surrounding vegetation, Noise from air extraction unit on site, Humming noise from industrial cooling unit and Nearby heavy gate being unlocked and opened by employee approx 5m from monitoring point. the evening period. The site is not defined as a new or revised licence since the guidelines were issued in 2012. the night time period. Weather Conditions: Daytime: Evening: Night Time: Temperature ( O C) 12 - - Wind Speed (m/s) 0 2.0 - - Wind Direction: Wind from NW - - Precipitation: 0mm - - Tonal Noise Assessment Daytime: Run 1: None - - Night Time: - - - Compliance Status this is not a noise sensitive location therefore limits would not apply - Noise from Soltec would be more representative by use of the L A90 Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 8 of 19 Version 0
Noise Monitoring Location: N2 (Boundary Monitoring Point) Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2 x 10-5 Pa) Comments Period: Time L Aeq L AFMAX L A90 10:51 52 83 44 Daytime: Arithmetic Average (db): 52 83 44 Daytime Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Evening: Evening Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Night Time: Night time Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Weather Conditions: The main source of noise included: Tarffic movements from Eircom, air gun from the tyre fitters. An engine was left running close by. Person talking on phone in Eircom car park approx. 10m from monitoring point. Car entering Eircom car park. Background traffic in the estate. Train movement on the train line behind Soltec. the evening period. The site is not defined as a new or revised licence since the guidelines were issued in 2012. the night time period. Daytime: Evening: Night Time: Temperature ( O C) 12 - - Wind Speed (m/s) 0 2.0 - - Wind Direction: Wind from NW - - Precipitation: 0mm - - Tonal Noise Assessment Daytime: Run 1: None - - Night Time: - - - Compliance Status this is not a noise sensitive location therefore limits would not apply - Noise from Soltec would be more representative by use of the L A90 Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 9 of 19 Version 0
Noise Monitoring Location: N3 (Boundary Monitoring Point) Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2 x 10-5 Pa) Comments Period: Time L Aeq L AFMAX L A90 14:43 63 73 59 Daytime: Arithmetic Average (db): 63 73 59 The main source of noise during the survey was from an engine running idle in an adjacent facility. There was also noise from background traffic in the estate and birds continuously chirping. The ESB gate was opened and closed on several occasions during the survey. Daytime Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Evening: Evening Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Night Time: Night time Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Weather Conditions: the evening period. The site is not defined as a new or revised licence since the guidelines were issued in 2012. the night time period. Daytime: Evening: Night Time: Temperature ( O C) 12 - - Wind Speed (m/s) 0 2.0 - - Wind Direction: Wind from NW - - Precipitation: 0mm - - Tonal Noise Assessment Daytime: Run 1: None - - Night Time: - - - Compliance Status this is not a noise sensitive location therefore limits would not apply - the truck next door made representative monitoring at this location impossible on the day. Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 10 of 19 Version 0
Noise Monitoring Location: N4 (Boundary Monitoring Point) Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2 x 10-5 Pa) Comments Period: Time Daytime: L Aeq L AFMAX L A90 13:40 41 64 37 The main source of noise during the survey was background traffic in the estate and birds continuously chirping. Arithmetic Average (db): 63 73 59 Daytime Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Evening: Evening Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Night Time: Night time Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - the evening period. The site is not defined as a new or revised licence since the guidelines were issued in 2012. the night time period. Weather Conditions: Daytime: Evening: Night Time: Temperature ( O C) 12 - - Wind Speed (m/s) 0 2.0 - - Wind Direction: Wind from NW - - Precipitation: 0mm - - Tonal Noise Assessment Daytime: Run 1: None - - Night Time: - - - Compliance Status this is not a noise sensitive location therefore limits would not apply Noise from Soltec would be more representative by use of the L A90 Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 11 of 19 Version 0
Noise Monitoring Location: N5 (Boundary Monitoring Point) Measured Noise Levels (db re. 2 x 10-5 Pa) Comments Period: Time L Aeq L AFMAX L A90 14:13 64 85 61 Daytime: Arithmetic Average (db): 64 85 61 This monitoring point was located in front of the eircom offices and yard. The main sources of noise were traffic associated with Eircom and HGV movement to and from their yard. There was a delivery to Eircom which had left the engine running throughout the survey. Daytime Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Evening: Evening Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Night Time: Night time Criterion, db L Ar,T: - - - Weather Conditions: the evening period. The site is not defined as a new or revised licence since the guidelines were issued in 2012. the night time period. Daytime: Evening: Night Time: Temperature ( O C) 12 - - Wind Speed (m/s) 0 2.0 - - Wind Direction: Wind from NW - - Precipitation: 0mm - - Tonal Noise Assessment Daytime: Run 1: None - - Night Time: - - - Compliance Status this is not a noise sensitive location therefore limits would not apply Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 12 of 19 Version 0
6.0 Conclusions Five points were monitored at Soltec Ireland Ltd as part of their Annual Environmental Survey in accordance with Condition 8 of their Waste License W0115-01. There was a significant volume of noise being produced from adjacent yards and industries throughout the day. This noise was not in any way associated with activities on-going at Soltec. Monitoring points N3 and N5 were most notably impacted by this external noise sources. During lulls in this interference noise from Soltec would have been well within the licence requirement of 55dB(A). All locations survey would not be considered noise sensitive locations by definition in the EPA guidance note. Soltec is located in the middle of a busy industrial estate with continuous noise sources from other sites. Soltec was therefore considered to be in compliance with licence conditions as there was no impulsive or tonal noise produced on site. When interference noise was quietened, the noise levels from Soltec were well within licence requirements. The actual noise from Soltec would be better described by the L A90 from N1 to N4. Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 13 of 19 Version 0
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Appendix II Location Map Report No: 3220-13-03 Page 19 of 19 Version 0