Sweco’s acoustics consultants and engineers bring together in-depth knowledge of building regulations, design standards, industry guidelines and relevant codes of practice with vast multi-sector experience.
With expertise and experience across all sectors – from buildings and outdoor spaces to transportation and industrial noise/vibration solutions – we can help you make informed decisions about the acoustic design performance and noise or vibration control of a building, urban space, industrial site or transport network.
With expertise and design capability that spans buildings, urban areas, transport networks and industrial sites, Sweco’s acoustic consultancy teams can assess, monitor, analyse, model and optimise sound to help you create people-focused spaces which meet the demands of both end users and compliance or planning bodies.
The acoustic environment within a building can fundamentally impact on our perception of a space, and on how we interact within it. Expert consideration of building acoustics design – and thorough noise and vibration assessment – is therefore crucial in ensuring that the spaces within it are fit for its purpose.
We advise our clients on how to deliver the optimal environment for each space by controlling the level of sound transmission from other parts of the building and from the outdoors, controlling noise from mechanical services, and by providing an appropriate room acoustic environment by controlling the amount of reverberation and echoes.
Our acousticians will engage with the multi-disciplinary design team, to influence the mechanical, structural, and architectural design of the building. Our team can offer advice on the latest advancements in acoustic design, such as 3D room acoustic modelling (including electro-acoustics), residential overheating & acoustics ventilation assessment, and soundscape.
Core building acoustics expertise:
Acoustic assessment of masterplans and design options
Sweco’s audio visual design consultants can work with you to design tailored AV system solutions – from corporate meeting spaces, training facilities and educational institutions to train/metro stations, airports, sports stadia, music venues and public realm.
Sweco’s acoustics team work on key, future-shaping Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), undertaking detailed environmental acoustic modelling to assess noise emissions from roads, railways and aircraft. We provide input into Environmental Statements, Environmental Assessment Reports (EAR), and Development Consent Orders (DCO) for Highways England and others.
Expertise in the latest transport noise & vibration assessment methodologies and modelling techniques enables identification of significant noise and vibration effects, and the mitigation measures that are required to address these. As part of these schemes, we provide construction noise and vibration assessments to inform the Environmental Impact Assessments, as well as supporting the contractors in Section 61 prior consent applications.
Our team of acousticians has experience in major rail projects, including the London Underground Crossrail project, Doha Metro and GCC High Speed Rail. HGV mitigation stacks, and logistics facilities are also a key sector for Sweco acoustics who utilise 3D environmental modelling to predict the noise emissions from moving and static noise sources.
Our transport noise & vibration experts work in conjunction with our specialists in transport planning, placemaking, Environmental Impact Assessment and Geospatial/GIS to meet the expectations of any project.
Industrial Noise Solutions
The impact from noise and vibration is often one of the biggest risks to industrial developments in the UK, particularly when they are near sensitive areas such as dwellings, schools, or hospitals. The increasing awareness of the public to these environmental impacts along with government and Local Authority policies to protect our environment, makes noise and vibration a key consideration during the design, construction, and operation of industrial facilities.
Services at a glance
Our dedicated and approachable team of acoustic experts understand the challenges that industrial projects present and have successfully delivered numerous projects across the UK and across Europe.
Our wide range of industrial noise & vibration expertise includes:
Whatever industrial noise and vibration challenge you face, whatever the specific industrial setting, we’re here to guide you through the journey from advice and planning to design and implementation.
Environmental Noise & Vibration in Urban Areas
New sites are likely to produce noise, particularly with regards to mechanical plant and machinery. At Sweco, we have the modelling tools, impact assessment experience, and engineering expertise you need to guide you through the planning process in the UK and across Europe.
Noise and vibration impact assessment
Site feasibility assessments
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Input into Development Consent Orders (DCOs)
Construction noise & vibration assessments*
Construction noise and vibration monitoring
Expert witness and third-party consultations
*For Section 61 prior consent applications
Managing environmental noise and vibration in urban areas can be a considerable challenge, particularly for regeneration and brownfield sites. Noise from existing transport networks such as roads, railways, and flight paths must be measured, modelled and assessed. Existing commercial or industrial sites produce noise which may impact on proposed development and requires assessment with regards to the “agent of change” clause in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
We’re proud that Sweco’s acoustics team stand as market leaders in environmental noise and vibration modelling and assessment for urban areas, with particular focus in impact assessments for large residential, mixed-use, healthcare and education projects.
Andy King Director – Energy, Water & Environment
Why choose Sweco as your trusted acoustics partner?
End-to-end support
Managing noise and vibration in the urban environment is a considerable challenge. Good acoustic design requires that all relevant aspects of noise and vibration are considered throughout each programme stage. For planning, we will determine the project-specific risks and objectives and deliver a robust consideration of environmental noise and vibration. We pride ourselves on helping you deliver an acoustic environment that is fit for purpose, and that minimises the effects of environmental noise on health. We thrive on communicating design for acoustics in a straightforward and knowledgeable way.
Full lifecycle capability
The acoustics team at Sweco use their in-depth knowledge of legislation, standards, guidelines and codes of practice, to help clients make informed decisions about the acoustic design of their development. We critically assess and communicate the risks, opportunities and solutions at each stage of the project, explaining the technical aspects in a straightforward way, with the ultimate goal of helping you deliver a high-quality, regulation and planning compliant development.
Bespoke collaboration
We will work closely with you, as our customer, to develop a clear understanding of the acoustic engineering needs for each individual project. During the planning stage, we will support the planning application through providing noise impact assessments, site feasibility assessments and supporting the EIA. During detailed design, we will support you with best practice acoustic design, help you achieve the most BREEAM objectives where this is a design aim, and help enhance the design of your development.
Sustainability first
As acousticians, we recognise the influence that our recommendations can have on the sustainability of your development. We listen to our customers and explore all feasible options for reducing the energy use of your development. We will advise you on where natural ventilation can be provided while limiting noise ingress. We will explore the acoustic implications of exploiting the thermal mass of a structure for stability of indoor temperatures. Our priority is to help you develop a bespoke solution tailored to your needs.
Commercial settings (restaurants, bars, night clubs)
Research & Development labs
Hotels
Retail settings
Our award-winning Sweco acoustics team are members of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), and the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC).
The importance of noise control
Environmental noise has the potential to cause annoyance or sleep disturbance and has been linked to health effects such as hypertension. The exposure to noise and vibration is site-specific and it is common for UK planning authorities to require a robust consideration of the effects of noise and vibration on a proposed sensitive development.
Noise and vibration generated by a development site, during both construction and operation, also needs consideration. UK planning authorities commonly require developers to limit noise from their proposed development both during construction and upon completion.
The Sweco acoustics team are market leaders in environmental noise and vibration modelling and assessment, with particular focus in noise impact assessments and environmental impact assessment for large residential, mixed-use, healthcare and education projects.
We also specialise in the acoustics of data centres, power generation, logistics, and manufacturing as detailed further here, as well as large infrastructure schemes as detailed here.
We will assist the customer with developing a design that minimises the risks of later design restrictions due to environmental noise or due to noise emissions from the site itself. We can provide focused, bespoke advice to meet our customer’s requirements in a pragmatic and straightforward way.
Noise & Vibration Assessment
Noise Assessment
As leading building acoustic consultants Sweco can predict noise impact using the latest acoustic software packages, which in turn will inform key architectural decisions such as building materials, internal room layouts, façade design and insulation techniques.
What is noise modelling?
Using 3D modelling techniques, it is possible to produce a predictive noise model as part of the project planning phase. This enables calculation and analysis of the potential noise impact from various sources including roads, railways, urban spaces and industrial premises.
Noise modelling can be presented in various ways, but 3D modelling is particularly effective in terms of presenting the results of the assessment to the client and design team.
Using state-of-the-art noise prediction software our engineers can predict noise levels across the site, which can be depicted on high-resolution maps, overlaid upon a plan of the site and wider area. By identifying noise issues early, we can help reduce costs for noise mitigation.
How can 3D noise modelling assist the acoustic design of a development?
Accurate geometrical representation of the development and its surroundings takes into account topography and obstacles and/or barriers affecting the site
Enables a variety of noise sources, future or existing, to be modelled accurately together using international standards
Enables accurate noise prediction at the facades of the residential development
Enables a visual reference of how noise sources are likely impacted on future and existing receptors
The results of the noise modelling can be used to determine what noise risks future developments are exposed to or present. The following can feed into the design process to promote Good Acoustic Design and ensure noise impacts are mitigated: informing site orientation/buildings internal layout; façade sound insulation specification; guidance on ventilation strategies and including overheating
Vibration Analysis
Alongside environmental noise, vibration plays an equally important role in the assessment and planning stages of a building project. By measuring vibration sources, we can provide data-based guidance on mitigation that may be required to ensure your project is suitable for its intended use, as well as being compliant with relevant planning requirements and industry guidelines.
With reference to industry assessment standards and best practice documents we can:
Carry out vibration monitoring for baseline, mechanical plant, construction, and rail activities
Assessment of likely vibration impacts from construction activities, such as piling and vibratory rollers
Measure and assess the potential impact of rail movements on future residential developments
Provide guidance on mitigation measures where necessary
If you need support with noise and/or vibration assessment as part of your building acoustics project, our experts will be happy to talk through your requirements and challenges.
Together with our clients and the collective knowledge of our engineers, consultants and other specialists, we co-create solutions to address urbanisation, capture the power of digitalisation, and make our societies more sustainable. With international multi-disciplinary teams, we can call on the right insight and technical capability at the right time from across Buildings, Infrastructure, Advisory & Planning and Compliance.
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