Tuesday 29 March 2011

The finer art of sound assessment

Acoustic consultancy is often carried out in heavy industry, at exhaust outlets, in damp fields, during night-time hours on development grounds and building sites. So when South West Acoustic Consultancy Soundguard Acoustics was asked for sound assessment advice at Exeter Rougemont Castle we jumped at the chance. Named Rougemont, after the reddish volcanic rocks on which it stands, the imposing building has changed considerablely since it was built by William the Conquerer in 1068. The castle was seized by Henry III in 1232, visited by Richard III in 1413 and ceased to be a military fortress in 1646. Much of the original building is now absent. What remains is the original structure of the Devon County Court from 1774 and the Castle has now past into private hands and is being renovated for accomodation and events. Devon Acoustic Consultancy Soundguard Acoustics was tasked with providing assessment and noise control advice for the function rooms and accomodation at the Castle.

Noise assessment - it's just nuts!

Parnell Lang, Copplestone Exeter requested the assistance of South West acoustic consultants Soundguard Acoustics to update their Noise at Work Risk Assessments. Parnell Lang is an agricultural mill that mixes bird seed products, machinery consists of mixing silos, conveyors, seed cleaners and packing equipment. Soundguard Acoustics, Bideford, Devon undertook work at the site just over two years ago and the Action Plan of noise control has since been introduced. The Exeter based firm has reduced noise exposure across the site and Soundguard Acoustics was able to assist in assigning revised hearing protection zones and further noise control advice.