Acoustics case study

Avanti Fields School, Leicester

Background

BAM Construction was appointed to deliver the new Avanti Fields School, a through school consisting of a 6FE secondary school, a 2FE primary school with a 52-place nursery and separate collective worship space.  The scheme also included three separate multi-use games areas (MUGAs).

Challenge

The proposed MUGAs were sited close to existing residential receptors.  Leicester City Council’s Local Plan states that developments will be permitted, provided that there is no significant adverse effect on the privacy and amenity of nearby residents and occupiers of adjacent buildings, including matters of noise.  Careful assessment of noise from the MUGAs was essential to obtain planning permission.

Solution

SRL completed a noise survey at the site to establish the pre-development background noise levels at the residential receptors.  We used 3D computer modelling to calculate the likely noise from the proposed MUGAs at the receptors following the guidance given in Sport England’s ‘Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) Acoustics – Planning Implications’. This document refers to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) ‘Guidelines for Community Noise’ which proposes guideline values for noise both inside and outside dwellings. Using the results of noise modelling we advised on mitigation measures to control noise from the worst case scenario of all three MUGAs being used simultaneously and reduce the impact of these pitches on the nearby residential dwellings.  We investigated serval options for the extent and height of a close boarded fence, and recommended a 2.4m high solid fence with a minimum mass of 8 kg/m2 to meet the WHO guideline upper limits for noise.

Once planning permission was obtained, SRL also provided a full acoustic design for the school building, including construction stage support and testing.  Particular attention was given to the construction of the music rooms during our site inspections to ensure that the detailing was completed correctly so that the high performance in situ sound insulation values were achieved. All walls tested during the commissioning stage achieved the minimum BB93 requirements.