Acceptable noise level in residential area

Lillydub

Hi All,

I live near a shopping centre in Dublin. No noise other than usual road noise etc but nothing that has ever bothered me.

The Supermarket has installed new industrial air-conditioning units and there is a constant hum (like a lawn-mower) all through the night. I live near a main road and you can hear this unit above anything else.

The manager has advised that the unit was designed for residential area and that it is emitting noise at a level of ~60db (his measurement, not mine). I don't know if he's trying to fob me off and can't find exact definition of "noise pollution" anywhere. I googled it and read that above ~45db can disturb sleep (which it is).

Does anyone know if this is an acceptable noise level? The older unit was no-where near this loud!

Thanks in advance.

DOCARCH

This may not strictly be a planning issue?

I would suggest contacting the environment section of your local authority and ask about how to make a complaint in relation to noise.

If you are in the Dublin City Council Area...see here: http://www.dublincity.ie/main-menu-services-water-waste-and-environment-air-quality-monitoring-and-noise-control/noise

mortimer33

Lillydub wrote: »

Hi All,

I live near a shopping centre in Dublin. No noise other than usual road noise etc but nothing that has ever bothered me.

The Supermarket has installed new industrial air-conditioning units and there is a constant hum (like a lawn-mower) all through the night. I live near a main road and you can hear this unit above anything else.

The manager has advised that the unit was designed for residential area and that it is emitting noise at a level of ~60db (his measurement, not mine). I don't know if he's trying to fob me off and can't find exact definition of "noise pollution" anywhere. I googled it and read that above ~45db can disturb sleep (which it is).

Does anyone know if this is an acceptable noise level? The older unit was no-where near this loud!

Thanks in advance.

FYI. DCC track noise levels across the city and display the realtime data on this site. You might have a monitoring station near you?

http://dublincitynoise.sonitussystems.com/charts.php

Borzoi

Lillydub wrote: »

The Supermarket has installed new industrial air-conditioning units and there is a constant hum (like a lawn-mower) all through the night. I live near a main road and you can hear this unit above anything else.

The manager has advised that the unit was designed for residential area and that it is emitting noise at a level of ~60db (his measurement, not mine). I don't know if he's trying to fob me off and can't find exact definition of "noise pollution" anywhere. I googled it and read that above ~45db can disturb sleep (which it is).

Does anyone know if this is an acceptable noise .

Its probably refrigeration plant. I used to work in that sector, and several times we had to employ acoustic consultants to give guidance on problems.

Firstly the manager hasnt a clue. They never do. Secondly there is strict planning about noise levels at the boundary, with different levels for day and night. My advice is to formally complain, and threatrn to go to council for planning enforcement

Lillydub

Thanks Everyone - will contact DCC