Noise is typically a byproduct of industrial and manufacturing activity. For the most part, regulatory imposed set back distances and mitigation measures, such as enclosures and barriers, will limit the impact of sound levels extending into the environments beyond a facility. However, under certain conditions, excess noise can reach sensitive residential zones causing potential disturbance or annoyance. It can also impact on-site worker health and Safety. These are both unwelcome outcomes that are of concern to both community and industry, especially in circumstances where sound levels no longer fall within established regulatory guidelines.

Identifying the Source of a Noise Problem

To further complicate matters, the specific source of a noise problem may not be readily apparent to either the impacted residences or industries. There also may not be agreement on whether the disturbance does, in fact, exceed mandated criteria.

Our Investigative Experience and Resources

This is where calling on the forensic expertise of an acoustical consultant with industrial and commercial noise and vibration investigation experience can be invaluable. HGC has worked with all concerned parties to investigate, monitor, analyze and propose remedies for a wide range of noise excess problems. We are also well versed on municipal, provincial and federal noise compliance guidelines. In determining noise levels it may be necessary to first identify and subtract out background noise from the sound measurements taken to accurately determine the degree and origin of a problem

Sound Intensity Measurement Methods

We may also be required to map the noise levels around and within a facility to identify the exact process, equipment or barrier “leak” likely responsible. To that end we are often called upon to use advanced sound intensity instrumentation and measurement techniques to identify, isolate and rank individual sources in a complicated sound field often produced by large industrial facilities with complex, “intertwined” processes and operations. Residential Monitoring In some cases a noise problem may only occur intermittently. In those instances, we offer manually operated digital monitoring devices to residential complainants that allow them to record both noise and vibration problems when and as they occur with the simple push of a button for later evaluation.

Wind Turbine Noise Investigations

We are internationally recognized experts in Wind Turbine noise measurements and investigations especially with regards to low frequency noise and infrasound.

Whatever your industry, we can assist you in protecting worker health and safety, safeguard sensitive equipment and protect your surrounding environment from excessive noise and vibration. HGC has designed specified, and supervised successful installations of effective industrial noise and vibration control measures for Canadian, American and Global industrial market leaders around the world.

Acoustical Consulting Expertise with Industrial Application Challenges

Over the past two decades, HGC has conducted hundreds of workplace noise and vibration investigations – from 1000 MW power plants to oil refineries to large-scale food production plants – to determine accurately what specific source of sound and vibration being produced by process equipment, heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) systems, or even shipping and receiving activities is potentially in excess and is responsible for workplace health and safety concerns that must be addressed and mitigated

A Team Approach to Solving Noise & Vibration Control Problems

Where a sound or vibration levels exceed workplace health and safety targets, we use our analytical expertise to rank the sources, identify those requiring control measures, and develop a range of options to allow the company team to select the best solution. Our approach has always been to work closely with the manufacturers, suppliers and installers of noise and vibration control products, like silencers, mufflers, acoustical enclosures, spring isolators and elastomeric pads, to stay on the leading edge of the control technologies that are available and the physics that make them work. In fact, many manufacturers of noise and vibration control products hire us to help them develop newer, more effective technologies, and prototype test their performance.