Services · Construction noise and vibration
BS 5228 construction noise and vibration assessments, Section 61 applications and on-site noise monitoring for developers and contractors.
We predict noise and vibration from your programme before work starts, agree limits with the council, and monitor during the works so problems are spotted early and your site keeps moving, following BS 5228-1 and BS 5228-2.
MIOA acoustic consultant · Class 1 instrumentation · Fixed-fee quotes · Site visits typically within 3–5 working days
At a glance
Standards
BS 5228-1 and BS 5228-2
Legislation
Control of Pollution Act 1974
Deliverable
Assessment, S61 support, monitoring
Used for
Planning, CEMPs, Section 61
65 dB
Weekday daytime threshold, Category A, LAeq
55 dB
Evenings and weekends threshold, Category A
45 dB
Night-time threshold, Category A
1.0 mm/s
Vibration likely to cause complaint, PPV
Category A thresholds from BS 5228-1:2009+A1:2014 Annex E (ABC method), which rise for noisier sites. Vibration guidance from BS 5228-2:2009+A1:2014 Table B.1.
When you need one
Construction noise is temporary, but councils still expect it to be planned and controlled, especially for long programmes, piling, demolition or out-of-hours work near homes.
Construction environmental management plans and conditions that ask for noise and vibration to be assessed and controlled.
Applications under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, agreeing methods, hours and limits with the council before work starts.
On-site noise monitoring to show compliance with agreed limits and respond quickly if complaints arise.
High-impact activities, night working or long programmes close to homes, schools or offices.
Already received a planning condition or an Environmental Health request for a noise assessment?
Send us the detailsWhat's included
BS 5228 sets out how to predict and control construction noise and vibration. We turn your programme, plant list and methods into predicted levels at each neighbour, then set practical limits and controls.
Agreeing limits before work starts gives the council confidence and protects your programme from stop notices.
Fees guide
Noise Assessment Cost UK: 7 Key Price Factors Explained
Read the guide →
Baseline noise survey
Measurement of existing ambient noise at the nearest homes, used to set ABC method thresholds.
Output: threshold category for each neighbour
Noise predictions by phase
Predicted levels for demolition, groundworks, piling, frame and fit-out, using BS 5228-1 source data.
Output: noise levels by phase
Vibration assessment
Predicted vibration from piling, compaction and breaking, judged against BS 5228-2 guidance for people and buildings.
Output: PPV predictions
Best practicable means
Practical controls such as quieter methods, screening, plant siting, working hours and respite periods.
Output: mitigation schedule
Section 61 application support
The technical content for a Section 61 application, agreed with Environmental Health before work begins.
Output: S61 noise and vibration content
Noise monitoring
Unattended monitoring with Class 1 instrumentation at agreed positions, with regular reporting against the limits.
Output: compliance reports
Related services
Construction is one stage of a development. These services cover the planning and design stages before work starts.
Planning-ready noise impact assessments for residential, commercial and mixed-use schemes, including responses to planning conditions.
Noise impact assessments →
Day and night noise surveys that set glazing, ventilation and garden design for new homes near roads, railways and industry.
Environmental noise surveys →
Air conditioning, heat pumps, extract and condensers assessed against background sound at the nearest homes.
Plant noise assessments →
ProPG and BS 8233 assessments for new homes, conversions and Class MA prior approval, including overheating.
Residential noise consultants →
How it works
A clear, fixed-fee process built around your build programme. You always know what is being assessed, what the limits are, and how compliance will be shown.
01
Share the site address, drawings and any planning condition or EHO comments. We confirm the right assessment and send a fixed-fee quote.
02
We measure the existing noise climate with Class 1 instrumentation, including night-time and unattended monitoring where the assessment calls for it.
03
Results are assessed against BS 8233, ProPG, BS 4142 or BS 5228 as relevant, with clear, practical mitigation set out for your design team.
04
We respond to questions from planning officers and Environmental Health, and help you discharge noise-related planning conditions.
What we assess
Each assessment uses your actual programme and plant list, so the limits and controls reflect how the site will really be built.
Breakers, crushers and demolition plant, including dust and noise controls.
Driven, CFA and rotary bored piling, including vibration at nearby buildings.
Excavators, dumpers, compaction and muck-away traffic.
Pumps, mixers, cranes and steel or timber frame erection.
HGV movements, reversing alarms and early-morning deliveries.
Night and weekend working, concrete pours and possessions.
Policy and guidance
Assessments follow BS 5228 and the Control of Pollution Act 1974, framed around the council’s planning conditions and any code of construction practice it publishes.
Planning policy
NPPF and PPG Noise
Planning Policy Wales and TAN 11
NPF4 and PAN 1/2011
Local requirements
Construction management plans
Codes of construction practice
Permitted working hours
Planning conditions
Standards and guidance
BS 5228-1:2009+A1:2014
BS 5228-2:2009+A1:2014
Control of Pollution Act 1974
Section 61 consent
Considerate Constructors
Where we work
We provide BS 5228 assessments, Section 61 support and construction noise monitoring for developers and contractors throughout the UK.
Across England
Planning noise work for councils from Cornwall to Cumbria, run from our Southampton base.
London · South East · South West · East of England · Midlands · North West · North East · Yorkshire
Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Guernsey
Assessments framed around each nation's own planning policy and Environmental Health expectations.
Cardiff · Newport · Swansea · Glasgow · Edinburgh · Dundee · Aberdeen · Belfast · Guernsey
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions developers, contractors and site managers ask us most about construction noise and BS 5228.
BS 5228 is the British Standard code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites. Part 1 covers noise and Part 2 covers vibration. It gives methods for predicting levels, example criteria and guidance on best practicable means of control.
The ABC method in BS 5228-1 Annex E sets threshold levels for construction noise based on the existing ambient noise at each neighbour. For the quietest areas (Category A) the thresholds are 65 dB LAeq on weekday daytimes, 55 dB in the evening and at weekends, and 45 dB at night, rising for Categories B and C.
A Section 61 consent, under the Control of Pollution Act 1974, is an agreement with the council, made before work starts, on the methods, hours and noise controls for a site. It gives the contractor protection from a Section 60 notice as long as the agreed terms are followed.
A Section 60 notice is served by the council to control noise from construction works, usually after complaints. It can restrict working hours, methods or noise levels, and breaching it is an offence.
It depends mainly on how long monitoring runs, how many positions are needed and how often you need reporting. An initial BS 5228 assessment is usually a fixed fee, with monitoring priced per week or month. Our guide to noise assessment costs explains the main price factors.
Yes. We predict vibration from activities such as piling, compaction and breaking, and assess it against BS 5228-2 guidance for both people and buildings. As a guide, 1.0 mm/s PPV is likely to cause complaint in homes, but can be tolerated with prior warning and explanation.
Sometimes, if the noise impact is acceptable and the council agrees. A BS 5228 assessment showing predicted levels and controls for the extended hours is usually needed, often as part of a Section 61 application.
Common measures include quieter methods and plant, acoustic screens and hoarding, siting noisy plant away from homes, respite periods, considerate delivery times and good communication with neighbours.
The site and programme, the nearest neighbours, baseline noise levels and ABC categories, predicted noise and vibration by phase, comparison with thresholds, best practicable means and, where needed, a monitoring plan and limits.
Construction noise and vibration
Send us the site address, drawings and any comments from the council or Environmental Health. We'll confirm exactly which assessment you need and send a fixed-fee quote, aiming to reply within 24–48 hours.
MIOA acoustic consultant · Class 1 instrumentation · Fixed fees · UK-wide
