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FORBAIR T
Noise Study Report
May 1995
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24.
Sources and Emissions
Apart from maintenance shutdowns, the plant operates continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Delivery of raw materials and shipping of finished product is by ship at the jetty in the
Shannon Estuary. Road traffic to and fi-om the site is not considered a significant noise source in
terms of the overall traffic flow and pattern in the area.
Representative measurements were made for each significant block or stage of the process. The
reference locations were chosen to minimise the number of measurements necessary to
characterise a particular source and to avoid near-field measurements. For this reason, the
measurement locations were chosen as far as possible from each particular source, while
attempting to minimise interference from other noise sources. The reference distances referred to
in the tables are approximate, as the noise sources are not point sources. Measurements were
made at 1.3 metres above ground level.
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.
The character of each noise source has been stated as broadband, tonal or impulsive as assessed
at the measurement distance. It should be noted that an assessment of tonality or impulsivity at
source does not necessarily mean that this character is audible at the boundary of the plant or at
nearby residences. This is because masking of individual sources is a feature of large multisource plants such as Aughinish Alumina.
25.
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The measurement locations are shown on Figures 24.1.1 to 24.1.12. The results for each location
are shown in Table 24(i) "Noise Sources Summary Sheet". The results include A-weighted and
unweighted octave band levels sound pressure levels, with comments as appropriate. The
measurements were generally short L,, measurements. Some measurements of L,, levels are
noted in the Table. Note that the "Fast" Time Weighting was used for L,, measurements.
Ambient Measurements
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Measurements were made at the boundary and at noise sensitive locations by day and at night. The
sample periods of the measurements are shown on the tables of results. The statistical analysis was
based on A-weighted Sound Pressure Level using the Fast Time Weighting. All measurement
results are quoted to the nearest decibel. The parameters reported for each sample period are:
L*eq
LA,
L~10
L~99
The A-weighted Equivalent Continuous Level
The A-weighted level equalled or exceeded 1% of the time
The A-weighted level equalled or exceeded 10% of the time
The A-weighted level equalled or exceeded 90% of the time
The A-weighted level equalled or exceeded 99% of the time
Weather conditions can have both positive and negative effects on sound propagation. A positive
wind vector or a temperature inversion can give an increase in noise level at a distance from a
source. A negative wind vector can reduce the received noise levels. These effects tend to
become more significant at relatively long distances from the noise source. When wind speeds
rise above about ten knots (five metres per second), locally generated wind noise (through trees,
etc.) can have a significant masking effect, often rendering a low level noise source inaudible.
Noise measurements were confined to periods when weather conditions on and around the
Aughinish site were judged to have little significant effect on noise propagation. As a check on the
wind speed and direction at the times of the measurements, wind data from the on-site weather
station was obtained and is shown with the results of the noise measurements. The wind speed and
EPA Export 25-07-2013:19:11:01
direction were averaged fi-om the one minute wind data for the measurement period in question.
The location of the wind monitor is shown in Figure 27.1.1.
Where plant noise is steady and audible, but there are extraneous noise sources such as road traffic,
aircraft, birds or intermittent local activities, LA,, usually gives a good approximation of the
relatively constant plant noise level. This because the other parameters, such as LA,, LA,, and LA,
are sensitive to, and strongly influenced by, transient noise levels. Where the Alumina plant IS
stated as clearly audible or the dominant background source, plant noise may be taken as
approximately equal to LA9,. When plant noise is only occasionally audible, its level is probably
close to L,,,.
Boundary Noise Levels
Six locations were selected to give representative samples of the boundary noise levels. The
measurement locations are shown on Figures 25.1. The locations were sampled under low speed
or calm wind conditions with the plant operating normally. Samples were taken by day and by
night and the results include statistical analysis of the levels measured and notes on plant
audibility. Ten minute samples were taken during the day and five minute samples at night. The
sample periods together with the results are shown in Table 25(a) "Boundaty Noise Levels".
Noise Sensitive Locations
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Four locations were selected as representative of noise sensitive locations (NSL) outside the
boundary. Three of these were close to occupied dwellings. The fourth (reference NSL4) is
located in an industial area close to Foynes and was taken as a reference point for the Foynes
area. The measurement locations were in accessible locations close to and representative of the
noise sensitive locations. The measurement locations are shown on Figures 25.2. The locations
were sampled under low wind conditions with the plant operating normally. Samples were of 30
minutes minimum duration by day and 15 minutes minimum duration at night. The results
include statistical analysis of the levels measured and notes on plant audibility. The results are
shown in Table 25(b) "Noise Sensitive Locations outside Boundary".
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26.
Noise Impact
The proposed development falls in the category "Minerals and Other Materials" in the First
Schedule to the EPA Act, 1992. As such the requirements of BATNEEC apply to noise
emissions from the operation of the development.
The range 35 to 45 dB(A), is suggested by the EPA (Draft Guidance Notes for Noise in relation
to Scheduled Activities), as the range of target levels appropriate to avoid disturbance at night
outside houses. An important aspect of acceptability is the absence of significant tones or
impulses.
The current planning condition for the plant is "Noise levels measured at any existing inhabited
house due to the Alumina extraction plant shall not exceed 35 dB(A) during the hours 2200 to
0800 and shall not exceed 45 dB(A) during the hours 0800 to 2200".
The changes required to give an increase in production fi-om the current 1.24 million tonnes per
annum to a proposed 1.75 million tonnes per annum are not expected to give rise to significantly
greater noise emission levels or any greater impact on the local noise environment.
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.
The results of the noise survey indicate that there is no significant impact on noise sensitive
locations outside the boundary. The plant is audible at times at these locations, particularly at
night in low wind conditions. However, the plant noise levels - typically less than 35 dB(A) - are
unlikely to give rise to any disturbance.
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Instrumentation
Noise levels were measured using a Bruel & Kjaer Modular Sound Level Meter with a Statistical
Analysis Module and Octave Filter Set. A Sound Level Calibrator Bruel & Kjaer type 4230 was
used to check calibration before each set of measurements. Two Environmental Noise Analysers
were used for some measurements at Noise Sensitive Locations outside the site boundary. The
details were as follows:
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Modular Precision Sound Level Meter, Bruel and Kjaer type 223 1
Co
n
Bruel and Kjaer Statistical Analyser Application Module BZ 71 15
113 - 111 Octave Filter Set, Bruel and Kjaer Type 1625
Sound Level Calibrator, Bruel and Kjaer Type 4230
Condenser Microphone, Bruel and Kjaer Type 4155
CEL Environmental Noise Analysers Type 262
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a
Table 24(i) Noise Sources Summary Sheet
NOISE SOURCE
Location Distance SPL
Reference (metres) dB(A)
31.5
63
Octave Band Centre Frequencies (Hz)
125
250
500
1000 2000 4000
Noise
8000 Character
Periods of
Emission
Other
Comments
Highest levels expected (end of
JETTY OPERATIONS
Bauxite unloading
J1
25
72
76
72
71
72
68
66
67
58
50
Impulsive
Intermittent
Alumina loading
J2
8
69
78
73
68
67
66
64
62
54
50
Broadband
Intermittent
Jetty: fixed plant
53
8
69
71
65
74
69
63
65
65
57
46
Tonal
Continuous
GMI
20
67
73
70
68
63
61
62
59
59
51
Broadband
Continuous
GM2
5
75
76
75
76
76
73
70
65
60
55
Broadband
Continuous
GM3
20
72
72
73
71
69
65
67
63
60
50
Broadband
Continuous
GM4
10
72
82
80
76
69
65
65
63
57
46
Broadband
Continuous
GM5
10
74
88
88
80
78
72
66
64
62
56
Broadband
Continuous
76
73
72
73
75
72
64
Broadband
Continuous
72
70
72
72
73
70
65
Broadband
Continuous
76
73
70
66
63
57
47
Broadband
Continuous
unloading operation)
LAmax
= 84
Fan at about 20 m above jetty
80
81
82
78
80
78
GM8
10
72
74
76
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Opposite open door
Opposite open door
Opposite open door
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GM7
.
AREA I
Grinding and Milling
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Table 24(i) Noise Sources Summary Sheet
NOISE SOURCE
Location Distance SPL
Reference (metres) dB(A)
31.5
63
Octave Band Centre Frequencies (Hz)
125
250
500 1000 2000 4000
Noise
8000 Character
Periods of
Emission
Other
Comments
AREA 4
Dl
30
73
71
72
71
68
66
66
66
65
54
Broadband
Continuous
D2
30
75
72
75
73
71
70
70
69
67
57
Broadband
Continuous
30
73
75
80
72
70
68
67
66
64
55
Broadband
Continuous
30
74
79
78
72
70
66
69
68
65
57
Broadband
Continuous
D5
30
71
76
75
72
70
65
66
64
58
50
Broadband
Continuous
74
73
72
68
71
67
60
51
Broadband
Continuous
65
62
58
48
Broadband
Continuous
D7
30
70
73
73
72
71
65
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75
.
D3
04
59
51
Broadband
Continuous
62
61
55
Broadband
Continuous
66
65
63
55
Broadband
Continuous
64
64
59
51
Broadband
Continuous
62
62
65
61
52
Broadband
Continuous
65
75
82
80
71
Broadband
Continuous
20
73
76
76
74
72
69
69
20
70
73
78
74
70
64
64
65
D l0
30
73
75
85
81
73
67
D l1
30
70
75
79
75
71
64
Dl2
30
69
79
74
72
65
D l3
30
86
74
77
73
67
Dl4
30
77
73
74
76
70
69
70
73
69
56
Broadband
Continuous
Dl5
30
69
73
75
72
67
67
62
60
56
46
Broadband
Continuous
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EPA Export 25-07-2013:19:11:01
e
Table 24(i) Noise Sources Summary Sheet
NOISE SOURCE
Location Distance SPL
Reference (metres) dB(A)
Octave Band Centre Frequencies (Hz)
125
250
500
1000 2000 4000
Noise
8000 Character
31.5
63
81
78
74
73
73
71
68
64
57
Periods of
Emission
Other
Comments
AREAS 9 AND 10
17
76
Broadband
Continuous
C2
17
78
82
83
79
79
76
72
69
64
57
Broadband
Continuous
C3
17
79
83
82
81
78
77
73
71
67
60
Broadband
Continuous
C4
17
80
82
78
78
77
78
75
74
69
63
Broadband
Continuous
C5
17
82
80
79
78
76
81
77
75
70
65
Broadband
Continuous
C6
17
85
83
86
80
78
83
77
74
C7
17
70
81
77
77
71
74
70
69
C8
17
72
83
77
74
72
70
66
C9
17
76
83
85
62
Broadband
Continuous
58
Broadband
Continuous
10
79
85
89
10
83
90
93
C12
20
76
84
83
ru
he
60
55
Broadband
Continuous
72
72
70
67
63
62
Broadband
Continuous
88
78
77
73
68
62
55
Broadband
Continuous
93
81
80
79
73
66
65
Broadband
Continuous
80
77
74
71
67
62
56
Broadband
Continuous
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81
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69
65
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Calcination
Cl
Co
Caiciner Feed and
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Table 24(i) Noise Sources Summary Sheet
NOISE SOURCE
Location Distance SPL
Reference (metres) dB(A)
31.5
63
Octave Band Centre Frequencies (Hz)
1000 2000 4000
125
250
500
Noise
8000 Character
Periods of
Emission
Other
Comments
MISCELLANEOUS
73
73
68
69
67
59
Broadband
Continuous
71
68
65
64
61
59
49
Broadband
Continuous
74
69
65
63
68
71
65
Tonal
Continuous
80
80
73
71
67
63
63
61
Broadband
Continuous
79
79
71
68
65
60
61
59
Broadband
Continuous
MI
20
75
65
64
70
Lime Slurrying
M2
20
68
73
71
M3
10
76
77
77
M5A
20
73
83
20
71
83
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Water System
ns
en
Area 58 Central Cooling
Bearingsqueal
Co
Fin Cooler (one)
.
Pumps (2) on Tailings Pond
EPA Export 25-07-2013:19:11:01
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25(a) Boundary Levels
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25(b) Noise Sensitive Locations outside Boundary
Location
reference
Sampling
Interval
Duration
(minutes)
LA^^
LAI
LAIO
LAW
LAW
mls
Wind
Degre
e
NSLl
NSL2
NSL3
NSL4
DAY
1400 - 1500
1500 - 1600
1439 - 1509
1526 - 1556
60
60
30
30
49
40
51
53
61
48
64
65
49
45
51
51
33
32
36
37
31
30
33
36
2.6
2.0
2.0
1.9
271
283
300
298
NSLl
NSL2
NSL3
NSlA
NIGHT
0200 0300
0200 0300
0230 0245
0303 0318
60
60
15
15
36
51
45
46
38
50
57
61
37
37
45
40
33
30
23
36
32
29
22
35
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.9
83
83
84
97
Comments
Aughinish audible. Distant road traffic.
Aughinish audible. Distant road traffic.
Aughinish inaudible. Nearby cattle, distant road traffic, birdsong.
Aughinish audible. Local and distant road traffic
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ne pu
r r rp
eq os
ui es
re o
d nl
fo y.
ra
ny
ns
en
Aughinish audible.
Aughinish audible. Distant road traffic.
Aughinish inaudible. Noise from cattle in adjacent field
Aughinish audible. Noise from Foynes Port operations and a distant aircraft
Co
-
se
.
Wind
EPA Export 25-07-2013:19:11:01