Industrial & Commercial Noise
TA Lärm Acoustic Consultancy for Industry and Commerce
Acoustic support from early planning through to commissioning
We support project managers, planning offices, architects, building services engineers (HVAC/MEP), plant manufacturers and operators in integrating noise immission control into industrial and commercial projects at an early stage.
In addition to preparing acoustic expert reports, we accompany projects across the individual planning phases. In doing so, we review the planned installations, operational processes and building concepts, determine the applicable acoustic requirements and work with all project participants to develop solutions that are both technically feasible and capable of approval.
By taking acoustic considerations into account early on, critical plant locations, necessary noise reduction measures and potential restrictions on use can be identified while planning is still under way. This avoids subsequent redesigns, additional costs and delays in the approval and construction process.
Our Services
1. Early Project and Concept Design
- Review of the acoustic baseline situation
- Determination of the relevant immission points and immission guide values
- Initial assessment of planned uses, operational processes and technical installations
- Identification of potential acoustic conflicts and approval risks
- Comparison of alternative plant locations and planning concepts
- Definition of permissible sound power levels for technical installations
- Advice to the specialist planners involved on developing the plant and building concept
2. Approval Planning
- Preparation of noise immission forecasts in accordance with TA Lärm (Technical Instruction on Noise)
- Acoustic investigations for new buildings, extensions and changes of use
- Investigation of production, commercial and building services noise
- Consideration of vehicle traffic, loading operations, car parks and outdoor activities
- Investigation of existing background loading and the anticipated total loading
- Assessment against the peak level criterion
- Development of the necessary noise reduction measures
- Support in consultations with the approval authorities
- Preparation of acoustic expert reports for building and approval applications
3. Tendering and Award
- Formulation of acoustic requirements for bills of quantities
- Definition of maximum permissible sound power levels
- Specification of requirements for silencers, screening, enclosures and further noise reduction measures
- Review of manufacturer and bidder specifications
- Assessment of the installations and noise control measures offered
- Support with technical comparisons and award decisions
- Advice on warranty agreements
4. Detailed Design and Construction Phase
- Review of construction documents and plant designs
- Assessment of modified installations, makes and installation locations
- Advice on the specific implementation of acoustically relevant components
- Acoustic support for detailed design
- Construction supervision with regard to the proper implementation of the intended noise control measures
- Inspection of the installation of enclosures, screening, silencers and further noise reduction measures
5. Measurements and Commissioning
- Acoustic emission and immission measurements
- Monitoring measurements in accordance with TA Lärm
- Verification of official noise control requirements
- Acceptance measurements on technical and commercial installations
- Determination of sound power levels
- Documentation and evaluation of the measurement results
To locate the dominant noise sources on complex installations, we additionally deploy the Acoustic Camera.
Acoustic Planning Instead of Retrospective Problem-Solving
Acoustic conflicts are often only identified shortly before the building application is submitted or during detailed design. At that point, changes to plant locations, building openings, operating hours or building services can involve considerable additional costs.
By involving us early, acoustic requirements can be taken into account when installations are selected and arranged. We therefore do not merely produce the required verification, but support the planning team in developing an overall concept that is technically feasible and capable of approval.
This provides planning certainty for approval, tendering, award and execution.
Who We Work For
Our services are aimed in particular at:
- Project management and project control companies
- Architectural practices and general planning offices
- Building services and plant designers
- Industrial and commercial businesses
- Clients and property developers
- Manufacturers of refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation and heat pump systems
- Operators of technical and commercial installations
Typical Tasks
Among others, we handle acoustic questions relating to:
- Industrial and production plants
- Commercial businesses and operational extensions
- Warehouses and logistics halls
- Loading and handling areas
- Car parks and on-site vehicle traffic
- Ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Refrigeration systems and dry coolers
- Heat pumps
- Extraction and filter systems
- Deliveries and night-time operations
- Changes of use in existing buildings
Questions at the level of municipal planning – such as emission contingenting for GE/GI (commercial/industrial) areas – are covered under Urban Development Planning.
Calculation and Presentation of Results
Noise immissions are calculated using state-of-the-art software. The results are documented in a comprehensible form and can additionally be presented as colour noise maps for a clearer overview.
On this basis, critical areas can be identified at an early stage and the necessary measures tailored specifically to the project in question.
Continuous Measurement & Monitoring
For longer-term monitoring tasks – such as verifying compliance with sound insulation conditions during ongoing plant operation – we deploy permanent measurement stations. Level trends can be tracked in real time via a web dashboard, alerts are triggered automatically as immission guide values are approached, and reports in accordance with TA Lärm are generated on a schedule.
Planning an Industrial or Commercial Project?
Send us the current planning status, site plans and the intended technical installations and operational processes. We will assess which acoustic services are required in the respective project phase and how these can be sensibly integrated into the further planning process.