Which environmental protection against noise in France and in the European union?

The environmental protection against noise is a major challenge in France and in Europe, due to the growing noise impact of equipment linked to the housing of the populations of developed countries being concerned, of human activities such as industry and transport infrastructure.

For this, a regulation exists, applicable in France and/or in the European Union and ITS offers solutions.

Regulations on environmental protection against noise in France and in the European Union

  • In France :
    • the Decree of August 20, 85 is on airborne noise emitted into the environment by classified installations for environmental protection with the exclusion of facilities subject to the provisions of the Decree of January 23, 1997 Note: all or part of this document has been modified by more recent texts
    • the Order of 10 May 1995 is on procedures for measuring noise from neighbors
    • the Decree of January 23, 1997 relates to the limitation of noise emitted into the environment by installations classified for environmental protection
    • the Order of 15 November 1999 amends Decree of 23 January 1997 on the limitation of noise emitted into the environment by installations classified for environmental protection and the Order of 14 May 1993 is on the glass industry
    • the Decree of April 4, 2006 is relevant to the preparation of noise maps and of plans for prevention of environmental noise
    • the Order of 5 December 2006 is on procedures for measurement of noise from neighbors
    • the Decree of November 27, 2008 changes the order of 5 December 2006 concerning the measurement of neighborhood noise
    • the Decree No. 95-408 of 18 April 1995 is on the fight against neighborhood noise and amends the Code of Public Health
    • the Decree No. 2006-361 of 24 March 2006 is relevant to the preparation of noise maps and plans for prevention of environmental noise and modifies the code of Town Planning
    • the Decree No. 2006-1099 of 31 August 2006 is on the fight against neighborhood noise and amends the Code of Public Health
  • In the European Union:
    • the Directive 2002/49/EC of 25 June 2002 is on the assessment and management of environmental noise

What does ITS offer in terms of environmental protection against noise in France and in the European Union ?

What ITS offers in terms of environmental protection against noise in France and in the European Union:

  • audits to verify the conformity of facilities of all kinds; noise measurements are made with sound level meters duly calibrated and checked by a qualified technician in physical measurements (specialized in instrumental techniques), possibly with respect to various regulatory criteria:
    • emergence: this is the difference between the A-weighted equivalent continuous pressure levels of ambient noise (considered facilty in operation) and residual noise (in the absence of noise generated by the considered facility, but measured on its operating period) in regulated emergence zones (ZER); depending on the context: 5 or 6 dB(A) during the day and 3 or 4 dB(A) during the night
    • the tonal component: it is present when, considering an unweighted third-octave spectrum, the level in a frequency band exceeds by 5 dB or more the average level of the two adjacent frequency bands from 400 Hz to 6300 Hz or by 10 dB that of the two adjacent frequency bands from 63 to 315 Hz
    • the admissible level at the property boundary - for establishment classified for environmental protection (ECEP) - typically 70 dB(A) during the day, 60 dB(A) during the night
  • sound impact studies:
    • with identification and prioritization of noise sources
    • with a search for ways to improve the acoustic situation and the development of solutions for noise reduction
    • with sizing calculations for soundproofing equipment
  • noise reduction solutions marketing:
    • at the source: acoustic lagging of ducts and pipes, soundproofing covers and enclosures for noisy equipment, soundproofed premises and buildings
    • limiting the propagation of sound emissions using acoustic screens (noise walls)
    • reducing noise emissions from openings intended for ventilation, as well as from the ends of aeraulic networks, e.g. intakes of heat engines and turbomachines, as well as their discharge and exhausts

The activity of ITS in relation to the protection of the environment against noise (e.g. in France and in the European Union) concerns:

  • buildings e.g. Heating Ventilation Air conditioning of houses, apartment buildings and care establishments (in particular: air conditioners, heat pumps)
  • industrial sites e.g. transmission of interior noise towards the exterior, limitation of sound emissions from equipment installed outdoors, reduction of the acoustic power of air intakes, vents, gas depressurization orifices

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