Acoustic Assessment Report

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Acoustic Assessment Report

Assessing sound levels for noise generating equipment forms part of a crucial component of an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) or Environmental Activity and Sector Registry (EASR). If your facility is located in close proximity to sensitive receptors, you will most likely be required to prepare an Acoustic Assessment Report (AAR) in support of an ECA application or an EASR registration.

In Ontario, this assessment ensures compliance with noise regulations and helps protect the well-being of nearby communities, making it an essential part of ECA & EASR in Ontario requirements.

What is an Acoustic Assessment Report?

An Acoustic Assessment Report is a detailed report describing significant noise generating sources at the facility. Each source and activity generate its own sound level which are collected using a noise measuring device and used to model sound levels at the identified points of reception (POI) using a noise propagation software. The modelled sound levels are compared against Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) limits to determine compliance or if further mitigation is required.

The MECP require an AAR to be completed in accordance with NPC-300: Environmental Noise Guideline – Stationary and Transportation Source – Approval and Planning. Depending on the location of the facility and the POI, different MECP prescribed limits may apply for the daytime, evening, and nighttime periods. Overall, there are four different classes that an area can be classified, and each class has its own limit for the respective time segments:

One-Hour Equivalent Sound Level (dBA) for outdoor POI

Time Periods	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	Class 4
07:00 – 19:00	50	50	45	55
19:00 – 23:00	50	45	40	55

One-Hour Equivalent Sound Level (dBA) for Plane of Window of Noise Sensitive Spaces

Time Periods	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	Class 4
07:00 – 19:00	50	50	45	60
19:00 – 23:00	50	50	40	60
23:00 – 07:00	45	45	40	55

Typical Noise Sources

Equipment inside a facility may or may not be audible from the outside of the building. Common sources that are included as part of an Acoustic Assessment Report are the following:

Sidewall and Rooftop Stacks and Exhausts
HVAC Units / Natural gas-fired equipment
Make-Up Air Units
Delivery Trucks
Loaders
Cement Trucks
Cooling Towers
Baghouses
Generators

After assessing noise sources and levels, it’s often beneficial for facilities to also evaluate their pollutant outputs through an Emission Summary. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of all emissions from a facility, helping to ensure that both noise and pollutants remain within environmentally acceptable limits.

Primary and Secondary Noise Screening

Before determining whether a detailed Acoustic Assessment Report is required for your activities and operations in support of an ECA or EASR, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks offer two different types of screening:

Primary Noise Screening (PNS)
Secondary Noise Screening (SNS)

The Primary Noise Screening Method is a quick and easy way to determine if a facility is required to complete a Secondary Noise Screening or an Acoustic Assessment Report. No detailed calculation is required as part of the PNS; however, the form uses conservative assumptions and potential noise generating equipment at the facility to determine a minimum separation distance. The distance between the closest noise generating source and the point of reception must be beyond the minimum separation distance in order to avoid completing a SNS or an ARR.

If the facility does not meet the conditions of a PNS, a Secondary Noise Screening can be done before finding out if an Acoustic Assessment Report is required. Although less conservative than the PNS method, it better reflects the sound generated from the facility. Unlike the PNS method, the SNS method requires calculation to determine the combined sound level at each of the identified points of reception and whether or not the conditions of the SNS method have been met.

If none of the conditions of a Primary Noise Screening and Secondary Noise Screening are met, then an Acoustic Assessment Report will be required. It is worth noting that a PNS and SNS is not a requirement in order to complete an AAR. Similarly, a PNS is not required to use the SNS method. In short, a facility can skip the primary and secondary noise screening and complete a detailed Acoustic Assessment Report.

Additionally, as part of comprehensive environmental compliance efforts, a dust control management plan may also be required to address particulate matter and its impact on both the environment and community health.

Role of an LEP

An Acoustic Assessment Report in support of an Environmental Compliance Approval does not require a Licensed Engineering Practitioner (LEP) to stamp on the finalized report; however, if the AAR is in support of an Environmental Activity and Sector Registry, then the LEP seal is required. At SONAIR, a LEP reviews, seals, and signs the reports to ensure the information is accurate and correct. Upon uploading the information onto the Ministry portal with the client attesting to the information, the issuance of the approval will be immediate.

Noise Impact Studies

While the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) name a noise report an Acoustic Assessment Report, the municipality often calls it a Noise Impact Study. Although named and structured differently, these noise reports serve the same purpose.

Most Noise Impact Studies are required as a result of land use changes and developments proposed in close proximity to sensitive land uses and/or near busy roadways. The purpose of the Noise Impact Study is to determine whether traffic noise and noise generated from industrial and commercial facilities around the subject site will have any adverse impact towards the proposed development. In addition to impact posed on the subject property, impact from noise generated onsite towards nearby sensitive land uses must also be assessed.

Depending on the time of day and the location being assessed, the MECP has prescribed different sound level ranges that comes with different requirements based on the sound level predicted. If the predicted sound level is below 55 dBA and 50 dBA for the daytime and nighttime, respectively, then no further action is required. However, requirements may include the following if noise is predicted to be above these limits:

Acoustical Barrier
Central A/C or Provision for A/C
Building Component Specifications
Warning Clause Type A, B, C, and D

Unsure if an Acoustic Assessment Report or a Noise Impact Study is required? Contact one of our qualified consultants to discuss your options and let us help you achieve your ultimate goal. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.