Minimising Construction Noise at Night

Factors to consider before authorising night works

Many construction companies are choosing to undertake a far higher proportion of work at night, both to speed up construction and to make things safer and more comfortable for both the public and their workers.

Working at night has its advantages, such as:

• Cooler temperatures
• Well-lit work areas, and
• Less traffic, making it easier for trucks and heavy machinery to access the site.

Yet there are several downsides to night-time construction, the biggest of which is undoubtedly noise.

Everything is quieter at night, which means construction noise appears to be amplified even when it’s carried out behind barriers and hoardings. Each sound seems to resonate: grader buckets banging on hard ground, generators thrumming, reversing beepers piercing the night air – it all turns into noise.

This increase in night-time noise commonly leads residents to complain.

Here’s what you need to know about noise, before authorising night works.

How to organise construction work at night

Most city councils do not allow any audible noise between 6.30 pm and 6.30 am on weekdays and Saturday, or at any time on Sundays and public holidays. The exception is if you have been granted a pre-arranged development approval.

If you carry out night works in accordance with this pre-approval, you are exempt from nuisance offences for noise. However, it is still your responsibility to take “all reasonable and practical measures to minimise and manage that nuisance”.

Another exception to the night-time noise ban is where the ongoing site works may cause a major traffic hazard, or in situations that involve continuous work, such as a concrete pour.

Note too that each state has different guidelines. For example, sometimes the restrictions apply between 7 pm and 6 am – so you should check with your local council before proceeding.

Another consideration before starting construction site night-works is the importance of communicating with neighbouring residents and business owners. Distributing leaflets explaining the hours and duration of operation may help to prevent complaints.

Establish which neighbours will be most impacted by the noise and inform them of:

• What is taking place, and the machinery/ processes involved (e.g. jack hammering, concrete cutting & pouring, etc)
• Why the construction needs to be carried out at night
• The duration of the night works, and
• When the noisiest periods will be (preferably as early as practicable in the shift).

To work out the projected impact on neighbours, the project team should:

• Benchmark the existing noise levels outside homes before construction
• Predict what the noise levels will be like during construction
• Consider ways to minimise noise including:
  • Changing the work methodology
  • Controlling the noise emanating from equipment, and if possible,
  • Modifying the time of work activity.

Noise control options for night construction

As Australia’s industrial noise control specialists, Flexshield have a wide range of proven soundproofing solutions for construction sites, including:

• Acoustic mobile tents (also known as sonic tents),
• Sonic quilts,
• Sonic noise barriers, and
• Sonic curtains

Combining exceptional acoustic attenuation and absorption materials and available in 3 different surface mass densities, the sonic curtain is deployed where serious noise control is required.

Available with convenient hire or buy options, they are quick and easy to erect and dismantle and should be part of your night works ‘armoury’.

“We use these curtains mostly during night construction works to minimise noise impacts to residents. Feedback from the residents is that the screens help and they appreciate us trying to minimise noise impacts.”

Jenny Butler, Environmental Manager, Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade Project, Lendlease.

For more information on construction site noise download what makes what noise on a construction site or contact our expert Flexshield team on 1300 799 969.