Background
MLP Rockingham is a major logistics development. The scheme sought to achieve BREEAM New Construction 2018 credits for both Health and Wellbeing (Hea 05) and Pollution (Pol 05), requiring compliance with acoustic performance criteria for internal environments and external plant noise.
Anderson Acoustics was appointed by VolkerFitzpatrick Limited to provide acoustic design advice and pre-completion commissioning to demonstrate compliance for two of the units.
Challenge
The development included office accommodation located within a busy logistics environment while nearby residential receptors were situated approximately 25 metres from the site boundary. This created two key acoustic challenges: protecting occupant comfort within the offices and ensuring that noise from fixed plant did not adversely affect neighbouring properties.
To achieve the required BREEAM credits, the project needed to demonstrate:
- Suitable internal ambient noise levels within the office spaces for Hea 05;
- Compliance with Pol 05 plant noise criteria at the nearest noise-sensitive receptors;
- Successful pre-completion testing to verify that the completed development performed as intended.
What We Did
We provided acoustic support throughout both the design and commissioning stages of the project. During the design phase, we assessed external noise conditions, reviewed the proposed building envelope and ventilation strategy, and established performance targets in accordance with BREEAM and relevant British Standards, including BS 8233 and BS 4142.
We developed acoustic criteria for office spaces and modelled the impact of external plant using CadnaA noise modelling software to predict noise levels at nearby residential receptors. The assessment demonstrated that the proposed design was capable of achieving both BREEAM credits.
Following construction, we carried out a programme of acoustic commissioning and verification testing. This included measurements of internal ambient noise levels within the office accommodation and assessments of fixed plant installations serving the development. The testing confirmed that the completed building achieved the performance targets established during the design stage.
Result
The completed development successfully met all acoustic performance requirements set out for BREEAM Hea 05 and Pol 05. Internal ambient noise levels within the open-plan and hub offices were below the target criteria, creating suitable environments for concentration and day-to-day office activities.
Our assessment of operational plant demonstrated compliance with the BREEAM noise emission limits, with plant noise levels below the required targets at nearby residential receptors. The final commissioning programme verified that both internal noise and plant noise objectives had been achieved, supporting the award of both BREEAM acoustic credits for the development.
Project Progress
The build is now complete. Although the contract required a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the VfP project team achieved ‘Outstanding’, with no additional cost to the client, through efficient procurement and proactive design innovations.
Head on over to the VfP website for more information.
