Lunch & Learn Sessions

Anderson Acoustics offer free ‘Lunch & Learn’ continual professional development (CPD) sessions to clients and fellow professionals.

Our expert acoustic consultants share valuable information and advice on a range of topics spanning the construction, environmental, education, airports and built environment sectors.

We would happily talk acoustics for hours (!) but would limit the CPD session to 1 hour. Whilst our preference is to deliver training in person, we can also deliver online. This is particularly useful where the team attending are based in multiple locations.

We can tailor a CPD to meet the particular interest areas and needs of the team attending with content pulled from a broad spectrum of acoustics-related topics including:-

all things acoustics related to the planning process (e.g., mixed-use schemes, large masterplan sites, brownfield sites);
building acoustics design in residential, education, office, commercial, health care, hospitality sectors
plant noise and vibration design and mitigation of any piece of plant used in any of the above buildings
noise mitigation as part of the overheating strategy for residential schemes. Approved Document O - Overheating - is at the forefront of our day-to-day work
acoustics as part of the WELL standard for office schemes and how to improve wellbeing for the end user

New CPD from our Education sector lead Dr Emma Greenland 'Acoustic Design Watchlist (what the building bulletins don't cover)'.

Co-author of the Building Bulletin BB93:2015 and a passionate researcher on universally inclusive acoustic design, this CPD reviews the limitations of the current guidance, discusses ways to eradicate the acoustic disadvantage and looks to the future of school acoustic design.

Our Construction team can also deliver a CPD covering a wide range of related topics including:

What are noise, vibration and dust
Regulatory framework COPA EPA nuisance
Process of obtaining consent for works that may cause noise, dust, or vibration
Noise Management: Sources of construction noise (e.g., machinery, equipment, demolition); Mitigation strategies (e.g., noise barriers, scheduling noisy activities appropriately); Monitoring noise levels during construction.
Dust Control: Types of dust (e.g., silica, particulate matter); Health risks associated with dust exposure; Dust suppression techniques (e.g., water spraying, dust collectors); NRMM and transport emissions
Vibration Awareness: Types of construction-related vibration sources; Human and asset response to vibration; Measures to reduce vibration (e.g., using dampening materials, proper tool maintenance)
Monitoring and Compliance: Real-time monitoring during construction and demolition; Address compliance with noise, dust, and vibration limits; Importance of accurate data collection and reporting
Case studies
Lessons learned and best practice

Our Air Quality lead can also deliver a CPD on Air Quality in Planning looking at:-

What are air quality and air pollutants, NO2 and PM, other pollutants and health and amenity effects
LAQM framework, AQMA AQFA AQAP
National Planning Policy Framework, IAQM guidance
Baseline air quality and monitoring
Air quality as a material consideration
LA requirements, supplementary planning documents, planning conditions
Air quality assessment, site suitability, traffic and building emissions, air quality emission mitigation, damage costs, air quality neutral and positive
Assessing significance of effects
Mitigation measures and good air quality design
Construction stage dust and AQ effects, monitoring based on risk
Case studies
Lessons learned and best practice

Example CPD Sessions

The sessions below are examples of popular CPD topics. They are not the full list of what we can deliver and can be adapted or combined depending on your requirements.

CPD Example 1: Noise and Planning in Development Projects

We explain the complex landscape of noise related legislation, policies and planning guidance (national, regional and local) and our 8-step approach to noise assessments. We provide examples of how to adopt good acoustic design on new noise-sensitive and noise-generating developments and talk through a number of projects we have worked on. Primarily covering the residential sector, this CPD does also look at industrial sites and transport noise. Who is it for: Architects / Planners / Developers / Contractors

CPD Example 2: Building Acoustics and Compliance

We share new data which shows the prevalence of children in mainstream schools who have special hearing or communication needs (SHCN). We provide practical guidance on how schools and architects can meet their duties to anticipate the needs of children with SHCN in accordance with key regulations and standards using a ‘reasonable adjustments’ approach. Who is it for: Architects / Developers / Contractors / Schools

CPD 3: Auralisation for architectural acoustic design

Imagine being able to hear at design stage what your planned building or space will sound like before it is built. This CPD session explores how auralisation can benefit planning, design and stakeholder engagement. Who is it for: Architects / Developers / Contractors