Construction Site Management
This is a Bristol City Council document based on BS5228 copyright HMSO written as a guide to developersNoise is probably one of the greatest causes of complaint from construction works. From piling operations in order to create basements to the long-term use of hand tools in small refurbishment, noise can have a serious impact on neighbours. For this reason the Council has adopted a specific policy on acceptable hours of operation for all construction sites and may require you to keep within specified noise levels. The Council's policy on hours of work is as follows:
Monday to Friday 8am-6pm
Saturday 8am-1 pm
No work outside these times and including Bank and Public Holidays unless by prior agreement with the Council.
There are two ways that the Council can control noise from construction sites. The first and our preferred way is to agree with you in advance hours of work, noise levels and other precautions. This allows you to understand our requirements in good time, and price and manage your work accordingly, and is called a 'Prior Consent'. This is not a legal requirement and it is your choice to seek this consent. However, if you do have a consent, it is a legal requirement to comply with its conditions. If no consent is in place and the Council receives complaints the Council will consider alternative legal powers in the Control of Pollution Act, 1974. The Council also has legal powers under the Environmental Protection Act, 1990 and the Clean Air Act, 1993.
The Council will investigate any complaints and if justified serve a legal notice. The requirements of this notice will prevent further disturbance. There are industry codes of practice that we will expect you to follow. You must comply with BS 5228: Noise Control on Construction and Open Sites, Part 1 Code of Practice for Basic information and Procedures for Noise Control and Part 2 Guide to Noise Control Legislation for Building Sites, including Road Construction and Maintenance. Where piling works are to be carried out, the Code as it applies to piling operations must be adhered to. We can provide you with details of how to obtain these codes. It is expected that you take all reasonable steps to reduce noise as much as possible. This is also a requirement in law called `Best Practicable Means'. The Council must be satisfied that all means of managing and reducing noise and vibration that can be practicably applied at reasonable cost have been implemented.
For your general guidance
- Be considerate in the siting of stationary plant and ensure that machines used intermittently are shut down when not in use or throttled down to a minimum;
- Use modern, quiet and well-maintained equipment, including electrically powered plant where possible, or fit effective exhaust silencers to vehicles and mechanical plant (all equipment must comply with the EC Directives and UK Regulations set out in BS 5228:Part 1);
- Erect acoustic enclosures around essential, continuously running noisy equipment;
- Maintain the maximum distance between noise and vibration sources and
neighbouring premises, and take steps to mitigate nuisance. This may be
achieved by:
- Using low impact techniques wherever possible
- Careful material handling such as lowering rather than dropping items;
- Considerate siting of loading/unloading areas;
- Erecting fencing or hoarding, of at least 5kg/ml surface density, where possible higher than the line of sight to neighbours and repairing any damage immediately;
- Controlling the opening of site gates;
- During deconstruction, leaving building facades and boundary walls intact as long as possible and boarding/bricking up windows;
- Use of non-sensitive structures such as partitions, site huts and soil mounds as barriers to deflect noise.
- Avoiding unnecessary noise (such as shouting, loud radios or excessive revving of engines) by effective site management
MONITORING
On long term and or potentially noisy projects you are advised to carry out a noise survey before works begin. This will be used to set acceptable noise levels and included in any formal agreement between the Contractor and the Council. For piling and other operations that may give rise to high vibration levels a vibration assessment may be advisable. This information will enable you to determine work methods, types of plant to be used and noise and vibration mitigation measures for the site. We encourage you to monitor noise and vibration levels regularly and to keep written records so that deviations from agreed levels can be detected early and control measures identified. This will assist in evaluating complaints and safeguarding your business against claims arising. Sound levels should be monitored using methods contained in Appendix `B' of BS 5228: Part 1 and equipment meeting the specifications of BS 5969:1981 (1989).- If the works include driven piles or heavy breaking we recommend that vibration monitoring should take the form of regular 15-minute samples taken near the affected premises. Where there are party walls or neighbours are otherwise directly attached to the site, the noise, vibration and structural implications of the proposals will require individual and detailed evaluation.
- Where heavy plant will be used or if breaking is proposed within 25 metres of neighbouring properties, continuous vibration monitoring should be carried out. Similarly where there are neighbours that may be particularly affected by noise, continual noise monitoring may be required. Each site should be considered on its individual merits.
WORK SITE NOISE LEVELS
The work site levels established by the Council, either by agreement or enforcement, relate to recorded background levels. These levels will normally relate to a 10 hour LAeq and may also include 1 minute LAeq. The suitability of specific noise limits is highly dependent upon the individual site.The factors to be considered include:
- The characteristics of the potentially affected neighbours;
- Baseline ambient noise levels and;
- The nature and duration of the works.
VIBRATION LEVELS
Appropriate levels of vibration should be considered having regard to occupiers and users of buildings and the structural integrity of buildings. BS 6472 applies with regard to levels affecting users of buildings. Guidance on the levels of vibration, which may cause building damage are contained in BS 7385: Part 2. Where complaints are received you should consider the need for monitoring at neighbouring premises.SMOKE AND FUME NUISANCE
Unfortunately some contractors still burn waste materials on site. Apart from causing nuisance to neighbours, increasing air pollution, it is also against the law. There are also other sources of air pollution that regularly give rise to complaint. Badly maintained vehicles pumping out diesel fumes, dust from grinding and sand blasting can also give rise to serious complaint. We expect Contractors to comply with the relevant legislation and will give you advice on how to do this. For instance:- You should always try to choose processes and plant that either do not generate smoke, fumes and dust or failing that, keep it to a minimum;
- Plant should be well maintained and measures taken to ensure that it is not left running for long periods when not in use;
- Low sulphur diesel fuel should be used where possible and all fuel must be stored carefully;
- Cutting and grinding should be kept to a minimum and if any dust is unavoidable prevent it from escaping from the site;
- Dust may be controlled through the use of easily cleanable hard-standings for vehicles;
- Vehicles carrying dusty materials should be sheeted;
- Stockpiles of materials on site should be covered;
- Dusty materials in use or exposed during dry weather should be sheeted, whenever practical;
- Regularly sweep and water spray hard standings;
- Set speed limits over all unmade surfaces;
- Screen buildings likely to be affected by dust;
- In addition, where there is evidence of volatile or airborne materials or there is a risk of fumes affecting the local area, the Contractor should conduct a programme of regular air monitoring, and take appropriate corrective action.
- Burning of materials on site is not permitted.
SAFETY OF THE SITE
By the time construction begins you should be aware of all the hazards and potential hazards that may be present on the site. Apart from the normal health and safety concerns in either demolition or construction (when you should contact the Health and Safety Executive for advice), there are a number of environmental hazards that you should have considered.ASBESTOS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
All work on asbestos must comply with Legislation, HSE Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance current at the time of the works. Before starting works, a survey should be undertaken to identify all potentially hazardous materials. These may include asbestos, lead and lead-based products, polychlorinated biphenyl's (PCBs), anthrax spores (in horsehair used as plaster reenforcement), fuel/heating oil tanks (above and below ground); battery cells and coolants used in air conditioning units. The survey work should be carried out in accordance with all relevant legislation together with HSE Approved Codes of Practice and Guidance, Government Guidelines and industry best practice. It is your responsibility to remove all such materials correctly using a licensed contractor. Further details are available from the Health and Safety Executive.CONTAMINATED LAND
For any new development land contamination would have normally been identified in the planning phase of the project. You should obtain and review copies of any investigations that have been carried out on the site. You will need to satisfy yourself and the Council that a thorough assessment has been made of potential risks to- Users of the site;
- Workers during redevelopment;
- Neighbours and members of the public;
- The local environment (air, surface and ground water and land);
- Constuction materials (e.g. from sulphates).
WASTE MANAGEMENT
All wastes must be removed off site using a registered waste carrier and sent to sites authorised to receive it. Disposal must be in accordance with relevant legislation. All waste documentation - Transfer Notes and Consignment Notes - must be completed and held on site. You should refer to the HMSO publication `Waste Management Duty of care Code of Practice' (1996) for further guidance. You should take steps to minimise waste generated on site by:- reducing over-ordering and correctly storing materials;
- reusing materials on site or on another site
- recycling, e.g. crushing concrete, scrap metal and salvage.
MUD ON THE ROAD
This is a common source of complaint and potentially very hazardous. You will need to ensure that the site and surrounding carriageways and footpaths are kept clean. Steps you can take to reduce mud from traffic include the following:- Providing easily cleanable hard-standings for all vehicles leaving the site and wheel washing facilities;
- Using a mechanical road sweeper to clean the site hard standing and any mud or debris deposited by site vehicles on roads or footpaths in the vicinity of the site. Smaller sites or those requiring only occasional use should contact the Waste Management Team for assistance with mechanical sweeping.
- Adequately sheeting lorries carrying waste material from site to prevent this from falling off on-route to disposal.
HIGHWAYS
All works on the highway must be in accordance with the Roads and Streetworks Act, with particular reference to the Code of Practice `Safety at Street Works and Road Works'. You should consult the Council's Highways Management Group before starting any works that affect the highway. The date works are due to start and their duration, the area affected and methods of construction to be used need to be considered and agreed. If you will be carrying out works requiring any of the following you will need to obtain the appropriate licence(s):- Scaffolding
- Hoarding
- Building materials stored on the highway
- Skips
- Temporary crossovers
SCAFFOLDING
A scaffold licence is required for any building works where scaffolding is to be used.- Erection and dismantling of scaffolding or other structures shall be carried out direct from a suitable vehicle outside busy traffic hours so as to cause a minimum of disruption to traffic flows.
- A clear passage width of not less than 1.5 metres for pedestrians shall be continuously maintained under and through the scaffold and no putlog, brace or other construction shall be fixed at a lower level than 2.5 metres from the surface of the footwear.
- No vertical scaffold pole or any putlog or any form of boarding shall be erected at a height less than 4.9 metres above the level of the carriageway or nearer the outer edge of the kerb than 0.5 metres. Where this distance from the outer edge of the kerb cannot be achieved, a continuous baulk timber painted red and white shall protect the scaffolding, and adequately signed in accordance with the Code of Practice `Safety at Street works and Road Works' issued by the Secretary of State for Transport.
- Scaffolding shall be lit during the hours of darkness using lamps coloured RED with a power of not less than one candela. Baulk timbering shall be lit at either end and at intervals not greater than 1.2 metres by bulk headlights securely fixed to the topside of timber using lamps coloured AMBER.
- Scaffolding must be placed on sole plates or similar to allay damage to the footway.
- Scaffold poles must be painted white or have suitable red/white tape wrapped around them to a height of 2.5 metres to ensure maximum visibility for users of the highway.
- Street signs, lighting columns and inspection covers must not be obstructed.
- This consent does not permit the enclosure of any part of the public highway or the obstruction of any part of the public highway by the placing thereon of any plant, materials, rubbish, etc.
HOARDINGS
Hoardings are required wherever building works are undertaken unless you apply to the Highways Management Group for a dispensation. The following conditions will apply to any licence:- Hoardings are not to be stored on the public highway and are to be erected/dismantled directly from a suitable vehicle outside busy traffic hours, or as directed by supplementary instructions or the licence.
- No doors or gates shall open outwards on to the highway.
- Suitable and adequate shoring to ensure full support to the road, footways and adjacent properties must be maintained at all times whilst works are taking place.
- No hoarding shall enclose any illuminated sign or public lamp. A recess must be constructed to allow for access to such fixtures.
- Hoardings shall be a minimum of 2 metres in height and a minimum footway width of 1.5 metres shall be maintained. If this minimum is not possible you may be required to form a substantial walkway not less than 1.5 metres wide to serve as a footway for pedestrians outside the hoarding or structure. This must be:
- Fitted with a smooth handrail in good condition;
- Signed and guarded in accordance with the Code of Practice ' Safety at Street works and Road Works' issued by the Secretary of State for
- ransport and;
- Adequately lit during the hours of darkness.
- Where hoardings are erected nearer to the kerb face than 0.5 metres and no walkway is to be constructed, baulk timbers painted red and white shall protect the hoarding. Bulkhead lighting (lamp colour RED) shall be fixed to the top of the timbering with a power of not less than 1 candela.
- The direction of any temporary route for pedestrians must be clearly signed by affixing appropriate signs at either end of the hoarding complying with diagram number 7018 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994.
- You must paint all hoardings white or a light colour and any graffiti or fly posting on the hoarding shall be removed within 48 hours unless it is of an offensive nature, in which case it shall be removed immediately.
STORAGE ON HIGHWAYS
The highway must be kept free from obstruction as far is reasonably practicable. Where it is essential to your works to store materials on the highway you must identify an area and obtain a licence from the Council. Subject to licence you must ensure that the approved area:- Is adequately signed in accordance with the Code of Practice ` Safety at Street works and Road Works' issued by the Secretary of State for Transport at all times;
- Has the name and telephone number of the person or company to whom the licence has been issued clearly displayed;
- Is used only for the storage of materials that are in suitable containers or on pallets; Additionally:
- No mortar, cement or other substance, which is likely to stick to the surface of the highway or which if it enters drains or sewers connected to the highway, is likely to solidify in the drains or sewers shall be mixed or placed on the highway. A suitable receptacle or plate that prevents the substance from coming into contact with the highway and from entering any drains or sewers must be used;
- The channel shall be kept clear of any obstructions by placing a board or similar to act as a bridge before any materials or rubbish are deposited;.
- No cables, pipes etc. shall be trailed across or over the footway;
- No liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders shall be left on the public highway;
- No obstruction shall remain in the street longer than is necessary;
- The person to whom the licence is issued shall be liable for the removal and proper disposal of all matter whether deposited by him or others with or without authority;
FANS
No fan shall be fixed at a lower level than 2.50 metres from the surface of the footway and, if it projects nearer than 0.5 metres to the outer edge of the kerb then it shall not be fixed at a height lower than 5.90 metres above the surface of the carriageway.CRADLES
Proper precautions must be taken to prevent building materials, water or any other substance falling on the public way, either by fixing adequate sheeting or other means. No cradle, ropes or other tackle must be lowered to a height less than 2.5 metres above the surface of the footway.TEMPORARY CROSSOVERS
Vehicles crossing the footway may only do so at a suitable crossover. A standard residential crossover is not suitable for commercial vehicles. Where it is necessary for traffic to cross the footway you will need to provide temporary crossovers that meet the following minimum requirements and seek further advice from the Highways Management Group:- The surface of the crossover shall be maintained level with the surface of the surrounding footway;
- No vehicle shall at any time be permitted to stand on the crossover or obstruct the footway in any way.
- Proper and sufficient notice must be given if parking meters etc. or other items of street furniture are required to be temporarily removed.
GENERAL
At regular intervals and on completion of the works, spillages must be cleared from the highway leaving it in a clean condition. Temporary and diverted footways must be accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and reasonable pedestrian routes should be available throughout the construction period.VEHICLE MOVEMENT
The Council, in agreement with the police, may require you to use a `planned route' for lorries regularly visiting the site. Lorries entering or leaving the site may only cross footways under the control of a banksman and those waiting to enter or leave the site must switch off their engines. All vehicles must enter and leave the site in a forward direction.CONSIDERATE CONTRACTOR CHECKLIST DO I KNOW?
- What hours can I work?
- How much noise I can make?
- If I am likely to create high levels of vibration?
- What dust problems I may cause and how to minimise them?
- What condition the machinery is in and does it comply with the law? If there is any contamination or hazardous materials on site?
- How to deal with them if there is.
- The neighbours and do they know what I am doing, when and for how long?
- What permissions I need?
- What the Council's highways department may require of me?
Useful websites:
- Redland and Cotham Amenities Society
- Bristol Civic Society
- Network of Residents' Association
- Bristol City Council