Directive 038: Noise Control

Dwellings exactly 30 m or 500 m from transportation

The directive puts a dwelling less than 30 m away in category 3, more than 30 m and less than 500 m in category 2, and more than 500 m in category 1. It does not place a dwelling at exactly 30 m or 500 m. This profile gives such a dwelling the lower basic sound level.

Changes Adjustment for proximity to transportation

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1 notes

Class B durations between the rows of table 3

Table 3 lists 1 day, 7 days, 60 days or less, and more than 60 days. This profile reads the rows as upper bounds: up to 1 day is B1, more than 1 and up to 7 days is B2, and more than 7 and up to 60 days is B3.

Changes Class B adjustment

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.2, table 3

Existing noise level as the permissible sound level

For a deferred facility with no complaint, the existing level is the permissible sound level when it is above the calculated one. The directive says that the existing level is the permissible sound level for a dwelling built near a facility. This profile uses the higher of the two levels in both cases, so that a later dwelling never lowers the level below the calculated one.

Changes Nighttime permissible sound level

Directive 038: Noise Control, 1.8.2 and 2.2

No daytime level at 1.5 km

Requirement 3 states a nighttime level only. This profile sets no daytime level when no dwelling is within 1.5 km.

Changes Permissible sound level at 1.5 km

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1, requirement 3

Levels are compared to one decimal

The directive's example finds a combined level of 40.0 dB(A) from 10 log(10080) and says it meets a permissible sound level of 40 dB(A). This profile rounds the level to judge to one decimal before it compares, in assessments and in complaint investigations.

Changes Nighttime level to judge

Directive 038: Noise Control, appendix 4, problem 2

What no net increase compares

The glossary defines no net increase as a sum that is over the permissible sound level by no more than 0.4 dB(A). For a deferred facility whose existing noise level is its permissible sound level, this profile compares the predicted cumulative level of the facilities plus the assumed ambient sound level, to one decimal, with the permissible sound level plus 0.4 dB. The existing noise level is a measured level, which holds the ambient sound level. A predicted level of the facilities does not, so this profile adds the ambient sound level to compare like with like.

Changes No net increase

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.2 and appendix 1, no net increase

Low frequency noise at exactly 20 dB

Section 4.1.1 says the difference is equal to or greater than 20 dB. Section 4.1.1.1 and the glossary say it exceeds 20 dB. This profile uses equal to or greater than 20 dB.

Changes Low frequency noise penalty, nighttime

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1.1, 4.1.1.1 and appendix 1

Levels for the tonal test

Section 4.1.1.1 tests the linear level of each band, and table 6 lists levels in dB. The glossary names A-weighted bands. This profile follows section 4.1.1.1.

Changes Directive 038 low frequency tonal test

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1.1.1, appendix 1 and appendix 3

Least survey data

Requirement 34 asks for at least 3 hours of acceptable data in each period after isolation analysis. The glossary says a survey runs over at least 6 hours. This profile judges the 3 hours; the length of the survey is part of the representative survey control.

Changes Is there enough nighttime data?

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1, requirement 34 and appendix 1, sound monitoring survey

A level that the regulator set

Section 2.1.3 says that the regulator reviews special cases on a site-specific basis, and section 2.1.3.1 that a higher or lower level can be appropriate in a special area. The directive does not say how such a level joins the calculated one. This profile takes a level that the regulator set as the permissible sound level for the period it is set for, higher or lower, and keeps the calculated level for a period with none. A level that the regulator set is not an existing noise level, so no net increase does not apply to it. The level is for a dwelling; the point at 1.5 km keeps its level.

Changes Levels that the regulator set

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.3 and 2.1.3.1

Nighttime permissible sound level

The sound level judged at the dwelling for the nighttime is at most the nighttime permissible sound level. For an assessment before construction it is the cumulative level of the energy facilities plus the assumed ambient sound level. For a complaint it is the facility's isolated contribution, with the low frequency noise penalty when it applies.

The amount judged is at most psl_night

Judged in Compare with the nighttime permissible sound level (Noise impact assessment), Compare with the nighttime permissible sound level (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1, 3.3, 3.4, 4.4 and 5.1, requirements 9, 13, 14, 18, 48

Daytime permissible sound level

The sound level judged at the dwelling for the daytime is at most the daytime permissible sound level. It is judged when day and night operations differ, or when a complaint is about the daytime.

The amount judged is at most psl_day, when day_required is true

Judged in Compare with the daytime permissible sound level (Noise impact assessment), Compare with the daytime permissible sound level (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1, 2.1.1.2 and 3.6, requirement 26

Nighttime level with no dwelling within 1.5 km

With no dwelling within 1.5 km of the facility fence line, the nighttime level 1.5 km from the fence line is at most 40 dB(A).

The amount judged is at most Permissible sound level with no dwelling within 1.5 km (40 dB), when dwellings_within_remote_distance = 0

Judged in Compare with the level at 1.5 km (Noise impact assessment)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 1.5 and 2.1, requirement 3

No net increase at a deferred facility

When a deferred facility is changed or expanded, and its existing noise level is above the calculated permissible sound level, the predicted cumulative level with the ambient sound level is over the permissible sound level by no more than 0.4 dB. This criterion then replaces the nighttime permissible sound level criterion. It does not apply where the regulator set the level.

The amount judged is at most psl_night + No net increase tolerance (0.4 dB), when deferred_facility is true

Judged in No net increase (Noise impact assessment)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.2, 3.1 and appendix 1, no net increase, requirements 10, 14

Acceptable nighttime data

The survey holds at least 3 hours of acceptable data for the nighttime, after isolation analysis.

The amount judged is at least Least acceptable survey data (3 h)

Judged in Is there enough nighttime data? (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1 and 4.3.2, requirements 34, 47

Acceptable daytime data

When the daytime is judged, the survey holds at least 3 hours of acceptable data for the daytime, after isolation analysis.

The amount judged is at least Least acceptable survey data (3 h), when day_required is true

Judged in Is there enough daytime data? (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1 and 4.3.2, requirements 34, 47

Communication during corrective action

The licensee is in communication with the complainant through all phases of corrective action.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 1.8.1, requirement 1

Noise levels given to people who plan dwellings

The licensee tells landowners, residents and developers who propose a dwelling near a facility the existing noise levels, and keeps a record of what it told them.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 1.8.2, requirement 2

Technical verification of adjustments

Technical verification supports each adjustment to the basic sound level.

Recorded in Technical verification of adjustments (Permissible sound level)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.1, requirement 4

Approval of the seasonal adjustment

The seasonal adjustment (A1) is used only in the complaint process, with prior approval from the regulator. It is never used for design.

Recorded in Approval of the seasonal adjustment (Permissible sound level)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.1, requirement 5

Approval of the ambient monitoring adjustment

The regulator approves the use of an ambient monitoring adjustment (A2) before it is used. It applies only to a pristine area or an area with industry that is not energy-related.

Recorded in Approval of the ambient monitoring adjustment (Permissible sound level)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.1, requirement 6

Ambient sound survey

The ambient sound level is measured with no energy-related industrial component, in a continuous survey 15 m from the dwelling under representative conditions.

distance

15 m

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.1, requirement 7

Residents informed of a temporary activity

Before a Class B adjustment is used, the licensee fully informs the residents who may be affected of the duration and the character of the noise.

Recorded in Residents informed of a temporary activity (Permissible sound level)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.2, requirement 8

Noise impact assessment required

A noise impact assessment is done before the application for a new facility, and for a change to a facility that can be expected to change its noise sources.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.1 and 3.2, requirements 11, 15

Modelled under operating conditions

The facility is modelled under its operating conditions, such as doors and windows closed, and it then operates under them.

Recorded in Modelled under operating conditions (Noise impact assessment)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.1, requirement 12

Assessment kept for audit

The applicant keeps the assessment for audit. When it shows noncompliance, the applicant considers further attenuation; when that is not practical, the assessment goes with the application, with the reasons.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.2, requirements 16, 17

Acoustical engineering practice

Measurement and modelling follow appropriate acoustical engineering practice, and all documents are available for audit.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.5, requirement 19

Effects the model includes

The model includes geometric spreading, barrier effects, atmospheric absorption, ground attenuation, and a specific wind speed and direction.

effects

geometric spreading; barrier effects; atmospheric absorption; ground attenuation; specific wind speed and direction

Recorded in Effects the model includes (Noise impact assessment)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.5.1, requirement 20

Summertime conditions for the model

The model uses summertime conditions: a wind of 5.0 to 7.5 km/h from the facility to the receptor, a temperature of 0 to 25 degrees Celsius, a relative humidity of 70 to 90 per cent, and the topography and ground cover of the site.

wind speed

5 km/h to 7.5 km/h

wind direction

From the facility to the receptor.

air temperature

0 degC to 25 degC

relative humidity

70 % to 90 %

Recorded in Summertime conditions for the model (Noise impact assessment)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.5.1, requirement 21

International standard for the model

The model uses an international standard: CONCAWE or ISO 9613.

standards

CONCAWE; ISO 9613

Recorded in International standard for the model (Noise impact assessment)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.5.1, requirement 22

Representative conditions for the model

The concerns of local residents set the conditions that are modelled. The model is field-calibrated when practical, predicts by frequency, and states the operating conditions as numbers.

Recorded in Representative conditions for the model (Noise impact assessment)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.5.1, requirement 23

Contents of the assessment

The assessment shows that the facility meets the directive. It holds the permissible sound level and how it was worked out, the sources and their sound levels, the operating conditions, the parameters of the model, the predicted cumulative level and the verdict, the attenuation measures, and the analyst.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.6, requirements 24, 25

Conditions for the simplified estimate

A level from the estimate of 6 dB for each doubling of distance is used only under the conditions of appendix 2, and the assessment shows that they hold: one small stationary source, no other industry, flat ground and one near dwelling, or no dwelling within 1.5 km; and both distances at least five times the size of the source, or 50 m.

minimum distance

50 m

Recorded in Conditions for the simplified estimate (Simplified estimate of a level at another distance)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 3.6 and appendix 2, requirement 26

Complaint resolution

The licensee makes every reasonable attempt to resolve a complaint in a timely manner. It first makes direct contact with the complainant, explains the directive, and sets out the process and the timelines it will follow.

Recorded in Complaint resolution (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4 and 4.1, requirements 27, 29

Complaint about drilling or servicing

A complaint about a drilling or servicing activity is resolved before the activity ends.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4, requirement 28

Noise Complaint Investigation form

Before a survey, the licensee completes the Noise Complaint Investigation form to set the representative conditions. The complainant gets a copy and the survey report holds one. When the form or its event log is missing, the report says why and how the representative conditions were chosen.

Recorded in Noise Complaint Investigation form (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1, requirements 30, 32, 33

Representative survey

The survey is continuous and covers a representative part of the time of day or night on days when the noise typically occurs.

Recorded in Representative survey (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1 and 4.4, requirements 31, 49

Measurement position

The measurements are made 15 m from the complainant's dwelling in the direction of the source, unless that is physically impossible or acoustically illogical.

distance

15 m

Recorded in Measurement position (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1, requirement 35

Survey conditions for a deferred facility

When the permissible sound level of a deferred facility came from a model, the survey is made under seasonal and meteorological conditions like those the model used.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1, requirement 36

Measurements for low frequency noise

When low frequency noise is possible, the C-weighted and A-weighted levels are measured at the same time, and the local wind is measured through the whole assessment period.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1.1, requirements 37, 39

Weather during the survey

The survey data are taken in the conditions of table 4, applied with judgement. Gusts shorter than five minutes of up to 20 km/h may be acceptable.

ground cover

No snow, water or ice.

precipitation

No steady precipitation.

wind speed limits

Less than 500 m from the source, upwind 10 km/h, crosswind 15 km/h, downwind 15 km/h; 500 m to 1000 m from the source, upwind 5 km/h, crosswind 10 km/h, downwind 10 km/h; More than 1000 m from the source, upwind 5 km/h, crosswind 10 km/h, downwind 10 km/h

gust

20 km/h

gust duration

PT5M

wind height

1.2 m to 10 m

downwind

3 h

Recorded in Weather during the survey (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.2, table 4, requirement 41

Wintertime complaint

For a wintertime complaint, the representative conditions are determined and the survey is made under those conditions or similar ones.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.2, requirement 42

Multiple noise sources

The investigation report states the method used to assess several sources or to isolate one, and explains the relative contribution of each source.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.3.1, requirements 43, 44

Isolation analysis

When the survey result is over the permissible sound level and the facility may not be the cause, an isolation analysis separates the facility's contribution. A recording, an operating log or an event log supports each removal of data.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.3.2, requirements 45, 46

Contents of the survey report

The survey report holds the completed form, the distance and direction of the dwelling, the calibration results, the weather and its source, the operating conditions, graphs of the levels and the isolation analysis, a summary table, and the low frequency noise analysis when it was done.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.4, requirement 50

Instruments

Sound level meters measure the energy equivalent sound level and meet Class 1 of IEC 61672. Filters for one-third octave bands meet Class 1 of IEC 61260 or ANSI S1.11. Each instrument works within its maker's specifications.

class

1

standards

IEC 61672; IEC 61260; ANSI S1.11; ANSI S1.4

Recorded in Instruments (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.5.1 and 4.5.2, requirements 51, 52, 56

Calibration

The calibrator is recertified each year. The meter is calibrated by a laboratory within the two years before the measurement, and in the field just before and just after it with the same calibrator. A meter that reads more than 1 dB off in a field check is reviewed, and corrupt data are not used.

calibrator interval

P1Y

meter interval

P2Y

tolerance

1 dB

Recorded in Calibration (Noise complaint investigation)

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.5.1.1 and 4.5.1.2, requirements 53, 54, 55

Noise management plan

A noise management plan names the noise sources, assesses the mitigation in place, states how well the noise controls perform and how noise is measured, and has best practice and continuous improvement programs. Everyone affected is consulted and their input is in the plan.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 5.2, requirements 57, 58

Nighttime: 22:00 to 07:00 (America/Edmonton)

The hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Directive 038: Noise Control, appendix 1, nighttime

Daytime: 07:00 to 22:00 (America/Edmonton)

The hours from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Directive 038: Noise Control, appendix 1, daytime

Average rural ambient sound level at night

The average ambient sound level at night in rural Alberta.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1

Allowance above the ambient sound level

The basic sound level is this much above the ambient sound level.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1 and 3.3

Basic sound level for nighttime, category 1, 1 to 8 dwellings

The lowest basic sound level: the average rural ambient sound level plus the allowance.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1

Density adjustment, 9 to 160 dwellings

Added to the basic sound level for 9 to 160 dwellings in the quarter section.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1

Density adjustment, more than 160 dwellings

Added to the basic sound level for more than 160 dwellings in the quarter section.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1

Transportation adjustment, category 2

Added to the basic sound level for a dwelling in category 2.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1

Transportation adjustment, category 3

Added to the basic sound level for a dwelling in category 3.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1

Category 3 distance

A dwelling closer than this to a heavily travelled road or a rail line is in category 3.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1 notes

Category 2 distance

A dwelling closer than this to a heavily travelled road or a rail line, and not in category 3, is in category 2.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1 notes

Radius of the quarter section

The dwellings are counted in a quarter section with the dwelling at its centre: a circle of this radius.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.1, table 1 notes

Daytime adjustment

The daytime basic sound level is this much above the nighttime one.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.1.2 and appendix 4, problem 1, step 9

Largest seasonal adjustment (A1)

The seasonal adjustment is from 0 to this amount.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.1, table 2

Largest ambient monitoring adjustment (A2)

The ambient monitoring adjustment is from minus this amount to plus this amount.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.1, table 2 and figure 1

Largest Class A adjustment

The sum of A1 and A2 is at most this amount.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.1, table 2 note

Class B1 adjustment

For an activity that lasts 1 day.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.2, table 3

Class B2 adjustment

For an activity that lasts 7 days.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.2, table 3

Class B3 adjustment

For an activity that lasts 60 days or less.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.2, table 3

Longest temporary activity

An activity that lasts longer than this is not temporary and has no Class B adjustment.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1.2.2, table 3

Permissible sound level with no dwelling within 1.5 km

The nighttime level a facility must meet at the remote distance from its fence line when no dwelling is closer.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1, requirement 3

Remote distance

With no dwelling within this distance of the facility fence line, the level is judged at this distance.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 2.1, requirement 3

No net increase tolerance

A predicted sum that is over the permissible sound level by no more than this amount is no net increase.

Directive 038: Noise Control, appendix 1, no net increase

Low frequency noise difference

A C-weighted level this much above the A-weighted level, with a tone, is low frequency noise.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1.1

Low frequency noise tone limit

The tone is in a one-third octave band at or below this frequency.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1.1.1

Low frequency noise penalty

Added to the comprehensive sound level when low frequency noise is confirmed.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1.1, requirement 38

Least acceptable survey data

The least time of acceptable data, after isolation analysis, for each period of a survey.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1, requirement 34

Measurement distance from the dwelling

Sound levels are measured, and the permissible sound level applies, this far from the dwelling towards the source.

Directive 038: Noise Control, 4.1, requirement 35