HomeMy WebLinkAboutRS_KCESI2_Noise_Criteria_TM_180130_v1.pdf
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
DATE: January 30, 2018
TO: Erik Waligorski, PE – Carollo Engineers, Inc.
FROM: Adam C. Jenkins, PE(OR), INCE Bd. Cert.
Drew Savas
RE: Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II – Noise Criteria
Transmitted by: Mail Delivery Fax E-mail
INTRODUCTION
The intent of this memorandum is to present proposed noise design criteria and a summary
of ambient sound level measurements conducted in the area of the Eastside Interceptor
Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II Project (“Project”) in Renton, Washington.
SUMMARY
Sounds originating from temporary construction sites are exempt from the City of Renton
noise code, except when sounds are received at Class A EDNAs during nighttime hours.
The City of Renton groups multiple zoning designations into three noise zones called
Environmental Designations for Noise Abatement (“EDNA”) and are defined by Section 8-7-
4 of the City of Renton Municipal Code (“Code”). If construction activities will be conducted
during nighttime hours near Class A EDNA properties, a noise variance from the City of
Renton would be needed.
Additionally, King County’s Guide Specification limits sounds originating from construction
equipment to 90 dBA for scrapers, pavers, graders, and trucks, 95 dBA for pile drivers, and
85 dBA for all other equipment when measured at 50 feet, at all times.
NOMENCLATURE
Decibel
The auditory response to sound is a complex process that occurs over a wide range of
frequencies and intensities. Decibel levels, or “dB,” are a form of shorthand that compresses
this broad range of intensities with a convenient numerical scale. The decibel scale is
logarithmic. For example, using the decibel scale, a doubling or halving of energy causes
the sound level to change by 3 dB; it does not double or halve the sound loudness as might
be expected.
The minimum sound level variation perceptible to a human observer is generally around
3 dB. A 5-dB change is clearly perceptible, and an 8 to 10 dB change is associated with a
perceived doubling or halving of loudness. The human ear has a unique response to sound
pressure. It is less sensitive to those sounds falling outside the speech frequency range.
Sound level meters and monitors utilize a filtering system to approximate human perception
of sound. Measurements made utilizing this filtering system are referred to as “A weighted”
and are called “dBA”.
Common sound pressure levels are presented in Table 1.
RECEIVED
11/28/2018
amorganroth
PLANNING DIVISION
January 30, 2018
Page 2
Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II - Noise Criteria
The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
Table 1. A-weighted Levels of Common Sounds
Sound Sound Level
(dBA)
Approximate Relative
Loudness1
Jet Plane @ 100 feet 130 128
Rock Music with Amplifier 120 64
Thunder, Danger of Permanent
Hearing Loss 110 32
Boiler Shop, Power Mower 100 16
Orchestral Crescendo at 25 feet 90 8
Busy Street 80 4
Interior of Department Store 70 2
Ordinary Conversation at 3 feet 60 1
Quiet Car at Low Speed 50 1/2
Average Office 40 1/4
City Residence, Interior 30 1/8
Quiet Country Residence, Interior 20 1/16
Rustle of Leaves 10 1/32
Threshold of Hearing 0 1/64
1. As compared to ordinary conversation at 3 feet.
Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Aircraft Noise Impact Planning Guidelines for Local Agencies,
November 1972.
Metrics
Ambient Sound Level
A sound pressure level that describes the average sound environment at a specified
location during a specified time period including contributions from all sound sources,
both local and distant, excluding specific sources of interest or under investigation.
Equivalent Sound Level, Leq
Leq is the A-weighted level of a constant sound having the same energy content as the
actual time-varying level during a specified interval. The Leq is used to characterize
complex, fluctuating sound levels with a single number. Typical intervals for Leq are
hourly, daily and annually.
Sound Pressure Level, SPL
Sound pressure level correlates with what is heard by the human ear. SPL is defined as
the squared ratio of the sound pressure with reference to 20 μPa. Sound pressure is
affected by distance, path, barriers, directivity, etc.
January 30, 2018
Page 3
Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II - Noise Criteria
The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
ZONING AND REGULATORY CRITERIA
Properties surrounding the project area are zoned R-1, R-8, R-10, and UC. The City of
Renton groups multiple zoning designations into three noise zones called Environmental
Designations for Noise Abatement (“EDNA”) and are defined by Section 8-7-4 of the City of
Renton Municipal Code (“Code”). Generally, Class A EDNA includes residential zones,
Class B EDNA includes commercial zones and Class C EDNA includes industrial zones.
The surrounding properties zoned as R-1, R-8 and R-10 are considered Class A EDNA and
properties zoned UC are considered Class B EDNA. Figure 1 provides a graphical
representation of EDNAs in the Project area, along with the Project alignment.
Figure 1. Project Location and Nearby EDNAs
Source: King County iMap, The Greenbusch Group, Inc., Bing Maps, City of Renton
January 30, 2018
Page 4
Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II - Noise Criteria
The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
Environmental Sound Level Limits
City of Renton
Maximum permissible environmental sound levels are defined by Section 8-7-2 of the Code
which adopts Section 173-60-040 of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC). These
sound level limits are based on the EDNA the sound source originates within (EDNA of
Sound Source) and in which EDNA the sound is received (EDNA of Receiving Property). A
summary of the applicable sound level limits can be found in Table 2.
Table 2. Environmental Sound Level Limits, Leq
EDNA of Sound Source EDNA of Receiving Property
Class A Class B Class C
Class A 55 dBA 57 dBA 60 dBA
Class B 57 dBA 60 dBA 65 dBA
Class C 60 dBA 65 dBA 70 dBA
Source: Section 8-7-2 City of Renton Municipal Code, Section 173-60-040 Washington Administrative Code
Modifications
Modifications to the environmental sound level limits set forth in Table 2 are also outlined in
Section 173-60-040 of the WAC. These modifications are for certain times of day and
classification of receiving properties. These modifications to the environmental sound level
limits include the following:
10 dBA reduction during the nighttime hours between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7
a.m. when the receiving property is within Class A EDNAs.
Exemptions
Section 173-60-050 of the WAC referenced by Section 8-7-2 of the Code allows exemptions
from environmental sound level limits set forth in Table 2. Applicable exemptions include all
sounds originating from temporary construction sites as a result of construction activity that
are received in Class B and Class C EDNAs, and in Class A EDNA between the hours of 7
a.m. and 10 p.m.. Construction activities which generate sounds received in Class A EDNAs
between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. would need to comply with sound level limits in Table 2. It is our
interpretation of the Renton noise code that all construction equipment, including bypass
pumps and blowers, would be exempt.
January 30, 2018
Page 5
Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II - Noise Criteria
The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
PROJECT-SPECIFIC CRITERIA
King County Guide Specification Section 01 35 43 defines sound level limits and general
noise control requirements for the Project, as summarized below.
Sound Level Limits
o Noise levels for scrapers, pavers, graders, and trucks shall not exceed 90 dBA
and pile drivers shall not exceed 95 dBA at 50 feet as measured under the
noisiest operating conditions.
o For other equipment, noise levels shall not exceed 85 dBA. Equipment that
cannot meet these levels shall be quieted by use of improved exhaust mufflers,
noise attenuation barriers or other means.
General Noise Control Requirements
o Noise complaints received by the Project Representative during the Work will be
shared with the contractor. Work with the Project Representative, as required, to
resolve noise related complaints.
o Noisy operations shall be scheduled to minimize their impact.
o Unless otherwise indicated through a noise variance, comply with local controls
and noise level rules, regulations, and ordinances which apply to work
performed.
o Each internal combustion engine, used on the job or related to the job, shall be
equipped with a muffler of a type recommended by the manufacturer. No internal
combustion engine shall be operated without said muffler.
o Use electric or hydraulic tools whenever practical to reduce noise.
o Provide notification of special circumstances or emergency conditions that
require work beyond the hours specified as follows:
Notify the Project Representative and local authority in advance of any
proposed extended work hours for preauthorization. Include a written
request for authorization per Section01 14 00 to perform work specified
and the circumstances that warrant this request. Include any additional
measures to mitigate noise generated by this construction activity if
deemed necessary by the Project Representative.
If an emergency situation occurs that warrants extended hours, notify the
Project Representative immediately upon determining the need for this
work.
January 30, 2018
Page 6
Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II - Noise Criteria
The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
Existing Sound Levels
Continuous sound level monitoring was performed at two locations in the Project area. One
monitoring location (Location 1) was a small wooded area between Lake Washington
Boulevard North and Northeast Park Drive. This location was chosen to capture
representative ambient sound levels of the northern extent of the Project. The second
monitoring location (Location 2) was the southwest corner of the North 6th Street and Burnett
Avenue North intersection. This location was chosen for representative ambient sound
levels of the southern extent of the construction alignment. Measurements were conducted
between Monday December 11th at 12 p.m. and Thursday December 14th at 12 p.m. Local
noise sources, at both locations, included local traffic, rail traffic, commercial activities, and
nature sounds.
Equipment used during the measurements is identified in Table 3.
Table 3. Measurement Equipment
Make and Model Description Serial Classification
Svantek 971 Sound Level Meter 51818
ANSI Type 1
(S1.4 and S1.43)
Svantek SV18 Preamplifier 49561
Aco Pacific 7052E Microphone 62522
B&K 2250 Sound Level Meter 3006756
B&K ZC-0032 Preamplifier 24600
B&K 4189 Microphone 2550228
Source: The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
All equipment was factory calibrated within 1 year of the measurement date. Field
calibrations were performed before the measurements and verified immediately after the
measurements were completed. Measurement results are summarized in Table 4.
Measurement locations and equipment are shown in Figures 2 through 4
Table 4. Measured Hourly Leq Sound Levels, Low-High (Average), dBA
Monitoring Location
Weekday
Daytime
(7 AM – 10 PM)
Nighttime
(10 PM – 7 AM)
Location 1
(North)
60 – 68 (65)
Code: 60
53 – 65 (60)
Code: 60
Location 2
(South)
59 – 71 (61)
Code: 57
53 – 61 (59)
Code: 47
Source: The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
January 30, 2018
Page 7
Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II - Noise Criteria
The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
Figure 2. Ambient Monitoring Locations
Source: The Greenbusch Group, Inc., Bing Maps
January 30, 2018
Page 8
Eastside Interceptor Section 2 Rehabilitation Phase II - Noise Criteria
The Greenbusch Group, Inc.
p) 206.378.0569 f) 206.378-0641 www.greenbusch.com
1900 West Nickerson Street, Suite 201 Seattle, WA 98119
Figure 3. Location 1 (North) Figure 4. Location 2 (South)
PROPOSED DESIGN CRITERIA
Sounds originating from temporary construction sites as a result of construction activity that
are received in Class B and Class C EDNAs, and in Class A EDNA between the hours of 7
a.m. and 10 p.m. do not need to comply with City of Renton sound level limits. However,
King County’s Guide Specification requires that sound levels from scrapers, pavers, graders,
and trucks to not exceed 90 dBA, pile drivers to not exceed 95 dBA and other equipment to
not exceed 85 dBA when measured at 50 feet from the equipment, at all times. While these
levels are above existing ambient conditions, they are consistent with typical construction
activities and are not anticipated to present significant noise impacts to the community. If
construction activities will be conducted during nighttime hours near Class A EDNA
properties, a noise variance from the City of Renton would be needed.