Be a good neighbour

Most noise complaints relate to noise generated in outdoor spaces. Remember, noise at night when background noise reduces will sound louder and travel further. To reduce the risk of complaints, you should:

• Avoid the use of loudspeakers outdoors
• Play outdoor music for background only. Live bands in a residential area will likely result in complaints from nearby residents
• Consider installing acoustic barriers
• Have smoking shelters and seating areas as far as possible from residential premises
• Restrict late night use of outdoor areas and provide signage asking patrons to be quiet when leaving (often licensing conditions)

Tips to control potential for music noise nuisance include:

• Volume control – ensure noise cannot be heard past your boundary
• Make regular decibel (dB) boundary checks while the entertainment takes place and reduce the volume if music can be heard
• Position speakers away from residential properties and away from party walls
• Direct speakers at acoustic-treated surfaces
• Use lots of small speakers rather than one or two large speakers
• Consider the type of music played – heavy metal with a big bass is likely to cause more complaints than an acoustic set
• Reduce the bass frequencies
• Train your staff to monitor noise levels and to take action if they get too high
• Keep local residents informed of upcoming events/provide contact details so they can report concerns on the day. Ensure that any phone number provided is answered and not left to ring out.

Most commercial premises have extraction system equipment, which can cause noise nuisance if not properly fitted and maintained. Ensure installations are fit for purpose and the environment they are being used in, and that they are used and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Where possible, site them away from residential properties, and consider using silencers or acoustic enclosures.

Equipment left running overnight is a major source of complaints. Ensure staff are instructed to turn equipment off at night and, best of all, install automatic switches to turn off noisy equipment.