Dealing with noise in civil projects is a big task. Vaughan Civil took on such a challenge at Oran Park. Near residential areas, this work zone needed intelligent noise control atop a hill. SafeSmart Access jumped in with two solutions. They used the Proscaf scaffolding system and Hushtec Acoustic Curtains.
The Noise Mitigation Strategy
When approaching the challenge of noise control in a construction site, several options are available. For instance, temporary fencing or wooden hoarding may come to mind as feasible options. However, these solutions often fail in effectiveness, durability, and versatility.
Although temporary fencing is relatively quick to install, it does not reduce noise significantly. Its lightweight nature makes it susceptible to weather conditions and accidental knocks, posing safety risks on site. Furthermore, its inability to absorb sound effectively makes it a less-than-ideal solution, especially in sensitive residential areas.
Wooden hoarding, while more solid than temporary fencing, also has limitations. Despite offering slightly better noise reduction, it lacks adaptability and weather resistance. It is vulnerable to damage from the elements, increasing the need for maintenance and repair. Also, its rigid structure leaves little room for adaptability in complex construction scenarios.
With these alternatives presenting considerable drawbacks, SafeSmart Access was tasked with devising two noise mitigation solutions for Vaughan Civil that were superior and perfectly tailored to the site requirements.
1. The first was to design, engineer, and supply a 3-meter high noise wall, approximately 160 meters long. This was achieved using a Proscaf scaffold sub-structure bolted to the capping beam on site, encapsulated with acoustic noise panels.
2. The second involved designing and supplying a 17-meter retractable acoustic curtain that spanned across the site driveway. This acoustic curtain was assembled and disassembled daily to accommodate the proposed night works.
Temporary Works Engineering: Meeting On-Site Design Parameters
Every site brings its unique challenges and design parameters. But the temporary works had to be more than just functional – they needed to be agile and adaptable, suiting the unique specifications of the site.
Proscaf Scaffolding, with its high load-bearing braces and a positive locking rosette connection, proved flexible enough to adapt to the complex needs of the project. Its capacity to build different scaffold structures, from cantilevered to bridging, using only the Proscaf system, made it an ideal choice for temporary works.
On the other hand, Hushtec Acoustic Curtains delivered excellent sound reduction, managing up to 43dB. They measure 1300mm by 2000mm and can reduce noise by up to 43 dB. They’re weather-proof, fast to set up, and versatile. And they offered versatility in both location and design, with the capability to be set up indoors and outdoors.
Importantly, these curtains could be rapidly erected and dismantled – an essential feature for a site where the noise control solutions had to be adaptable and mobile.
These initiatives required coordination and precision, which SafeSmart Access delivered alongside their delivery partner Lane Scaffold. The result was a fast, neat, and effective installation, with all parties happy.
Mastering Noise Control in Civil Works
The success of the Vaughan Civil stabilisation works at Oran Park underlines the effectiveness of combining innovative technologies like Proscaf scaffolding and Hushtec Acoustic Curtains. It sets a prime example of how we can manage noise pollution in civil construction works without compromising project timelines or
efficiency, making significant strides towards creating a better life with world-class water services.
The Big Picture – Promac and Sydney Water
This endeavour falls under a larger initiative steered by ProMac and Sydney Water. Their joint mission? Revamping old water reservoirs at Liverpool, Cecil Park, and Currans Hill and building two fresh ones at Oran Park. Upon completion, Western Sydney will boast an extra 100 Megalitres of reservoir capacity akin to 50
Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Sydney Water also has ambitious plans in the pipeline, including 15 km of new pipework, three additional pumping stations, and an overhaul of the current network. This substantial commitment guarantees that as communities in South Western Sydney expand, they’ll always have a reliable source of clean drinking water.
