The following is recommended as the information that should be saved within a specific file for noise issues associated with construction works on a road project. This applies to both construction of new roads, and alterations and maintenance of existing roads. The information is required for compliance with NZS 6801, NZS 6803 and current good practice. In some instances resource consent or designation conditions may require additional information to be recorded.

A hard copy of this information would typically be contained in a single file for a project. Electronic copies of the information should be kept in the construction noise management tool on this web site. This facility allows a set of web pages to be established where nominated project team members can save and view all construction noise information. This also allows the NZTA to maintain a national overview of construction noise management.

Section 1 – Construction noise management plans

A template is provided for a separate construction noise management plan, or alternatively a noise section may be included in the main construction management plan. There may also be schedules for specific activities or locations. A copy of this information should be held in the construction noise file. As a minimum, the construction noise management plans should contain:

• applicable noise limits,
• consent/designation condition requirements,
• identification of the most affected houses where noise limits apply,
• description of the works, anticipated equipment/processes and durations,
• assessment of construction noise levels,
• appropriate noise mitigation measures to be implemented,
• monitoring and reporting requirements,
• staff training/awareness programme,
• procedures for maintaining contact with stakeholders and managing noise complaints,
• contact numbers for key construction staff, staff responsible for noise assessment and council officers.

If any of these details are not included in the construction noise management plans then the additional information should be added to the construction noise file (and ideally the management plans should be updated to include the missing information). The file should contain the construction noise induction sheets in this section. Construction management plans and schedules should be uploaded on the management tool in this web site.

Section 2 – Consultation and complaints registers

A record should be kept of all contacts, consultation and liaison with neighbours regarding construction noise. This should include:

• Date of contact
• People involved
• Brief summary of the discussions held

A record should be kept of all complaints received. This should include:

• Time, date and location
• Complainant name and contact number
• Description of noise/equipment reported
• Immediate action taken to address complaint including timeframe
• Investigation and corrective actions taken including timeframes
• Follow-up check including timeframe
• Details of complaint closure

There may be consultation and complaint registers as part of project wide systems for other issues as well as noise. In that instance the construction noise file should contain a reference to the location of the central registers. Construction noise complaints should be tracked on the management tool in this web site.

Section 3 – Noise monitoring

All details relating to noise monitoring should be stored in the construction noise file, including:

1. Site survey sheets and associated aerial photographs
   A survey sheet template is provided here
2. Site survey summary sheet
   All site results should be recorded in the management tool in this web site. The key elements to be observed and entered into the survey sheet and then the management tool, are:
   • Date
   • Time (measurement start time)
   • Construction location
   • Construction activity
   • Measurement location street address
   • Measurement duration (minutes)
   • L_Aeq(t)
   • L_AFmax
3. Survey reports (both internal reports and reports submitted to council)
   A report template is provided here
4. Survey and equipment operating procedures

5. Current and past equipment kit details and calibration summary

   Rather than record equipment details during each survey, the requirements of NZS 6801 can be achieved by maintaining an accurate register of equipment kits in the construction noise file. It is therefore important that all previous equipment data is retained. For each measurement kit the equipment summary should include:

   • Sound level meter type, serial number and last calibration date and certificate reference
   • Microphone type, serial number and last calibration date and certificate reference (this will often form part of the sound level meter calibration)
   • Field calibrator type, serial number and last calibration date and certificate reference
   • Wind shield type
   • Tripod type
   • Wind meter type
6. Copies of calibration certificates

Section 4 – Mitigation

A record should be kept of all proposed and adopted noise mitigation measures. Mitigation may include physical measures such as barriers, enclosures and silencers, and could also include management measures such as restricted working, and selection of quiet equipment or methods. The construction noise file should include details of:

• All correspondence regarding noise mitigation measures
• A register of any verbal advice given to site staff regarding noise mitigation
• A register of all noise mitigation measures implemented, including cross-referencing to any monitoring results to verify the performance