Beer gardens, terraces, campsites, mini-golf courses and leisure facilities thrive on the outdoor season – and that is exactly when complaints about guest noise, music, kitchen extractors and refrigeration units start to pile up. With mobile noise barriers and printable noise barrier mats you protect your neighbours, safeguard your opening hours and gain privacy and wind protection at the same time.
Which regulations apply?
The following refers to regulations in Germany; other countries apply their own limit values. Hospitality businesses are subject to the immission guide values of the TA Lärm (Technical Instructions on Noise Abatement) – in general residential areas 55 dB(A) during the day and 40 dB(A) at night (from 10 p.m.). For leisure facilities and events, the German federal states refer to the Freizeitlärm-Richtlinie (leisure noise guideline), and for sports facilities to the 18. BImSchV (Sports Facility Noise Ordinance). Extractor fans and refrigeration units are assessed as continuous sources and are often the real reason why conditions are imposed.
Suitable solutions
- Boundary with the neighbouring property: noise barrier mats on a fence or permanent noise barrier walls – printed with your logo or menu on request.
- Kitchen extractors, refrigeration and air-conditioning units: enclosure with acoustic panels or mats (see noise control for generators); for heat pumps, the matching acoustic enclosure.
- Live music and events: mobile stage back walls (see noise control for events).
- Campsites: screening of sanitary buildings, playgrounds and access roads from adjacent pitches.
Frequently asked questions
Which guide values apply to a beer garden?
Under the German TA Lärm it depends on the area type – e.g. 55 dB(A) by day and 40 dB(A) at night in a general residential area; some German federal states have beer garden regulations with exemptions for the evening hours.
Does noise control help against guest noise?
Yes. A barrier at the property boundary breaks the line of sight to the neighbours’ windows and lowers the level by 10 to 15 dB(A); absorbing elements additionally prevent reflections.
Can the mats be customised to match the business?
Yes, noise barrier mats are printable – with a logo, design or menu as advertising space.
What can be done about loud refrigeration units?
An enclosure with clearance for the cooling air; a three-sided enclosure achieves 12 to 18 dB(A). Details on the page about generators and compressors.
Rent or buy for a single season?
For a season lasting several months, buying pays off; the elements are stored dry over the winter and reused every year.