Pile driving, sheet pile installation and bored pile foundations generate impulsive noise with peak levels of 110 to 130 dB(A) – and they are among the activities that prompt residents to complain fastest. Because the noise source sits high above the ground (leader mast, driving cap), a 2 m high construction site fence on its own is usually not enough.
What makes impulsive noise different
The following refers to regulations in Germany; other countries apply their own limit values. The AVV Baulärm (the German administrative regulation on construction noise) applies a penalty for impulsive sounds, so the rating level ends up higher than the measured average level. That makes a tall, tightly closed screen facing the residential buildings all the more important. Guidance on low-noise methods (pressing instead of driving, high-frequency vibratory driving) is provided by the UBA study “Lärmminderung im Baubetrieb” (noise reduction in construction operations).
Recommended screening
- Inflatable noise barrier up to 7 m high as a mobile, tall barrier right next to the piling rig – no foundation needed, relocatable together with the rig.
- Mobile steel noise barrier as a permanent screen along the site boundary.
- Noise barrier mats on the construction site fence as a second barrier (double barrier) around the working area – every additional screening edge delivers further level reduction.
- Double layer of mats on the most critical side, following the mass-spring-mass principle.
The noise barrier calculator helps you estimate which wall height is needed for a given distance to the receiver.
Frequently asked questions about noise control for piling work
Does a noise barrier mat work against impulsive noise?
Yes. The insulation effect depends on frequency, not on whether the noise is impulsive. What matters is that the barrier breaks the line of sight between the driving cap and the window – which is why tall walls are important.
How high does the barrier need to be for a piling rig?
The sound source is at the hammer or the sheet pile, i.e. often 5 to 15 m above ground. A 7 m high inflatable wall close to the rig achieves far more than a low wall at the boundary.
Is a double barrier worthwhile?
Yes. Two screening edges (e.g. a tall wall at the rig plus a site fence with mats at the boundary) add up in effect, especially where the distance to the receiver is large.
Do the mats also help against vibration?
No. Vibration is transmitted through the ground; here the answer is low-noise, low-vibration methods (pressing, drilling) and, where appropriate, anti-vibration mats under stationary machines.
What has to be included in the noise control plan?
Noise sources with their levels, receiver locations, predicted rating levels, planned measures (methods, screening, working hours) and a contact person for residents.