Noise Control Design to EUB Noise Control Directive
Residential concern over environmental noise has spawned prolific growth in the number of Alberta based suppliers offering noise control equipment. This is good for the market and offers Oil and Gas Operators a wealth of bidders from whom to obtain quotes for equipment.
An important issue when searching for noise control schemes is the question of:
"One-Stop-Shop" or "Engineer, Design and Bid"?
Patching Associates (PAAE) firmly believes in the "Engineer, Design and Bid" philosophy in which an Acoustical Consulting Firm engineers and designs a product for the end user. This ultimately provides the client with only the necessary engineering specs for engine mufflers, low noise fans, building details and, in rare cases, as required, complete acoustic enclosures. This approach requires slightly more interaction with clients than the "One-Stop-Shop" approach. For example, clients may require PAAE’s assistance in evaluating several bids, in addition to providing base equipment data.
"One-Stop-Shop" advocates will form an alliance between acoustical consultants and a product supplier to offer their clients a "seamless" project from data acquisition to end product.
The purchase of noise control equipment is a much larger expense compared to acoustical engineering design fees. PAAE believes that such an alliance may be driven by “sale of product” motives rather than the most economical project solutions. PAAE has resisted any offers to form an alliance with silencer suppliers because we feel we would lose impartial objectivity.
PAAE does have an informal alliance with N.C. Hircock Process Consulting. The purpose of this alliance is to use Nev Hircock’s Process background to ensure that acoustical solutions do not create process problems (e.g. back pressure on engine exhausts, starvation of aerial coolers, etc.).
In summary, when comparing the two project management options, we suggest the pros and cons are:
One-Stop-Shop:
Pros:
- Less time and input required by the client.
Cons:
- Less client control of end product.
- More expensive – cuts out competitive bidding for the EXPENSIVE part of the job –equipment purchase.
- May lead to design overkill – as the supplier is driving the engineering...
Engineer, Design and Bid:
Pros:
- Bids of more expensive noise control devices ensure better client control, price and quality.
- No incentive for engineering overkill.
- Some projects can be re-worked with simple solutions at little or NO expense to the client – e.g. close the doors and windows at night.
Cons:
- Does require a little more client involvement.