acoustic reports
                     5 Reasons to Hire an Acoustic Expert from the Start 
of Your Project 
 
The construction industry is thriving in Australia. It's an industry that contributes 9% of the Gross 
Domestic Product of Australia. With so much development come the responsibility of attaining 
perfection at the site; therefore, the construction industry consists of specialists such as 
designers, plumbers, electricians, builders and acoustic specialists. All these people 
specialize in their job and deliver solutions before problems arise. 
Who Is an Acoustic Expert? 
 
A sound or acoustic expert has expertise in the field of sound, vibration and the application of 
acoustics. They help to assess, manage, design and modify the effects of sounds and vibrations 
in a built environment, whether residential or commercial.  
 
Acoustic experts deal with a crucial form of our well-being, i.e., noise pollution. They can 
conduct assessments, present acoustic reports by measuring the noise environment and 
suggest mitigation strategies. Furthermore, the sound experts assist in engineering the positive 
sound by analyzing the site and offering ideas to improve how sound travels.  
 
 
Acoustic experts either work alone or in tandem with architects, engineers, project managers, 
local governments, lawyers and facility owners to provide advice on noise monitoring and 
control. 
Why Hire an Acoustic Expert at the Start of Your Project? 
 
If you are an architect, engineer or project manager who is beginning to construct a residential 
or commercial building, you must connect with acoustic experts to lay a guideline about noise 
and vibration control. Similarly, if you are from a regulatory agency or local government authority 
who wants to assess the noise emissions of a building and if there has been an adherence to 
the noise ordinance, an acoustic expert is your go-to person. 
 
Ensure Legal Compliance 
Whenever a builder, architect or a project manager sets out to construct a building, whether 
residential or commercial, they need to comply with the local noise ordinances. There is a 
certain noise code which is the maximum sound reading at a property. If the building produces 
more sound, it's a code violation and a punishable offence.  
 
When an acoustic expert works from the beginning of the construction, they can explain ways 
to reduce the sound readings. Properly assessing the property will ensure that the noise 
readings are within the set standards and help comply with the noise regulations. 
 
Furthermore, since an acoustic consultant is familiar with the technical terms of the noise 
ordinance, they can help understand the law better and present ways to comply with it easily.   
Conduct Acoustic Assessments 
 
The acoustic consultant understands the complexities of noise control and can conduct a 
detailed assessment of the construction design. Through the predictive noise study, the experts 
analyze the noise-producing facility and present reports to get approvals to proceed with the 
construction. 
 
The acoustic assessments also help to understand the source and longevity of the sound, thus 
helping to exert control and take adequate measures to reduce and control the sound waves. 
 
When working with the architectural team, from the start of a project, the acoustic expert can 
create tailored solutions through acoustic assessments and work towards a better completion. 
Offer Expert Witness 
 
As we mentioned, compliance with the local ordinances regarding noise readings is vital. 
However, even after adherence, if there arises a lawsuit about excessive noise, an acoustic 
expert can help. 
 
The expert can visit the site to measure the decibel and octave band levels and build a report to 
present in the court. With this analysis, the consultant can be an expert witness in the court to 
assist and defend the case.  
 
If the acoustic consultant has been present from the beginning of the project, and the design is 
according to their discretion, they will already have the documentation to prove the ordinance 
adherence. 
 
The acoustic expert can present their evidence and assessments at forums such as Victorian 
Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), Expert Conclaves, Planning Panels, Mediation and 
Courts to help get away from the lawsuit easily and quickly. 
 
Coordinate with the Architectural Team 
 
Noise control is a critical topic that only an expert can understand and access. The architectural 
and design team for construction may not be able to assess the sound waves and their effects. 
It will require an acoustic expert to simplify the terms and make the professionals understand 
the acoustic requirements.  
 
The acoustic expert can create detailed guidelines regarding the requirements and help the 
architectural team refine the work per the guidelines. It shall help construct a project without 
stress. 
Wrapping Up 
 
Acoustic experts work collaboratively with the architecture and construction industry to deliver 
quality advice regarding noise and offer their services to mitigate noise intrusion even in the 
most challenging projects. They can provide expert custom assessments and guidance in sound 
and vibration to help you follow the federal directives and effectively channelize the sound.