Division BAT 10

United Kingdom

In order to prevent, or where that is not practicable, to reduce noise emissions, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.

	Technique	Description	Applicability
a	Ensure adequate distances between the plant/farm and the sensitive receptors.	At the planning stage of the plant/farm, adequate distances between the plant/farm and the sensitive receptors are ensured by applying minimum standard distances.	May not be generally applicable to existing plants/farms.
b	Equipment location.	Noise levels can be reduced by: i.. increasing the distance between the emitter and the receiver (by locating equipment as far away as practicable from sensitive receptors); ii.. minimising the length of feed delivery pipes; iii.. Locating feed bins and feed silos so as to minimise the movement of vehicles on the farm.	In the case of existing plants, the relocation of equipment may be restricted by the lack of space or excessive costs.
c	Operational measures.	These include measures, such as: i.. closure of doors and major openings of the building, especially during feeding time, if possible; ii.. equipment operation by experienced staff; iii.. avoidance of noisy activities at night and during weekends, if possible; iv.. provisions for noise control during maintenance activities; v.. operate conveyers and augers full of feed, if possible; vi.. keep outdoor scraped areas to a minimum in order to reduce noise from scraper tractors.	Generally applicable.
d	Low-noise equipment.	This includes equipment, such as: i.. high efficiency fans, when natural ventilation is not possible or sufficient; ii.. pumps and compressors; iii.. feeding system which reduces the pre-feeding stimulus (e.g. holding hoppers, passive ad libitum feeders, compact feeders).	BAT 7.d.iii is only applicable to pig plants. Passive ad libitum feeders are only applicable when the equipment is new or replaced or when animals do not require a restricted feeding.
e	Noise-control equipment.	This includes: i.. noise reducers; ii.. vibration isolation; iii.. enclosure of noisy equipment (e.g. mills, pneumatic conveyers); iv.. soundproofing of buildings.	Applicability may be restricted due to space requirements, and health and safety issues. Not applicable to noise-absorbent materials impeding the effective cleaning of the plant.
f	Noise abatement.	Noise propagation can be reduced by inserting obstacles between emitters and receivers.	May not be generally applicable due to biosecurity reasons.