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Apex Acoustics LLC is a Maryland based consultancy firm offering technical assessment for different types of projects from major industrial and infrastructural developments to local community initiatives. Our projects include work on initial design of facilities as well as modifications. The types of projects we work on include:

Environmental Noise & Vibration Studies

Our acoustical consultants have authored over 100 stand-alone noise and vibration technical reports to support environmental assessments and impact statements for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), special use permit applications, state environmental policy programs such as the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and international financial institutions such as the International Finance Corporation (IFC)/ World Bank Group. Our noise and vibration studies employ equipment and methods that meet or exceed the most stringent of requirements, and we document every step to ensure they are defensible if used in the design of your facility or presented to local courts or planning and zoning boards.

Environmental Noise and Vibration Measurements

Environmental noise and vibration measurements may be required during the approval of a wide variety projects. These can include industrial plants, renewable energy facilities, inner-city residential developments, linear infrastructure developments, and construction projects. Apex Acoustics can help you with noise and vibration measurements during all phases of your project including pre-construction/permitting, construction, operational, and decommissioning. We use the latest noise and vibration instruments which are laboratory calibrated and traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to measure and analyze noise and vibration levels. After measurements, we analyze the data collected and compare with applicable regulatory criteria.

Noise and Vibration Prediction and Mapping

Noise and Vibration models are powerful tools used to predict noise and vibration levels during the design phase of a project or modification of an existing facility or infrastructure. Apex Acoustics consultants utilizes Datakustik’s CadnaA, an internationally recognized three-dimensional modeling software, to predict noise level from proposed and existing facilities. We use the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) TNM to model noise from road traffic and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Manual to predict noise and vibration from transit projects. We present our predicted results in tabular and contour formats and compare to regulatory standards to determine compliance. We also use noise and vibration modeling to evaluate potential noise control and mitigation strategies by assessing their efficacy during a project’s design phase which saves time and money, and results in improved outcomes.

Noise Complaints Investigations and Mitigation Strategies

If your facility is receiving noise complaints from neighbors in the surrounding community, Apex Acoustics can help. We will conduct an acoustical study to determine the specific source of noise emissions, and evaluate all potential mitigation strategies, often utilizing three-dimensional acoustical modeling. We work with your facility engineers and environmental mangers to optimize the solution. We can evaluate your site plans prior to construction/permitting and provide guidance in design and construction techniques to avoid or minimize noise issues. It is less expensive to design for compliance than to mitigate after construction.

Occupational Noise Assessment

Apex Acoustics has experience conducting occupational noise assessments from area monitoring to individual dosimetry. Based upon the results of the study, we can develop feasible and cost-effective noise mitigation strategies for your facility using the Occupational Safety and Health Administrative (OSHA) Standards. We identify and manage problematic equipment or operations either through engineering or administrative controls.

Underwater Acoustics

Over the past several decades, the awareness of underwater noise and potential impacts to marine life has steadily increased. Concerns range from marine exploration to offshore construction activities and commercial vessels operating in environmentally sensitive areas. Apex Acoustics has experience performing long-range acoustic assessments of many impulsive and non-impulsive sound sources for projects in North and South America. These assessments require the calculation of source levels and acoustic propagation to assess the potential received noise level and impacts to marine life. Apex Acoustics utilizes NOAA Fisheries’ prediction methods to assess how sound from anthropogenic sources propagates in marine environments, providing our engineers with equations to determine impact zones for common metrics of Permanent Threshold Shift, Temporary Threshold Shift, and Behavioral impacts.

Vibration Assessment

Vibration can be propagated in waveform in the ground and can be transmitted into foundations of nearby buildings. This causes ground-borne vibration (GBV) in the building that can be felt by people in it. Also, audible sound waves or ground-born noise (GBN) may be produced by resonance generated in walls and ceilings. Our acoustics experts can help you assess impacts of GBV and GBN from light rail transit and freight projects located near buildings. We can help you design engineering controls (conceptual) to help mitigate the GBV and GBN.

Shadow Flicker Analysis

Shadow flicker occurs when rotating wind turbine generator blades pass between the sun and a sensitive receptor such as an individual’s home, causing a periodic shadow that may result in a flickering phenomenon. However, this phenomenon cumulatively only occurs for a few hours per year. The effect is most noticeable inside buildings, where the flicker appears through a window opening. Shadow flicker assessments are routinely required for wind energy projects all around the world, particularly if the wind project is in close proximity to dwellings. Failure to address potential issues can result in refusal of permission to develop a project and/or increase local opposition to the development. Apex Acoustics consultants utilizes windPRO, an industry-leading software package for the design and planning of wind energy projects. This software package, developed by EMD International A/S, has the ability to calculate the times for which the turbine rotors will cast shadows over the locations of interest. The results are presented in the form of tables and shadow maps which indicate where shadows will be cast and for how long. We also recommend measures to mitigate flickering from wind turbines.

Glare Analysis

Solar glint and glare i.e., reflected sunlight from shiny surfaces can affect safety and residential amenity in surrounding areas. Glint and glare assessments are routinely required for solar photovoltaic projects all around the world, particularly if the solar project is in close proximity to an airport, roadway, and dwellings. Failure to address potential issues can result in refusal of permission to develop a project and/or increase local opposition to the development. Apex Acoustics utilizes GlareGauge, a comprehensive solar glare analysis software developed by ForgeSolar. We utilize interactive Google map of the software to locate project sites, account for appropriate time zone, import photovoltaic footprint vertex coordinates, and specify observer locations. We also account for orientation and tilt of the photovoltaic panels. The results for each observation point are presented in the form of intensity and duration of exposure. We recommend measures to mitigate glint and glare from solar energy facilities.

Technical Reviews

Engineers at Apex Acoustics participate in municipal peer review programs reviewing noise and vibration work conducted by other consultants on behalf of municipalities or regulators assisting them in the permitting process.

Expert Witness

Sound level and acoustics engineering may become the subject of a lawsuit due to issues with pollution and other related problems. Senior consultants at Apex Acoustics have provided expert witness testimony to planning and zoning boards and the courts in the area of noise and vibration. Our technical reports employ equipment and methods that meet or exceed the most stringent of requirements, and we document every step to ensure they are defensible if used in the design of your facility or presented to local courts or planning and zoning boards.