As with the number of vibrations caused by pile driving, there are also strict rules governing the number of decibels produced by each blow. Especially if pile driving is done close to existing buildings. Depending on the size of the poles, noise levels can often reach well over 80 dB. Above that limit, there is officially a serious nuisance and an exemption must be granted. Only very limited pile driving is allowed then.
In fact, the same was true of the project in Leidsche Rijn. The Building Code defines exactly when a nuisance exists and also how many days and how many hours work is allowed then. However: just pass-through is allowed if the noise level can be reduced to below 70 dB. And that can be done in a smart way! By hanging a large mobile noise barrier between the piling and the existing buildings.
Van Schie has such an effective screen, achieving a noise reduction of around 30 dB! And its mobile nature means that the screen can always be quickly and precisely positioned. The screen consists of sandwich panels filled with rock wool. It has a size of 10 x 12 meters.
