Environment in foundry Noise

The main sources of noise in the foundry can result from the following operations:

• handling scrap metal and metal parts,

• furnace loading,

• burner operation,

• unclicking,

• shot-blasting and finishing,

• operation of pressure diecasting PLCs,

• motors, fans and hydraulic systems,

• air compressor.

Noise pollution from foundries is a frequent source of complaints from local residents.

The close proximity of industrial activities to residential areas is an ideal breeding ground for noise-related conflicts.

The rules applicable to a given classified facility depend on several factors:

• the administrative status of the plant (authorization, declaration or unclassified),

• the commissioning date, as some texts are not applicable to existing installations, or are applicable under certain conditions.

Noise is an acoustic phenomenon that produces an auditory sensation considered unpleasant or annoying. Excessive noise not only affects the hearing organs (physiological dimension), but can also disrupt the body in general, and sleep and behavior in particular (psychological dimension).

As a general rule, whatever the applicable regulatory text, annoyance is assessed in terms of emergence and compliance with a limit level:

"Emergence is a temporal modification of the ambient level induced by the appearance or disappearance of a particular noise.

The aim of this article is to present the noise emission regulations that apply to foundries, depending on their production capacity, and to suggest ways of reducing noise levels where necessary.

A table of acronyms is provided at the end of the article.