Proposed pebble bed modular reactor
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- Relevant Standards
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- Discussion Of Results
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Noise Impact AssessmentPurposeTo reflect the results of a baseline survey with the aim to establish the impact on sound levels that the proposed pebble bed modular reactor may have on the environment as well as the community of the surrounding neighbourhoods. IntroductionSound is the sensation perceived by the human ear when a vibrating body causes rapid fluctuations in air pressure. Exposure to noise intensities above 85 dB(A) for eight hours has the potential to cause irreversible hearing damage. However, noise may also be of such a nature where it causes annoyance or discomfort amongst employees or members of the community. The degree of annoyance largely depends on the frequency and noise of a high frequency is generally perceived as more annoying than noise of a low frequency. Although annoyance noise has few physiological effects on the body, it causes an increased irritability, fatigue and elevates the level of stress experienced by a person. Speech communication from one person to another and telephonic conversations may also be hampered. Relevant StandardsThe Noise Control Regulations in terms of Section 25 of the Environmental Conservation Act No. 73 of 1989, prohibits any person to make, produce or cause a disturbing noise or allow it to be made by any person, machine, device or any apparatus or any combination thereof. In terms of the said noise control regulations, noise is regarded as disturbing if it is of a level that exceeds the zone sound level. If no zone sound level has been established, noise is classified as being of a disturbing nature when it exceeds the ambient sound level by 7 dB(A) or more. The ambient sound level in terms of the above legislation can be defined as the sound level recorded in the absence of the noise under investigation. Noise levels at which annoyance may occur are also recommended in SABS 0103 of 1994 Code of Practice - "The measurement and rating of environmental noise with respect to annoyance and to speech communication". Results
The results of sound level measurements are shown in Table 25. Table 25: Sound Levels in the Vicinity of Koeberg Power Station 29 September 1999 and 3 October 1999.
* Exceeds Recommended Rating Level for ambient noise (SABS 0103 of 1994) Figure 8: Measuring Point 
Figure 9: Measuring Point 
Meteorological conditions that prevailed at the time of the survey are shown in Table 26. Table 26: Temperatures and Wind speeds at Some Locations Around Koeberg Power Station. 29 September 1999 and 13 October 1999.
Discussion Of ResultsSound level measurements were conducted at several locations next to the power station's outer perimeter fence as well as at points on the fence of the nature reserve. Readings were taken during both the day and at night in order to establish the influence of traffic and other activities in and around the power station. Corrections for tonal character were made to readings obtained at measuring points no. 1, 2 and 7 as a humming sound emanating from the power station were clearly audible at these locations. Tonal character corrections are normally made when audible tones such as whistles, hums, music, etc. are present and are performed by adding 5 dB(A) to the reading obtained from the instrument. Rating levels at the Power Station Perimeter Fence were evaluated against recommended ambient sound levels that fall in the "Urban districts with some workshops, with business premises and with main roads" category of SABS 0103 of 1994. Standards of the "Rural Districts" category was applied for rating levels at the Nature Reserve Perimeter Fence. Although the above category descriptions are not exactly the same as those in the mentioned SABS standard, they were found to be the most appropriate. Rating levels recorded at the Power Station Perimeter Fence during the day time survey were all below the recommended sound levels stipulated in SABS 0103 of 1994. Night time readings at some locations however, did not conform to the relevant standards. See Table 25 and Table 26 Page 232. It has to be kept in mind that it was not only noise from the power station that was responsible for the non-conformances, but sound emanating from the sea's wave action taking place along the coastline which also played a significant role. Rating levels at the Nature Reserve Fence all exceeded the recommended standard. Most of the noise was generated by traffic, mainly from the West Coast Trunk Road as well as the sea's wave action (to a lesser degree). No audible tones from the power stations were observed at any of the above measuring points.
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