How to Avoid Noise Issues with Your Portable Generator Hire
Date: 11/05/26
Noise issues can be a real problem for construction sites in the UK. This can be a particular concern where sites operate outside of normal working hours, such as overnight or weekend works.
Sometimes, avoiding unsociable hours is simply not possible, for example, in emergency road and rail repairs, or overnight works scheduled to minimise transport disruption.
So, what are the rules governing noise from construction sites, and what can you do to reduce noise on site? In this article, we’ll look at your statutory obligations around noise and show you how Think Hire can help reduce site noise with virtually silent solar powered generators and BESS solutions.
What UK legislation covers construction site noise?
Noise from construction sites in the UK is covered by two main pieces of legislation:
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The Control of Pollution Act 1974 – this includes section 60, which is the main law controlling construction noise, and Section 61, which covers gaining prior consent for potentially noisy works.
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The Environmental Protection Act 1990 – this covers what is known as ‘statutory nuisance’, where noise levels are considered excessive or unreasonable.
Noise issues are also covered by BS 5228 – the code of practice for noise and vibration control on construction and open sites. This provides best practice guidelines on noise reduction, including suggestions for appropriate portable generator hire.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with noise regulations?
Non-compliance with noise regulations on construction sites can result in significant sanctions against your project and your company. These sanctions include:
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Enforcement notices
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Project delays or working hours restrictions
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Enhanced local authority monitoring
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Planning issues
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Prosecution
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Fines
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Reputational damage
How can you reduce noise on construction sites?
UK noise legislation compels constructors to use the ‘best practicable means’ to reduce and control noise levels on site. This includes choosing appropriate equipment, such as portable generator hire for power supplies.
Diesel generators produce 80dB to 100dB of noise, depending on their load. This not only impacts nearby residents and commercial premises, but it also presents health and safety risks to your workforce. Think Hire can help your site to significantly reduce the noise produced by your portable generator hire in a number of ways, including:
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Solar site lighting – Think Hire can supply a wide range of solar powered site lighting, which charges through the daylight hours and operates silently through the night. This avoids the need to constantly run noisy diesel generators, while maintaining appropriate lighting levels for staff safety and site security.
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Solar powered generators – solar powered generators produce electricity silently, with hybrid generators only running their diesel back-ups when battery levels run low. This type of sustainable portable generator hire can be used to power site lighting and security accommodation 24/7.
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Battery energy storage systems – by efficiently storing diesel-generated energy produced during permitted hours, or solar energy produced during the day, BESS solutions can provide silent power distribution overnight. BESS solutions can also reduce noise levels during the day by avoiding the need to run diesel generators continuously.
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AI-powered energy management – Think Energy Panorama, included with both portable generator hire and BESS solutions, can maximise the efficiency of your energy system, further reducing the need to run noisy diesel generators (and significantly cutting fuel costs at the same time).
Say no to noise with Think Hire
Changing your portable generator hire can significantly reduce the levels of noise on your site, not only during restricted overnight operations, but also during the daytime too. Lower noise levels will help you comply with regulations, avoid disturbance to your neighbours and create a better working environment for your team.
To find out more about how to control noise by choosing the right portable generator hire, talk to the team at Think Hire today. Book a visit from us, and you can avoid a visit from your local council enforcement team!
Frequently asked questions about construction site noise
Construction noise is covered by The Control of Pollution Act 1974 (including section 60, which is the main laws controlling construction noise and Section 61 which covers gaining prior consent for potentially noisy works). It is also covered by The Environmental Protection Act 1990 and British Standard BS5228.
A typical diesel generator produces 80-100dB, which is the equivalent of a chainsaw, a motorcycle or an underground train. Unlike these transient examples, on many sites, this noise level is constant.
The quietest way to power a site is to use solar powered generators paired with a battery or BESS system. This allows energy to be harvested silently during daylight hours, and then released silently at night.
Yes. By combining solar powered generators with battery energy storage systems (BESS solutions) you can store solar energy for later use. Think Hire also offers solar powered site lighting that is charged through the day to provide silent lighting overnight.
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