Insights
Shining a light on the 'dark art' of acoustics consultancy
At ParkerJones Acoustics we have a strong emphasis on clear communication. We enjoy taking our clients along the ‘journey’ of the acoustic design process in as simple and transparent a manner as possible.
We appreciate that acoustic consultants are often labelled as sorcerers of a ‘dark art’, and we can understand why. This is why we feel it important to explain the concepts of acoustic design and try to simplify things down, using as little jargon as possible. After all, what does 45 Rw mean, and what on earth is a DnT,w + Ctr? Sound power? Sound pressure? Sound intensity?
The aim of our ‘insights’, or in simple terms… articles, are to educate. They are primarily written for non acoustic consultants, stripping out some of the nitty gritty jargon and getting to the basics.
And please, if we haven’t written about it already, do get in touch and suggest a topic, or just ask us a question. Our noise consultants are always happy to answer.
Articles
Breaking down complex acoustic terms and concepts in a simplistic and straightforward fashion, our articles are aimed at giving our clients a sound understanding of noise and vibration.
Recent Articles
Managing Noise from Wedding Venues
Chris Parker-Jones April 22, 2020
A noise consultants guide to managing noise from wedding and entertainment venues. A noise assessment/noise management plan is critical for a succesful planning application.
Open Plan Office Acoustic Design
Chris Parker-Jones January 26, 2020
How do we achieve good acoustics and speech privacy in an open plan office without any walls?! A guide to open plan office acoustic design, by an acoustic consultant.
Recent A to Z
Acoustics A to Z – C = Construction Noise and Vibration
Chris Parker-Jones November 26, 2019
What do we have to do about construction noise? Our guide to construction noise management, planning, and monitoring, for planning apps and S61 applications
Acoustics A to Z – B = Building Acoustics
Chris Parker-Jones October 24, 2019
Building acoustics, how does acoustics and noise effect our buildings? Sound insulation. Reverberation. Internal Noise… what does it all mean?
A to Z
The definitive A to Z on acoustics, noise, and vibration... which literally nobody asked for, but we wrote anyway.
Bite-size Acoustics
Super short articles explaining specific acoustic design principles, a 2 minute read.
Recent 'Bite-sized' Articles
Bite-size Acoustics – Airborne vs Structure-borne Sound
Chris Parker-Jones January 2, 2020
A quick explanation of airborne and structure-borne sound transmission paths
Recent Acoustic Careers Articles
Acoustic Consultant under Lockdown – The day-to-day during COVID 19
Chris Parker-Jones April 25, 2020
How is the work on an Acoustic Consultant affected by COVID 19? How does an Acoustic Consultant get around the lack of site noise surveys? How much time is spent in the garden?
How to become an Acoustic Consultant
Chris Parker-Jones January 12, 2020
Thinking of a career in acoustic consultancy? What qualifications do you need? How do you get started? What can you expect as a young acoustic consultant?
The Life of an Acoustic Consultant
Insights into what our acoustic and noise consultants do day to day. How they got into acoustic consultancy, and how you might be look to start a career in the field of acoustics, noise, and vibration.
In-Depth Acoustics
For fellow acoustic consultants/professionals in need of technical resources.
Recent 'In-Depth' Articles
The Physics of Sound and Acoustics
Chris Parker-Jones April 17, 2020
What is noise, and why is it different from sound? A short explanation from ParkerJones Acoustics, UK based noise consultants.
What is Noise?
Chris Parker-Jones April 14, 2020
What is noise, and why is it different from sound? A short explanation from ParkerJones Acoustics, UK based noise consultants.
What our clients say about us
"I would not hesitate to recommend ParkerJones Acoustics"
"ParkerJones Acoustics recently helped us to discharge a planning condition and was very professional and accommodating. Chris (director) worked alongside us to model various window configurations of the property to establish where acoustic mitigation measures were required. This enabled our client to address matters strategically rather than simply blanketing the whole site with the worst-case scenario, in turn saving our client time and money. I would not hesitate to recommend ParkerJones Acoustics and I look forward to working alongside him soon."
"ParkerJones Acoustics recently helped us to discharge a planning condition and was very professional and accommodating. Chris (director) worked alongside us to model various window configurations of the property to establish where acoustic mitigation measures were required. This enabled our client to address matters strategically rather than simply blanketing the whole site with the worst-case scenario, in turn saving our client time and money. I would not hesitate to recommend ParkerJones Acoustics and I look forward to working alongside him soon."
"Highly professional and excellent value"
"I have recently used the services of ParkerJones Acoustics to carry out a Noise Impact Assessment as part of a planning condition for an industrial development my company was building in the Scottish Highlands. From their same day quote to their equally prompt site visit and final report I have had a truly excellent service from this company, especially in comparison to some of the larger companies I have used in the past who were considerably more expensive. I am genuinely pleased to say I would have no hesitation in recommending Chris and his team at ParkerJones Acoustics to any business or individual requiring their services."
"I have recently used the services of ParkerJones Acoustics to carry out a Noise Impact Assessment as part of a planning condition for an industrial development my company was building in the Scottish Highlands. From their same day quote to their equally prompt site visit and final report I have had a truly excellent service from this company, especially in comparison to some of the larger companies I have used in the past who were considerably more expensive. I am genuinely pleased to say I would have no hesitation in recommending Chris and his team at ParkerJones Acoustics to any business or individual requiring their services."
"Very professional and detailed report in our inbox within a week."
"Within 48 hours of contacting ParkerJones Acoustics, they were on site and collecting the information he needed. Chris (director) took the time to understand our business proposal; and he was so easy to work with and very friendly and we had a very professional and detailed report in our inbox within a week. A fantastic service that we would not hesitate to recommend, thank you!"
"Within 48 hours of contacting ParkerJones Acoustics, they were on site and collecting the information he needed. Chris (director) took the time to understand our business proposal; and he was so easy to work with and very friendly and we had a very professional and detailed report in our inbox within a week. A fantastic service that we would not hesitate to recommend, thank you!"
"Excellent professional service"
"We approached ParkerJones Acoustics for advice regarding a Noise Impact Assessment for a planning application. We cannot thank him enough for the prompt replies we received, the professional manner of his approach and the knowledge and expertise he had of the technical and planning issues. We would use Chris (director) of ParkerJones Acoustics) again and highly recommend him and his company."
"We approached ParkerJones Acoustics for advice regarding a Noise Impact Assessment for a planning application. We cannot thank him enough for the prompt replies we received, the professional manner of his approach and the knowledge and expertise he had of the technical and planning issues. We would use Chris (director) of ParkerJones Acoustics) again and highly recommend him and his company."
"Swift at responding and very knowledgeable"
"Chris has provided us with an excellent service, he's swift at responding and very knowledgeable in his area of work. We needed a noise survey undertaken due to an unauthorised installation of extraction fans at a local sports club close to our home. His report, which he turned around in 24 hours for us, was professional, clear to read and interpret. I highly recommend ParkerJones Acoustics Consultants."
"Chris has provided us with an excellent service, he's swift at responding and very knowledgeable in his area of work. We needed a noise survey undertaken due to an unauthorised installation of extraction fans at a local sports club close to our home. His report, which he turned around in 24 hours for us, was professional, clear to read and interpret. I highly recommend ParkerJones Acoustics Consultants."
"Incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and professional"
"We sourced ParkerJones Acoustics consultants to help us with our planning application for a wedding venue. We found Chris (director) to be incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and professional in helping to produce a fully comprehensive noise assessment which resulted in a positive planning application. Communication was second to none and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his service."
"We sourced ParkerJones Acoustics consultants to help us with our planning application for a wedding venue. We found Chris (director) to be incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and professional in helping to produce a fully comprehensive noise assessment which resulted in a positive planning application. Communication was second to none and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his service."
"Noise and Vibration report - Highly satisfied customer!"
"I can’t recommend ParkerJones highly enough. I engaged Chris (director) to produce a noise and vibration report for residential air conditioning and was extremely impressed with the level of communication and professionalism throughout the process. The final report was of exceptionally high quality and I will happily reccomend them to anyone"
"I can’t recommend ParkerJones highly enough. I engaged Chris (director) to produce a noise and vibration report for residential air conditioning and was extremely impressed with the level of communication and professionalism throughout the process. The final report was of exceptionally high quality and I will happily reccomend them to anyone"
"Competitively priced service"
"ParkerJones Acoustics provided our client with a very comprehensive Noise Impact Assessment report in support of a planning application for a micro-bar in the centre of Shifnal. A competitively priced service which was delivered in fast response to the Planning Authority's request. The application was successful. Thank you Chris!"
"ParkerJones Acoustics provided our client with a very comprehensive Noise Impact Assessment report in support of a planning application for a micro-bar in the centre of Shifnal. A competitively priced service which was delivered in fast response to the Planning Authority's request. The application was successful. Thank you Chris!"
"Excellent attention to detail"
"Parker Jones Acoustics provides a fantastic, efficient service with excellent attention to detail. Within two days we had noise monitoring taking place capturing data on site - under a week and the report (incredibly informative without being too wordy) had arrived. Highly recommended!!"
"Parker Jones Acoustics provides a fantastic, efficient service with excellent attention to detail. Within two days we had noise monitoring taking place capturing data on site - under a week and the report (incredibly informative without being too wordy) had arrived. Highly recommended!!"
"Excellent report by ParkerJones Acoustics"
"Chris was very knowledgeable and professional. We were seeking planning permission for a cafe and this was granted in part due to the excellent report by ParkerJones Acoustics. Chris really listens to the specific detailed requirements set out by his clients. Thanks very much Chris."
"Chris was very knowledgeable and professional. We were seeking planning permission for a cafe and this was granted in part due to the excellent report by ParkerJones Acoustics. Chris really listens to the specific detailed requirements set out by his clients. Thanks very much Chris."
"Noise and Vibration Report - Highly satisfied customer!"
"I can’t recommend ParkerJones Acoustics highly enough. I engaged Chris to produce a noise and vibration report for residential air conditioning and was extremely impressed with the level of communication and professionalism throughout the process. The final report was of exceptionally high quality and I will happily recommend them to anyone."
"I can’t recommend ParkerJones Acoustics highly enough. I engaged Chris to produce a noise and vibration report for residential air conditioning and was extremely impressed with the level of communication and professionalism throughout the process. The final report was of exceptionally high quality and I will happily recommend them to anyone."
"Very easy to deal with"
"ParkerJones Acoustics carried out an acoustic survey for us in a planning application for a new home. They were very professional in their approach and both Chris and Tom were very easy to deal with. Their recommendations seemed fair and balanced and we are hoping the council will agree. It was an expense we could have done without, but their fee seemed reasonable and includes any follow up from the planners, so we would have no hesitation in recommending them."
"ParkerJones Acoustics carried out an acoustic survey for us in a planning application for a new home. They were very professional in their approach and both Chris and Tom were very easy to deal with. Their recommendations seemed fair and balanced and we are hoping the council will agree. It was an expense we could have done without, but their fee seemed reasonable and includes any follow up from the planners, so we would have no hesitation in recommending them."
"Part of our team for future projects"
"Used Parker Jones Acoustics on a project in Dundee. Noise assessment was a last minute requirement from local planners and could have severely delayed things. Chris got on board quickly, engaged with the planning team and was able to fast track the assessment. Result = positive planning decision 4 weeks later. ParkerJones Acoustics are now part of our team for future projects"
"Used Parker Jones Acoustics on a project in Dundee. Noise assessment was a last minute requirement from local planners and could have severely delayed things. Chris got on board quickly, engaged with the planning team and was able to fast track the assessment. Result = positive planning decision 4 weeks later. ParkerJones Acoustics are now part of our team for future projects"
"Delivered promptly and professionally"
"Carried out a Noise Assessment report for a listed building which achieved planning permission. Delivered promptly and professionally. Extremely pleased with the service and would happily recommend and use their services in future."
"Carried out a Noise Assessment report for a listed building which achieved planning permission. Delivered promptly and professionally. Extremely pleased with the service and would happily recommend and use their services in future."
"Excellent speedy response from ParkerJones Acoustics"
"Excellent speedy response from ParkerJones Acoustics, and high-quality report provided in support of our planning application. Really impressed."
"Excellent speedy response from ParkerJones Acoustics, and high-quality report provided in support of our planning application. Really impressed."
"Faultless and worked to tough deadlines!"
"Chris at Parker Jones Acoustics has been faultless. We had a deadline to hit and he was very proactive around reaching that deadline, even in the current climate of COVID19. I've been very impressed and equally was my planning consultant very impressed"
"Chris at Parker Jones Acoustics has been faultless. We had a deadline to hit and he was very proactive around reaching that deadline, even in the current climate of COVID19. I've been very impressed and equally was my planning consultant very impressed"
"Experience and endeavour shone through "
"ParkerJones Acoustics were pro-active in addressing difficulties in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their experience and endeavour shone through the alternative quotes I obtained, and the finalreport exceeded my expectation; an impressive piece of work delivered in very good time. A happy customer; thank you Chris"
"ParkerJones Acoustics were pro-active in addressing difficulties in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Their experience and endeavour shone through the alternative quotes I obtained, and the finalreport exceeded my expectation; an impressive piece of work delivered in very good time. A happy customer; thank you Chris"
"Results to us within a day"
"Chris was most helpful, responding quickly and professionally to our request for a noise survey. He sent the results to us within a day which was much appreciated. I would definately recommend his service, and would also use his company again Thank you"
"Chris was most helpful, responding quickly and professionally to our request for a noise survey. He sent the results to us within a day which was much appreciated. I would definately recommend his service, and would also use his company again Thank you"
"Good advice given and quick turnaround"
"Used this company to perform a noise and vibration survey for my air conditioning planning permission. It was handled very professionally, good advice given and quick turnaround. Very happy with the service."
"Used this company to perform a noise and vibration survey for my air conditioning planning permission. It was handled very professionally, good advice given and quick turnaround. Very happy with the service."
"Fast turn around on work and competitive prices"
"Great service from ParkerJones Acoustics, clear fast communication, fast turn around on work and competitive prices. I would highly recommend for any acoustic work."
"Great service from ParkerJones Acoustics, clear fast communication, fast turn around on work and competitive prices. I would highly recommend for any acoustic work."
"Excellent"
"I needed some guidance in a hurry and Chris was on the end of the line with a very clear no nonsense reply. Very much appreciated"
"I needed some guidance in a hurry and Chris was on the end of the line with a very clear no nonsense reply. Very much appreciated"
"Excellent experience"
"I reached out for some support on an acoustic related issue that we see troubleshooting at our plant. The support I got was excellent and very thorough."
"I reached out for some support on an acoustic related issue that we see troubleshooting at our plant. The support I got was excellent and very thorough."
"ParkerJones Acoustics helped significantly"
"ParkerJones Acoustics helped significantly reduce the echo in our office by recommending acoustic treatment and sound insulation fittings. We’re now finding it much easier to work without disturbance and are able to use our meeting spaces without worrying about confidential conversations being overheard."
"ParkerJones Acoustics helped significantly reduce the echo in our office by recommending acoustic treatment and sound insulation fittings. We’re now finding it much easier to work without disturbance and are able to use our meeting spaces without worrying about confidential conversations being overheard."
"Excellent service at an affordable cost"
"I received an excellent, well informed and quick service. Chris has the expertise expected and is a true professional. Thank you."
"I received an excellent, well informed and quick service. Chris has the expertise expected and is a true professional. Thank you."
"Excellent service - happy customer"
"On behalf of Cantor Properties - Fantastic company, great service. Efficient, with a high level of professionalism. Would highly recommend!"
"On behalf of Cantor Properties - Fantastic company, great service. Efficient, with a high level of professionalism. Would highly recommend!"
"Superb"
"Very economic and efficient. Helpful and very informative. Definitely use again on future schemes."
"Very economic and efficient. Helpful and very informative. Definitely use again on future schemes."
"Excellent Noise Assessment"
"Chris Parker Jones carried out an excellent noise assessment for us, detailed and yet easy to follow. Easy to contact and very helpful follow ups. Very professional."
"Chris Parker Jones carried out an excellent noise assessment for us, detailed and yet easy to follow. Easy to contact and very helpful follow ups. Very professional."
"Excellent Noise Report"
"Thank you very much for the investigation you performed and the report you wrote which has helped us with a persistent noise problem from a neighbouring business."
"Thank you very much for the investigation you performed and the report you wrote which has helped us with a persistent noise problem from a neighbouring business."
"Highly professional"
"Highly professional and no issues at all. Would recommend to anyone. Answered all our questions. Gave a report which perfectly answered all the councils requirements."
"Highly professional and no issues at all. Would recommend to anyone. Answered all our questions. Gave a report which perfectly answered all the councils requirements."
"Joy to work with and went above and beyond"
"Joy to work with and went above and beyond for us to satisfy the landlords requirements. Highly recommended and will be using again for the rest of our sites."
"Joy to work with and went above and beyond for us to satisfy the landlords requirements. Highly recommended and will be using again for the rest of our sites."
"Super quick response, with personal and thoughtful care"
"Wow! I messaged Chris on the website at 11am, and by 2pm he'd emailed me with diagrams and examples and an amazing breakdown of solutions. I am so thoroughly impressed."
"Wow! I messaged Chris on the website at 11am, and by 2pm he'd emailed me with diagrams and examples and an amazing breakdown of solutions. I am so thoroughly impressed."
"5 star service!"
"Very professional and helped me get through a tricky project. I would definitely recommend ParkerJones Acoustics to my clients. 5 star service!"
"Very professional and helped me get through a tricky project. I would definitely recommend ParkerJones Acoustics to my clients. 5 star service!"
"Thorough with all communications"
"Was very happy with the information provided by ParkerJones Acoustics. Chris was very helpful, being clear and thorough with all communications."
"Was very happy with the information provided by ParkerJones Acoustics. Chris was very helpful, being clear and thorough with all communications."
"Reassuring in every way"
"Chris' deep expertise is matched by his focus on giving you only the input you need, instead of everything he could potentially bill you for. I wish other professionals operated on the same footing."
"Chris' deep expertise is matched by his focus on giving you only the input you need, instead of everything he could potentially bill you for. I wish other professionals operated on the same footing."
"Fantastic communication and extremely professional"
"Fantastic communication and extremely professional. All our questions answered and did an amazing job with the report for the council. Highly recommend if you do not want any hassle get in touch."
"Fantastic communication and extremely professional. All our questions answered and did an amazing job with the report for the council. Highly recommend if you do not want any hassle get in touch."
"Exceeded expectations"
"ParkerJones Acoustics exceeded expectations; quick turn around on the report, great communication and a friendly service. We will be using them on our other projects!"
"ParkerJones Acoustics exceeded expectations; quick turn around on the report, great communication and a friendly service. We will be using them on our other projects!"
"Fantastic company, great service"
"On behalf of Cantor Properties - Fantastic company, great service. Efficient, with a high level of professionalism. Would highly recommend!"
"On behalf of Cantor Properties - Fantastic company, great service. Efficient, with a high level of professionalism. Would highly recommend!"
"Really is an expert"
"Chris (director) really is an expert & knows exactly what he is talking about which is a rarity these days. He replied promptly by email to my initial enquiry and followed up with a phone chat to discuss in greater detail the problem of the noise nuisance I have been experiencing from the flat above. Chris is a great listener and proposed a couple of solutions which he then sent on by email within an hour and which I am now following up. He also wants to know the outcome- a true professional and I would definitely recommend him. I cant thank him enough for his invaluable advice and insight."
"Chris (director) really is an expert & knows exactly what he is talking about which is a rarity these days. He replied promptly by email to my initial enquiry and followed up with a phone chat to discuss in greater detail the problem of the noise nuisance I have been experiencing from the flat above. Chris is a great listener and proposed a couple of solutions which he then sent on by email within an hour and which I am now following up. He also wants to know the outcome- a true professional and I would definitely recommend him. I cant thank him enough for his invaluable advice and insight."
"Great service, quick response to my emails, clear technical information and impartial product advice"
"I contacted ParkerJones Acoustics after moving into a noisy 1st floor flat. I had no idea about what solutions were a available and after doing my own research I had become very confused. Chris responded to my email almost immediately, and clearly explained about the available products and offered his professional advice about my best course of action. Because of the information Chris gave me, I now feel much more reassured that there is a solution to my very annoying noise problem. I would not hesitate to recommend ParkerJones Acoustics to anybody who has a noise problem."
"I contacted ParkerJones Acoustics after moving into a noisy 1st floor flat. I had no idea about what solutions were a available and after doing my own research I had become very confused. Chris responded to my email almost immediately, and clearly explained about the available products and offered his professional advice about my best course of action. Because of the information Chris gave me, I now feel much more reassured that there is a solution to my very annoying noise problem. I would not hesitate to recommend ParkerJones Acoustics to anybody who has a noise problem."
"A very professional service"
We had ParkerJones Acoustics to assist us with a noise problem in a recently purchased residential flat. Chris provided a fantastic service. He was extremely responsive and the work that Chris did was a very high standard. His knowledge of the subject is amazing. I would not hesitate to recommend Chris and ParkerJones Acoustics
We had ParkerJones Acoustics to assist us with a noise problem in a recently purchased residential flat. Chris provided a fantastic service. He was extremely responsive and the work that Chris did was a very high standard. His knowledge of the subject is amazing. I would not hesitate to recommend Chris and ParkerJones Acoustics
"Friendly, efficient, and honest"
"Chris (director) is fantastic. Lovely guy. Friendly efficient and honest. My new music room is superb and I couldn't have got the result I did without his help. I would refer and definitely use again."
"Chris (director) is fantastic. Lovely guy. Friendly efficient and honest. My new music room is superb and I couldn't have got the result I did without his help. I would refer and definitely use again."
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Talk to an Acoustic Consultant
How can one our noise consultants help with your architectural acoustic design or noise assessment requirements?
- 0800 830 3338
- info@parkerjonesacoustics.com
- 11 Bankside Road, Bristol, BS4 4LB
- 29 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London, WC2A 3EE
- 126 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 2RQ
- parkerjonesacoustics