Extractor fan noise complaint

[shanders]

Can I ask for some advice from the other side?
My home (which is also my office) has a restaurant extractor fan next door. I have a couple of questions which I'd appreciate any help with. Measured it on my phone at 70Decibels.
1. Is there a reason why this stack bends over through about 140degrees and bounces off the roof opposite?
Does that not create more noise than is necessary? Can it not go straight up?
2. I notice talk of 'silent' extraction systems - is this possible with this type/scale of system?
It's not deafening but it does shatter the peace when it starts up. At the same time, the guys are just trying to run their business as we all are.
I'd love to get the noise reduced a bit. Strong smell of curry too, fortunately we love Indian food.

 

[The Byre]

Anybody in a residential area has to comply with whatever the local bylaws are on noise. These can be outlined to you by the local Environmental Health Department. It does not matter what is or is not technically possible.

It is up to the business owner to comply with local laws and rules on noise, smell and any other environmental issues.

HOWEVER

Installing a nearly totally silent extraction system is very easy and there are many methods to achieve near total silence (no air movement can be absolutely silent, as sound is the movement of air!)

A restaurant can also do a great deal to minimise the need for air extraction, such as not use gas (which has to be vented) but use induction hobs instead. Also, many councils insist on air ducts being taken all the way to the roof and at chimney height, so as to alleviate noise and smell. There are hundreds of extraction systems that are, to all intents and purposes, silent and are also fairly cheap. We have one room that has a cold air supply that is fed by a fairly noisy conventional propeller fan - it is however nearly completely silent, as the fan is outside and blows air via a long flexible duct which swallows all the noise, so simply moving the fan itself can make the world of difference.

Measurements made on your smart-phone obviously do not carry any legal weight whatsoever, though they do give you a guide as to what to tell the authorities.

You should -

1. Talk to the restaurant owner and ask what they are prepared to do to reduce the noise to an acceptable level.

2. If the owner is not prepared to alter their extraction system, complain to the local council in writing. The council is obliged to investigate and if your complaint of a 'statutory nuisance' is upheld, they must issue an abatement notice within seven days. The business has 21 days to appeal the notice. If the noise persists, they are then committing an offence and can be fined up to £20,000.

3. If the council does nothing, you can complain to your local councillor and/or you can complain about a noise problem directly to a magistrates’ court. The magistrates’ court will need to be persuaded that the noise problem amounts to a statutory nuisance (evidence!). Before you start legal proceedings, you are required to write to the noise maker and explain that you intend to take legal action. The noise maker must receive three days’ written notice before you begin proceedings. The clerk of the court will give you all the necessary advice, should you wish to do this yourself and without legal representation.

 

[shanders]

Thanks a lot for your reply. I should have been clearer originally - the extraction is via a metal chimney stack which comes out just above the eaves on the second floor of the apartments next to our house. For some reason the ducting does not go straight up but bends almost 180 degrees and blasts the air against the roof slates. Common sense would suggest that this would make it even noisier.
So it is the air coming from the outlet at the end of the ducting that is creating the noise. There's also a smell but this isn't a major concern to us.
Does your info about near silent extraction systems still apply to this kind of setup or does it sound like they've taken the proper measures?
We've got a nice garden but it's kinda hard to relax with this thing constantly humming away. It's like having a hoover on, all the time. Cheers

 

[The Byre]

I matters not whether they did it properly or improperly! It certainly does not sound as if this is a 'proper' (what ever we are to understand by that word!) installation.

Done properly, you should hear nothing, or at least, almost nothing.

It is their responsibility to ensure that they annoy nobody. This can be easily achieved, by using quiet fans and not using gas burners that waste 60% or more of their energy and require very substantial venting.

 

[shanders]

Thanks a lot for your advice. Really appreciate it.
I'll contact the local council and see what they reckon and then approach the owners.
As I said, would rather be amicable and appreciate they're trying to earn a living.
Thanks again

 

[shanders]

Eh? Are you referring to me? I didn't mention investment properties? Are you on the right thread?
I jumped onto this thread as your man 'The Byre' seems to be a font of knowledge on this stuff. Don't know where this post has come from though?

 

[kulture]

Eh? Are you referring to me? I didn't mention investment properties? Are you on the right thread?
I jumped onto this thread as your man 'The Byre' seems to be a font of knowledge on this stuff. Don't know where this post has come from though?

That is the down side of hijacking a thread. People reply to the original question. I have split the threads.

 

[KatiePrice123]

Approach your local council and I am sure they will come out and investigate.