Lafarge Bath Cement Plant

Location: Bath, Ontario, Canada
Owner/Operator: Lafarge Canada Inc

Lafarge is the largest diversified supplier of construction materials in the U.S. and Canada, producing a wide array of products used in residential, commercial and public works construction projects across North America. The Bath Cement Plant has been producing cement for the construction industry since 1973. Product is shipped from the plant to construction projects throughout Lafarge’s Great Lakes Region by truck, rail and a fleet of ships.

HGC Engineering was retained by Lafarge to undertake an Acoustic Assessment of the Bath Cement Plant in support of an application to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (“MOE”) for an Environmental Compliance Approval. We conducted comprehensive onsite measurements of more than 200 individual sources of noise using superior sound intensity instrumentation and measurement techniques.

A 3D acoustical model of the site and surrounding area was developed, to which the source measurement data was input in order to predict the individual contribution of each noise source to the overall sound levels of the site in the surrounding community. These overall sound levels were also confirmed through direct measurement at the nearest points of reception and compared to the applicable limits, established in accordance with MOE guidelines.

Detailed noise control recommendations and a Noise Abatement Action Plan (“NAAP”) were developed by HGC Engineering and incorporated into an Acoustic Assessment Report for the site. Following installation of the noise control measures, HGC Engineering returned to the Bath Cement Plant to conduct additional offsite measurements which confirmed the success of the NAAP: facility sound levels were within the applicable limits.

Primary sound sources at the facility that were evaluated:

• Finish mill and coal mill dust collector exhausts
• Kiln shell cooling fans
• Precipitator tower & kiln stack
• Sand dryer
• Shipping equipment (locomotives, boat and road trucks)
• Emergency generators
• Vacuum trucks

Acoustical Engineering Services Included:

• Comprehensive onsite and offsite acoustical measurements
• Predictive acoustical modeling
• Noise control recommendations
• Acoustic Assessment Report & Noise Abatement Action Plan
• Post-abatement noise control acceptance testing & Acoustic Survey