Jacksons Fencing has worked with McDonald’s and their franchises a number of times over the years, supplying them with quality timber acoustic barriers to reduce noise around newly built and existing developments.
McDonald’s has over 1,270 restaurants in the UK and employs more than 120,000 people. Looking to build over 300 more restaurants in the next ten years, a new restaurant and drive-thru has recently opened in Broadstairs, Kent.
The new store offers something different to customers, with digital drive-thru menu boards that allow customers to see exactly what they’re ordering, and help reduce delays at the collection window. Additionally, there is a family room and children’s play area inside.
Formerly the location of a different restaurant chain, the site is next to a residential area, so a noise impact assessment was an essential part of the development process. The noise assessment determined that an acoustic barrier of 2.4m high was required to reduce the impact of noise on the nearby residents – in line with local council policies. The report considered the impact of various factors, such as vehicles using the drive-thru lane and the car park, weekly deliveries, and customers making orders at the customer order displays. After a later review of the report, it was decided that 3m high barriers would be better suited to protect the residents from noise, and offer more privacy.
The Noise Policy Statement for England (NPSE) explores the issue of sustainable development, a principle that underpins all government policy and should be pursued in an integrated way. It states that noise should not be treated in isolation of other factors, i.e. aesthetics and quality. With this in mind, the choice of noise mitigation solution needed to incorporate sustainability, protection and enhancement of the natural environment, and efficient use of resources and energy.
Jacksons Fencing supplied 161m of their 3m high Jakoustic® Reflective acoustic barriers to surround the perimeter of the car park and the drive-thru. The acoustic barriers are constructed from smooth planed timber tongue and groove boards which are profiled, and slot together between unique timber tuning fork posts, to minimise air gaps that sound could travel through. Due to the height of the barriers, the posts were supported with steel spur posts, which were galvanised and powder coated black for increased protection against corrosion. Its solid design with a flat contour means that the barriers also increase privacy and security. Jakoustic® Reflective is ideal for boundaries between commercial and residential properties, because its natural timber design is visually similar to a more robust version of an attractive tongue and groove garden fence. The barriers work by reflecting sound away from the flat profile, and can reduce noise by up to 28dB.
Jacksons Fencing’s acoustic barriers fit well with the sustainable principles of NPSE, as they are kiln dried and pressure treated for long-lasting protection from rot and insect attack, and come with a 25 year guarantee as standard. If you have a requirement for acoustic barriers for any type of development, or need advice on a project, contact Jacksons Fencing on 0800 408 4763.