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UKNA
confirms NCFS findings – fireworks are too noisy
The
National Campaign for Firework Safety welcomed the United Kingdom's
Noise Association's Noise Survey released recently on Noise
Awareness Day. The UKNA survey of MP's showed firework noise
to be top, with 50% saying firework noise was a main concern.
Noel Tobin, Director of the NCFS, "This confirms the findings
of our own survey, which is to be released in June. Noise from
fireworks is a major issue. Not only to humans, but to animals
as well."
The 'Firework 2002' survey goes on to say, "But now there
is a new phenomenon, firework noise. At present there is no
upper limit on the noise a firework can make. There is enough
evidence to show animals do not like fireworks because of the
sheer noise they make. The RSPCA has brought out an excellent
report entitled 'Quiet Please, loud fireworks frighten animals'.
They looked at the problem of animals and firework noise and
recommended a maximum of 95dB (A)I. This they decided would
cause the least damage to animals.
The current Fireworks Bill, is beginning its passage through
parliament. One of the clauses, 2 (2) (b), refers to 'distress'
to animals. It is easier to measure the physical distress an
animal suffers when a firework causes physical damage. But how
shall we determine the mental 'distress' animals suffer. There
is evidence to show animals do suffer 'distress' from the noise
fireworks make. It is time a maximum level of noise was set
for every firework.
There is a difference between a firework of 120dB(A)I being
set-off in the middle of a firework display, where it's noise
may not be so noticeable amongst the tumult, but, it will have
a different response, when discharged in the dead of night.
Vibration
Many people say they can feel the house shake with the vibration
during noisy firework discharges. In August came this rather
disturbing report,
'A structural expert claims vibrations from fireworks celebrations
are damaging Edinburgh's old buildings. Arnold Hendry believes
the tonnes of explosives used to mark the Edinburgh Festival,
Hogmanay and military Tattoo are dislodging pieces of masonry.
Leisure chief, Councillor Steve Cardownie, is backing calls
for an investigation into the impact of fireworks.
'
If there is a case to be made, for saying loud fireworks damage
buildings over a long period of time, then who should pay for
the costs of repairing these buildings. Until we know for certain
that loud explosive fireworks of the category 4 nature, as used
in Edinburgh's celebrations, do not cause damage then limiting
the 'explosive' type fireworks should be a priority.
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