We were recently engaged by Westminster Abbey to conduct an acoustic assessment of a proposed heat pump system intended to serve the new Sacristy building. Given the planned location of the plant equipment adjacent to the historic stained-glass windows of the North Transept, there was a significant concern about potential noise transmission into the Abbey.
As Westminster Abbey regularly hosts events of national importance, preserving its acoustic environment was paramount. To assess the risk, we carried out on-site testing using a dodecahedron loudspeaker mounted on a tall tripod, simulating the position of the future heat pump. This enabled us to directly measure how sound might propagate into the Abbey interior.
Our analysis provided reliable data on expected noise levels, guiding the decision to specify a bespoke acoustic enclosure for the heat pump. This solution ensures that the Abbey’s quiet atmosphere will be maintained, even during its most sensitive ceremonies and services.