odour assessments

Odour can be generated in many processes including intensive livestock rearing, commercial kitchens, food and drink manufacturing, spray-painting cars and waste management. The effects of odour in relation to local amenities can be a material consideration in the planning process and can result in complaints.

Odour assessments are usually required if the proposed development is likely to cause an odour or if the development is located in close proximity to an odour source.

Miller Goodall has completed odour training accredited by the Institute of Air Quality Management and Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and has completed a variety of odour screening assessments using Institute of Air Quality Management (2018) “Guidance on the assessment of odour for planning”, which has guidance on:

• Preparation of appropriate odour assessment tools
• Odour assessment criteria including receptor sensitivity, odour exposure and magnitude
• Odour management plans

Odour screening assessments

This type of odour assessment is used to screen whether or not an odour source may need detailed dispersion modelling and has been utilised to assess a variety of odorous sources such as waste treatment, spray-painting cars, and food and drink manufacturing.

The screening methodology can include determining the impact of exposure through FIDOL assessment, which examines factors such as Frequency, Intensity, Duration, Offensiveness and Location. For some sources, e.g. intensive livestock rearing, other screening tools are available, such as the Simple Calculation of Atmospheric Impact Limits (SCAIL).

If the odour source is likely to have a significant adverse effect on existing or proposed receptors, modelling software can be used to further investigate the impact.

Detailed odour modelling
If detailed modelling of an odour is required, emission data about the odour under investigation is needed. If published data about the odour being investigated isn’t available, sampling and odour measurement may be required. Miller Goodall works with a trusted partner with vast experience in the field to undertake sampling and measurement.

Once emission data and technical information about the process such as stack location and size is available, we can complete modelling of potential impacts using ADMS software and advise on odour management and mitigation. Throughout the process, we consult closely with local authorities to ensure that the odour assessment we produce meets their criteria to safeguard against delays to your project.

Commercial kitchen odour assessments
Miller Goodall has completed many commercial kitchen odour assessments using the EMAQ (2018) “Control of Odour and Noise from Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Systems”.  This document includes guidance on:

• Preparation of an assessment for odour
• Identification of the potential risk of odour (very high, high, medium, low)
• Odour mitigation techniques appropriate to the level of risk
• Recommendations for best practice maintenance and equipment

Sectors
The main sectors we work across are Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Agricultural, Transport, Healthcare, Sport and Entertainment, and Education.

Standards

Guidance on the assessment of odour for planning V1.1 July 2018 found at
Click here for guidance

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