ForConstructionPros.com

One such community is Aspen, CO. Its city council declared noise to be a significant source of environmental pollution that represents "a present and increasing threat to the public peace and to the health, safety and welfare of its residents and visitors." Consequently, it developed a policy of permissible noise levels for various areas and times. For example, the maximum permissible noise level in a commercial district is 60 dBA from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

San Diego, CA, has taken a broader approach. Between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., it's unlawful to alter or repair any building or structure that creates "disturbing, excessive or offensive noise" unless a permit has been granted. Repeat noise offenders can be fined up to $2,500.

Due to such limitations, many of today's breakers — including Allied's S-, E- and G-Series models — incorporate sound suppression material, which reduces the noise produced by the piston as it strikes the tool inside the hammer box, Smith points out. "This allows contractors to work in areas where noise is a problem, such as near urban areas, schools, hospitals, places of worship and homes for the aging," he says.

Vibro Silenced Plus breakers are completely enclosed and sealed inside a steel box with polyurethane pads and dampeners, says Rich Elliott, hydraulic applications manager, Atlas Copco Construction Tools, LLC. "This reduces the amount of noise created by the breaker because it acts like a muffler," he explains. "That enables the breaker to be used in areas that are sensitive to noise pollution."

Reducing noise has the added benefit of reducing the vibrations that are passed on to the carrier and operator. This adds up to increased operator comfort and machine life.