Air pollution control and emission control for industrial plants

Our environmental protection officers advise operators and facility managers on issues related to environmental protection. They fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the emission control officer in accordance with Section 54 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) and the provisions of the 5th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV). They accompany facility inspections, monitor changes to regulations, provide support with permitting issues, prepare reports on environmental topics for company management, and help implement requirements in a structured manner during ongoing operations.

Our services

• Performance of statutory duties of the emissions control officer
• Support in the preparation of legally compliant
• Permitting documents
• Coordination and evaluation of measurements
• Advice on individual compliance with regulations
• Chimney height assessments according to TA Luft (Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control)
• Fulfillment of reporting obligations

A particular focus is on noise and sound insulation as well as vibration measurements. Our specialists measure sound emissions from machines, units, and equipment, as well as noise immissions in the surrounding area. They prepare noise immission forecasts, sound propagation calculations, and acoustic reports, for example, for permitting procedures, plant modifications, urban planning, or in response to complaints. Furthermore, vibration measurements can be carried out and vibration exposure levels determined.

Our services

• Sound measurements on systems, machines, and units
• Noise immission measurements in the neighborhood
• Individual source analysis and overall system analysis
• Workplace measurements and determination of noise exposures
• Noise immission forecasts according to TA Lärm (Technical Instructions on Noise Protection)
• Detailed sound propagation calculations
• Building and room acoustic measurements
• Construction noise measurements and monitoring
• Construction planning from an acoustic perspective
• Planning and evaluation of noise reduction measures
• Cost-benefit analysis of reduction measures
• Follow-up measurements after implemented measures
• Acoustic reports for permit applications
• Vibration measurements and determination of vibration exposures

Noise measurements do more than simply verify guideline values. Abnormal noise emissions can also indicate unusual operating conditions or damage to machinery and equipment. In this way, noise control also supports plant safety and helps prevent unnecessary downtime. Noise and vibration exposure measurements also contribute to occupational safety.

The Monitoring team supports ongoing plant operations by using air monitoring stations to monitor air quality for the benefit of people and the environment.

Our Services

• Management of measurement systems and air monitoring stations
• Maintenance, calibration, and data collection
• Support with measurement and documentation requirements
• Ambient air quality monitoring
• Management of stationary air monitoring stations
• Spot checks and passive samplers
• Collection of relevant air quality parameters

Our measurement point assists companies with air quality control issues related to both emissions and ambient air quality. This includes emission measurements at facilities, ambient air quality measurements in the surrounding area, measurement plans, measurement reports, chimney height assessments, and technical evaluations.

Our Services

• Regulatory and operational emission measurements
• Continuous and discontinuous pollutant measurements
• Functional testing and calibration of continuous monitoring equipment
• Testing of automatic monitoring equipment
• Preparation of measurement plans and measurement reports
• Consulting on the design and implementation of monitoring stations

Infraserv Höchst supports operators of industrial facilities in all matters related to pollution control. This includes consulting, emissions measurement, functional testing and calibration of continuous monitoring systems, environmental monitoring, noise measurements, vibration measurements, forecasts, expert reports, measurement technology, and external pollution control officers.

Your benefit: You receive specialized services that are technically distinct yet work together effectively within a project.

The Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) serves as the central legal basis. It regulates the construction and operation of facilities to ensure environmentally sound operation.

Implementing regulations (BImSchV) specify further requirements for facilities within its scope of application. Administrative regulations such as the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft), the Odor Emission Guidelines, and the Technical Instructions on Noise Control (TA Lärm) specify requirements for air quality control, noise protection, and sound insulation, and define criteria for the approval of your facilities. The definitions of “state of the art” (BREF documents) supplement these requirements with the latest information.

We would be happy to advise you on all matters related to immission control.

Operators of facilities requiring a permit must appoint an emissions control officer in accordance with Section 53 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG). The responsibilities of emissions control officers require not only comprehensive technical expertise but also detailed knowledge of all current regulatory requirements as well as anticipated future requirements.

The obligation to appoint an emissions control officer for certain types of facilities is explicitly regulated in the 5th BImSchV. According to Section 5 of the 5th BImSchV, companies may appoint an emissions control officer who is not an employee of the company—that is, an external emissions control officer.

We would be happy to provide you with an external emissions control officer and assume the tasks and duties associated with this role on your behalf in accordance with Section 54 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG).

The external emissions control officer advises you, as the operator, on your facilities.

The duties and activities of an external emissions control officer fully comply with the legal requirements set forth in Section 54 of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) and the 5th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV). In addition to providing advice, conducting inspections, and taking measures in accordance with regulatory requirements for emission control, these duties also include fulfilling reporting obligations and engaging in ongoing professional development.

We represent your interests before government agencies and industry associations, assist in the development of regulatory frameworks, and maintain a clear overview amid the increasing complexity of emission control regulations.

Operators of facilities requiring a permit and those not requiring a permit must comply with the regulations of the Technical Instructions on Noise (TA Lärm). This includes adhering to the permissible noise levels at exposure locations in the surrounding area—depending on the type of zone, such as a residential, mixed-use, or commercial zone, as well as the time of day.

During the permitting process, noise forecasts and baseline measurements must be submitted; their results must be adhered to as conditions of the permit. In addition to the duty to protect, the duty to take precautionary measures is also an important component: Facilities must be operated in accordance with the state of the art in such a way that noise emissions are minimized.

Regular noise emission and noise immission measurements help ensure compliance with requirements, enable the early detection of problems—such as signs of aging or wear on equipment—and facilitate noise reduction measures, as well as help prevent conflicts by promoting greater transparency toward neighbors, authorities, and employees.

As an accredited and notified measurement body under Section 29b of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG), we can also perform these measurements for you.

In Germany, employers must comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Regulation on Noise and Vibration (LärmVibrationsArbSchV) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (ArbSchG). As part of a risk assessment, hazards to employees must be identified and evaluated. This also applies to noise and vibrations in the workplace that can be harmful to health. Noise-induced hearing loss is one of the most common occupational diseases in Germany.

In addition, so-called noise zones must be designated where hearing protection must be worn. Implementing noise and vibration control measures enhances health and safety at work and can contribute to higher employee motivation and satisfaction.

Workplaces must be designed to meet the requirements of the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV) and ASR A3.7 Noise. For tasks requiring concentration, assessment levels must be adhered to in order to prevent reduced performance and stress reactions.

Noise reduction measures can be specifically supported and cost-effectively planned with the help of room and building acoustics measurements.

The frequency of air pollutant emission measurements from your facility’s emission sources varies depending on the type of facility and the emission source. Once the emission mass flow reaches a defined threshold, continuous emission measurements are required. For periodic individual measurements, the standard frequency is once a year, or once every three years.

We would be happy to inform you about the conditions under which you may be eligible for exemptions regarding measurement cycles. As an accredited and notified measurement facility under Section 29b of the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG), we can also perform these measurements for you.

Environmental protection encompasses several disciplines: air quality control, emissions measurement, vibration exposure, noise control, sound insulation, measurement technology, and air quality monitoring. Infraserv Höchst brings these areas of expertise together in specialized teams and coordinates services to meet your specific needs.

The benefits for you: reduced internal workload, clear lines of responsibility, reliable data, and expert support throughout the entire plant operation.