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Case Study

Fibreco Redevelopment Project

Year Completed

2021

Capital Cost

$85M

About This Project

The Fibreco Redevelopment Project is a port upgrade initiative in North Vancouver that supports future grain export operations by sea. The project includes major improvements such as the installation of railcar indexer and dumper systems, expansion of rail yard facilities, upgrades and additions to conveyor systems, enhancements to dust collection systems, construction of new grain storage silos, and installation of a new shiploader along with modifications to the existing berth.

Due to the port’s proximity to long-established residential communities, including Norgate, and its closeness to Bodwell School in the Harbourside area, environmental noise was an important consideration during permitting with Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) and in addressing the noise regulations of the District of North Vancouver (DNV).

BKL’s objective was to develop a clear understanding of the existing noise environment, simulate current and future noise conditions, and assess changes at noise-sensitive receptors. A key requirement for the project was to demonstrate that the redevelopment would not result in an overall increase in noise levels affecting the surrounding community.

Scope of Services

As the environmental acoustics consultant, and in response to requirements from both VFPA and DNV, BKL developed a structured scope of work focused on measurement, modeling, and noise impact assessment:

  • Establishing assessment framework and study approach: BKL collaborated with Fibreco and stakeholders to identify requirements from VFPA and DNV, and reviewed relevant project information, including operational activities, capacity, and supply chain considerations. Based on this, a Terms of Reference was developed to guide the methodology and assessment approach.
  • Baseline noise assessment: Using previously collected noise data from the Norgate residential area, combined with an additional week of measurements at Bodwell School in Harbourside, BKL established representative baseline conditions for the surrounding area.
  • On-site source measurements: Key noise sources at the Fibreco site included rail operations (arrival, unloading, and departure), conveyors, the shiploader, and dust collection systems. In addition, unattended monitoring equipment was deployed to capture rail-related noise over multiple days, supported by operational data provided by Fibreco.
  • Existing condition noise modeling: Using Cadna/A software, BKL developed a comprehensive noise model incorporating all major sources and accounting for sound propagation factors such as geometric spreading, atmospheric absorption, ground effects, and receptor elevation. Operational scenarios were defined using real data and reasonable assumptions.
  • Future noise prediction and impact assessment: The model was updated to reflect post-redevelopment conditions, allowing prediction of noise levels at surrounding residential areas. Comparisons between existing and future scenarios were conducted using adjusted noise metrics, including tonal and impulsive characteristics, and considering specific sources such as rail wheel squeal and coupling impacts.
  • Reporting and stakeholder engagement: BKL prepared a noise impact assessment report following recognized methodologies and criteria, participated in meetings with the client, and supported responses to regulatory inquiries.
  • Post-construction verification testing: Following commissioning of key project components, including the shiploader, BKL conducted on-site noise measurements to verify the assumptions used in the environmental noise model. The measured sound levels were reviewed and compared with the predicted values to confirm the accuracy of the assessment and compliance with permit requirements.

Project Benefits

BKL’s approach supported the assessment and permitting process in several important ways:

  • Reliable understanding of existing noise conditions: By combining measured data with modeling, the project established a strong foundation for characterizing the surrounding acoustic environment.
  • Transparent and evidence-based impact assessment: Comparisons between “with project” and “without project” scenarios helped clarify the extent of potential noise changes at sensitive receptors and supported discussions with VFPA and DNV.
  • Clear communication of technical information: Noise contour maps generated from the model helped illustrate the extent and magnitude of impacts in way that was easier for stakeholders to understand and discuss.
  • Alignment with regulatory requirements: The scope of work was structured to support regulatory expectations, including demonstrating no net increase in overall community noise levels.
  • Verification of modelling assumptions through field measurements: Post-construction noise measurements added confidence by confirming that the actual performance of key equipment, including the shiploader, was consistent with the original predictions.

The People Behind Our Work

Our Technical Leads

  • Mark Bliss
    Mark Bliss

    P.Eng., INCE

    President

    Mark Bliss

    Mark Bliss, P.Eng., INCE

    President

    Mark Bliss is a professional engineer and member of the Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE), with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of British Columbia. He has practiced as an acoustical consultant since 2003.

    Mark specializes in environmental noise and vibration assessment, with extensive experience evaluating transportation, industrial, construction, entertainment, commercial and other noise impacts. He has worked with all levels of government on noise policy and planning, and has appeared as an expert witness before the British Columbia Supreme Court and at municipal council hearings.

    His work includes field measurement, noise modelling, mitigation assessment and detailed reporting, using national and international standards and specialized software such as Cadna/A. He has prepared Environmental Assessment Certificate applications to BCEAA, CEAA and IFC requirements, and has conducted third-party reviews and training in noise and vibration measurement and assessment.

    Mark also has extensive experience in building acoustics, working on new construction and renovations to address environmental and mechanical noise, improve speech intelligibility and room acoustics, and achieve effective airborne and impact sound isolation. His work draws on CSA, ISO, ASTM, ANSI, WHO, Health Canada and other recognized standards and guidelines.

  • Gary Mak
    Gary Mak

    P.Eng., PMP

    Technical Director, Environmental Noise and Vibration

    Gary Mak

    Gary Mak, P.Eng., PMP

    Technical Director, Environmental Noise and Vibration

    Gary Mak graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and joined BKL the same year. Gary has since worked in the areas of environmental noise assessments, mechanical/industrial noise control, and architectural acoustics.

    Gary’s experience in architectural acoustics includes hospitals, educational facilities, performance spaces, offices, and operations buildings. His contributions to these projects include reviewing project acoustical requirements and building designs for partition sound isolation, room acoustics, mechanical noise control, and environmental noise control. For performance venues, Gary has experience working with more advanced techniques and parameters to assess and improve acoustical conditions for performers and audiences.

    Performing noise and vibration impact assessments for transportation, construction, industrial, and commercial projects, Gary has established baseline noise conditions, predicted future noise environments, rated noise impacts, and determined mitigation measures to meet project criteria. In particular, he has worked on mines, terminals, rail, transit centres, district energy centres, and other industrial and transportation projects.

    Gary is proficient in performing noise and vibration measurements with a variety of specialized equipment for investigations, bylaw assessments, room acoustics, and Sound Transmission Class (STC), and Impact Insulation Class (IIC) testing. He is also very familiar with using acoustical software including Cadna/A, Samurai, Insul, EASERA, and ODEON for impact analysis and design.

  • Brigette Martin
    Brigette Martin

    P.Eng., WELL AP

    Technical Director, Sound and Vibration Measurements

    Brigette Martin

    Brigette Martin, P.Eng., WELL AP

    Technical Director, Sound and Vibration Measurements

    Brigette Martin graduated from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2009. Before joining BKL in 2015, Brigette worked as an acoustic consultant on various building and environmental projects throughout New Zealand and Australia.

    Brigette has extensive experience with environmental noise including assessing noise impacts and designing noise mitigation for gas compressor and pump stations, power generation sites, port terminals, and transformers sites; modelling construction noise, and developing construction noise abatement and management plans; designing noise controls and preparing noise management plans for mines and quarries; and monitoring benchmark noise, developing 3-D noise models, and designing noise walls for road infrastructure projects.

    In the area of building acoustics, Brigette has been involved in numerous projects and has consulted on sound insulation and mechanical services design, as well as controlling external noise intrusion and reverberation noise levels, and optimizing speech clarity for critical spaces.

    Over her career, Brigette has gained experience with a wide range of technical equipment and software including Insul, SoundPLAN, Cadna/A, SONarchitect, Brüel & Kjær analyzers, and numerous other sound level meters.

    Brigette has also developed and presented training courses for using acoustical software and sound level meters for acoustical engineers and clients throughout New Zealand and Australia.

  • Trevor Cheng
    Trevor Cheng

    P.Eng., MIOA

    Managing Specialist Acoustical Consultant

    Trevor Cheng

    Trevor Cheng, P.Eng., MIOA

    Managing Specialist Acoustical Consultant

    Trevor Cheng holds a bachelor of applied science (engineering physics) from University of British Columbia and joined BKL in January 2016, with experience in environmental and architectural acoustics, as well as condition monitoring, and machine vibration analysis and diagnostics.

    With BKL, Trevor has primarily been involved in transportation, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects. His work experience includes measuring baseline noise conditions, predicting future noise environments, assessing noise impact, and offering mitigation measures where appropriate.

    Trevor also has experience in architectural acoustics, working on hospitals, performance spaces, and multipurpose buildings. He is proficient in measuring noise insulation performance, reviewing building designs, and predicting noise levels from HVAC equipment.

    Prior to joining BKL, Trevor worked in London, UK, on a wide variety of projects ranging from large-scale architectural renovations to major airport improvement works. He has unique experience in measuring and assessing noise and vibration in buildings from underground rail sources.

    He also has experience using sound level meters by Brüel & Kjær, Norsonic, and Larson Davis, and software tools such as Cadna/A. He is familiar with ASTC/AIIC testing and using acoustic software including Insul, SONarchitect, and EASE for indoor noise predictions.

    Trevor is a member of the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) in the UK.