Frost Fans are equal opportunity annoyers

The good folks in Surrey, British Columbia are finding out that frost fans are more than willing to wake up residents who live next to blueberries as well as vineyards.

(See this article in the Peace Arch News)

This should serve to emphasise that the problem isn't the fan's, so much as the arrogance of those who install them in situations where the health of their neighbours are of little concern.

Another lesson to be reinforced is the lack of fortitude of local government in the face of health of residents on one hand and making money on the other.

Don't discriminate. Go to Remuera.

Great to see NZ Winegrowers Chief Executive Phillip Gregan get behind the gangs to give them a bit of moral support (see article here in the Marlborough Express). Discrimination on the basis of being 'parasitic criminals who commit serious crime' (The Police's words) is a bit much.

I'm sure Phil would be keen to offer alternative employment in Remuera where he lives.

Much noise from the fans up there Phil?

Got to love those absentee owners.

Go on-give them a job! Remember to wear a helmet to avoid being struck by flying loppers though.

Thank you wine industry

Ah yes. For those who doubted the involvement of gangs in the vineyards, the latest edition of the Marlborough Express has an interesting article about the arrest of a group of gang associates, for brawling in a residential area (I don't suppose it matters where brawling occurs does it?).

What gave it away that they were associated with the vineyards?

Unfortunately a bystander was hit by a pair of 'vineyard loppers'. That and the quotes from the Police do tend to indicate a connection.

The vineyards have brought so much to the community.

(Big ups to the Police for their efforts in keeping this situation under close scrutiny. Thanks.)

Wind machines test credibility skills.

In what has been a slightly bizarre twist to the normal towing of the Winegrowers line by the Marlborough District Council, the MDC have agreed to accept several points suggested in the Maassen report put out earlier this year.

Read more here from stuff.co.nz

Specifically, they have agreed to accept the following recommendations (the numbers are the paragraph numbers from the report);

(4) There needs to be a forensic enforcement / monitoring methodology developed by MDC and implemented to identify in at least two key 'hot spots' to understand the scale of the alleged problem including its frequency and duration.

(5) The Permitted Activity Rule should be changed promptly so that:

(a) classification of the activity of constructing and operating wind machines is at least a controlled activity to enable the imposition of conditions that provide for effective monitoring by MDC and a requirement wind machine operators adopt BPO options in line with technological improvements;

(b) the noise performance standard is 55dBA L10 and no other penalty under NZS6802:1991 for SAC applies

While the report contains a number of curious findings and frankly misses the big ticket question "At what level does the noise from frost fans become a health hazard", there are bright spots amongst the murk.

Someone will hopefully be feeling sorry for Stuart Smith (Some head schrang for the NZ Winegrowers clot) who addressed the Committee after they had decided to accept the recommendations (which actually seems fair, since the other respondents to the reports contents were not given an opportunity to speak).

While they're at it, they can feel sorry for Councillor Hope who was stood out of discussions because of the glaring conflict of interest his involvement would have produced.

A little more detail on the new FrostBoss Blades

Just a little. In fact a tiny bit. Really tiny.

So small as to be almost lost.

Still better than nothing.

Frost Boss have published a noise figure for their new fan as being 53dBA L10 at 300m.

Like all things in the world of frost fans, there is no indication of independent testing data, just a figure. The good news is that it's smaller than the previous figure for their 4 bladed fans, and they were already the quietest on the scene. The bad news is that like the Defender, I'll believe it when I read it in a report from an acoustical engineer (or whatever those people are).

Till then, let's hope their testing figures are a little more 'real' than their advertising.

The observant amongst the readers will note the following advert bears a striking resemblance to a picture from earlier advertising. I can only presume that photo-shopping is cheaper than actual photography.

Defender vs FrostBoss the Quiet Battle is joined

Oooo....

Thanks to alert readers who spotted the attached advert in last weeks Marlborough Express, we have a new insight into further developments in the Frost Fan world.

It would appear that Frost Boss haven't been sitting back and relaxing while the cacophony of complaints of frost fan noise continues.

Low and behold their new creation. The C49. Or as Frost Boss would put it, "The New Quiet" (a new more exciting name could be in order).

In fact this release is so low key, this is the only smidgen of information I can find on the new blades.

That's right, no specs, no dimensions, no noise levels. Nothing on their web site. Nada. Very quiet indeed.

It's kind of like seeing a movie trailer without seeing the movie.

So, part of the move towards quieter fans? Oh yes. Why? Because they're too loud. Isn't it funny how you only have to repeat something obvious about 10,000 times before action is taken.

Nobody admits that the old fans WERE too noisy, they just bring out new 'Quiet' fans.

Don't get me wrong (although you know I love the hate mail). Good work Frost Boss. You have (maybe had) the quietest machine on the market with the previous model of 4 bladed fan. The new Defender may be quieter (if we ever see any testing info). But you haven't rested on your laurels. The new looking blade does have sex appeal (nice curves) but is it enough?

Defender vs C49. Let the battle of the quiet fans with no published noise specifications begin!

Hyprocrisy lives on in the MDC

A decision yesterday to allow a resource consent to erect wind turbines near Ward can be seen to be a progressive move.

These installations have sometimes been dogged by complaints from neighbours on a range of topics from ascetics to noise.

It comes as a surprise to this observer to note a requirement for the operation of the turbine to produce no more than 40dB of noise at the boundary of any nearby dwelling built at the date of the consent. (no actual acoustic quality of the noise is mentioned in the article here, just the level)

Noise levels set at the boundary? Great Idea.

40dB (perhaps dBA L10?). Seems very reasonable.

Why has it not happened with frost fans?

Rural residents endure noise levels that exceed 65dBA L10 from cumulative and isolated frost fan emplacements while absentee owners live far removed from the problem.

Good one MDC. You know what side your bread is buttered on.

MDC endangering residents health.

It's a bit tragic isn't it?

Gosh, wouldn't that be awful?

How do they put up with it?

It must be a nightmare!

All good sentiments, but a face to the hell that is living next to frost fans was presented to Marlborough District Councilors today as part of submissions on the Long Term Council Community Plan.

Michael Hyson and his family have been tortured by an unsympathetic neighbour (who probably doesn't even live there) and an apathetic Council who have been far more inclined to pay lip service to action than take any themselves.

This article was published in the Marlborough Express on his appearance today.

It's worth a read.

And if you're wondering if this is some tragic isolated case. Think again. The Hysons are the tip of the iceberg.

How much noise is your neighbour allowed to make before it's too much?

The argument is often bleated in the hate mail that I occasionally receive that "It's the country. Go back to town if you don't like it." Ironic isn't it? Go back to the town if you don't like the noise.

The Hyson's were there first. Does that count for anything?

What noise level is acceptable?

There must be a limit surely?

Is it OK to keep your neighbour awake all night?

At what point does it become a health risk?

Who's taking responsibility for the ratepayers?

Do the Councilors at the Marlborough District Council take any responsibility for the Health of the residents?

How many of them have a conflict of interest with the wine industry that makes them unable to pass judgement?

How many of the Directors of the companies that the Council operate have an interest in the wine industry?

Mr Hyson, if you read this or if someone who knows him can get a copy of his presentation, I'd like to make it available if possible.

Is the Defender a Hoax?

The alert reader will recall my post on the 10th of March where I put forward the proposal that if you repeat something often enough it becomes true (irrespective of the facts). 

This was in response to the distinct lack of testing information coming out about the new Defender frost fan in spite of repeated advertising singing its praises at being ultra quiet.

Well go figure, an enterprising student has reinforced the theory that an inaccuracy repeated often enough can easily pass as the truth. Have a read of this article where a Dublin University Student posted a fake quote which was attributed to Maurice Jarre on Wikipedia (shortly after Jarre's death).

It turns out that the quote was widely reported as genuine to the point where the student felt it necessary to point out his deliberate deception for fear that history would take the quote as genuine. The media it seems was only too happy to report from a source with no attempt at verification and with no questions asked.

Does this sound familiar?

It should.

We've been hearing advertising about the low noise of the Defender fan since December 2008. But still no facts. No journo has asked for any confirmation of the figures, and no independent testing data has been supplied (to my knowledge, and I try to keep abreast of these things).

This could of course simply be the ranting of the fringe element, but I happened to take a drive down Paynters Road in Blenheim on the weekend, and the site where there are supposedly two of those big green Defender fans installed had one Silver fan and one bare pole. 

Still testing by any chance?

I'd like to say that history would be the judge, but you know how easily history can be concocted.

Jack Frost Successfully Predicts Future!!

Ha!

I never want to miss an opportunity to say I told you so, and so I better cut to the chase.

In this post in the middle of March, I predicted that in spite of the problems that have beset the local wineries from economic difficulties, to dumping wine (no matter how many times you deny it, selling 'skins' for nix is still dumping in my book), to cr@ppy weather, Botrytis and more frequent frosts, there would still be a proclamation of an excellent season, because THERE IS NEVER A BAD SEASON.

Golly, imagine my surprise to read this article in stuff.co.nz. Here's some classic quotes;

• "the fruit was brilliant "
  
• "the winemakers rated the chardonnay as the best they had ever seen"
  
• "It's shaping up to be one of the best vintages"
  
• "the quality of the pinot grape was at an all-time high"
  
• "We are really excited about the fruit that we have harvested"
  
• "In 16 years working vintages, this year was the best for quality"
  
• "Marlborough had had a stunning season"
  
• "the region had a great harvest"
  

Ahh... Yes... Another great season.

The Wineries have already placed their adds for the celebration of another great year with fantastic flavours (really, they have).

Hang on, let me check... Isn't the wine still in the tank??

I was interested in seeing a documentary on bottled water, where a doubter who had a hard time believing the cost of a $5 bottle of NZ water stated that "I thought the wine industry had a monopoly on bullsh!t". 

I think you'll find that economic times are hard and the competition for bullsh!t is fierce.

Measurement of frost fan rotation for checking compliance.

Thanks Jack for having me back on the blog. Hopefully I’ve got something here suitable for your readers on both sides of the fence to use to help make sure that every one is playing by the rules.

In October last year I outlined different potential methods for measuring the speed of rotation of frost fans. This was in a follow up to my post on what needs to be measured to ensure compliance, where I backed a system of measuring the speed of rotation to confirm compliance with an accepted level of noise (established by expert testing as part of the commissioning process for a model of fan).

While I outlined several different techniques in theory, I did not have a workable solution for any. I now do.

I have prepared a paper on how to measure the speed of a frost fan and by doing so establishing its compliance with an established noise level.

This method uses a video camera to capture the fans motion and software to measure the rotation. This is a technique that can be carried out relatively easily, at good distances (I have measured fans at over 830 metres distance) and with a high degree of accuracy (the paper describes two additional different measurements that were carried out in order to confirm the rotation of a fan to verify accuracy).

This described method can be carried out at night time with the application of sufficient illumination and provides a record of evidence of whether the activity is compliant or not.

I have measured approximately a dozen fans thus far and have found the technique becomes easier after a bit of practice.

I have published this under the GNU Free Document Licence which gives people the right to freely copy and distribute it with the proviso that is cannot be modified without ensuring that the free nature of the document continues (at least that’s what the legal fraternity seem to believe). In other words, it’s free to use and if you want to use it as the basis for future work on the topic, this must be free also.

 If there are questions on the technique, feel free to leave them in the comments section.

The paper can be downloaded from here. (1.7MB download)

Noise awareness day

Happy Noise Awareness Day!

I am told that today is Noise Awareness Day. The idea being to promote better health through managing noise in the environment amongst other things.

This of course means that it gets top marks from us here at the Frost Fans Blog.

See here for a TV3 piece on noise control.

Lest we forget

At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

We will remember.

Heartfelt thanks to those who serve.

Still the noise goes on.

Has it been a busy Autumn for the frost fans or am I imagining things?

By my count this morning would be the 9th day with activity.

I seem to remember a resource consultant telling a District Council Committee that it was rare for a fan to operate in Autumn. They estimated 2 times.

I'm blaming global warming, SARS, economic downturn, Y2K and the hole in the Ozone layer. Or is this just the sleep deprivation talking?

Well would you look at that. Missing fans return.

The dedicated reader will recall a post on the 7th of September 2008 that questioned the safety of an Orchard Rite fan that had its blade secured so tightly that it produced a visible bend in the blade.

The downright avid reader will recall a follow up report on the 25th of February 2008 that highlighted the fact that all the fans from this particular paddock 'disappeared'.

I am pleased to report that after what I could only imagine is part of an annual migratory journey, the fans are back and upright.

Where did they go?

Mystery.

Why did they go?

Mystery.

Speculative theories abound;

• The infamous 'Marlborough triangle' strikes again?
  
• Fan-napped by mischievous uni students (University of Catalonia is my pick)?
  
• Fan-rustlers?
  
• Mechanical problem highlighted by Frost Fans Blog prompts maintenance?
  

Your guess dear reader is as good as mine.

More advertising from FMR on the Defender. More confusion

When with the madness end you ask?

Not any time soon I'm afraid. 

While we are still waiting for some objective empirical measurements on the new Defender frost fan's performance, more advertising has rolled out of what I can only assume is FMR's fertile imagination.

The latest offering that appeared in my e-mail in-box is resplendent with inaccuracies (The Defender's fans are described as aluminium, which might be right, but it contradicts earlier information that they are a composite material).

But that's hardly the most interesting part. That is saved for the last page where they basically bag the oppositions fans and provide some interesting noise data. I thought I had a good range of official testing information, but I'm afraid that none of it agrees with the 'data' that is reproduced there for the Frost Boss or Orchard Rite fans. If the intention is to present new testing data, this falls far short of acceptable but it does approach 'Libel' which I'm informed by Wikipedia means "Communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image.". Sounds about right.

But wait there's more...

More claims of no special audible characteristics.... (Yawn, getting tired now).

Gratuitous use of meteorological terms "during expected normal operating conditions in meteorological category 6" (this particular category is for strong downwind conditions which are the worst possible for acoustic measurements) .

And as for the graph! Where to begin. In spite of the libel issue raising its ugly head again, I actually have no idea what it means. The University of Canterbury apparently do know, although it is difficult to tell as the reference is made to 'UOC'. Now I believe that the University of Canterbury will normally use 'UoC' or 'UC' as an abbreviation, however the Open University of Catalonia apparently use 'UOC'. So perhaps it's them? That would explain the reason that a lot of this documentation appears to be lost in translation.

When will the accuracy begin?

About the same time the Defender gets taken seriously.

Seriously.

Who's in charge at the MDC?

In a continuation of the wrangling over the resignation of councillor Pat O'Sullivan, an assertion reported in stuff.co.nz is that the council management are in charge of the council, rather than the councillors.

I have sympathy with this view frankly. And I'll go further to assert that 'Big Wine' has a lot to answer for by pushing their agendas (which include allowing noisy frost control) through persons within the council that operate with a conflict of interest.

That conflict of interest sees a bias to support viticulture activities to the detriment of safety and environmental standards across the district.

So who are these people?

Well I imagine that the directors on the boards of the council companies should be looked at as well as those in senior management positions. 

Either way, I believe that I have found a new way to vote for a replacement for Pat (unless Pat decides to run again in which case he is scooping my vote). The candidate that is living in the area which has the highest potential for noise from frost fans wins. 

Let the voting commence.

News Flash 7_April:

Pat is still thinking about running according to the latest in stuff.co.nz

C'mon Pat, you're a straight shooter. I know this is a big ask and it must be as frustrating as hell for you, but someone who's willing to call it as they see it has a place in representing the genuine interests of the people of Marlborough.

Wairau/Awatere Resource Management Plan is proposed not longer!

Yes you heard right. You can cross out the word proposed and take it as read.

Better than that, since it is now officially 'set in stone' the Marlborough District Council have made access to is much easier.

You could pay bazillions for printed copies. Or you could pay a bit ($20) for them to burn a CD for you.

Or you could download it for free from;

Here for Volume 1;

Here for Volume 2;

and

Here for Volume 3.

Good work Marlborough District Council. 12 years of toil.

Marlborough Wind Machine Workshop Report

Well Mr John Maassen has published a report on the recent workshop on the use of wind machines for frost protection that was held in Marlborough in October 2008.

You can get hold of a copy here (approximately 1.4MB).

This report is now being passed to the Marlborough District Council's Environmental Policy Committee for their comment.

It contains some interesting information, but little that puts the major issues to rest.

Will the workshop have been a worthwhile endeavour?

If it could provide a workable solution to the integration of sleeping residents and noisy frost fans, then it would be a success.

But frankly, it can't.

In my humble opinion, the best that the workshop has achieved has been a chance for the Marlborough District Council to look like it's taking an interest in a district wide problem. There is no solution provided and so the status quo will continue.

But didn't the Marlborough District Council do the right thing? By having a workshop? By not making it an open forum? Are you kidding?

If this sounds eerily familiar, it will be because it is a similar issue to that which has resulted in Marlborough district councillor Pat O'Sullivan resigning claiming that public excluded workshops were not serving his constituents.

Well this workshop has succeeded in not protecting the health of those residents that will be sleep deprived due to frost fan activity. But it will serve those chasing the grape dollar. Of course if they're absentee owners then I suppose they're not residents. (Never mind.)

Money or health?

Money or health?

Hmm... Tricky one....

Just how loud is loud?

It's often difficult to know how loud an activity is.

The following table (sourced from here) lists common noises and tells you how loud they are.

190 dBA Heavy weapons, 10 m behind the weapon (maximum level)

180 dBA Toy pistol fired close to ear (maximum level)

170 dBA Slap on the ear, fire cracker explodes on shoulder, small arms at a distance of 50 cm (maximum level)

160 dBA Hammer stroke on brass tubing or steel plate at 1 m distance, airbag deployment very close at a distance of 30 cm (maximum level)

150 dBA Hammer stroke in a smithy at 5 m distance (maximum level)

130 dBA Loud hand clapping at 1 m distance (maximum level)

120 dBA Whistle at 1 m distance, test run of a jet at 15 m distance 

115 dBA Take-off sound of planes at 10 m distance

110 dBA Siren at 10 m distance, frequent sound level in discotheques and close to loudspeakers at rock concerts, violin close to the ear of an orchestra musicians (maximum level)

105 dBA Chain saw at 1 m distance, banging car door at 1 m distance (maximum level), racing car at 40 m distance, possible level with music head phones

100 dBA Frequent level with music via head phones, jack hammer at 10 m distance

95 dBA Loud crying, hand circular saw at 1 m distance

90 dBA Angle grinder outside at 1 m distance

85 dBA 2-stroke chain-saw at 10 m distance, loud WC flush at 1 m distance

80 dBA Very loud traffic noise of passing lorries at 7.5 m distance, high traffic on an expressway at 25 m distance

75 dBA Passing car at 7.5 m distance, un-silenced wood shredder at 10 m distance

70 dBA Level close to a main road by day, quiet hair dryer at 1 m distance to ear

65 dBA Bad risk of heart circulation disease at constant impact is possible

60 dBA Noisy lawn mower at 10 m distance

55 dBA Low volume of radio or TV at 1 m distance, noisy vacuum cleaner at 10 m distance

50 dBA Refrigerator at 1 m distance, bird twitter outside at 15 m distance

45 dBA Noise of normal living; talking, or radio in the background

40 dBA Distraction when learning or concentration is possible

35 dBA Very quiet room fan at low speed at 1 m distance

25 dBA Sound of breathing at 1 m distance

0 dBA Auditory threshold

So for instance the house in the picture with a frost fan 30m from it (opposite Fairhall school) will be experiencing a noise louder than a hairdryer at 1m. Try it. Then try to sleep.