John Connell Awards – 5th November 2008 at the Houses of Parliament.
About bbs-tek
The bbs-tek® white sound reversing alarm creates a “ssh ssh” sound which is less irritating than tonal alarms, the broad band frequencies dissipates quicker than other reversing alarms, so that the warning sound is contained only in the danger area, eliminating noise complaints in residential areas.
The sound is directional and therefore locatable, which allows the visually impaired to detect which way a vehicle is moving, allowing them to move to safety. The wide spectrum of broadband sound frequencies also means that often the hearing impaired are able to detect some sound, unlike with single tone alarms.
The bbs-tek® is suitable for all vehicles from light vans and trucks to mobile plant.
Now considered to be the safest alarm on the market, which creates the least noise nuisance, the bbs-tek® is receiving world wide recognition as the modern alternative to the reversing alarm.
Awards
bbs-tek® receives the following accolades:
In 2003, Brigade Electronics was awarded the John Connell Innovation Award, for the unique white sound (broad band) reversing alarm. The bbs-tek® alarm is the solution to the noise pollution created by the unnecessarily loud tonal reversing alarms.
In April 2008, Brigade received the NAS-PIEK certificate for bbs-tek® during quiet night time deliveries.
Who is the NAS?
The Noise Abatement Society (NAS) is a registered charity that aims to reduce all forms of excessive noise. NAS was founded by John Connell in 1959 to raise awareness of how noise was harmful to society. In 1960 the Noise Abatement Act was added to the statute books and noise became a statutory nuisance.
John developed practical ideas, such as rubber dust bin lids, to reduce noise nuisance and encouraged manufacturers to consider noise reduction as a selling point. Today NAS continue to recognise innovative ways that local authorities and other organisations attempt to reduce noise pollution through the annual John Connell Awards.
What is Silent Approach?
The Silent Approach scheme in conjunction with NAS, local authorities, supermarkets and residents aims to reduce noise caused during night time deliveries. Using effective communication, quiet technology and a heightened awareness of the issues, the scheme aims to teach supermarkets how to conduct night time deliveries without disturbing the neighbours in an attempt to lift delivery hour restrictions.
Conducting night time deliveries reduces congestion, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and increases a more efficient distribution of perishable goods, product availability and safety.
Praise for bbs-tek
At the John Connell Award ceremony 2008 at the Houses of Parliament, Celia Barlow, Labour MP for Hove and Portslade praised broad band sound reversing alarms in her opening speech:
“Too often the constant noise that we are barraged with on a daily basis is defended along the lines of safety. Nobody would deny that it is important that we provide an environment whereby those with limited sight or awareness are warned of any potential hazards. However, it is also important that we provide a system of safety that is both beneficial and unobtrusive in our daily lives. To tackle these issues requires lateral thinking and innovation. New technologies should be encouraged to ensure that we all can enjoy a greater quality of life.
We already see new technology being put to good use. Initiatives such as the ‘broad-band’ alarm system will do much to ensure that the sound of reversing vehicles be reduced dramatically. And with the alarm itself being directed only in the path of the reversing vehicle, thus making it easier to pinpoint any potential hazard and reducing unnecessary noise leakage, we find a solution that is of benefit to both those that need to hear the warning and those who do not.”
