Grinders and hammer drills often exceed 90 dB(A). Sept Tools brushless machines sit around 60 dB(A) at the operator position, a benchmark measured on reference machines. Enough to work on occupied sites, hospitals or schools, without complaints or restricted hours.
How do you reduce noise on a construction site? The question becomes central as soon as the site is occupied: a working hospital, a school, offices, inhabited housing, a car park still in use. Noise at work is governed by European Directive 2003/10/EC, implemented in the UK through the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Three thresholds structure prevention, expressed as the daily A-weighted exposure LEX,8h: from 80 dB(A) (lower exposure action value) the employer must make hearing protection available and inform workers; at 85 dB(A) (upper exposure action value) wearing it becomes mandatory, with zone signage and audiometric checks; the exposure limit value is set at 87 dB(A), taking protector attenuation into account. A grinder or a corded hammer drill commonly runs between 90 and 100 dB(A): above the thresholds, with neighbour complaints and restricted working hours to follow. Sept Tools brushless machines sit around 60 dB(A) at the operator position, a benchmark measured on reference machines (not an identical spec for every model). That level, close to normal conversation, changes everything on sensitive sites. Built in Roanne, France, they connect to class H extraction so noise and dust are handled in the same pass.
Benchmark measured on reference machines, close to normal conversation.
Directive 2003/10/EC: above this, hearing protection made available.
Upper action value: hearing protection becomes mandatory.
Concrete dust and water spray on demanding sites.
No brushes, no commutator: mechanical noise drops. Around 60 dB(A) at the operator position, measured on reference machines.
Hospitals, schools, offices, inhabited housing: work without neighbour complaints or restricted hours.
Class H extraction at the source: a quiet and dust-free site, two nuisances handled in one pass.
Design office and assembly in France. Parts in stock, national after-sales, 2-year warranty.
Identify the noisy positions and the occupied-site constraints (hours, neighbours).
Replace corded grinders and hammer drills with the quiet brushless range.
Class H extraction: handle noise and dust in the same pass.
Check exposure below the Directive 2003/10/EC thresholds (80, 85, 87 dB(A)).
Daytime work, no complaints or restrictions, programme kept on track.
Acoustic survey
Identify the noisy positions and the occupied-site constraints (hours, neighbours).
Brushless machines
Replace corded grinders and hammer drills with the quiet brushless range.
Capture at the source
Class H extraction: handle noise and dust in the same pass.
Noise compliance
Check exposure below the Directive 2003/10/EC thresholds (80, 85, 87 dB(A)).
Calm occupied site
Daytime work, no complaints or restrictions, programme kept on track.
The machines below are selected for this application: brushless motors, dust captured at the source (class H extraction) and anti-MSD design. Quote within 24h.
View product The Petit Potam XM165 is our compact concrete wall grinder for surface preparation, paint removal, raw concrete grinding, plaster, adhesives and resins. Brushless 1600 W constant-torque motor, vibration measured at 0.35 m/s² (14 times below the 5 m/s² ELV threshold), 60 dB on occupied job sites. Compatible with our Mygale gantries, Gecko balancers and Eland trolleys for ergonomic work on large surfaces. IP65 sealing, x14 motor lifespan vs brushed designs. Built and assembled in France.
View product The Tapir XTT330 is our professional concrete floor grinder for screed preparation, industrial surfacing and polished concrete finishing. Brushless 1600 W constant-torque motor, 49 kg, 60 dB, vibration 0.27 m/s², IP65. Throughput 19 to 26 m²/h on concrete depending on hardness. Compatible with our class H vacuums IU33 Longopac, IU40, IU51, IU81 for crystalline silica OEL compliance. No sparking, no overheating, x14 motor lifespan vs brushed designs. Parts in stock in Roanne, 48h after-sales.
View product The Fouine XB165 is our versatile wall and ceiling grinder, designed for renovation, construction, demolition, asbestos abatement and dismantling. Brushless 1600 W constant-torque motor, 0.35 m/s² vibration, 60 dB(A), IP65. Mounted on a Gazelle Premium or Eland trolley, it grinds concrete ceilings without holding the machine overhead. Ø165 disc for grinding, swappable bush-hammering drum in under 2 minutes. Designed in Roanne, parts in stock, national 48h after-sales.
View product The Gazellomur (grinding configuration) is our brushless 3-in-1 combo on gantry: grinding, bush hammering and planing with one machine. In grinding: 60 to 90 m²/h on concrete, 30 to 50 on plaster and adhesives, 20 to 40 on bitumen and resins. 1600 W constant torque, IP65, native ergonomics (the gantry carries the machine, the operator guides). Compatible with Sept Tools class H vacuums. Built and assembled in France.
View product The Gazelle Premium trolley carries the Fouine XB165 (or other compatible machine) for strain-free ceiling grinding. 36.2 kg, working height up to 3.80 m, non-marking wheels. Single-operator throughput 7 to 12 m²/h on concrete, x4 vs manual pole. Compatible with class H vacuums IU33 Longopac and IU40-200. Built in Roanne, European delivery within 5 to 10 working days.
View product The ELAND GRINDING ARM is a ceiling grinding trolley fitted with a grinding arm module to support the FOUINE or FOUINETTE grinder.
Grinder or hammer drill at 90-100 dB(A): complaints, local orders, restricted hours, lost commercial contracts.
Brushless around 60 dB(A): permanent coexistence, no restricted hours on sensitive sites.
Above 85 dB(A), hearing protection is mandatory (Directive 2003/10/EC), with a recognised risk of occupational deafness.
Around 60 dB(A) at the position: below the 80 dB(A) action value, the operator communicates normally.
Hospital, school, office: noise forces short or night slots, stretching the programme and the cost.
60 dB(A): extended daytime hours on occupied sites, without disturbing the activity in place.
Conventional grinding or drilling: sound nuisance plus silica dust, a double non-compliance on sensitive sites.
Quiet brushless plus class H extraction: both nuisances captured at the source, in one pass.
Surface prep, grinding and drilling in an occupied healthcare building, next to patients and staff. At 60 dB(A) the work happens in daytime without disturbing care or forcing a night shift.
Refurbishment on a school site during term or supervised periods. The reduced sound level avoids holiday-only slots and keeps tight summer campaigns on schedule.
Floor-by-floor office fit-out in a building still in use. Quiet machines coexist with the teams in place, without a site shutdown or temporary relocation.
Concrete repair, coating removal and surface prep in occupied blocks. At 60 dB(A) working hours respect building rules without piling up neighbour complaints.
Our sales team will help you choose your professional tools.
Free quote, no obligation, reply within 24h. Equipment guaranteed 24 months.
