Factory Noise Control Solutions
Reducing noise in an inherently noisy factory environment is a complicated problem to solve. Loud machinery requires access for operation by employees and for ongoing essential maintenance, which prevents complete isolation. The starting point to resolve any existing noise issue, or while addressing during the initial design stage, is to identify the dominant noise sources and rank them in order of significance. This focused approach provides the information to design an effective noise control solution which in most cases requires a combined approach – the most effective methods fall into variations of three basic strategies:
Close-Fitting Noise Control Solutions
Building Envelope Solutions
Absorptive Noise Control Solutions
Close-Fitting Noise Control Solutions
Close-fitting noise control solutions provide the most effective way to control noise by containing and absorbing noise at source. Acoustic enclosures, screens and sound enclosures or havens will protect employees. These elements are usually combined with other acoustic products such as acoustic doors, windows, attenuators, louvres to create a packaged noise control solution. This allows for continued access where required for operation and maintenance, whilst maintaining convenience, noise reduction, comfort and effective working environments for employees.
Building Envelope Solutions
Building envelope solutions help protect the wider external community from noise breakout and are essential for compliance with planning and environmental law. The building envelope, depending on the facility’s design, may include external enclosures to power generation, mechanical ventilation or cooling plant screens and perimeter screening. Mitigating external noise brake out can help maintain a company’s reputation within the local community by reducing a possible negative impact of the factory’s presence. This is often the best approach if a close-fitting solution is not viable or needs additional noise mitigation.
Absorptive Noise Control Solutions
When sound is released into any enclosed space, sound waves will reflect on hard surfaces until they are gradually absorbed. Reducing the volume of reflective surfaces and replacing them with absorptive acoustic panels or baffles will greatly reduce the reverberation time, preventing a build-up of acoustic energy which leads to an increase in reverberant noise levels.
Factory noise control is a major issue and often through a combined approach of the strategies mentioned above, noise from multiple sources can be managed to create a comfortable, productive and safe environment for all employees and contractors working on site. By reducing the external impact of a facility on the surrounding area and members of the public, noise control can also helps support community goodwill.