Noise Control Technologies and Acoustic Testing

Noise affects various facets from public and commercial life. This can range from noise generated by people, vehicles, buildings, industrial processes and the general environment. Reducing noise makes sense to most people and presents a unique challenge to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's), product developers and engineers alike. Noise Control has become an industry on its own as it requires specialist knowledge of acoustic testing and acoustic solutions as well as some background in the regulatory requirement for your region or target region (in the case of export products).

Sound can pass through gases, solids and liquids. Measuring sound intensity involves detecting fluctuations in pressure (mechanical waves) through such mediums. Temperatures, as well as the mediums involved, affect how this mechanical wave moves. Acoustic testing is not just about measuring noise levels but also about isolating the source of the noise before recommending adjustments to reduce it. It requires a working and practical knowledge of the qualities and limitations of noise-absorbing materials.

Acoustic testing can take place either 'in the field' or in a laboratory environment. Generally speaking field testing has more limitations because a sophisticate lab setup can perform a full range of task such as airborne sound insulation testing, impact sound insulation testing and sound absorption testing by using reverberation chambers. These large chambers can be the size of a room and are used to measure sound sources as well as sound absorption properties of materials. Many times such testing is required to ensure new products meet existing noise control standards required by some regulatory bodies.

So noise control for products and materials starts from the early development stages. What about Buildings and environments? It is safe to say that replacing an entire building and surrounding barriers are not viable options for the vast majority of property owners. Fortunately calling on the services of an appropriately skilled technician will help you to find the acoustic solutions that will work in each individual environment. The use of an area will often determine the required level of sound insulation. Typical examples of such functional areas are school halls, indoor sports facilities, video court suites, audiology labs, lecture theatres and radio studios.

Large spaces are particularly bad when it comes to maintaining speech intelligibility and sound quality. Typical acoustic solutions for noise control in public or commercial building would be to add purpose made noise absorbing acoustic screens to walls and or roof, to used fabric treatments to encourage noise absorption or to utilise acoustic foam to insulate walls, roofs and unneeded openings.

Industrial applications would often be able to use the above techniques for different areas but specific steps would need to be taken to reduce the noise generated by the machinery itself. Open Cell Acoustic Fire Rated Foam would often be used to reduce the internal reverberation time. This acoustic foam is usually applied to all areas of the internal machine, ceiling, walls and doors. To stop noise penetrating through gaps in the machine installed acoustic seals can also be installed in these areas to trap 'escaping noise'.

Ventac are experts in Acoustic Solutions that both identify the source of your problem with acoustic testing but also offers noise control solutions. http://www.ventac.com