How to implement a successful soundproofing strategy: Fundamental steps and techniques in line with the principles of action

Introduction

As a matter of fact, noise is regarded as a concrete issue in every industrial facility, and, as a crucial concern, it can easily become hazardous for people around the workspace. For instance, it has been observed that noise may lead the facility’s employees to encounter humming in their ears or have temporary hearing loss. Moreover, an excessively loud environment can easily expose qualified personnel to injury’s risk since noises usually cover alarms or shouted warnings from their co-workers that end-up to be ignored.  

The purpose of the present article is to show many of the options that are adaptable to the most common cases and explore the principles through which noise eradication is obtained when looking into acoustically treating a facility.

Evaluating sources of noise inside our industrial facility

Before ordering an installation, it is advisable to acquire a full understanding of our case. While considering which strategy is the more suitable in order to attenuate harmful sounds, we should first evaluate (1) the source of noise, i.e., the specific piece of equipment that originates the loudest sounds inside the facility, (2) the position and the size of such equipment inside the facility, (3) the operational function of the equipment, as well as its state of preservation. 

Tackling the noise through sound isolation and absorption

Mainly, the noise can be eradicated by isolation or inclusion, or by creating a barrier around the source. Or noise deadening can be obtained by absorption; absorption implies reducing or eliminating echo, reverberation, and amplification within a room, so improving the quality in a limited space, rather than preventing the transfer by separating the source of noise from the rest.

The following solutions are based on the abovementioned principles of action:

• Acoustic Enclosures are highly effective custom-made solutions that both absorb and block the noise from entering or leaving. Acoustic enclosures are designed to literally enclose any kind of machinery yet are applicable only whether the source of noise can be easily isolated from the rest of the facility. This solution is thus particularly recommended for turbines, auxiliary engines, internal combustion engines and generators sets, mobile generator sets (trailer-mounted) for electric energy production, cogeneration plants, natural gas compression groups, start up and vacuum pumps, blowers, fans, mills, presses, vibrating devices, power transformers and boilers.
• Comparable to Acoustic Enclosures are Screens and Barriers. While Acoustic Enclosures simply provide protection by isolating the source, screen and barriers are an ideal solution when there is a need to create space between the noise generator and the employees, as they delineate special acoustic shadow-zones. Also, they are composed of sound-absorbing surfaces designed to prevent the increase in noise level towards the source of noise. 
• Anechoic chambers (AECs) are increasingly used for aircraft engine tests besides being a traditional solution for accurate sound measurement. AECs are indeed perfect when there is a need to completely reduce sound pressure level – to such an extent that reflected signals will be inexistent – in order to acquire the right parameters of precision for measurement.

The importance of receiving a high-quality maintenance process

A further crucial aspect that many tend to underestimate is the state of preservation of equipment that generates noise. Needless to remind that the oldest equipment in the facility needs to be replaced, when necessary, we should take into consideration certain measures, such as oiling and adjusting some critical component on a regular basis. This operation must be carried out by qualified personnel. However, apart from this, it is largely important to rely on professionals in the sector that provide consultancy services and routine checks of the soundproofing applications and make a constantly updated evaluation of their conditions. 

Stopson italiana is the provider you should consider if you are looking for one of the aforementioned solutions. It consolidated itself in the market as one of the main manufacturers of enclosures and control cabins. Moreover, Stopson italiana offers a set of prefabricated anechoic or semi-anechoic chambers, internally treated with standard wedges sized according to the lowest operating frequency, and equipped with a control room.