Industrial soundproofing and noise control

Industrial soundproofing and noise control are often required for machinery in workshops and outdoor sites. The purpose is to prevent noise pollution from affecting workers and the surrounding area, which could conflict with the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Without acoustic enclosures, industrial sites can be unsafe for workers and lead to long-term health issues.

Industrial noise barriers

Industrial noise barriers are soundproofing panels that can be erected around machinery to contain the sound. Controlling sound at the source is always the best option and will prevent the rest of the workshop from becoming polluted. Industrial noise barriers come in different forms but we offer a completely modular solution, with doors, that can be made to fit specific requirements with ease.

Blankets are commonly seen around industrial sites, however, blankets are unable to block as much noise as a proper barrier. To block noise, a material needs very high mass and the noises that are omitted from industrial sites tend to be high volume, making mass imperative. This is why a more substantial acoustic barrier, like the Noistop panels, are an appropriate choice.

Industrial noise barriers can be used for

• Enclosures inside workshops
• Workshop noise screen
• Outdoor generator enclosure
• Industrial noise fencing (up to 6 meters high)

Industrial noise control for workshops

Industrial noise control for workshops can be in the form of soundproofing and sound reverberation control. Industrial soundproofing is usually used to control sound from a specific process or machine and can be in the form of an enclosure. Workshops are often large, open spaces with very few soft materials but plenty of hard surfaces. This creates high reverberation times and will increase the noise issue. Reverberation leads to the amplification of sounds as they are continually repeated inside a space.

Controlling both the source of sound and the reverberation will make the working environment safer and easier to work in. Workshops can have acoustic enclosures built inside them out of Noistop panels, which are modular to fit machinery. These are fitted with acoustic doors and insulate the workshop against noise from the processes inside.

Soundproofing for machinery and equipment

Soundproofing for machinery and equipment in workshops can be achieved in two ways; with an acoustic barrier or with a vibration-controlling membrane. Acoustic barriers, as we have already discussed, can be made into enclosures that insulate the source of sound and prevent it from escaping. We use Noistop panels for our enclosures which are made from Rockwool and steel. The panels have a Class A3 absorption rating and a Class B2 insulation rating.

A visco-elastic membrane can also be used on some machinery. The self-adhesive membrane can be stuck to external vibrating parts of machinery and this will reduce the movement. Treating noises at the source is the best practice to reduce pollution spreading. Using a membrane, such as Tecsound or Danosa, in conjunction with an acoustic enclosure is a recommended solution for industrial noise in workshops.

What is an acoustic enclosure?

An acoustic enclosure is a barrier designed to prevent sound from escaping or entering a space. Acoustic enclosures are often made to fit specific situations and vary in size from a few meters to a large room. Acoustic enclosures are commonly used around machinery and equipment which causes noise pollution in an area or in a place of work, such as a workshop.

Factories benefit from acoustic enclosures by controlling noise around loud machinery and protecting workers from harmful levels of sound. Enclosures can be used to comply with the 2005 Control of Noise at Work Act and fitted retrospectively. Acoustic enclosures can be made from a variety of soundproofing materials, some being temporary solutions for construction sites and other permanent fixtures. The best acoustic enclosures marry noise absorption with insulation.

Are acoustic blankets good for industrial use?

Acoustic blankets are not a good choice for industrial use as they are not thick enough to stop the low-frequency noises. Acoustic blankets are usually used for temporary noise prevention, and whilst this is better than no acoustic control, we would not recommend them. Most sound omitted from industrial sites and workshops is of low frequency and high volume. These two features make the noises hard to block out, and acoustic blankets do not satisfy the quarter wavelength rule. This rule dictates that to successfully absorb a wavelength of sound, the barrier needs to be a minimum of one-quarter thickness compared to the wavelength. Low-frequency sounds have the longest wavelengths and acoustic blankets are fairly thin, making them ill-suited.

This is why acoustic panels are a far better option to control noise from workshops and industrial areas. The barriers we provide are supported by steel posts and the enclosures can be quickly erected but also relocated if the machinery is ever moved.

Will an M & E contractor provide acoustic barriers?

An M&E contractor will sometimes provide acoustic barriers if there is a known noise violation relating to the machinery or equipment. For workshops, noise levels are set by the 2005 Control of Noise at Work Regulations and your machines must comply with these limits. We are finding more M&E contractors aware of the need for acoustic barriers, especially around Air Source Heat Pumps in densely populated areas. However, many industrial sites will engage an acoustic contractor who will be able to assess and advise on your situation.