Book Report of:

The Building
Environment
NOISE
CONTROL

I - I NTRODUCTI ON

What Is Noise?
Noise is unwanted sound which may be hazardous to health, interfere with speech
and verbal communications or is otherwise disturbing, irritating or annoying.
What Is Sound?
Sound is defined as any pressure variation in air, water or other fluid medium
which may be detected by the human ear.

What Are The Characteristics Of Sound?
The two most important characteristics which must be known in order to evaluate
the sound or noise are it's amplitude and frequency. The amplitude or height of the
sound wave from peak to valley determines the loudness or intensity. The wave
length determines the frequency, pitch or tone of the sound.











How Are These Characteristics Expressed?

The frequency of sound is expressed in wavelengths per second or cycles per
second (CPS). It is more commonly referred to as Hertz. Low frequency noise is
250 Hertz (Hz) and below. High frequency noise is 2000 Hz and above. Mid-
frequency noise falls between 250 and 2000 Hz.
The amplitude of sound is expressed in decibels (dB). This is a logarithmic
compressed scale dealing in powers of 10 where small increments in dB
correspond to large changes in acoustic energy.



Very quiet, Quiet, Moderate Noisy, Noisy.

I I - Noise Control Product Types

1- ABSORBERS

Use: To reduce noise reflection. To
dissipate noise energy.
Physical Properties: Porous, fibrous and
sometimes covered with protective
membranes. Noise enters the absorber
and is partly dissipated (absorbed) within
the material. Some is transmitted. Some is
reflected. Absorber performance is
expressed as a decimal value. A perfect
absorber is rated at 1.00. The higher the
decimal value the more effective the
absorber will be.

2- BARRIERS
Use: To block transmission of noise.
Physical Properties: Non-porous, high
density and usually non-fibrous. Barriers
are generally flexible or damped. The
noise is blocked, reflected and re-routed
in another direction. Barrier materials are
tested and rated for their Sound
Transmission Loss capability. The
number is stated in dB and the higher
number signifies the better barrier.


3- COMPOSITES

Use: To block the transmission of noise
and reduce reflections from the barrier.
Physical Properties: Consists usually of
a layer of porous material and a layer of
dense material. The composite material
will have a performance capability as an
absorber and as a barrier. Septum barriers
are sandwiched between two absorber
layers.
.



4- DAMPING

Use: To reduce noise radiated from
vibrating surfaces.
Physical Properties: Viscoelastic.
Damping coatings take many forms.
There are mastics for spraying, troweling,
etc. and there are tapes and sheets with
pressure sensitive adhesive. Damping
treatments are sometimes combined with
absorbers.
.




5- DECOUPLED COMPOSITES

Use: To enhance the performance of the
composite material when applied to the
inside of an existing barrier. Decoupling
creates an air space between the existing
barrier and the septum composite barrier
boosting transmission loss beyond what
could be expected with direct attachment.





6- DIFFUSION
Use: To reflect sound waves off convexly
curved or uneven surfaces for the purpose of
evenly distributing and blending the sound
over a broad area. In critical listening
environments diffusion can eliminate sharp
echoes without eliminating the sound by
absorbing it.




7- ELECTRONIC
Use: To cancel unwanted noise energy
through destructive interference by
electronically generating a 180 out of
phase anti-noise which is equal and
opposite in phase and amplitude.
Physical Properties: Equipment
includes an input microphone,
controller/amplifier, speakers and an
error microphone. Works best with
noise propagated in a confined/closed
loop space such as a pipe or duct.
Works best where the noise source is
repetitive and not random. Works best in low frequencies up to about 500 Hz.



8- FLOW CONTROL
Use: To reduce flow/fluid-borne noise
transmission traveling through pipes
and ducts connected to air/fluid control
devices, equipment and systems.
Mufflers or silencers use absorptive
and reactive designs to allow air
passage while attenuating the noise.
Fluid-borne flow systems may be air,
gases or steam.
Physical Properties: Internal
geometry of the flow control device
dictates the overall noise reduction that
can be achieved and the resultant
pressure loss of the system. Absorptive designs can vary the insulation thickness
and density in the wall cavity as well as the distance between internal baffles
(passage width).

I I I - Noise Control Treatment Strategies
Fundamentals Of Noise Control Problem Solving

Effective acoustical design in the Industrial, OEM, HVAC, Architectural and
Environmental markets relates to the simple Source/Path/Receiver model. In most
cases the simple model is more complex as there are multiple sources generating
the noise, multiple transmission paths and multiple receivers or receiver areas that
are targeted for noise control.
Furthermore, the source can be airborne and/or structure-borne and the
transmission path can be direct and/or indirect (reflected). Each of these areas in
the noise control model need to be evaluated to determine where the simplest most
cost-effective treatment can be applied while meeting all of the project
requirements.
Important factors in addition to the overall acoustic performance include cost,
safety, accessibility, visual access, ease of installation, useful life, aesthetics and
minimizing the disruption of daily operation of the process, system or equipment.
The sketches and descriptions on the next page will illustrate in more detail the
most basic treatment strategies using engineering controls.

Please note that prior to implementing noise control treatments, mechanical
equipment should be checked for proper installation, balancing and routine
maintenance. Poorly maintained equipment will generate higher noise levels.

Proper selection and sizing of equipment or modifications to the operating speeds
should also be reviewed prior to instituting engineering controls. Slower operating
speeds will generally result in lower noise levels.
In end user applications, administrative controls can reduce employee/receiver
noise dose/exposure. This is done by limiting the daily duration of operation for
noisy equipment or time shifting employees to bring down the overall time
weighted average.
1-Source/Path/Receiver Model
SOURCE
CONTROL
DIRECT PATH
CONTROL
INDIRECT PATH
CONTROL
RECEIVER
CONTROL
6 to 8 dB 10 to 25 dB & up 4 to 6 dB 10 to 25 dB & up

2- Types Of Treatment :

Noise control or noise mitigation is a set of strategies to reduce noise pollution or
to reduce the impact of that noise, whether outdoors or indoors. The main areas of
noise mitigation or abatement are: transportation noise control, architectural
design, urban planning through zoning codes, and occupational noise control.

Noise control techniques include:
Sound insulation:
Prevent the transmission of noise by the introduction of a mass barrier.
Common materials have high-density properties such as brick, thick glass,
concrete, metal etc.
Sound absorption:
A porous material which acts as a noise sponge by converting the sound
energy into heat within the material. Common sound absorption materials
include decoupled lead-based tiles, open cell foams and fiberglass
Vibration damping:
Applicable for large vibrating surfaces. The damping mechanism works by
extracting the vibration energy from the thin sheet and dissipating it as heat.
A common material is sound deadened steel.
Vibration isolation:
Prevents transmission of vibration energy from a source to a receiver by
introducing a flexible element or a physical break. Common vibration
isolators are springs, rubber mounts, cork etc.



I V- Architectural solutions

Within architectural acoustics noise control practices include:
- interior sound reverberation reduction.
- inter-room noise transfer mitigation.
- exterior building skin augmentation.



Regarding sound generated inside the building, there are two principal types of
transmission. Firstly, airborne sound travels through walls or floor and ceiling
assemblies and can emanate from either human activities in adjacent living spaces
or from mechanical noise within the building systems. Human activities might
include voice, noise from amplified sound systems, or animal noise. Mechanical
systems are elevator systems, boilers, refrigeration or air conditioning systems,
generators and trash compactors. Aerodynamic sources include fans, pneumatics,
and combustion. Since many mechanical sounds are inherently loud, the principal
design element is to require the wall or ceiling assembly to meet certain
performance standards,
[9]
(typically Sound transmission class of 50), which allows
considerable attenuation of the sound level reaching occupants.
The second type of interior sound is called Impact Insulation Class (IIC)
transmission. This effect arises not from airborne transmission, but rather from
transmission of sound through the building itself. The most common perception of
IIC noise is from footfall of occupants in living spaces above. Low frequency noise
is transferred easily through the ground and buildings. This type of noise is more
difficult to abate, but consideration must be given to isolating the floor assembly
above or hanging the lower ceiling on resilient channel.



With regard to exterior noise, the codes usually require measurement of the
exterior acoustic environment in order to determine the performance standard
required for exterior building skin design. The architect can work with the
acoustical scientist to arrive at the best cost-effective means of creating a quiet
interior (normally 45 dBA). The most important elements of design of the building
skin are usually:
glazing (glass thickness, double pane design etc.), perforated metal (used internally
or externally),
[8]
roof material, caulking standards, chimney baffles, exterior door
design, mail slots, attic ventilation ports, and mounting of through-the-wall air
conditioners.
1- Inter-space noise control
The science of limiting and/or controlling noise transmission from one building
space to another to ensure space functionality and speech privacy. The typical
sound paths are ceilings, room partitions, acoustic ceiling panels (such as wood
dropped ceiling panels), doors, windows, flanking, ducting and other penetrations.
Technical solutions depend on the source of the noise and the path of acoustic
transmission, for example noise by steps or noise by (air, water) flow vibrations.
An example would be providing suitable party wall design in an apartment
complex to minimize the mutual disturbance due to noise by residents in adjacent
apartments.
2- Interior space acoustics
This is the science of controlling a room's surfaces based on sound absorbing and
reflecting properties. Excessive reverberation time, which can be calculated, can
lead to poor speech intelligibility.
Interior building surfaces can be constructed of many different materials and
finishes. Ideal acoustical panels are those without a face or finish material that
interferes with the acoustical infill or substrate. Fabric covered panels are one way
to heighten acoustical absorption. Perforated metal shows also sound absorbing
qualities.
[2]
Finish material is used to cover over the acoustical substrate. Mineral
fiber board, or Micore, is a commonly used acoustical substrate. Finish materials
often consist of fabric, wood or acoustical tile. Fabric can be wrapped around
substrates to create what is referred to as a "pre-fabricated panel" and often
provides good noise absorption if laid onto a wall.

There are three ways to improve workplace acoustics and solve workplace sound
problems the ABCs.
A = Absorb (via drapes, carpets, ceiling tiles, etc.)
B = Block (via panels, walls, floors, ceilings and layout)
C = Cover-up (via sound masking)
While all three of these are recommended to achieve optimal results, C = Cover-up
by increasing background sound produces the most dramatic improvement in
speech privacy with the least disruption and typically the lowest cost.
3- Mechanical equipment noise
Building services noise control is the science of controlling noise produced by:
ACMV (air conditioning and mechanical ventilation) systems in buildings,
termed HVAC in North America
Elevators
Electrical generators positioned within or attached to a building
Any other building service infrastructure component that emits sound.
Inadequate control may lead to elevated sound levels within the space which can
be annoying and reduce speech intelligibility. Typical improvements are vibration
isolation of mechanical equipment, and sound traps in ductwork. Sound masking
can also be created by adjusting HVAC noise to a predetermined level.

4- Building skin envelope
This science analyzes noise transmission from building exterior envelope to
interior and vice versa. The main noise paths are roofs, eaves, walls, windows,
door and penetrations. Sufficient control ensures space functionality and is often
required based on building use and local municipal codes. An example would be
providing a suitable design for a home which is to be constructed close to a high
volume roadway, or under the flight path of a major airport, or of the airport itself.