Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are a crucial part of any building. Whether it’s a small house, a medium-sized office building, or a large manufacturing facility. HVAC systems often generate unpleasant noise pollution, typically in two distinct ways. Airflow is a big source of noise in HVAC systems. Generally, the noise is produced by a large volume of air generated from fans or blowers, in order to propel air throughout the system. Another [...]
We are surrounded by many different sounds; soft noises that are not harmful and loud noises that can cause permanent damage to our ears. Many are unaware that once your hearing is damaged, there is no full recovery. According to the Hearing Loss Association of America, about 20 percent of Americans (48 million) report some degree of hearing loss. It is not too late to start protecting your hearing. Follow these easy steps. Wear earplugs [...]
The floor of a room can be a source of sound, and also aid in, the passage of noise into another room. We know that soundproofing a floor can be a tricky situation, as it’s often only considered after a floor is installed. Here are a few tips to take into consideration, before tackling your next soundproofing project. First, identify the type of noise that needs to be treated. Floor soundproofing falls into two types [...]
Sound Part five: Our fifth acoustic technical note will discuss noise control techniques at the source, the transmission path, and protective measures at the receiver. In general, noise control measures can be classified into three categories. Noise Control at the source Noise control in the transmission path Use of protective measure against noise in the receiver The method or combination depends on the magnitude of the required noise reduction and the economic and operational considerations. [...]
Sound Part four: Part four of our technical notes will explain noise and the effects of noise pollution. You want your home to be an oasis, a place where your family can relax and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Would you like to hear your noisy neighbors blaring their radio for the third time of the week while in your own home? My guess is most likely not; it’s a [...]
Sound Part Three: The third part of our acoustical technical notes will discuss frequency weightings and octave bands. Frequency Weightings: Frequency weightings also known as frequency networks and frequency filters, correlate measured sound levels with the subjective human response. The human ear is frequency selective, between 500 Hz and 6 kHz, our ears are very sensitive compared with lower and higher frequencies. The frequency weightings used in sound level meters are often related to the [...]
Sound Part Two: This second part of the acoustical technical notes will allow us to expand your knowledge about sound. Part two discusses levels, decibels, and intensity of sound. Every day, we experience sounds in our environment, such as the sounds from television and radio, household appliances, and traffic. Normally these sounds are at safe levels that don’t damage our hearing, but sounds can be harmful when they are too loud. Decibels: The effects of [...]
Sound Part One: Acoustics and noise control play an important role in modern buildings. SAS is releasing the first part of five series on basic acoustic technical information. The series will consist of basic knowledge pertaining to sound. The information provided will serve as a basis for the determination, selection, and specification of products and systems, more suitable for noise and vibration control. What is Sound? A sound is a mechanical wave that results from [...]
For those of us that rent we can admit that we can hear noise through the ceilings. Whether it’s the heavy walking from the neighbors above you or the action-packed movie blaring through the floor from below, unwanted noise can be uncomfortable and an irritant. The good news is there are simple solutions that can be done to solve this common issue. To conquer unwanted sounds like loud footsteps, dropped objects, music or the television, [...]
There are two difficult questions that many individuals seem to need the answer to regarding spec sheet date codes. How do you know if you have the latest version of your supplier's product? How do you know if the spec sheet you are submitting is correct? Many do not know that spec sheets do not expire and who really knows when a manufacturer will update or change a product's specifications. Each manufacturer has their own [...]
