Have you ever wonder what acoustic tricks movie theaters employ to enhance the experience? We all love movies and enjoy the sights and sounds of Dolby 5-Channel or XD sound and a 4K visual experience. While recently enjoying a movie, it dawned on me that movie theaters apply some unique acoustic solutions to help enhance the viewing experience. You probably do not think much about it when you plop yourself down in those seats and [...]
With it being the New Year fitness centers start to get incredibly busy, and home gyms are now getting built for everyone to lose that extra holiday weight. Whether you are looking to install a home gym or you are building a new public fitness center, there are a handful of design decisions to consider, ranging from what type of machines you need to lose the weight to what type of flooring you want to [...]
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 [...]
