{"id":1019,"date":"2015-08-07T22:50:59","date_gmt":"2015-08-07T22:50:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/naima.website.member365.com\/?p=1019"},"modified":"2016-09-08T23:00:09","modified_gmt":"2016-09-08T23:00:09","slug":"insulations-role-in-controlling-noise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naimacanada.ca\/insulations-role-in-controlling-noise\/","title":{"rendered":"Insulation’s Role in Controlling Noise"},"content":{"rendered":"

Acoustical management is a challenge for both design professionals and building occupants. A certain level of background sound within a building is expected, and generally contributes to a pleasant ambient environment. Unwanted noise can cause occupants to feel irritable, distracted, anxious, hostile, or annoyed. This is why it is critical to closely review the intended use and design of commercial environments so sound levels do not become \u2018noise\u2019 concerns.<\/p>\n

For example, within a factory work environment, anything beyond 85 decibels (dB) over an eight-hour time period is considered hazardous and can lead to hearing loss, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1<\/a><\/p>\n

Construction practices to reduce noise are increasingly important, with many builders and architects looking for cost-effective ways to further reduce sound transmission. When properly installed within a wall, ceiling, or floor assembly, fibreglass, rock, and slag wool insulation offers sound-absorbing benefits and reduce unwanted noise in occupied spaces.<\/p>\n

At the start of a building project, architects and designers consider use of the space and potential noise sources, planning possible acoustical solutions for the project, particularly when there is a special-use room (<\/span>e.g.<\/em>\u00a0a sound studio or media room within the building). An acoustical engineer can advise of the proper solutions to address any potential problems with noise within a space.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to begin<\/strong>
\nBuilding environments can be affected by multiple, noise competing sources both inside and outside. For the first category, examples include traffic, lawn and garden equipment; indoor sources include appliances and electronics. The result impedes communication and makes focusing and communicating more difficult. In extreme cases, noisy environments can contribute to hearing loss.<\/p>\n

In problem areas, this is best addressed at the onset of a project. While it is possible to retrofit noise attenuation products after installation of building equipment, costs are generally much higher\u2014and the results are about half as effective\u2014as designing proper sound control into the system before the noise source is installed.<\/p>\n

Acoustical insulation applications<\/strong>
\nFibreglass and rock and slag wool insulations can help absorb sound travelling through wall and floor assemblies. The acoustic enhancement insulation can be installed in roof\/ceiling applications, as well as interior or exterior wall applications in wood or metal framing cavities for acoustic enhancement.<\/p>\n

Additionally, acoustic insulation panels installed over hard surfaces help reduce echo and improve sound clarity in gymnasiums, conference rooms, and concert halls. These installations are manufactured to common stud widths and are slightly wider than common stud spacing to accommodate easy friction-frit installations and prevent sagging.<\/p>\n

The basics of sound<\/strong>
\nSound is energy travelling in waves that have both amplitude and frequency. Amplitude relates to pressure and, to a large degree, affects loudness. Frequency relates to pitch and affects how high or low a sound is. It is the intensity of sound (i.e.<\/em>\u00a0dB) with which most people are familiar. A typical conversation in a normal speaking voice measures about 60 dB and a power mower is approximately 107 dB.<\/p>\n

Sound waves can travel through air, water, wood, masonry, or metal. Depending on how it travels, sound is airborne or structure-borne. In the first case, it flows from the source directly through the air. Structure-borne sound, on the other hand, travels through solid materials, usually in direct mechanical contact with the sound source, or from an impact on that material. For example, loud speakers on a floor vibrate this sound that then becomes airborne, enabling people to hear it.<\/p>\n

Dedicated noise-control solutions should address both airborne and structure-borne sound by:<\/p>\n