Industrial Acoustic Enclosures

In industrial environments, reverberation and reflected noise from machinery can easily exceed statutory limits and cause a serious health risk to production staff. Acoustic enclosures from IAC Acoustics reduce noise pollution from noisy plant and machinery without reducing the efficiency or cleanliness of the plant during normal operations.

IAC Acoustics offers industrial acoustic enclosures and a full range of complementary engineered noise control products for industrial noise. We solve noise mitigation challenges with a broad range of modular components, including acoustic enclosures, doors, windows, barriers, absorption systems and attenuators. We listen to and consult with you to understand your industrial noise control issues.  We can work to an existing specification or develop a full customised solution for you to meet or exceed Work Health and Safety Regulations.

We are adept at isolating or containing noise within industrial environments. Whether a single noise source such as an industrial pump, fan or compressor, or a wider factory challenge such as a bottling plant, we have the experience in delivering effective industrial noise control solutions across a spectrum of factory noise sources.

Industrial Equipment - Noise Control Enclosures

IAC Acoustics designs and manufactures acoustic enclosures for industrial compressor, fan and pump noise control. In common with many other mechanical or electro-mechanical products, compressors, fans and pumps can represent a major source of unwanted noise in the industrial environment. However, many individuals’ perception is that they represent a more obtrusive source of noise than other equipment, mainly due to proximity and working accessibility. Typically they average around 85dBA which means they are nearly always subject to some noise mitigation requirements. For example just one compressor on the shop floor can cause unacceptable noise, but naturally, this is multiplied with multiple machines. The level of noise generated varies according to the type of machinery, but in general, the more moving parts, the louder the noise.

Reciprocating compressors for example add additional vibration control requirements to manage the transfer of structural borne noise. This noise is amplified and spread in typical industrial environments involving concrete floors, hard surfaces and larger reverberant open areas. Excessive noise in the workplace can negatively impact on workforce health, morale, motivation, communication and productivity.

We design and manufacture noise control solutions which integrate with your products to satisfy or exceed your customers’ requirements for workforce safety, regulatory compliance and community responsibility.

Industrial Compressor - Modular Enclosure

Noise Source - Acoustic Enclosure Solution

There are many sources of noise generated by compressors, fans and pumps, depending largely on the design and nature of the machinery itself.  In this animation the requirement is to reduce the 110dB(A) noise source to 75dB(A) @ 1 metre. Whether internally generated noise is caused by turbulence or metal-against-metal friction, it is essential that we understand the source before designing a solution. Similarly, we need to allow for noise resulting from potential leaks in casings and piping in order to provide effective acoustic damping and minimise amplification beyond the machinery location.  Our acoustic enclosures designers take into account type, speed, horsepower, mounting and many other factors which impact on noise output. They work with you to determine your objectives and design an enclosure that will be effective not just on a CAD system but under real factory conditions.

We design the structure, panel specification and build sequence of your acoustic enclosures in accordance with your environmental, health & safety, noise level, aesthetic and other requirements, all determined and agreed at the needs assessment stage of the project. The enclosure comprises a series of structural steel members for the installation of the acoustic wall and ceiling panels. Acoustically compatible doors, windows and access hatches for planned maintenance or unscheduled repair can also be incorporated at the design stage. If required, you can also specify larger removable acoustic panels to enable straightforward removal of the complete compressor. The enclosure’s absorptive internal surfaces control reverberation build-up and mitigate external noise levels to an acceptable level. We can also incorporate anti-vibration mounting solutions which can reduce transmitted structure-borne noise.

We integrate the machinery control systems for external access, ensuring efficient operation without the necessity to enter the acoustic enclosures. Safety systems such as lighting, heat and vibration detection and fire suppression can also be integrated. A natural ventilation system provides air circulation cycle to maintain specified unit operating temperature.

On completion, the enclosure is tested with the machinery in situ and certified to BS EN ISO 11546-2:2009, ensuring that when operational, it will achieve the desired reduced sound pressure level. With the noise control solution implemented, further benefits include: – Noise at Work compliance – Enhanced personnel safety and welfare/wellbeing – Prevention of hearing loss – Improved working environment – Your customers’ credentials as an employer enhanced – Reduction in overall facility noise level IAC Acoustics has a strong track record in the delivery of high performance industrial noise control solutions to satisfy the requirements of companies, specific industries, standards and regulatory compliance. Please contact us to discuss your project specific needs.

Solutions

Whatever type or types of compressor you produce or supply, we can design and build an effective enclosure to contain unwanted noise.  Working closely with you from the outset, our in-house engineering teams use a number of different techniques to ensure an effective noise reduction solution that does not compromise the effectiveness of the compressor.

We use CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) design for aero and thermodynamic elements to assess and manage the impact of the noise control solution on the original compressor, piping and any associated systems.  CadnaA noise prediction software assists us in calculating, assessing and modelling environmental noise generated by the machine, enabling our designers to understand the source and characteristic of the noise so that they can address it in the most effective way possible.

Our structural steel analysis to Eurocode standards ensures structural integrity and finite element analysis for reliability of the structure and any surrounding elements directly associated with it.

Enclosures Design

 

Design, engineering and manufacturing all takes place in-house, enabling us to maintain total control over quality and facilitating the customisation required to ensure your noise abatement solution meets your and your customers’ individual needs. Our solution as represented in the compressor enclosure animation shows a build onto an existing steel framework which hosts the equipment.

The design can incorporate two options – lifting of the drop-over acoustic canopy only, or alternatively, a full structural steel build enabling a full lift of the entire OEM equipment and enclosure together. Typically, and depending on environmental conditions, the lifespan of our noise control enclosures can exceed 15 years in external applications and 20 years when located internally.

Steel and other materials and components are sourced from Australia and specified for their performance and long-term durability. We can polyester powder coat the enclosure to your colour choice and also provide custom paint and decal solutions to incorporate your company branding. Our acoustic panels and substrates are certified Class A1 or A2 for Non Combustible Material requirements and Eurocode 3 for structural steel.

We can provide enhanced solutions to ATEX specifications for the protection of the surrounding personnel and adjacent environment, on request. BS EN ISO 15667:2000 guidelines for noise control of enclosures and cabins forms part of our design process with your team and our in-field testing is to BS EN ISO 11546-2:2009.  This determines the sound insulation performance of compressor enclosures for final commissioning and acceptance testing.

Drop-over Acoustic Enclosure

Talk to us today

Please contact us for advice relating to your new project.

Scott Simmons

+44 (0) 1962 873018
+44 (0) 7803 234084

 

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