Acoustic Camera for noise source identification

You can see the video of our conversation at: Acoustic Camera Video Acoustic Camera The acoustic camera that we use consists of 256 microphones with a camera in the middle.  The array of microphones is used to identify the differences in noise levels and is overlaid on the photo of video from the camera. The…

Industrial Enclosures

You can see the video of our conversation at: Industrial Enclosure Video Enclosure Installation Recently, Noise Engineers installed a hard metal acoustical enclosure at a factory in Aguascalientes, México. The noise from a press causes worker noise exposure levels to exceed the Mexican limits. The noise from the press is more than 20 dBA higher…

Evaluating Sound Transmission Class

You can see our video about this topic at: Sound Isolation Video. Sound Isolation Projects Noise Engineers regularly works on sound isolation projects. Generally, it involves reducing the noise between spaces or from the exterior to interior.  Usually, we need to test and/or predict the noise passing between spaces. Exterior to Interior Sound Isolation In…

Factory Noise Reduction

Noise Engineers recently installed acoustical treatment to a factory in Mexico.  The installation was done to reduce worker noise exposure.  In this blog we will discuss the noise problem, the treatment options, and the expected noise reduction.

Elementary School Acoustics – Mechanical Noise and Sound Isolation

Noise Engineers is working with Davy Architecture on the acoustics for the remodel of the Emerson Bandini Elementary School located in San Diego, California.  The primary acoustical issues being addressed are: mechanical noise, sound isolation, impact insulation, and room acoustics.

Acoustical Absorption

  Acoustical absorption is used in a wide array of settings and applications.  It is used to control echo, reduce the noise level in a space, make it easier to understand speach, and control focusing.

HUD Noise Guideline

  When evaluating a site for compliance with the HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) guidelines, there are generally two steps. Predict the noise levels outside the proposed building If necessary, predict the interior noise level and insure the components (windows, walls, roof, doors) provide interior noise levels below the required DNL 45…

Acoustical Products – Noise Engineers

  Noise Expert has started providing acoustical products.  They provide them, deliver them and can install them.  They are focusing on four different products: acoustic wall panels loaded vinyl fiberglass absorption metal barriers/absorption NE Acoustic Panels are generally made with a 6 pound per cubic foot density fiberglass core wrapped with a fire retardant fabric…

Acoustic Chamber

We have received several inquiries about constructing an acoustics testing lab.  There have been varying degrees of development of the plans we have received.  I thought this could be helpful, so I put together a list of factors to consider when designing an acoustics lab:

Acoustic Camera

  I recently used an acoustic camera for three factory noise projects in Mexico.  We were tasked with identifying the noise sources and reducing the noise from many machines.  We rented an acoustic camera to help us with this process.  An acoustic camera costs between $100,000 and $200,000.  I found it to be very helpful,…

OSHA Worker Noise

  Why Is Factory Soundproofing Important? Factories typically have high ceilings with lots of hard reflective surfaces. When sound impacts a surface it is either reflected, absorbed or transmitted. In factory spaces, much of the machinery noise is reflected into the space. This noise can interfere with production and ultimately cost your company money.

Sound Isolation – 10 tips to improve the STC of walls

Here are 10 tips to improve the Sound Transmission Class (STC) between rooms. STC is described below the tips.

Nine Tips for Better Sound Walls

Sound walls, noise barriers, acoustical walls are an important tool for environmental noise reduction. Here are 9 tips to maximize the effectiveness of these walls.

Greater Sage Grouse – Noise Engineers

Noise Engineers has been assisting in monitoring and evaluating the noise radiating to greater sage grouse leks near a new mining operation in Nevada for two seasons.  The noise thresholds were set based on the pre-project noise levels measured in 2013.  We are conducting continuous noise measurements during mating season to prevent impacts from the…

Vibration Isolation – Noise Engineers

  VIBRATION MEASUREMENTS Forced vibration is a time-varying disturbance applied to a mechanical system. Vibration sources are generally broken out into three categories: continuous, impulsive, and intermittent. Vibration can be measured using an accelerometer. An accelerometer is made of a piezoelectric material that gives off a small voltage when it is moved. This signal is…

Sound Isolation STC – Impact Insulation IIC

Sound isolation is a common acoustical concern. There are two main ways sound is transmitted from one space to another – airborne and structure-borne. Airborne noise sources transmit noise through the air which causes the wall or floor/ceiling to vibrate, the vibration is transmitted and causes sound on the other side. Airborne noise sources include:…

Environmental Noise from Cell Towers

  In this blog, I will discuss environmental noise projects. I will use cell towers as an example because we have had a lot of these projects in the last couple of year but these principles apply to any environmental noise project. The primary noise sources at a cell tower are AC units and generators.…

Reverberation Time – Room Acoustics

  When evaluating a space that has too much echo or the sound level is too high, reverberation time is generally used. Reverberation time is a measure of how long sound stays present within a space after it is made. More specifically, reverberation time is defined as the time required for the level of sound…

Road Noise Studies – Noise Engineers

In this podcast and blog, I’m going to talk about road noise projects. Any time a road is expanded, moved, modified, or a new one is built and there are residences, schools, parks, or churches nearby, a noise impact study needs to be conducted. The study looks to see if sound walls are justified. Sound…

The Basics – Noise Engineers

Sound Pressure Level Sound, or noise, is the term given to variations in air pressure that are capable of being detected by the human ear. Small fluctuations in atmospheric pressure (sound pressure) constitute the physical property measured with a sound pressure level meter. Because the human ear can detect variations in atmospheric pressure over such…