Controlling noise in adjoined spaces, typical in shared commercial/retail spaces February 25, 2008
Posted by allnoisecontrol in Childcare, Commercial, Retail & Office Spaces, Noise Control Questions.Tags: acoustics, commercial acoustics, massage therapy offices, noise control
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Another post by a visitor that will be sure to help anyone in shared commercial spaces with noise coming in from adjoined spaces which is a typical situation found in commercial and retail spaces
We are a massage therapy business and need to block the noise coming through the walls and across the drop ceiling from the business next door, which has loud screaming children and music.
Which would be the most effective way to block the noise, on their side of the wall or on our walls? Both sides of ceilings?
We need absoulte quiet for our business.
Any suggestions would be most appreciated!?
Thank you,?
Thanks for your question Kelley, this is a complex noise problem and due to the nature of your business and the business in the shared space, a very important one.
The solutions provided here can be applied to any shared commercial retail or office space from store to store, office to office or room to room.
The factors we will address are the ceiling ( drop ceiling noise, other ceiling materials ) and wall noise
First, I have to assume that most of the noise comes
Drop ceilings are notorious for allowing noise to travel. They have open space that carries vibrations easily across the open areas above them. Not to mention the grid that connects to all the walls and suspension ties that connect the ceiling to the most often steel rafter ceiling. All these materials allow for a conduit for noise to travel along… both the open space and the construction materials.
Solutions for Ceiling: There are quite a few products that can assist with this. For starters, replacing standard drop ceiling tiles with acoustic fiberglass ceiling tiles or melamine acoustic tiles. Ceiling tiles will stop noise transmission through them as well as improve acoustics in the space with their absorbent properties. These also are known to improve aesthetic look of the space.
Secondly there are special ceiling tile barriers that can be laid atop the ceiling tiles and grid. These are fiberglass with barrier composite that will block the extra noise travelling through the ceilings. Used in the same manner can be a mass loaded vinyl barrier that is a heavy “sheet” that is a noise barrier.
Lastly, products like ceiling clouds, or acoustic banners can add a professional look to the space while helping absorb noise. By absorbing the noise before it hits the ceiling will essentially lessen the noise transmitting through the ceiling.
Solutions for Walls:
For walls there are two treatment techniques – each can be used alone or in unison. The first is an option if remodeling or new construction is in progress. Mass loaded vinyl sound barrier can be installed on studs, beneath the sheet rock and is incredibly effective in stopping noise in it’s tracks from travelling through walls. This can also be affixed to existing sheet rock and another layer of sheet rock installed over it sandwiching the material.
Second option are wall panels. When affixed to walls on the noise source side they will absorb the loud noises softening the noise that hits the walls therefore lessening the noise travelling through the walls. The panels will also soften and lower the noise level in the room the noise originates from.
Now that the materials are explained I’ll addressed your question as to what is the most effective way, your side, their side, both sides etc.
The best way is implementing on both sides. The vinyl sound barrier between walls is obviously on a shared wall and only needed in one of the rooms, however using the vinyl sound barrier in a double studded scenario with space between the walls dramatically increases STC ratings ( significantly stops noise transmission ). As for the ceiling treatments, if it is done on the noise source side you’ll have better results because it is containing the noise. But implementing on both sides will only improve results. For example, using better acoustic tiles on the noise source side and using ceiling tile barriers laid atop the “quiet” side would be ideal. Laying ceiling tile barriers on both sides of the ceiling would only decrease noise further.
So for the ultimate results, both sides can benefit from the treatments above. In general, the side originating the noise will benefit more from the absorption materials as they will reduce the noise waves hitting the walls and materials that travel into the quite space.
All the materials used can be found on our corporate site . But we have just recently launched a site dedicated to our commercial division site, www.allcommercialnoise.com which has a dedicated selection of products used for commercial and retail spaces.
I hope this helps you decide how to treat this noise problem in your space.
Guaranteed Office Noise Control through Soundproofing Materials March 27, 2007
Posted by allnoisecontrol in Commercial, Retail & Office Spaces.add a comment
Acoustics studies the sound and how it behaves in various environments. Sound effects such as absorption, reflection, refraction or interference are also studied by acoustics. The broad acceptance of the term ‘acoustics’ refers to all the aspects of sound. Until not long ago, the notions ‘acoustics’ and ‘sound’ referred to waves and elastic vibrations that humans could hear. However, in the twentieth century, the development of technology and science has led to the broadening of the field of acoustics, in that it now comprises aspects not directly related to the hearing process, such as intensities and frequencies which are above or below the audible limits of humans.
When speaking of sounds, most people think of the vibrations in any type of medium, which can cause the sensation of hearing. Any unwanted sound is perceived as a noise. The term is definitely subjective, since what is music for one person can very well be noise for another. When such unwanted sounds are excessive, their effects can be destructive, which is now known by the name of noise pollution. Adverse noise effects fall into three categories, physiological, psychological and communicational. Unfortunately, there aren’t any known and adopted remedies for the last two categories. Noise pollution is a complex problem and surveys show a disturbing fact, that noise levels are continually rising in cities.
As far as the sounds inside buildings go, we can speak about two main ways of transmission. Firstly, the sound emanated from either human activity or mechanical noise inside the building travels airborne through walls, ceiling or floor. Sounds from human activity include loud voice or amplified systems. Mechanical noise refers to the sounds produced by elevators, generators, air conditioning systems and so on. Secondly, interior sound can be transmitted not through air, but through the building itself. The former is easier to abate than the latter through wall or ceiling assemblies which meet certain established performance standards.
Statistics say that millions of employees are exposed to noise in the office, and therefore are subjected to all the risks that come along. Work-related stress and accidents which occur because of masked warning signals are just two of them, not to mention the lack of productivity and efficiency on the part of the office workers. Noise represents a safety issue, butt also a productivity issue for the employees. The office should be a quiet place to work and an office with good acoustics will provide the employees with the ability to concentrate and not be distracted. Reducing the intensity of sounds is called soundproofing. Soundproofing can be accomplished in a variety of ways. The distance between the source and the receiver could be increased, sound wave energy could be blocked or absorbed by means of noise barriers, sound baffles could be used as damping structures, or antinoise generators could be activated. With soundproofing, noise can be affected in two ways: it can be either reduced or absorbed. Noise reduction implies blocking the sound wave passage with intervening objects. The absorption of noise refers to echoes and reverberation being suppressed.
The office environment is a place for many acoustic challenges. If sound levels in the office affect efficiency and productivity, the good news is that there are solutions for office noise control. There are many soundproofing materials which improve the sound quality within the room and eliminate the transfer of sound from one room to another. Office noise control is a must for a quiet environments in which employees can concentrate and be efficient in their work. Soundproofing materials play an important part in office noise control, since other methods have failed to show efficiency. Not only are soundproofing materials a useful barrier in blocking noise, but there are also excellent in appearance. Soundproofing materials add an aesthetical touch to your place of work, not to mention that they are fire rated.
For more related subjects about Soundproofing in Commercial Spaces or for more resources regarding Office Noise Control Products please see our main website, All Noise Control or feel free to call us at 561-585-4703.
