When your responsibility is to create spaces that are both comfortable and functional, then dealing with noise pollution is a key task. This article delves into the three primary categories of noise: Airborne, Impact, and Vibration noise. Each has its own unique characteristics and challenges. By exploring what is airborne noise , what is impact noise and how they affect building environments, we aim to equip you with the knowledge needed to mitigate their effects and enhance acoustic performance in your projects.
What is Airborne Noise?
Airborne noise refers to sound that is transmitted through the air, as opposed to being transmitted through a structure or solid material. It originates from sources such as voices, music, traffic, or any other sound that propagates through the air. In buildings and construction, airborne noise can be a significant concern as it can travel through walls, floors, and ceilings, affecting the comfort and privacy of the occupants.
Characteristics of Airborne Noise:
Propagation through Air: It travels via air molecules vibrating and transmitting sound waves.
Common Sources: Conversations, televisions, radios, musical instruments, traffic noise, and loudspeakers.
Affected Areas: Can penetrate through openings like doors, windows, and vents, and can also pass through walls and ceilings if not adequately insulated.
Negative Effects of Airborne Noise on people:
Disruption of Sleep: Persistent noise can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and decreased productivity.
Stress and Irritation: Continuous exposure to unwanted noise can cause stress, anxiety, and irritation.
Reduced Concentration: High levels of airborne noise can make it difficult to concentrate, affecting work and study environments.
Loss of Privacy: Airborne noise can carry private conversations or sounds to unintended listeners, reducing privacy.
Impact on Mental Health: Continued chronic noise disrupts mental health of the people living in this situation, due to combination of Stress, Anxiety, Sleep deprivation etc.
Mitigation Strategies:
Soundproofing: Using materials that absorb sound, such as acoustic wall panels , carpets, and heavy curtains, can reduce airborne noise transmission.
Sealing Gaps: Ensuring that doors and windows are well-sealed to prevent noise from entering or leaving a room.
Building Design: Incorporating thicker walls, double-glazed windows, and sufficient soundproofing layers in floors and ceilings during construction.
Acoustic Barriers: Installing barriers or partitions that block or absorb sound can help manage noise levels within a space. For lightweight metal stud partitions and suspended ceilings Trywall wall and ceiling soundproofing panels are an affective solution to airborne noise. Most of the airborne noise problems that arise in partition walls can be solved using Biwall acoustic wall panels.
Example Scenario
In a multi-story apartment building, a person on the third floor frequently plays loud music in the living room. The airborne noise from the music travels through the air, penetrating the walls and floors, and affecting the neighbouring apartments.
The downstairs neighbours on the second floor are trying to sleep but are disturbed by the loud music, leading to frustration and sleep deprivation. An adjacent neighbour working from home struggles to concentrate due to the persistent noise, impacting their productivity and work quality.
What is Impact Noise
Impact noise refers to the sound generated when an object makes contact with another surface, causing vibrations that travel through the building structure. This type of noise is often also called structure-borne noise because it travels through solid materials such as walls, floors, and ceilings. Impact noise can be particularly disruptive in multi-story buildings, where activities on one floor can be heard on another.
Characteristics of Impact Noise:
Origin: Created by direct contact between objects and surfaces.
Propagation through Structures: Travels through solid materials like floors, walls, and ceilings.
Common Sources: Footsteps, furniture being moved, doors slamming, objects being dropped, and machinery operation.
Negative Effects of Impact Noise:
Disturbance to Occupants: Can disrupt the daily activities and comfort of occupants, especially in residential or office settings.
Sleep Interference: Impact noise can easily wake people, causing poor sleep quality and associated health issues.
Concentration Issues: In environments such as offices or study areas, impact noise can be particularly distracting, reducing productivity.
General Annoyance: Repeated exposure to impact noise can lead to stress and irritation.
Mitigation Strategies:
Floating Floors: Installing a floating floor system that includes a resilient layer to absorb impacts and reduce noise transmission. Roll and Uproll under screed acoustic insulation from Isolgomma which come in 5mm & 9 mm thickness and are one of the most reliable and tested acoustic underlays on the market. Also available from Buildtec Acoustics is Grei and Upgrie sound insulation underlays for use as an under screed resilient layer on heavy duty floors or where under floor heating is installed.
Underlay Materials: Using acoustic underlays beneath flooring materials like carpets, tiles, or wood to dampen impact sounds. Basewood acoustic underlay available from Buildtec Acoustic is very suitable for wooden or laminated floors.
Carpets and Rugs: Placing carpets or rugs on hard surfaces can help to absorb impact noise from footsteps and moving furniture.
Resilient Mounts: Utilizing resilient mounts for machinery and equipment to reduce vibration transmission to the building structure. The Anti Vibration Mounts from the Isolgomma Megafoot range offer significant vibration reduction for machinery, minimizing the impact on surrounding areas.
Structural Modifications: Incorporating materials that absorb sound into the building design, such as insulated walls and ceilings. Products such as Rewall and Mustwall should be considered here. Rewall wall soundproofing panels where specifically developed for domestic partition and separating walls. Mustwall wall soundproofing panels is ideal for use on lightweight partition walls.
Example Scenario:
In a multi-story apartment building, a person walking in high heels on a hard floor, doors slamming against the wall or furniture moving on the floor are just a few examples on what can create impact noise. This noise travels through the floor and wall structure and can be heard in the apartment below or above, disturbing the occupants.
Addressing impact noise is essential for maintaining a comfortable and quiet environment in both residential and commercial buildings. Proper planning and the use of sound-absorbing materials can significantly reduce the transmission of impact noise.
What is Vibration Noise ?
Vibration noise, also known as structure-borne noise, is caused by mechanical vibrations that travel through solid structures, such as floors, walls, and ceilings. These vibrations can originate from various sources and, once in the structure, can radiate as sound into the surrounding spaces. This type of noise is common in buildings with heavy machinery. In modern day living the main causes for Vibration noise are equipment placed in or on the building, like Plant rooms, HVAC systems, Washing machines, Aircon, Heat pumps or any equipment that generates significant vibrations
Characteristics of Vibration Noise:
Origin: Created by vibrating sources, such as machinery, appliances, or structural components.
Propagation through Structures: Travels through solid materials like steel, concrete, and wood.
Common Sources: HVAC systems, pumps, generators, industrial machinery, and even traffic vibrations in adjacent buildings. External Sources can also cause Vibration like when building near trainlines, highways, and airports.
Negative Effects of Vibration Noise:
Structural Damage: Prolonged exposure to intense vibrations can lead to structural fatigue and damage over time.
Occupant Discomfort: Continuous or intense vibration noise can cause discomfort and annoyance to the building occupants.
Interference with Activities: Vibrations can disrupt sensitive equipment, affect concentration, and interfere with daily activities.
Reduced Property Value: Persistent vibration issues can lower the perceived and actual value of a property.
Mitigation Strategies:
Vibration Isolators: Installing isolators or mounts that absorb and dampen vibrations, preventing them from traveling through the structure. Buildtec Acoustics recommend Megamat anti vibration pads and Megafoot anti vibration mounts
Damping Materials: Using materials that dissipate vibrational energy, such as rubber pads, cork, or specialized damping compounds. Again we recommend Megamat anti vibration pads and Megafoot anti vibration mounts
Proper Equipment Installation: Ensuring that machinery and equipment are properly installed and maintained to minimize vibrations.
Floating Floors and Walls: Creating separations within the structure using resilient materials to prevent vibrations from spreading. Similiar to solutions for impact noise we recommend Roll and Uproll under screed acoustic insulation as well as Grei and Upgrie sound insulation underlays.
Design Modifications: Incorporating design features that minimize vibration transmission, such as adding mass or using decoupled construction techniques.
Example Scenario:
In a commercial building, an HVAC unit located on the roof generates vibrations. These vibrations travel through the building’s structure, causing noise and slight shaking in offices below, leading to discomfort and distraction for the employees.
Addressing vibration noise is crucial in maintaining structural integrity, ensuring occupant comfort, and preserving the functionality of sensitive equipment in both residential and commercial buildings. Proper planning and the use of vibration control measures can significantly reduce the impact of vibration noise.
Building a Quieter Future with Buildtec
At Buildtec, we understand the disruptive nature of unwanted noise. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of soundproofing products and solutions to tackle Airborne, Impact, and Vibration noise in any situation.
Whether you’re aiming to meet building regulations or simply want to enhance the user experience due to insufficient soundproofing during construction, Buildtec has you covered.
Our commitment goes beyond products. We provide expert support throughout the entire process, from collaborating with architects at the design specification stage to offering on-site assistance with product installers.
We utilize design software to calculate sound projections and vibration levels, ensuring compliance with regulations, optimal performance, and uncompromised quality. The ultimate result? A peaceful and enjoyable environment for building occupants.