Excessive or annoying noise within a work environment can be distracting, inhibit communication, affect safety and reduce work performance and productivity. All efforts should be made to eliminate the cause/s of noise as a first priority. If this is not possible, alternative methods of damping down the noise should be considered, such as sound absorption panels.
Sound absorption panels are thick, porous layers of varying materials that can absorb high, medium and low frequency sounds depending on the design. Panels can come in a range of sizes, colours and sound absorption capabilities depending on the shape of the material (flat or convoluted) and what the material is fabricated with. Sound absorbing panels are usually used to control problems with reverberation (echo or sound reflection) within a workplace and may be:
- hung from or fixed to the ceiling
- stuck to an existing panel or wall
- used outdoors around noisy appliances such as air conditioners
- used within engine enclosures and marine vessels
- designed to withstand impact such as in gymnasiums
- used as outdoor wall panels which can be customised to size and appropriate sound absorption materials installed to absorb outside noise.
Depending on requirements, sound absorption panels can be customised to individual workplace requirements including size of panels and matching colour schemes.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For people with hearing impairment or difficulty concentrating, excess workplace noise can potentially impact on safety within the workplace and impede productivity. It may be appropriate to install sound absorption panels to assist with noise reduction within the workplace, however this should be part of the workplaces overall noise management and hearing protection program.
For more information on noise suppression and how to better control noise in the work place, please see the links below:
References
National Occupational Health and Safety Commission 2004, National Code of Practice for Noise Management and Protection of Hearing at Work {NOHSC: 2009 (2004)}, Australian Government Occupational Health and Safety Commission, Canberra, viewed 21 May 2011, http://safeworkaustralia.gov.au/AboutSafeWorkAustralia/WhatWeDo/Publications/Documents/279/NationalCodeOfPractice_NoiseManagementAndProtectionOfHearingAtWork_3rd%20Edition_NOHSC2009-2004_PDF.pdf.
Acoustica 2010, Echosorb Acoustic Foam Baffle Absorber, Acoustica, Annandale, viewed 21 May 2011, http://www.acoustica.com.au/echosorb.html.
Acoustica 2010, Cheops Acoustic Pyramid Panels, Acoustica, Annandale, viewed 21 May 2011, http://www.acoustica.com.au/pyramids.html.
Acoustica 2010, Vybar Marine Sound Panelling, Acoustica, Annandale, viewed 21 May 2011, http://www.acoustica.com.au/vybar.html.
Acoustical Surfaces, Inc. 2011, Outdoor Wall Noise Barrier, Acoustical Surfaces, Inc., Minnesota, viewed 21 May 2011, http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/wall_barrier/wall_barrier.htm.
Acoustical Solutions, Inc. 2011, Acoustical Wall Panels, Acoustical Solutions, Inc., America, viewed 21 May 2011, http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/products/panels/alphasorb_high_impact.asp.