Acoustics & Building Services

An back to basics overview

Prepared for 20th March 2012

ASK Consulting Engineers

 Since 1993, ASK Consulting Engineers has been providing clients
from both the private and public sector with a range of
specialised acoustic engineering and scientific services.

ASK Consulting Engineers is able to offer the following engineering

services:

• Architectural Acoustics;
• Environmental Noise
• Transportation Noise;;
• Air Quality and Odour;
• Industrial Noise;
• Expert Witness;
• Vibration;
• Lighting Impact; and
• IEQ Green Star Acoustics.
ASK Consulting -Key Staff Members
 Gillian Adams - Managing Director, Speciality Areas – Expert Witness

Hospitals, Education and Stadiums

 Stephen Pugh – Director, Specialty Areas – Environmental Noise, Mining,

Concert Halls, Studios, Complex projects

 Michael Lanchester – Associate, Specialty Areas - Health & Lab Buildings,

Office Building and Fitouts, Education & Mechanical Plant

 Andrew Martin – Air Quality Group Manager – Air Dispersion Modeling, Dust,

Pollutants, Greenhouse Gases and Odour .

Fundamentals to cover

 Basic Definitions

 Basic Terminology

 Criteria and Calculation methods

 Steps to reaching a good outcome with HVAC.

 Noise Aspect of Building Services
 Why is important to control and manage
noise from building services ?
 Simply to maintain sound sending and receiving between
people. e.g. talking and listening.

 To facilitate communication lessening stress.

 To allow concentration, relaxation and sleep.

 To control environmental noise to the community. Noise

limits are legally enforceable!

 Other acoustical aspects which affect this include:

acoustical absorption, transmission, reverberation control,
noise intrusion (traffic) and privacy.

Sound Frequency and Modulation

 All sound:
 Varies in loudness.
Contains a mix of frequencies
Varies with time.

 To describe sound we measure :

1. The overall level;
2. Frequency distribution; and
3. Statistical Variation (how it changes).

 Two types of measurement devices we use:

 1. The free sound level and intensity meter: Our ears

 2. Scientific Sound level meter; and
 Tip: check out iPhone Faber Soundmeter($21)
(incredibly good guide to noise levels on calibrated.)
 Airborne Noise Terminology
 Sound Pressure is the noise level
measured at specific distance from a
noise source. 1.0m and 3.0m distance
is common. (dB and dBA)

 Sound Power is the noise level at the

surface of the source. dBW.

 Sound Spectra can either be pressure  Sound Pressure Level at 3.0m

or power. Can be A-weighted
sometimes.  Sound Power to Sound Pressure

 Fan data dBA @3.0m represents

calculated noise with noise into a
sphere. It is not real world and is only
a comparative tool only.

Sound Levels
 The decibel (dB) is a logarithmic unit of measurement that expresses the
magnitude of a physical quantity (usually power or intensity) relative to a
reference level.
Levels normally encountered in buildings are between 20 dB to 100 dB

dB(A) – The “A” scale represents how a human ear responds. Humans don't
hear low frequency very well and cannot hear very high pitched sounds.
(Older people loose high-end first .).

Noise Level Space
20 dB(A) Fully‐sealed Audiometric Booth 
(Quietest Level I have recorded)
25 dB(A) Quiet Bedroom in Brookfield
30‐35 dB(A) Quiet Private office
40 dB(A) Typical private office
45 dB(A) Typical Open Plan office (no talking)
50‐60 dB(A) Shopping Centre Mall
60‐75 dB(A) Air Handling Plantroom
75‐90 dB(A) Chiller Plantroom
95‐115 dB(A) Diesel Generator Plantroom
129 dB(A) Under wing of F‐111 Zone 5 after‐burner
(Loudest Level continuous noise I have   129 dB(A)
recorded)
180 dBpeak Elephant Gun at the Ear 
 Reverberation
 Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a
particular space after the original sound is removed.
Measured in seconds. Referred to as RT60.

 We need to have specific reverberation times in

rooms for their intended activity and allow them to
function.

 ...otherwise it causes difficulty in speech, communication,

additional noise and stress.

 Reverberation is a function of room volume and the area of

acoustical absorption. The larger the volume the longer
the RT. The more absorption present the shorter the
time.

Absorption
 The absorption coefficient of a material is a number

between 0 and 1 which indicates the proportion of sound

which is absorbed by the surface compared to the

proportion which is reflected back into the room.

 A large, fully open window would offer no reflection as

any sound reaching it would pass straight out and no
sound would be reflected. This would have an absorption
coefficient of 1.

 A thick, smooth painted concrete ceiling would be the

~0.5
acoustic equivalent of a mirror, and would have an ~0.1-0.5
absorption coefficient very close to 0.

 Suppliers of acoustical absorption have test data.

~0.2
 Surfaces are highly absorptive have poor transmission.
Transmission
 Transmission is the path of noise through building elements.
Partitions/walls, floor, roof/ceiling, glazing and openings.

 Must be Holistic viewpoint - Wall performance limited by

minor elements (e.g. doors, windows, details)

 Main Terminology:

 Rw (STC prior to 1999), Dw (NIC prior to 1999)

 Transmission loss (TL); and

 Numerous others (about 20 terms) we wont bore you

with….

 High transmission loss products are poorly absorptive.

Basic Acoustical Design Considerations

 All too commonly, acoustical design is based upon throwing
something in an hoping it works based on experience. No
calculations are done.
 Commonly this results in over-design or under design.

 “Let’s put a noise barrier up.”

 “We’ll put an attenuator on the fan discharges.”
 “I know, wrap it in wavebar. That will solve it.”
 “Suck it and see, we’ll add attenuation if it needs it.”

 Selecting attenuation is somewhat similar to structural

engineering in that noise control methods should be
“designed” to meet an outcome rather than guesswork or
trial and error.
 There are three main considerations in design:
1. How much noise does is generated ?
2. What outcome am I trying to achieve?
3. What noise reduction is necessary?

 Noise level of the equipment

 - Necessary Noise reduction
 Outcome you need
 Noise Source Data
 To supply equipment, suppliers must be able to provide
suitable noise data for design purposes.

 All acoustical calculations use noise level spectra apart from the
most basic calculations. Supplier data should therefore always
include spectra.

 Data received we receive is often problematic.

 Pool Heater Noise Level - 62 Db
 Where ? Measured to what code ? Is it A-weighted ?
 “Our Pumps are the quietest on the market, we’ve never had a
problem.”

 Ask questions, is this sound pressure or power?

 Is it A-weighted spectra?
 Is inlet or outlet the same ?

 Be wary about unrealistically low data especially on

“ cheap” plant sourced in Asia. Some plant doesn’t meet
their claims.

Example - Low Noise Plant

 Acoustic Standards and Codes
 Australian Standards
 Building Code of Australia 2012
 Agency Guidelines
University Guidelines – UQ, QUT and Griffith
Government Department Requirements
DEHP & Council

 Aust. Assoc. of Acoustical Consultants (AAAC):

“Star Rating Guide for Apartments”
 Specific client requirements and conveyed expectations.

Internal Criteria and Limits

 These are the Goals and Outcomes we want to hit. They
come from:
 Customer Specifications,
 AS/NZS 2107
 NR Curves, NC Curves etc

 Australian Standard has two limits. A recommended and a

maximum. Which one do you aim for:
 The satisfactory design sound level is the level of noise
that has been found to be acceptable by most people for
the environment in question and also not to be intrusive.
 The maximum design sound level is the level of noise
above which most people occupying the space start to
become dissatisfied with the level of noise.
 AS/NZS 2107 Has one big problem at the moment:
 No Lower limits.
 Chilled beams and building being too quiet creating privacy
problems.
 Internal Criteria Special Case
 Animal House Design

Environmental Criteria and Limits

 Set by Council, Development Approval or State Government
Agency.

 Most commonly set at a background noise level +5 dBA

This requires the background noise level to be determined
during the day, evening and night. ( When the plant runs.)

 These noise limits are legally enforceable ! Fines can be imposed.

However they usually only as a last resort by agencies.

 If you install plant that doesn’t meet the limits, you are
essentially providing something that client cannot use without
breaking the law. – Just like selling an un-roadworthy car.
 Design Methods
 Woods Practical Guide to Noise Control (Now Free ?) Everyone

should read it cover to cover.

 http://www.venttech.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/WPG_NC.pdf

 Fantech Software or other propriety software.

 Spreadsheet Calculation Methods –

 Ducted Systems Assessment order of Priorities:

1. Noise Level in duct when leaving the Plantroom; then

2. Noise from Duct Breakout; then lastly

3. Noise to the Register.

 Co-ordination between architects, mechanical engineer and

acoustic consultant is important.

 With the right tools it is not at all difficult. It just takes time.

 Download the Woods. Run the examples in the book.

Design Methods - Software

 Fantech Software is useful and powerful tool. Good for
calculations to the register.

 However shouldn’t be used exclusively. Additional calculations

are necessary for breakout noise.
My Methods – How much sound power is
leaving the plantroom ?

My Methods – What is required for breakout

noise control ?
Lastly – Noise to Register

Interesting Noise Control

Final Points to Remember

 A silent noise environment is not the be all and end all.

 Do calculations. Don’t Guess or base design on the last job.

 With the right tools it’s not difficult. It just takes time.

 Ask questions about equipment noise if it is not clear, don’t make assumptions.

 Use strategic placement, selections, and speed control, prior to attenuators, enclosures

and other attenuation.

 When looking environmental noise, keep it simple to ensure limits are met.

Conclusion

 Thanks for listening.

Any questions?

ASK Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd

www.askconsulting.com.au
07 3255 3355
michael@askconsulting.com.au
Poorly Implemented Noise Control