| Architectural Acoustics |
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The main concerns of architectural acoustics are: # Building's Noise Insulation Envelope # Inter-space noise control # Building's Internal Acoustics # Building Services Noise control (also ACMV HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning)) Building's Noise Insulation Envelope - the science of limiting and/or controlling noise transmission from building exterior envelope to interior and vice versa. The main noise paths are Roofs , Eaves , Walls , Windows , Door and Penetrations . Sufficient control ensures space functionality and is often required based on building use and local municipal codes. An example would be providing a suitable construction for a home which is to be constructed very close to a busy road, or under the flight path of a busy airport. Inter-space noise control - the science of limiting and/or controlling noise transmission from one building space to another to ensure space functionality and speech privacy. The typical noise paths are room partitions, ceiling panels, doors, windows, Flanking , ducting and other penetrations. An example would be providing suitable constructions in an apartment block to minimise the mutual disturbance due to noise by residents in neighbouring apartments. Building's Internal Acoustics - the science of controlling a room's surfaces based on their sound absorbing and reflecting properties. Excessive Reverberation Time can lead to poor speech intelligibility. Reflective surfaces can be angled and coordinated to provide good coverage of a sound to a listener in a concert hall or music recital space. To illustrate this concept consider the difference between a modern large office meeting room or lecture theater with a traditional class room or meeting hall with all hard surfaces. Building services Noise control - the science of controlling noise produced by ACMV (air conditioning and mechanical ventilation) systems in buildings. Inadequate control may lead to high background noise levels within the space which can be annoying and reduce speech intelligibility. Typical improvements are Vibration Isolation of mechanical equipment, and Sound Traps in ductwork. Sound Masking can also be created by adjusting HVAC noise to a predetermined level. FINISH MATERIALS IN ARCHITECTURAL ACOUSTICS Interior building surfaces can be constructed of many different materials and finishes. The ideal acoustical panels are those without a face or finish material that interferes with the acoustical infill or substrate. Fabric covered panels are one way to maximize the acoustical absorption. The finish material is used to cover over the acoustical substrate. Mineral Fiber Board, or Micore, is a commonly used acoustical substrate. Finish materials often consist of fabric, wood or metal. Fabric can be wrapped around substrates to create what is referred to as a "pre-fabricated panel" and often provides the good noise absorption if laid onto a wall. Prefabricated panels are limited to the size of the substrate ranging from 2'x 4' to 4' x 10'. Fabric retained in a wall-mounted perimeter track system, is referred to as "on-site acoustical wall panels" This is constructed by framing the perimeter track into shape, infilling the acoustical substrate and then stretching and tucking the fabric into the perimeter frame system. On-site wall panels can be constructed to accommodate door frames, baseboard, or any other intrusion. Large panels (generally, greater than 50') can be created on walls and ceilings with this method. Wood finishes can consist of punched or routed slots and provide a natural look to the interior space, although acoustical absorption is not as high. SEE ALSO |
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