Noise reduction is imperative in many contexts, whether industrial or environmental, for which ITS can be sollicited for engineering or for solutions.
Engineering and solutions for noise reduction in industrial sector
In industry, worker’s exposure to noise is a risk that needs to be taken into account, even if only in relation to the consequences for their health.
In the case of a daily noise exposure level above 85 dB (A) and / or a peak sound pressure level above 137 dB (C), noise reduction (e.g. from production machinery and equipment) can be possible ways forward, since the actions to be considered are as follows, pursuant to Decree No. 2006-892 of 19 July 2006 on safety and health requirements applicable in case of exposure workers to the risks arising from noise and amending the Labor Code transposing Directive 2003/10 / EC into French law:
- implementation of a program of technical measures to reduce noise exposure
- noisy workplace signaling & access limitation
- use of hearing protectors
- periodic audiometric examinations (enhanced medical surveillance)
The installation of soundproof canopies, sound enclosures can therefore have its place when it comes to reducing noise at the source, the interposition of acoustic screens being able to be useful when it comes to oppose the propagation of noise, and the installation of absorbent materials suspended under the roof or on the walls being appropriate to reduce the reverberation of noise on the walls of a work space.
Studying such issues and proposing contextualized solutions for noise reduction in industrial environments is a specialty of ITS.
Engineering and solutions for noise reduction for environment
In the environment, noise emissions are, for the neighborhood, a possible nuisance that manufacturers should ideally prevent, and at least treat not to cause emergence in the surrounding soundscape that would lead them to be in a situation of non-compliance, with respect to the Decree of 23/01/97 relating to the limitation of noise emitted into the environment by facilities classified for the protection of the environment.
For the period 7 am - 10 pm (except Sundays and public holidays), the permissible emergence is 6 dB (A) for an ambient noise level between 35 dB (A) and 45 dB (A) and 5 dB ( A) for an ambient noise level greater than 45 dB (A).
For the period 22h - 7h (and for Sundays & public holidays), the admissible emergence is 4 dB (A) for an ambient noise level between 35 dB (A) and 45 dB (A) and 3 dB (A) for an ambient noise level greater than 45 dB (A).
To be in accordance with the permissible emergence, various noise reduction devices can be envisaged such as sound-absorbing hoods, silencers, noise barriers.
Carrying out studies in this field and marketing solutions is a major activity for ITS.
ITS engineering and solutions for noise reduction in industry and for environment
ITS conducts engineering works and markets all noise reduction solutions in industrial sector and for environment.
The starting point of an approach for noise reduction in an industrial environment and for environment can be a campaign of measurements on site (by ITS or by others) showing noise levels higher than the admissible limits.
Whatever the context, the study of all noise problems in industry and in the environment can be carried out by ITS, whose human resources have all the required skills:
- in terms of acoustic metrology, for the measurement (on site) of noise levels, reverberation time of premises, decrease in sound level by doubling the distance for workspaces in buildings
- for the research and development of solutions, involving predictive acoustic calculations e.g. for the evaluation, using specific software (sometimes: developed by ITS) of the impact, in terms of sound levels or in terms of parameters quantifying the acoustic quality of premises with respect to the phenomenon of reverberation, of actions according to different scenarios
- for the sizing of soundproofing equipment, with quantified and verifiable performance in terms of noise reduction
A step which is often necessary is the study (by ITS) of the feasibility and effectiveness of actions to improve the situation observed: selection of materials and soundproofing devices (with the appropriate functionalities in terms of noise reduction as can be simulated by ITS and with respect to other related considerations (technical, financial) which, then, can be marketed by ITS with a guaranteed result.
As in many other fields: in the field of noise reduction for industry and for environment, experience matters, and ITS human resources have a lot.
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