NOISE POLLUTION

2nd ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

44%
NOISE

7%
OTHERS

49%
AIR

Source: China Environmental Noise Prevention and Control Annual Report

(Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China)
2016/2017
 Overview

1.
Many businesses vastly underestimate the importance of acoustic
treatment. They pay for this in lost productivity, discomfort and
weakened employee/customer health. Noise is not merely a
nuisance; it is a health issue, especially in China’s densely populated
major cities. According to a 2016/2017 report from the Ministry
of Environmental Protection, noise pollution ranks second for
environmental concern, closely following air quality.

Acoustics are as important to a commercial space’s functionality

as its physical location and construction. Without proper acoustic
treatment, noise pollution can critically interfere with the day-to-
day responsibilities of a business, from productivity of an office,
quality of instruction at a school, ambience of a restaurant, to
quality of treatment at a hospital.

Scientific studies have repeatedly demonstrated that excessive

noise also has detrimental physiological effects on the human body.

At an office or school, a noisy environment will induce stress in

employees and students, as the body responds with higher blood
pressure and heart rates.

In a loud restaurant, diners’ abilities to taste sweet foods, perceive

the aroma of a meal, and enjoy the taste of food are decreased.

In a hospital, these physiological effects can be even more dangerous.

A loud hospital environment prompts spikes in blood pressure, slows
wound healing, and interferes with pain management. Further, it
leads to added stress for those who take care of patients, inducing
higher blood pressure and faster heart rates.

Therefore, an investment in acoustic treatment will yield long-term

benefits – increases in employee and customer satisfaction/health
and greater overall productivity.

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Acoustic Treatment Difficulties

Acoustic treatment solutions for noise pollution can be complicated

by many factors.

The type of acoustic material required for each project differs by

the room arrangement and frequency ranges that are prevalent in
each type of environment. This can make figuring out what models
and materials to purchase for acoustic treatments a nightmare.

Furthermore, sound doesn’t just move in a straight line. It bends

around corners, squeezes through cracks, and bounces off
surfaces. Effectively, this means sound can reach much further than
the surroundings of its point of origin. Installation of panels must
take into account and accommodate for these dynamics within a
building. Therefore, treating a space for excess noise will require
the installation of many acoustic panels in multiple locations. As
acoustic panel effectiveness is a function of the size, shape, and
placement of the panels, installation can significantly alter the feel
of a space.

Akouzen Solution

ADEN has taken these issues into account and developed the
Akouzen acoustic panel, proudly manufactured in China for the
domestic market.

Knowing that the field of acoustic treatment solutions often requires

wading through pages of technical jargon, we have invested
research into making acoustic treatment as simple as possible for
our clients. Akouzen acoustic panels are specifically designed and
optimized for use in offices, schools, restaurants, and hospitals –
commercial spaces where human speech is the main culprit behind
noise pollution. These spaces face the issues of speech clarity
in wide public areas and speech privacy in rooms. The Akouzen
acoustic panel is designed to be optimally effective in the critical
frequency ranges of human speech and reduce reverberation and
transmission.

Akouzen acoustic panels are tailor made according to our clients’

needs and are ready-to-install right out of the box. Effective
acoustic treatment requires coverage of a significant portion of a
space’s surface area and installation in potentially difficult areas. We
are able to create custom printed fabric covers, construct custom
shapes, and offer three different installation methods to suit any
space. This ensures that our acoustic panels will be able to blend
seamlessly into the environments they are installed in while flexibly
accommodating the unique needs of each space.
 2. Term
Definitions

Definition

Absorption Sound absorption refers to the process by which a material takes in

sound energy when sound waves are encountered, as opposed to
reflecting the energy. Part of the absorbed energy is transformed
into heat and part is transmitted through the absorbing body.

dB (Measurement) A unit used to measure the intensity of a sound or the power

level of an electrical signal by comparing it with a given level on a
logarithmic scale.

Noise Reduction Coefficient It is a scalar representation of the amount of sound energy absorbed
(NRC) upon striking a particular surface. An NRC of 0 indicates perfect
reflection; an NRC of 1 indicates perfect absorption.

phon (Measurement) A measurement of the subjective loudness of sound using a 1 kHz

tone as the reference frequency.

Reflection The reflected sound energy is the part that is not absorbed by the
material and gets reflected back.

Reverberation Reverberation is a persistence of sound after the sound is

produced. It happens when a sound is subject to many reflections
in its surrounding space (structures, objects, people, air). The
Reverberation Time (RT), measured in seconds, is an acoustic
performance criteria defined as the time taken for a generated
sound to decay.

Sound absorption coefficient This index represents the ability of a material to absorb sound,
(α) considering several frequencies.
It is dimensionless index, between 0 (total reflection) and 1 (total
absorption).

It is represented by aw (weighted sound absorption index). This

index is calculated using measurements of the practical sound
absorption index ap of the material.

Evaluation of aw is made in accordance with International Standard

EN ISO 11654.

For example: α = 0.80 means 80% sound absorption (the remaining

20% is sound reflection).

Transmission The transmitted sound energy is the part of energy from sound
waves that goes through a material without being absorbed.

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Technical
Specifications
3.1 Dimensions
3.
Our standard square panel size is 1000 x 1000 x 60 mm, but we
offer the option of customized dimensions up to 2200 x 1000 x 60
mm. Refer to 3.5 Customization for more details.

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3.2 Surface Texture

The surface of our panels is made of untreated polyester fiber,

which is naturally eco-friendly and antimicrobial. The surface allows
for ease of cleaning, either with a vacuum or wet cloth.

It can also be customized with a special fire-resistant acoustic fabric

cover, either monochrome or printed with the pattern or photo of
your choice.
3.3 Acoustic Properties

Akouzen acoustic panels have tested for an Noise Reduction

Coefficient NRC of 0.9, qualifying an A rating under Chinese
acoustic panel performance standards set under title GB/T20247
-2006/ISO354 :2003.

For specific absorption coefficients across the frequency spectrum,

refer the graph in 4.2 Testing Results: Performance Testing Results.

To understand the performance testing results, we need to take into

account the key frequency ranges in human speech and the human
ear’s sensitivity to different frequency ranges.

Human speech covers a wide frequency range, but there are three
distinct key frequency ranges responsible for different aspects of
speech clarity:

• 85 Hz to 250 Hz: The fundamental frequencies of speech.

• 350 Hz to 2 kHz: Vowel sounds are responsible for the power of
one’s voice. This portion of the human speech spectrum contains
maximum sound energy.
• 1.5 kHz to 4 kHz: Consonant sounds are responsible for
intelligibility, but they also carry the least sound energy.

Therefore, the NRC is calculated in the range of 100 Hz to 5 kHz,

where the critical frequency ranges of human speech occur.

The human ear is also optimized for human speech. This means that
for humans, perceived loudness differs from the actual loudness
of a sound. Physiologically, the human ear is most sensitive to
frequencies around 3 kHz, the critical frequency for consonant
sound clarity, while frequencies higher and lower are perceived as
quieter.

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3.4 Installation

Akouzen offers three different installation methods. All are designed for
ease of installation and dismantling. Acoustic panel accessories include
hooks, hangers, and magnets for a non-invasive installation process.

Wall

Wall installation consists of

a metal strip fixed to the
wall, on which the panels are
hooked. The panels can be
installed side by side or with a
separation down the middle.

Wall installation with a separation down the middle

Suspended

Suspension installation
consists of metal cables fixed
to the ceiling, on which the
panels are hanged, allowing
clients to adjust the height
and leveling.

Suspended installation featuring two different colored

panels

Board Ceiling tiles

Akouzen panels can also be

made to the size of standard
ceiling tiles and seamlessly
replace existing ceiling tiles.

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 Example of custom shape

3.5 Customization

Clients have the option of customizing the color, shape, The colors options
and, size of panels to suit the needs of their space.
This ensures that our panels are not only functional,
but also aesthetically the right fit for any space.

Color

We offer a range of more than 30 stylish, modern

colors to easily integrate our products into all designs.
Additionally, we offer custom prints on fabric covers.

Shape

The ability to customize acoustic panel shapes gives

our clients complete aesthetic control over their panels
while also ensuring that our panels can accommodate
any room shape.

We have tested a range of creative customizations,

including curves, cylinders wrapping columns, cubes,
acoustic panels that double as lighting fixtures, and
much more.

Size

Our standard square panel sizes are 1000 x 1000 x

60 mm and 2200 x 1000 x 60 mm, but we offer the
option of customized dimensions.

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Carved artwork panels

The front surface of our panels can be carved to create customized

decorative patterns.

Printed artwork panels

Patterns/photos can be printed in color on the surface of our panels.

11
3.6 Safety
Akouzen acoustic panels have undergone
exhaustive testing to ensure that they meet
stringent international and national standards
for safety.
Fire Safety Compliance
Under the Chinese Fire Test to Building Material
and Products title GB 8624-2006, Akouzen
acoustic panels have a B rating. This is due solely
to the fact that our acoustic panels contain
polyester, which cannot pass the Chinese A
rating. However polyester is a material deemed
fire-safe by most other countries.
For example, under the ASTM-84, American
Standard Test Method for Surface Burning
Characteristics of Building Materials, Akouzen
acoustic panels have an A rating.
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Environmental Impact
The Akouzen acoustic panel is Oeko-Tex
Standard 100 certified.
It is approved under the Chinese GB/T24001-
2004 / ISO 14001 :2004 titles.
It is E0 level for Chinese title GB/T5849-2006.
Heat/Cold Resistance
Under a CNAS hot/cold cycle test, with
temperature cycling 30 times between -20˚C
to +2˚C, the Akouzen acoustic panel showed no
distortion or cracks while color and size stayed
stable.
It meets the standards set under Chinese title
GB/T 1865-2009 and GB/T1766-2008 (2000h),
Performance and
Safety Studies
4.1 Study Methodology
Aden consulted third party institutions to carry
out acoustic studies and safety tests: Greentech
for acoustic performance testing and Shanghai
Building Science Institute for safety testing.
Safety Testing
Two tests were performed: one for short term
emissions (3 days) and one for long term
emissions (28 days).
The safety testing followed the standards
detailed below:
1. International standard ISO 16000-6:2011
Indoor Air – Part 6: Determination of volatile
organic compounds in indoor and test chamber
air by active sampling on Tenax TA sorbent,
thermal desorption and gas chromatography
using MS or MS-FID.
4.
2. International standard ISO 16000-9:2011
Indoor Air – Part 9: Determination of the
emission of volatile organic compounds from
building products and furnishing – Emission test
chamber method.
3. Chinese standard GB/T 18204.2-2014
Examination methods for public places- Part 2
Chemical pollutants (testing for formaldehyde)
Performance Testing
The performance testing tested for the sound
absorption coefficient according to the
specifications of Chinese title GB/T 20247-
2006/ISO 354:2003 Acoustics – Measurement
of sound absorption in a reverberation room.
4.2
Study Results
Safety Testing Results Short term emissions testing (3 days):

No. Test Item Standard Test Evaluation

value Result

1 The amount TVOC - 0.029 -

of harmful
substances
released
2 (3 days) HCHO - 0.077 -
(mg/m3)

Remark 1. The testing environment temperature was 23 ℃, the RH was 50%,

the ventilation rate was 1 time per hour, the sample loads ratio was
1.0 m2/m3.

2. The sample was placed in the environment simulation cabin

during the test, and after 72 hours of balance, sampled and tested
the HCHO and TVOC content of the air inside the cabin.

3. In this test, the sample was balanced by ISO 16000-9:2006, and

the HCHO was analyzed according to GB/T 18204.2-2014. The
TVOC was analyzed in accordance with ISO 16000-6:2011. The test
and report only provided the measured data.

Long term emissions testing (28 days):

No. Test Item Standard Test Evaluation

value Result

1 The amount TVOC - 0.266 -

of harmful
substances
released
2 (28 days) HCHO - 0.028 -
(mg/m3)

Remark 1. The testing environment temperature was 23 ℃, the RH was 50%,

the ventilation rate was 1 time per hour, the sample loads ratio was
1.0 m2/m3.

2. The sample was placed in the environment simulation cabin

during the test, and after 28 days of balance, sampled and tested
the HCHO and TVOC content of the air inside the cabin.

3. In this test, the sample was balanced by ISO 16000-9:2006, and

the HCHO was analyzed according to GB/T 18204.2-2014. The
TVOC was analyzed in accordance with ISO 16000-6:2011. The test
and report only provided the measured data.

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Performance Testing Results

According to the testing requirements of GB/T 20247-2006/

ISO 354:2003, the average sound absorption coefficient (α) of
Akouzen 46 is 0.80 (100~5000Hz) and the NRC is 0.90.

Graph of specific sound absorption coefficient (α) values across the

100 - 5000Hz frequency spectrum
ADEN + 86 21 5465 7968 akouzen@adenservices.com
www.adenservices.com