NOISE CONTROL IN

BUILDING

By: Arnab Kumar Gogoi

Roll no : CE15M008

NOISE CONTROL IN BUILDING

CONTENT
1. TYPES OF NOISE
2. EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE
3. OUTDOOR NOISE LEVELS
4. MAXIMUM CAPABLE NOISE LEVEL
5. RECOMMENDED SOUND INSULATION STANDARDS
6. NOISE REDUCTION AND SOUND INSULATION IN
NON INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS
7. NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

NOISE AND INTELLIGIBLE SOUND

WHAT IS NOISE?
Noise is any unwanted or undesirable sound that
interferes with rest, sleep, mental concentration, or speech
communication.
Simply, noise is sound that is not part of what a person is
trying to hear.
The most common sources are industrial noise and traffic.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOISE AND INTELLIGIBLE SOUND
Distinction between noise and intelligible sound is purely
subjective. A sound judged intelligible by one person may
well be just a noise to his neighbor. As for instance,
conversation between two persons may appear as disturbing
noise to a third person who requires privacy or who may be

EXPOSURE TO EXCESSIVE NOISE

SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS OF VARIOUS SOUNDS

BEHAVIOR OF SOUND
Sound waves can travel through any media air, water, wood, masonry,
or metal. Depending on the media through which it travels, noise is either
airborne or structure-borne.

TRANSMISSION OF NOISE
AIRBORNE NOISE: Airborne sound radiates from a source directly into and
travels through the air.
STRUCTURE-BORNE NOISE: Structure-borne sound travels through solid
materials usually in direct mechanical contact with the sound source, or from
an impact on that material.
Sound waves travel from the source to the receiver via multiple paths.
Altering the paths of sound transmission is a common way to control noise
in architecture.
When sound strikes on a surface, part of the sound reflects off the wall
surface back into the space, and part of it is transmitted through the wall to the
space beyond.

NOISE CONTROL
SOURCE-PATH-RECEIVER CONCEPT :
A straightforward approach to solve a noise problem is to examine the
problem in terms of its three basic elements:
a) source, b) the conveying medium and c) the receiver.

WHAT IS NOISE CONTROL

It is the technology of obtaining an acceptable noise
environment, at a receiver consistent with economics and
operational considerations.
There are only three basic ways to attenuate or reduce
sound, whether at the source, at the listeners location, or
along the path it travels from the source to the receiver:
1. Replace the sound source with a quieter one.
2. Block the sound with a solid, heavy material that resists the
transmission of sound waves.
3. Absorb the sound with a light, porous material that soaks up
sound waves

Source

Path

Receive
r

ACCEPTABLE NOISE LEVELS

NOISE CONTROL IN BUILDING

TYPES OF NOISE BASE ON OCCUPANCY
1. NON INDUSTRIAL NOISE : Noises in non-industrial buildings
are mainly of outdoor origin which comes from traffic.
Measures are to be taken to reduce the outdoor noise
.

By suppressing noise at the source itself

By suitable location, orientation in layout and plan

By suitable arrangement of rooms within residential

buildings

By suppressing or reducing noise after its entry into the

room

By reducing the noise transmitted through the structure

2. INDUSTRIAL NOISE: Noises in industrial buildings are

mainly of indoor origin.

SOURCES OF OUTDOOR NOISE

A) TRAFFIC
)

Air Traffic

rail traffic

road traffic

B)

ZONES AND BUILDINGS WITHIN BUILTUP AREAS

Industry

Commerce

Offices

Public Buildings

NOISE CONTROL AT SOURCE

AIR TRAFFIC NOISE
Near airport two sources of noise should be considered:
FLYOVER NOISE - Flyover noise is that which occurs under flight
paths close to airports and is the most serious and common
problem.
GROUND NOISE - The noise emitted by an aircraft during ground
operations
Effect of aircraft noise
When aircrafts fly overhead at a height of 450m, are given in
Table 1

NOISE CONTROL AT SOURCE :

TYPICAL NOISE CONTOUR AROUND AN AIRPORT

NOISE CONTROL AT SOURCE

NOISE EXPOSURE FORECAST
Planning and design for air traffic noise:

A number of methods have been devised for evaluating noise exposure

One method is calculating NEF ( Noise exposure forecast) which is used to

crease noise contours for areas around the airport.

NEF greater that 40 are unacceptable to people while NEF less than 25 are
normally acceptable.
Theoretically it is possible to provide sufficient insulation to achieve an
acceptable indoor noise environment, but above a certain level, noise
seriously affects living conditions no matter how much insulation is used.
Thats why it is recommended that no residential development is allowed
beyond the NEF 35 level.
In summer, people generally keep windows of the building open for
ventilation. In that case, no matter how much insulation is provided, the
noise level inside the room can never be less than 10bB below outside noise
level.

NOISE CONTROL AT SOURCE

RAIL TRAFFIC NOISE
The level of noise generated by rail traffic depends upon factors
such as:
1. RAILWAY CUTTING AND ELEVATED RAILWAY: Railway cuttings
reduce the spread of noise, whereas embankments extend it
2. STEEL BRIDGES : IT greatly magnifies the noise due to
vibration
3. UPHILL GRADIENT : Uphill gradient increases the noise,
especially heavy goods trains

NOISE CONTROL AT SOURCE

PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR RAIL TRAFFIC NOISE:
1.

No residential or public building zone should abut onto railway lines,

specially on the marshalling yard.

2.

The appropriate zones along side railway lines are industrial and commercial
buildings other than office buildings.

Underground transportation (Metro rails): Both airborne and structure borne

vibration are potential sources of complaints
Noise control measures are need to be considered
3.

In stations : High level of noise is produced at arrival and departure

4.

In tunnels : During high speed train movement

5.

Proper isolation to be provided to problems of ground vibration when

underground rail transit system passes close to existing structures and high
rise buildings.

NOISE CONTROL AT SOURCE

ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE
The level of noise generated by road traffic depends upon such factors as

The number of vehicles passing per hour

The type of traffic

The preponderance of heavy vehicles

Average speed

Gradient and smoothness of traffic flow

NOISE CONTROL AT SOURCE

PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR ROAD TRAFFIC NOISE:
1.

External sound exposure level for new building is limited to a max of 70

dB(A) with sealed windows and 60 dB(A) with open windows.

2.

When 60-70 dB(A) is not always avoided, design solutions as barrier blocks
are to be provided. Insulation may also be provided.

NOISE CONTROL MEASURES are need to be considered

3.

Improve the smoothness of flow and reduce the number of stopping and
starting

4.

Use of roads passing through residential areas may be prohibited to heavy

commercial vehicles.

5.

Limit the use of commercial vehicles to certain time of the day

6.

Use of honking may be prohibited near sensitive areas such as hospitals

7.

Barriers may be provided to shield sites from noise

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION

ZONING : ORIENTATION AND BARRIERS

Orienting the building on the site to reduce direct sound

transmission and reflective sound from surrounding buildings
and equipments

Shield the building from major noise sources using other

buildings, barrier walls, and natural topography and
vegetation (e.G., Berms and trees)

Any barriers used such as walls or buildings should be as

close to the noise source and as high as possible.

TWO TYPES OF BARRIERS THAT CAN BE BUILT TO

PROTECT SITES
1. Built solely for the purpose of reducing noise
2. Form part of the building complex (barrier blocks)

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

DESIGN AND ORIENTATION OF BUILDINGS

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ZONING : LAYOUT AND BARRIER

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ZONING : GREEN BELTS AND LANDSCAPING

Green belts are only effective when they are of considerable width and be
landscaped. The creation of green belt is particularly advisable
1.

On the perimeter of aerodromes

2.

Along railway lines and arterial roads through or past built-up areas and

3.

Adjoining noisy industrial zones

Additional measures:
.

In case of railway tracks, a minimum distance of 50 m to 70 m may be

provided between the buildings and the tracks.

Only thick belts of planting (greater than 30 m) are of real value. Strong
leafy trees may be planted to act as noise baffles.

Shrubs or creepers may also be planted for additional protection between tree
trunks.

Artificial mounds and banks should be formed where practicable.

SOURCES OF INDOOR NOISE

A) OCCUPANT NOISE
)

Voice

Occupant activities

Equipments and appliances

Music

B) NOISE CREATED BY SERVICES

)

Heating systems

Air conditioning systems

Plumbing

elevators/escalators

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

INDIRECT SOUND LEAKAGE PATHS

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

INDIRECT TRANSMISSION

SOUND TRANSMISSION CAN HAPPEN THROUGH

a)

Leakage through walls

b) Through ceiling/suspended materials

c)

Through joints

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION

MEASURES TO REDUCE INDIRECT TRANSMISSION NOISE
Measure to be taken to reduce indirect transmission of noise:

Increasing the mass of the flanking walls;

Increasing the mass of the partition and bonding it to the flanking walls;

Introducing discontinuities in the indirect paths;

Erecting independent wall linings adjacent to the flanking walls to prevent

energy entering the flanking construction; and

Sealing any air gaps and paths through ducts.

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

INDOOR NOISE CONTROL

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

INDOOR NOISE CONTROL

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

VIBRATION NOISE PREVENTION

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ISOLATION OF SOUND TRANSMISSION

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ELIMINATION OF FLANKING PATH

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

SOUND INSULATION OF FLOORS AND WALLS

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

SOUND INSULATION OF WALLS BY SEPERATION

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION

BY PROVIDING A FLOATING FLOOR CONSTRUCTION
Concrete floors1.

This is an additional floor constructed and isolated or floated from the

existing concrete floor by means of a resilient material.

2.

Does not let the impacts and consequent vibration to be transmitted to the
room below

3.

The cement concrete used may be of about 5 cm thickness which is poured

over a resilient material like quilted mineral or glass-wool.

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION

SOUND INSULATION OF POROUS MATERIALS

provide about 10 percent higher insulation than the non-porous variety

of the same weight.

for good insulation plaster should be done on both sides.

HOLLOW AND COMPOSITE WALL CONSTRUCTION:

Light weight construction
For light weight construction a variety of materials such as metal lath and plaster,
fiberboards, plywood, plasterboards, etc, fixed on studs may be employed.
For equal weight these provide greater insulation than solid masonry.
sound is mainly transmitted through the studs and very little through air space.

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

SOUND MASKING

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ACOUSTICAL INSULATION

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ACOUSTICAL INSULATION

SOUND ABSORBERS
These sound absorbing acoustical panels and
soundproofing materials are used to eliminate sound
reflections to improve speech intelligibility, reduce standing
waves and prevent comb filtering.
Typical materials are fiberglass, fluffy fabrics and other
porous materials. A wide variety of materials can be applied
to walls and ceilings depending on your application and
environment.
These materials vary in thickness and in shape to
achieve different absorption ratings depending on the
specific sound requirements.

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ACOUSTICAL INSULATION

BAFFLES AND BANNERS

Baffles and Banners are designed to solve acoustical problems economically
in any large cubic volume space such as arenas, gymnasiums, theaters,
restaurants, and auditoriums.
These baffles are easily suspended from existing open truss and preengineered suspension systems. They are designed to hang in a vertical fashion,
allowing free flow of air and integrate exceptionally well with existing sprinklers,
lighting and HVAC systems.

FFDG Art Gallery, San Fransico

NOISE CONTROL DURING TRANSMISSION:

ACOUSTICAL INSULATION

SOUND DIFFUSERS
These devices reduce the intensity of sound by scattering it over an expanded
area, rather than eliminating the sound reflections as an absorber would.
Temporal diffusers, such as binary arrays and quadratics, scatter sound in a
manner similar to diffraction of light, where the timing of reflections from an
uneven surface of varying depths causes interference which spreads the sound.

Michael Fowler Centre,

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

SOUND INSULATION VALUES OF NON-POROUS RIGID PARTITIONS
The sound insulation of varies as the logarithm of the weight per unit area and
would thus increase with the thickness of wall.

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

SOUND INSULATION FOR VARIOUS BUILDINGS

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL NOISES

INDUSTRIAL NOISE IS GENERATED BY

Noises in industrial buildings are mainly of indoor Origin. These are caused by
the machinery in operation and the work processes involved.
Sources of industrial noise are classified depending on how the noise energy
is generated:
1.

Impact

2.

Friction

3.

Reciprocation

4.

Air turbulence

5.

Other noise

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING

METHODS OF REDUCING NOISE
1.

Noise control by location

Machines, processes and work areas which are equally noisy should be
located together

Areas that are particularly noisy should be segregated from quite areas
by buffer zones

2.

Noise reduction by layout

Office space in a factory should be as far possible segregated from the

production area

This building should not have a wall common with the production area

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

METHODS OF REDUCING NOISE
3.

Noise control at source

Selection of machinery Noise should be reduced as near the source as

possible

4.

Reducing noise from potential sources

Reducing noise from radiating surfaces

Reducing transmission of mechanical vibrations

Noise reduction by enclosure and barriers

Enclosures

Barriers

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

BARRIERS FOR PARTIAL SOUND REDUCTION

NOISE CONTROL USING ABSORBERS

ACOUSTICAL ABSORPTION DEVICES
1.

Acoustical treatment of ceiling and side walls

Insulation against impact sounds may be done in the following three ways:

2.

By using a resilient surface material on floors

By providing a floating floor construction

By using a suspended ceiling with air space

Functional sound absorbers

Sound absorbers

Sound diffusers

Noise barriers

Sound reflectors

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

PROTECTING THE RECEIVER
When physical exposure to intense noise fields is unavoidable and none of
the measures mentioned above is practical, then measures must be taken to
protect the receiver as a final resort. The following two techniques are commonly
employed.
(a) Alter work schedule
In order to limit the amount of continuous exposure to high noise levels, it is
preferable to schedule an intensive noisy operation for a short'. interval of time
each day over a period of several days rather than a continuous 8-hour run for a
day or two.
Inherently noisy operations, such as street repair, factory operation and
aircraft traffic should be curtailed at night or early in morning.

NOISE CONTROL IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

PROTECTING THE RECEIVER
(b) Ear Protection
Ear plugs and other ear protectors are commercially available. They may
provide noise reductions ranging from 15 to 35 dB. It should be aware that
protective ear devices do interfere with speech communication and can be
hazardous when warning calls from a routine part of the operation.

REFERENCES
1.

BS.8233.1999 - Code of Practice for Sound Insulation and Noise Reduction

for Buildings

2.

Is.1950.1962 Code of practice for sound insulation of non-industrial

buildings

3.

IS.2526.1963 Code of practice for acoustical design of auditoriums and

conference halls [CED 12 Functional Requirements in Buildings]

4.

IS.3483.1965 Code of practice for noise reduction in industrial buildings

5.

IS.4954.1968 Recommendations for noise abatement in town

6.

Mechanical and electrical systems in architecture, engineering and

construction

7.

National Building Code 2005

THANK YOU