Sound insulation for machinery and equipment – stops sound between rooms
Control noise and sound propagation from technical equipment in industrial environments
In industrial environments, machines and technical equipment are often the main cause of disturbing noise spreading between different spaces. Production machines, fans, pumps, and technical installations generate both airborne noise and vibrations that can be transmitted through the building's structure. The sound is therefore not only heard near the source, but also in adjacent rooms, offices, or staff areas. Sound insulation of machines and equipment aims to limit this sound propagation and create a clearer separation between different parts of the business.
What is meant by machinery and equipment?
In an industrial environment, machinery and equipment refers to technical installations that are not part of the building's load-bearing structure but generate sound or vibrations during operation. This can include both stationary and mobile equipment that is used continuously or periodically. Unlike walls, floors, and ceilings, these are active noise sources that can affect several spaces at the same time. Sound insulation here focuses on reducing how sound spreads throughout the building, not on changing the room's acoustics.
Common sources of noise in industrial environments
Typical problems arise from production machinery, ventilation systems, fans, compressors, and pumps. Even sound that spreads through ducts, pipes, and technical shafts can be perceived as disturbing in other parts of the facility. Equipment that is in continuous operation often gives rise to low-frequency noise and recurring vibrations that are amplified when they are transmitted through the building's structure.
Other common sources are cooling and heating systems, hydraulic units, transport equipment, and technical installations in machine rooms or service areas. What these have in common is that the noise is often spread through floors, walls, and fixings, which means that the problem can be experienced far from the actual source of the noise.
Why does sound from machines spread so effectively?
Machines generate not only airborne sound but also vibrations that propagate through the building's structure. When vibrations are transmitted through floors, walls, pipes, or ducts, structure-borne noise occurs, which can be amplified in adjacent structures. This makes machine noise particularly difficult to manage without targeted measures that address the sound propagation at the source.
Relationship to sound absorption and vibration damping
Sound insulation of machines should not be confused with sound absorption, which is used to reduce echo and reverberation in a room. Sound-absorbing solutions on walls, ceilings, curtains, or room dividers improve the sound environment within the same space, but do not stop sound between rooms. Vibration damping, in turn, focuses on reducing the vibrations from the machine itself. In industrial environments, these measures are often combined to achieve the best possible overall result.
Principles of sound insulation for machines
Effective sound insulation of machines and equipment is based on limiting the path of sound into the building. This may involve reducing direct contact between the machine and the frame, shielding the noise source, or preventing sound from spreading through connecting structures. The goal is to stop the sound before it reaches other areas, rather than trying to remedy the consequences further away.
Well-considered advice for best results
For best results, each machine should be assessed based on its location, how often it is used, and how sound spreads in the building. A common mistake is to focus only on the space where the machine is located, even though the disturbances are often experienced in completely different parts of the facility. By viewing machines and equipment as active sound sources and working with the right insulation principles, a more controlled and long-term sound environment can be created.
Sound insulation of machines and equipment is therefore a key measure for stopping disruptive noise between rooms and creating a better working environment, safety, and functionality in industrial environments.