Acoustic enclosures are ready for 2006 noise regs

Sound Dead Steel is now manufacturing acoustic enclosures using Sound Deadened Steel and noise-absorbent foam.

Sound Dead Steel (SDS) is now manufacturing acoustic enclosures using Sound Deadened Steel and noise-absorbent foam.

A video showing an enclosure in action can be viewed on the company's website.

The enclosure in the video shows a lightweight (compared to alternative constructions) SDS enclosure, which is hinged and on castors to provide easy access.

The external face can be galvanised steel, plastisol, CR painted, stainless steel or aluminium.

The client was looking to reduce the noise levels from a hydraulic pump, which, while not excessively load (88.6dB), had a frequency that was close to the current second action level, where the employer is required to take reasonable and practical measures to reduce the noise levels.

In February 2006 the action levels will be reduced to 80 and 85dB, and so, in 2006, this pump would be above the safety limit.

The video shows that the background noise level in the factory was 75dB and the noise from the pump was greater than 88dB.

When the enclosure was sealed and the pump turned on full, the noise from the pump outside the enclosure was not noticeable to the human ear and did not register on the noise meter.

The heath and safety officer asked if the pump was on and went to check the control panel to verify that it was operating.

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