By sealing these gaps we can cut down on sound transmitting into a space. Gaps can be present in doorways, ceilings, ductwork, etc. When a customer approaches us with noise issues coming from another space, one of the first things we look for are gaps and airways leading into the area of concern. Sealing gaps and airways can greatly reduce sound transmission If your barrier is the same height and width of a noise source, that noise will work its way around and you’ll still be able to hear it. If you can see a loud noise source, chances are you can hear it. This is particular relevant in exterior applications such as construction and outdoor sport facilities. When looking to reduce the transmission of noise with a barrier it is a rule of thumb that the barrier should be as close to the noise source as possible and be double the height and length of the noise source. Break the line of sight and double the height and length of a barrier at a noise source

As discussed previously, a 10db reduction equates to 50% less noise, so 5db is halfway and clearly noticeable. In fact, it’s a law that for every doubling of the mass that there is a 5dB increase in the STC. It makes sense that a denser barrier would prevent more sound transmission. Doubling the mass of a noise barrier, the Sound Transmission Class (STC) increases by approximately 5dB. So when someone with a noise source of 80dB says they want to halve the noise to 40db, the correct statement would be reducing the 80db source to 70db to halve the noise. The reality is that for every 10db reduction you halve the noise. Many customer come to us wanting to reduce the noise in a space and often confuse decibels for loudness. Making a space 50% quieter means a 10 decibel (dB) noise reduction The following are common laws and rules of thumb for noise mitigation that we use (and so can you) to understand and measure sound and noise levels.

Reduce noise v4 do it twice