As you prepare your industrial workplace with all of the necessary safety measures, it is important to ensure that you choose the right noise control materials to keep your workspace safe. Choosing the right soundproofing tools for your industry does not have to be difficult; there are plenty of sound insulation materials to choose from, but they work best in different conditions. You just have to find what solutions fit best into your workspace.
This article will discuss the importance of industrial noise control, the different soundproofing material options, and ways in which you can reduce noise in your facility.
Why Invest in Noise Control?
Industrial noise control is a critical safety measure that has the potential to be overlooked. To the naked eye, it may not appear as important as fire safety or heavy machinery training, but it is OSHA-regulated and required, just like other forms of safety. Improper sound dampening can actually cause severe damage to one’s hearing. Repeated or prolonged exposure to loud noise can cause permanent hearing loss, and even affect your hearing after a shorter exposure time. Investing in the best sound dampening material for your industrial space is essential to keeping your employees safe and healthy.
Panels
If you have a lot of very loud machinery or operations, you may want to invest in heavy-duty industrial noise control equipment. Large paneling made of sound insulation materials like fiberglass and vinyl will help stop harmful noise levels completely, keeping the sound isolated.
Fiberglass
Quilted fiberglass paneling is one powerful sound-absorbing solution for noise control. These panels are specifically beneficial because they reduce reflective sound, which can amplify noise levels. Single-faced fiberglass panels can be set up against the walls of a work zone and will absorb any sound waves that would normally bounce off wood or cement. Double-faced panels can also be set up against walls, or they can be used as free-standing panels that absorb sound from both sides.
Vinyl
Vinyl paneling serves a similar purpose to fiberglass, but it has an added layer of reinforcement. From appearance alone, vinyl and fiberglass paneling actually look extremely similar; the only difference is that vinyl panels have a one-inch layer of vinyl placed between two panels of quilted fiberglass. This extra layer of vinyl takes sound dampening to the next level. Where fiberglass is one of the best sound dampening materials, vinyl is a sound-deadening one.
Curtains
Another great soundproofing material option is sound-dampening curtains. These curtains are made of acoustic, or sound-deadening fabrics like suede, velvet, and polyester. They can help block noise from leaving a contained area. They are less expensive than vinyl and fiberglass paneling, which means they are also fairly lightweight and easy to set up and take down. These curtains can be used to partition an area, serving as stand-in walls, or you can put them up against already-existing walls. You can even use them as carpets or ceiling baffles.
As the name suggests, sound-dampening curtains cannot fully eliminate noise, but can significantly decrease it within a space. The fabric absorbs sound waves, which can make it easier for workers to be comfortable when moving around an area operating loud machinery. These curtains are great for blocking out external sound making them a great option for securing a work area adjacent to a loud work zone. Additionally, they can serve as actual curtains blocking or letting light in as you want!
Blankets
Another inexpensive and efficient type of industrial noise control is soundproof blankets. They are similar to sound-dampening curtains but aren’t used as actual curtains. Soundproof blankets are made of wool, woven through with other soundproofing materials like acoustic fabrics. While they are very thick, they are not 100% soundproof. At most, they are about 80% soundproof and are best used in conjunction with other noise control equipment – or in a space where noise reduction does not have to be significant.
Choosing the Right Soundproofing
There are numerous sound insulation materials you can choose from, and they can manifest in different ways. For example, acoustic fabrics can be woven into soundproof blankets or they can be a part of a fiberglass panel. Some soundproofing can be done on a much smaller scale, with certain types of paint or caulk. The soundproofing you are looking for will strongly depend on the type of noise you are trying to reduce. If you work in an industrial space with a lot of heavy machinery and loud instruments, you will want to aim for stronger forms of noise reduction like paneling or curtains. The right soundproofing will be determined by the coverage you need.
Sound Proof with Singer
In addition to soundproofing curtains, paneling, and blankets, you could also invest in ceiling baffles or acoustic foams to help reduce noise in your workplace. These sound insulation materials are best used in addition to larger-scale equipment like paneling or curtains, which give the extra boost of sound cancellation if you need it!
With Singer Safety, there are a lot of industrial noise control options at your disposal. Whether you are looking for heavy-duty soundproofing in a large industrial warehouse, or you are trying to make an at-home recording studio more sound-friendly, we have the best sound dampening material for the job. Our priority is to make your workspace safe and comfortable – no matter what industry. If you are looking for noise-reduction tools, take a look at our many offerings to see how Singer can keep you safe.