Work Away Without Fear Of Noise With Sound Barriers
Sound Barriers for Businesses and Commercial Noise
Noise can be a problem for many types of business. It may come from plant equipment, machinery, service yards, loading areas, external seating, workshops, traffic or neighbouring premises.
Where noise is affecting staff, visitors, customers or nearby properties, sound barriers can help reduce noise movement across external areas. The right solution will depend on the noise source, the site layout and where the sound is travelling.
What Are Sound Barriers?
Sound barriers are designed to reduce noise travelling from one area to another. They are often used around site boundaries, plant equipment, commercial yards, external work areas and outdoor spaces where noise needs to be managed.
Unlike standard fencing, acoustic barriers are designed with mass, density and continuity in mind. This helps the barrier interrupt the sound path more effectively.
Where Sound Barriers Can Help
Acoustic fencing and barriers can be used in a range of commercial and industrial settings, including:
- Factories, workshops and industrial units
- Plant rooms and external equipment areas
- Service yards, loading bays and delivery areas
- Schools, leisure sites and community buildings
- Commercial boundaries close to neighbouring properties
- Outdoor hospitality areas and venue perimeters
How Sound Barriers Reduce Noise
A sound barrier works by interrupting the direct path between the noise source and the area being protected. For example, a barrier may sit between noisy plant equipment and a neighbouring property, or between a service yard and nearby offices.
For a barrier to be effective, it needs to be correctly positioned, suitably dense and high enough for the situation. If sound can easily travel over, around or through gaps in the barrier, the overall reduction may be limited.
Sound Barriers for Plant and Machinery
Plant equipment, chillers, pumps, motors, extract systems, compressors and generators can all create noise that affects nearby rooms or neighbouring sites.
In these situations, sound barriers may form part of a wider noise-control plan. Depending on the equipment and layout, acoustic enclosures, doors, wall treatment, sealing work or vibration control may also be needed.
Sound Barriers for Commercial Yards
Service yards and loading areas can create noise from deliveries, vehicles, staff movement, equipment, waste handling and general activity.
An acoustic barrier may help reduce noise transfer where the yard is close to homes, offices, schools or neighbouring businesses. The layout of the site and position of the affected area will influence what type of barrier is suitable.
Sound Barriers for Workplaces
Businesses also need to think about noise affecting their own staff and working areas. Noise from nearby equipment, roads, external workspaces or neighbouring premises can make some workplaces less comfortable to use.
Where the noise is external and there is a clear sound path, a barrier may help. Where noise is entering through the building itself, internal soundproofing may also need to be considered.
Height, Weight and Position Matter
The performance of a sound barrier depends on more than the material alone. Height, weight, density, position, ground conditions and surrounding buildings all matter.
A barrier that is too low may allow sound to travel over the top. A barrier with gaps, weak joints or poor ground contact may allow sound to pass through or around it.
Installation and Detailing
Good installation is important. Acoustic barriers need to be fitted so that panels are continuous and gaps are minimised wherever possible.
Posts, joints, edges, gates and changes in ground level should all be considered during installation, as these details can affect acoustic performance.
Acoustic Fencing and Gates
Some sites need acoustic fencing across a boundary, while others may also need acoustic gates for access. Gates can be a weak point if they are not properly specified and fitted.
Where access is required, the gate, frame, closing detail and surrounding barrier should all be considered as part of the same acoustic system.
Sound Barriers vs Internal Soundproofing
Sound barriers are mainly used to reduce outdoor noise paths. Internal soundproofing is used when noise is entering, leaving or travelling through a building.
If noise is passing through a wall, floor, ceiling or door, products such as wall soundproofing, ceiling soundproofing or soundproof doors may be more suitable.
Can Sound Barriers Remove All Noise?
Sound barriers can help reduce some external noise, but they will not remove all sound. Noise can still travel over the top, around the sides, through gaps or via other routes into a building.
The result will depend on the noise source, distance, barrier height, density, position, installation quality and surrounding environment.
Technical Information and Product Choice
Before choosing a sound barrier, it is worth reviewing the product information, technical data and installation guidance. This can help confirm whether the barrier is suitable for the site and the type of noise involved.
Acoustic Supplies provides acoustic fencing and barriers, along with wider soundproofing products for commercial, industrial, leisure and domestic projects.
Get Help with Sound Barriers
If noise from your workplace, plant area, yard or site boundary is affecting nearby spaces, Acoustic Supplies can help you choose a suitable acoustic barrier or wider soundproofing solution.
Call Acoustic Supplies on 01204 548400 or contact the team online to discuss your commercial noise-control project.