Running products like jet engines and turbines is noisy, and the volume of sound in aerospace testing facilities can create safety concerns and distract people from their work. Fortunately, installing noise cancelling curtains is an easy and effective way to reduce the transmission of sound in your aerospace testing facility. In this article, we’ll discuss how noise reducing curtains work and the benefits you can expect to see by installing them.
Noise is a Problem in Aerospace Testing Facilities
In aerospace testing facilities, workers test both the components and the full-scale products used in aviation and space exploration. The testing cells in these facilities are designed to simulate what a craft will encounter in the real world and can replicate vibrations, extreme temperatures, space vacuums, pressure changes, and more to make sure products are ready to go.
When teams test a new system, accuracy and concentration are vital, but the excessive noise that’s common in testing facilities can disrupt this. On a basic level, this can interfere with sensitive instruments and make it hard to hear others talking. In more extreme cases, it can contribute to long-term hearing loss and create an uncomfortable or dangerous workplace.
What Are Noise Cancelling Curtains?
Acoustic curtains are a type of hanging drape made from multiple layers of dense, sound-absorbing materials. These materials are usually made from a combination of mass-loaded vinyl, fiberglass insulation, and heavy-duty fabric designed to absorb and deflect sound waves. Unlike regular curtains, noise blocking curtains and related products don’t just muffle sound, but they actually block and trap it, which is why when you place them around your aerospace testing facility, they can make a big difference in how sound travels.
The Benefits of Acoustic Curtains in Aerospace Testing Facilities
Noise is a problem at aerospace testing facilities, but acoustic curtains can help. Here, we cover some of the main benefits you can expect when you install these curtains at your facility.
Reduce Decibel Levels
The main job of noise blocking curtains is to reduce decibel levels. In facilities with high levels of noise, these curtains can significantly cut down sounds.
Flexible Setup
Setups change frequently at aerospace testing facilities, which is why it doesn’t make sense to build permanent walls to reduce noise. Instead, acoustic curtains can be mounted on tracks, suspended from ceilings, and used as movable partitions, meaning you can create temporary enclosures to isolate noisy areas without building permanent walls.
Reduce Test Cell Noise
A test cell is an enclosed space used to safely test equipment like jet engines, gas turbines, and rocket engines, all of which produce high levels of noise. By lining the walls and ceilings of a test cell with noise reducing curtains, you can trap much of that sound at the source. This kind of test cell noise reduction helps protect nearby workers and cuts down on facility-wide echoes that may interrupt other operations.
Better Communication
When you reduce background noise, it’s easier to communicate since you no longer have to shout to be heard over a turbine test.
Improved Safety
Excessive noise can mask alarms and make it hard for people to hear each other during an emergency. By using noise cancelling curtains, you can create a safer workplace for everyone.
Where Should You Install Noise Cancelling Curtains?
For aerospace testing facilities, we suggest installing noise cancelling curtains around test cells in order to enclose engine testing zones and contain the sound. Additionally, you can install noise blocking curtains near loud machinery like HVAC systems, compressors, and generators. If you have work zones next to loud areas, you may also consider adding curtains between the noisy areas and quieter ones to protect workers. Finally, you can install curtains in temporary testing areas since they can be put up and removed with ease.
What to Look for When Purchasing Acoustic Curtains
If you’re investing in industrial curtains with noise cancelling properties, we suggest looking first at the sound transmission class rating, which will tell you how well the curtains block sound. It’s important to note that while some curtains are marketed as soundproof, no curtain will block 100 percent of all sound. Total soundproofing requires airtight construction like walls, insulation, sealed doors, and no gaps for sound to come through. Curtains, even the best ones, can’t seal everything off in that way.
However, sound dampening curtains can still reduce the amount of noise that travels through a space. They absorb sound energy, which helps lower echoes and reverberations, making spaces less chaotic and more comfortable. This is what a sound transmission class rating can tell you.
Additionally, look for curtains that are made from industrial-grade materials, that are fire-resistant, and that come in custom sizes to meet your exact needs. Easy installation is a huge plus, and many noise cancelling curtains come with modular systems with tracks or grommets that can save you time on installations.
Does Your Aerospace Testing Facility Need Noise Cancelling Curtains?
In most cases, aerospace testing facilities can benefit from installing sound dampening curtains. They are affordable compared to permanent soundproofing, easy to install and move, effective in reducing noise levels, and apply to many situations. Additionally, facilities that install acoustic curtains have fewer worker compensation claims for hearing loss, improved productivity due to better concentration, and fewer complaints from surrounding tenants. If you’ve been struggling with any of these issues or want to stop them before they begin, noise blocking curtains could be a great choice.
Learn More About Curtains for Test Cell Noise Reduction
At Singer Safety, our mission is to reduce excessive noise and improve workplace safety in easy, efficient ways with our range of high-quality noise cancelling curtains. Each of our products is designed with safety and durability in mind, and we offer both standard and custom sizes.
Need help deciding which option is right for you? Our staff can help you determine the products that will work best for your facility. To learn more, contact us today.
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