Noise cancelling curtains can be used to create quiet zones in truck maintenance facilities, allowing you to have a safer and more focused workplace. In this article, we’ll break down the benefits of soundproof curtains and why they’re worth considering if you’re in facilities maintenance management.
Why Do Truck Maintenance Facilities Get So Loud?
Truck maintenance facilities are noisy for a few reasons. To start, engines are constantly running. Even when idling, diesel engines produce a deep, continuous rumble. Additionally, tools like air wrenches and drills can reach high decibel levels, contributing to the noise. There is also often metal-on-metal contact, usually when workers are cutting or grinding different parts. Finally, most maintenance facilities are big, but open spaces tend to let sound bounce around, amplifying the noise.
According to OSHA, noise levels are measured in decibels, and exposure to noise over 85 decibels can damage your hearing. If you need to raise your voice to speak to someone who is three feet away, the noise levels are likely over 85 decibels. This is common in truck maintenance facilities, and one of the reasons why you should consider installing soundproof curtains.
How Can Noise Cancelling Curtains Help?
Though truck maintenance facilities can be loud, what if you were able to section off the noisiest areas without building permanent walls? That’s exactly what noise cancelling curtains do. These curtains are made from layers of heavy-duty, sound-absorbing materials, and they’re built to withstand industrial wear and tear while reducing sound transmission. In a truck maintenance setting, they can help in several ways.
First, sound dampening curtains can be used to create quiet zones, which are areas dedicated to things like phone calls, customer consultations, and administrative work. People in these areas can remove their protective hearing equipment without worrying about noise exposure.
Second, noise cancelling curtains can lower the overall ambient noise in a truck maintenance facility, meaning workers will have less exposure and less risk of noise-induced hearing loss.
Finally, when sound is reduced, it can improve focus. Mechanics can concentrate without as many distractions, improving overall productivity.
Are Soundproof Curtains and Sound Dampening Curtains the Same?
You’ve likely heard both the terms soundproof curtains and sound dampening curtains. Often, these terms are used interchangeably to describe all noise-blocking industrial curtains, though sometimes you’ll find differences between them.
Soundproof curtains are designed to block sound from passing through the curtain. They’re ideal if you want to contain noise to one area, like an engine testing bay.
Sound dampening curtains, on the other hand, focus on absorbing sound to reduce echoes and overall noise levels in a space. They’re perfect for lowering the general volume in a shop.
In most facilities maintenance management situations, both soundproof curtains and sound dampening curtains can be used to effectively reduce noise levels in the areas where they are needed most.
What Are the Benefits of Noise Curtains for Truck Maintenance Facilities?
The great part about noise curtains is that they’re flexible. You can hang them from ceiling tracks, roll them away when you need to open up space, and reposition them based on your work that day.
Flexible
Trucks come in all shapes and sizes, which is why it’s great if you have repair bays that can easily adjust. With curtains, you can move your quiet zones around without major construction.
Cost Effective
Building permanent walls is expensive and disruptive. Curtains deliver a similar noise-reducing benefit at a fraction of the cost, and they can be installed without shutting down the shop for days.
Easy to Maintain
Facilities maintenance teams love that these curtains are made to be cleaned and repaired easily. If one gets damaged, you can replace just that section instead of redoing an entire structure.
Safe to Use
Unlike hard walls, curtains won’t block overhead lighting or airflow. You can keep your area safe and comfortable without hurting visibility.
How Can You Use Noise Curtains in Truck Maintenance Facilities?
Now that you understand how noise cancelling curtains work, how can you use them in your facility? Here, we cover a few examples.
Around Administrative Offices
If your office space is right off the main floor, adding soundproof curtains between it and the bays can make it easier to make phone calls and do paperwork.
In Customer Waiting Areas
Some shops have customers remain on-site while work is being done. Curtains can separate the waiting zone from the loudest parts of the floor to improve the overall customer experience.
In Training Areas
If you run training sessions for new technicians, you can set up a curtained area where instructions can be heard clearly without needing to yell over background noise.
Around Engine Testing Bays
When an engine is being tested, the noise can get intense. Sound dampening curtains can be used to contain much of that sound to one area of the shop.
How Do You Choose the Right Noise Curtains?
If you want to choose the right noise curtains, pay attention to material thickness, STC ratings, how easy they are to move around, durability, and whether the curtains are available in custom sizes.
Material
Heavier, denser industrial curtains generally block more sound. If you want the most sound absorption, look for curtains with multiple layers.
STC Rating
This stands for sound transmission class, which measures how well a barrier blocks sound. Higher is better.
Adjustability
If you plan to reconfigure the curtains often, get curtains on tracks or with rolling hardware.
Durability
In a truck shop, curtains will face dust, grease, accidents, and more. Choose durable materials that are made to last.
Custom Sizing
Large trucks require tall curtains, sometimes up to 20 feet or more, so make sure you can order to size.
Learn More About Noise Curtains for Quiet Zones in Truck Maintenance Facilities
With noise cancelling curtains, you can create quiet zones that improve focus, protect your workers’ hearing, and make your facility a better place to be. At Singer Safety, our mission is to improve workplace safety and efficiency with our range of high-quality industrial curtains. Each of our products is designed with 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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