What is an acoustic barrier?

An acoustic barrier (also known as an acoustic fence or a noise barrier) helps absorb and reduce the the level of noise pollution. This noise pollution can be caused by a number of factors:

• Commercial and industrial facilities.
• Residential housing and schools.
• Sports stadiums and cultural venues.
• Transport including road, air and rail.
• Construction sites.

Acoustic barriers come in two forms: Absorptive and Reflective. An absorptive acoustic barrier absorbs the noise into the barrier. A reflective acoustic barrier reflects the noise back to its source.

Why is noise protection important?

Noise is a problem. It causes discomfort to people that work or live nearby. This is such a common problem that noise is specifically covered in elements of legislation. This includes the Control of Pollution Act (1974) and the Environmental Protection Act (1990). These two acts provide powers to councils or local authorities to prosecute in cases of dangerous, excessive or disruptive noise.

A number of health issues can be attributed to noise pollution. These issues are: hearing damage, hypertension, chronic stress, diabetes and some heart problems. As noise pollution is a sensitive issue, it is important that acoustic barriers are designed with the requirements of the users in mind. The main aim is to reduce the impact of noise pollution to an acceptable level that is within the law.

How do acoustic barriers work?

When an acoustic barrier is placed in front of a noise it will react in three ways. This is based on what the barrier is made of, and the nature and volume of the noise.

1. The noise is absorbed into the barrier.
2. It bounces off the barrier surface and is reflected back to its source.
3. Noise flows around the edges of the barrier.

The majority of acoustic barriers will attempt to deal with noise using the first two points, but some noise will always escape around the sides and top of the barrier.

How to position an acoustic barrier?

Selecting a position for an acoustic barrier will have a marked effect in its performance. One of the three positions below should be chosen:

1. Near to the source of the noise.
2. Close to the receiver you are protecting from the noise.
3. Midway between the source and the receiver.

The optimum position for the best noise reduction performance is as close to the source as possible. If this is not possible then the next best is as close to the receiver as is practical. When neither of these two options can be delivered then the least efficient option is midway between the two.

How is the effectiveness of an acoustic barrier determined?

Acoustic barriers come in many shapes and sizes. Its effectiveness is determined by the following factors:

• Material density – How efficiently the barrier absorbs the sound, or reflects it. A highly dense surface reflects the noise as it will bounce straight off it. A more porous, less dense surface absorbs the energy of the sound.
• Barrier height – An efficient barrier is full height from the ground level to its required height. A feature of sound is that it can bend around corners. Therefore, the height must be sufficient that this leakage of sound is diminished to an acceptable level.
• Barrier construction – A barrier must be structurally secure. For example sponge is an amazing absorber of sound, but it is completely lacking in structural performance. The frequency of the sound to be eliminated also needs to be considered. This is because not all barriers can cope with all types of noise, be that high or low pitched.
• Distance between what makes the noise (source) and those who hear it (receiver) – The best place to manage the level of sound is close to the source. When this is not possible manage the level of sound at the receiver end.
• Relative height of source and receiver with respect to barrier –When the receiver is elevated from the source, then the barrier will require to be higher. Alternatively it could possibly located nearer to the receiver. An example of this would be a house on a hill overlooking a motorway.

Types of acoustic barriers

Acoustic barriers are made from a wide range of materials. These materials are wood, metal, concrete, glass, polycarbonate sheet, acrylic sheet and earth. The kind of materials used affects how much the noise pollution is decreased by.

It is important to take the following factors into consideration when selecting your acoustic barrier material:

• Confirm it is structurally durable and sound.
• Verify it is weather resistant.
• Check that it is fire resistant.
• Ensure it is visually appealing for its landscape.
• Confirm it is suitability vandalism resistant.
• Cost its installation and full life-cycle.
• Plan its repair and maintenance.
• Organise its installation.

Wooden acoustic barriers

Wooden acoustic barriers provide a great mechanism for reducing noise pollution. The stronger and thicker the barrier is, the better it is at lessening sound. Always choose wooden barriers that are weather resistant so that their lifespan are prolonged.

Metal acoustic barriers

Metal acoustic barriers are excellent at reducing noise pollution. They are very robust and affordable. Always choose metal barriers that are weather resistant and erosion proof.

Concrete acoustic barriers

Concrete acoustic barriers have been used for decades to reduce noise pollution because of their thickness. It is a very durable material but it can be extremely costly to install and maintain.

However, like other reflective solutions, concrete struggles to reduce echoes and reverberating sound. It can in some cases increase the noise level.

Glass, Polycarbonate or Acrylic Sheet acoustic barriers

Where the right to light is important, it is best to use glass, polycarbonate or acrylic sheet acoustic barriers. These barriers will allow light to still get into residential and commercial property whilst reducing the noise pollution. They are very affordable, have a long lifespan and are aesthetically appealing.

Earth acoustic barriers

The most environmentally friendly solution for an acoustic barrier are walls of earth, (also known as berms). These barriers are usually visually attractive when constructed properly. But, they can be extremely labour intensive to build and are also relatively expensive.

What benefits do acoustic barriers provide?

The installation of acoustic barriers provide the following benefits:

• Reduces noise pollution and annoyance.
• Supplies a high degree of privacy.
• Provides added security.
• Blends in with the surrounding environment.
• Rapidly deployable.
• Low ongoing costs.
• Long term product guarantees.

Where are acoustic barriers used?

Acoustic barriers are used in the following areas:

• Commercial and industrial sites.
• Residential housing.
• Schools.
• Sports stadiums and cultural venues.
• Parks.
• Motorways and highways.
• Airports.
• Railways.
• Construction sites.

Do acoustic barriers block out all noise?

Acoustic barriers will not block out noise completely. It helps reduce the noise pollution to a level that is acceptable and conforms to the Control of Pollution Act (1974) and the Environmental Protection Act (1990) standards.

And finally

Acoustic barriers are extremely effective tools at reducing noise pollution. They also provide security, privacy, protect children and stop strangers or animals trespassing. All these benefits are important in improving peoples lives. Therefore, the reward in improving the acoustic environment is always greater than the headline cost. Get in touch with us if you require further details on https://hfbc-uk.com/contact/