Ventilation systems are an essential part of any industrial facility. They are responsible not only for keeping interiors cool and comfortable, but also help remove harmful contaminants from the air. This is especially critical in industrial buildings where airborne contaminants can include hazardous materials like combustible dusts, chemical vapors, smoke, and potentially harmful gasses. However, poorly designed ventilation systems can also cause another hazard for the work environment: excessive noise. There are many ventilation system noise control solutions that may work for your current system to help reduce noise levels. In this article, we’ll explain why noise control is important, common sources of noise, as well as some potential remedies for noisy ventilation systems.
Why is Ventilation System Noise Control Important?
There are several reasons to address noise problems in your building as soon as possible. If you notice that your ventilation system creates more noise than you expect, then you need ventilation system noise control to help protect your personnel and also ensure compliance with applicable laws.
Keeping Employees Safe & Healthy
One of the most important reasons to address noise issues from your industrial fans and ventilation equipment is that it can actually harm your workers. Excessive noise levels can cause many issues for those inside your facility. Loud sounds over an extended period of time can cause permanent damage to delicate structures inside the ears. Eventually, this can lead to hearing loss. Hearing loss from workplace noise exposure is often completely preventable, as there are many things facilities can do to help reduce noise exposure in their buildings. If excessive noise is coming from your ventilation system, then there are several ventilation system noise control measures you can take, which we will discuss later in this article. For noise that is unavoidable, employees may need to wear hearing protection to avoid health issues related to noise exposure.
If your employees complain of high noise levels, then investigate the potential causes and solutions. Some common signs that noise may be too high in your facility include:
- People needing to shout for others to hear them
- Temporary hearing loss after leaving the building
- Hearing ringing or humming in the ears after the workday
Maintaining Compliance for Workplace Noise Exposure
Another reason to consider noise control for industrial ventilation systems is to comply with applicable codes and laws. There are many laws at the federal, state, and local levels designed to promote occupational health and safety for your employees. This includes laws on noise levels in your facility. Noncompliance can lead to fines or even shutdowns for your operations. Therefore, this is another reason to address excessive noise in your facility.
For instance OSHA has specific workplace noise limits that employers must follow. Current codes state that employees can be exposed to noise no louder than 90 dB for an eight-hour workday. They also include a 5 dB exchange rate. This means that for every 5 dB increase in noise, the time that an employee can be exposed cuts in half. For instance, if noise is 90 dB in your facility, they can work at that level for eight hours. However, if the noise is 95 dB, then they can only work at that level for four hours, and so on.
However, keep in mind that there may be stricter codes in place for your location or industry. For instance, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends noise at no higher than 85 dB for an eight-hour workday with a 3 dB exchange rate, based on scientific research into workplace noise exposure. Some laws may use these guidelines instead.
Common Noise Sources from Industrial Fans and Ventilation Systems
There are any number of potential sources of noise in your industrial ventilation system. However, there are a few common ones our specialists see. Here are common ventilation system noise sources you may have in your facility:
You May Need Ventilation System Noise Control for Industrial Fans in Your System
Industrial fans are typically found throughout the ventilation system. They help with exhaust in both local and general exhaust systems, help provide make up air to maintain proper pressures, and are also used to help with cooling in your building. However, they can also be a source of noise. Industrial fans often have high powered motors to provide the level of air movement needed in industrial facilities, which can also create noise.
High Turbulence or Sudden Pressure Changes May Cause Noise
Air turbulence and pressure changes can also lead to noise in your industrial ventilation system. By definition, turbulence is where the air changes in pressure and/or velocity irregularly. This can cause various components in the system to vibrate and give off noise, particularly in the ducting of your building. In addition, sudden pressure changes, like pressure drops, can also cause noise in the ventilation system. This is one of the reasons why we use fluid flow analysis principles to help design ventilation systems and provide ventilation system noise control solutions.
Ventilation System Noise Control Solutions That May Work for Your Facility
There are several potential ventilation system noise control solutions that may work well for your facility. Our ventilation specialists can help assess noise in your workplace, identify ventilation system sources, and provide specific recommendations for reducing noise. Some solutions we may recommend include:
Changing How you Operate Your Industrial Ventilation System
In some cases, it may be that the operation of the ventilation system is what is causing the noise. The most common issue is using high fan speeds, which can cause noise throughout the system. It may be that you can turn fan speeds down to reduce noise exposure in your building. However, it’s important to keep in mind that using a slower fan speed may make your industrial ventilation system less effective, so it’s crucial to talk to one of our specialists before taking this step, as it could lead to exposure of harmful contaminants if you turn industrial fan speed down too low.
Scheduling Regular Maintenance for Industrial Fans and Ventilation Equipment
Another issue is poor maintenance. Poor maintenance for your industrial ventilation system can increase the risk for excessive noise. A common example is dirt and debris on fan and blower impellers. This can make the fan work harder and cause imbalances, both of which can lead to noise. Therefore, for ventilation system noise control, we may recommend creating a comprehensive maintenance program.
Installing Ventilation System Noise Control Products
One of the most common options for ventilation system noise control in an existing system is to add sound attenuating products. These can include things like fan and blower silencers, acoustic enclosures, and even acoustic duct linings. Installing these products throughout your system can help reduce and control noise in your building.
Replacing Certain Components to Help with Noise Control for Industrial Ventilation Systems
In some cases, it may be that the equipment in your ventilation system emits more noise than necessary. If this is the case, we may recommend replacing a significant source of noise with a newer, quieter model. This can also reduce noise levels in your industrial facility.
Redesigning Your Ventilation System with Acoustic Design Principles
Sometimes your current ventilation system is just poorly designed. In these cases, it’s often better to redesign the ventilation system for noise reduction. Our team can recommission and retrofit ventilation systems to provide proper ventilation while reducing noise in your building.
Ventilation System Noise Control Experts at Eldridge
Our specialists at Eldridge are committed to creating successful environments for your people, products, and processes. If your facility has excessive noise from the ventilation system, contact our team for help. We can solve even the most challenging ventilation system noise control problems using over 75 years of experience and our technologically advanced processes. Contact us now to request a quote or browse our online store to shop for industrial fans.