past projects

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. 2420 Grenoble Rd. Richmond Va. 23294

1-800-782-5742 http://www.acousticalsolutions.com

AcoustiCrete™ sound wall reduces noise for residences at new retail development.

In April of 2005, Waterman Design Associates contacted Acoustical Solutions, Inc. about a proposed new retail center in Westborough, MA, Bay State Commons. Residencies adjacent to the new center were concerned about noise from idling trucks and increased traffic along Brigham Street. The solution needed would have to both attenuate the sound for the residential area and meet all other designs goals. Acoustical Solutions proposed using the AcoustiCrete™ wall system.

The AcoustiCrete system is a lightweight steel and fiberglass reinforced pre-cast concrete wall system that installs easily, is low maintenance, and economical. AcoustiCrete was the easy choice for this solution to provide an aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting sound barrier between the residential area along Cottage Street and the new Bay State Commons development along Brigham Street. The AcoustiCrete sound barrier system was constructed between Brigham and Cottage streets using a "dry stacked" stone pattern and an optional faux finish applied to the residential side of the project as an added aesthetic feature for the developments neighbors.



Noise control along the Potomac River.

Environmental stewardship has long been of primary focus for the team at the Mirant Potomac River Power Generating Station. The Potomac River Station provides power through the PJM Interconnection energy market, and delivering electricity to consumers in 13 states and is located along the Potomac in Alexandria, Virginia. Acoustical Solutions was contacted to provide solutions for strategic areas of the plant that would reduce the amount of unwanted noise affecting the surrounding community.

Noise mitigation was required to address excessive noise from industrial equipment and processes along the North and North-East of the plant. Specifically, high volume vacuum pumps at the plant’s north end would need to be mitigated to decrease perceived noise levels at adjacent condominiums next door. At the North-East section fly ash collectors and air solenoid valves also needed attenuation to protect the neighboring pedestrians using walk/bike trail that runs along the Potomac River adjacent to the plant.

The Challenges: 1. Noise controlling devices were required to provide a high level of attenuation while maintaining a clean

professional appearance. 2. Work was to be conducted safely during normal operations without hampering other plant related

activities. 3. Attenuating materials would need to be mounted to existing structures and allow for future access to

equipment and areas as needed. 4. All work to be completed on a 2½ week dead line.

These challenges were easy meet using the LSE sound barrier wall system and AudioSeal ™ acoustical blankets provided and installed by Acoustical Solutions. An LSE barrier wall was erected along the North-East side of the plant. Where there was insufficient structure or ground to continue the LSE barrier wall along the remainder of the North-East side, AudioSeal ™ acoustical blankets were installed onto the existing building. This combination of barrier wall system and acoustical blankets was mirrored at the North end of the plant by installing acoustical gates using the LSE system at the North corridor entrance and AudioSeal ™ acoustical blankets around the fixed high volume vacuum pumps, again at the plant’s North end. Additional acoustical blankets we placed inside the building at appropriate points to further reduce noise from plant operations. The LSE wall system is a light-weight, durable, and reliable sound barrier system proven by over 30 years of use in the industrial, commercial, and transportation market. AudioSeal ™ acoustical blankets are a versatile, UV and weather resistant, barrier backed sound absorber. Both are ascetically pleasing, easy to install and offer great attenuation ratings.

The Mirant Potomac River Power Generating Station project was completed in December 2008, making the plant

a quieter neighbor for the surrounding community. “The products you installed were very effective, both the

acoustical blankets and the noise barrier walls. I especially appreciated your ability to construct both quickly- Mark Nitz – Engineering Manager”.



AcoustiFiber™ Sound Wall Reduces Noise at Sturgis Iron & Metal Plant

Sturgis Iron and Metal contacted Acoustical Solutions, Inc initially in July 2006 to help resolve industrial noise and site concerns stemming from the facility’s close proximity to a residential community. Sturgis was concerned with noise created by a metal shredder, dubbed the “Mega Shredder” the largest metal shedder in North America as well as noise created by heavy equipment activities. The AcoustiFiber™ sound barrier wall provided by Acoustical Solutions met the environmental and engineering demands of the project.

The Sturgis facility is located in Elkhart, Indiana where environmental conditions can be particularly harsh at times. Acoustical Solutions was asked to provide a sound barrier wall that could withstand decades of freeze-thaw conditions while remaining architecturally appealing to the surrounding neighbors. Sturgis Iron and Metal did not want to use a standard metal or concrete wall with the demanding conditions. In severe environmental conditions metal tends to rust and stain while concrete cracks easily in freeze-thaw conditions. Graffiti removal was also a concern with these types of walls. Erecting a metal or concrete sound barrier wall requires the use of heavy machinery, another cause of apprehension at Sturgis.

Acoustical Solutions recommended the AcoustiFiber™ wall system to meet the Sturgis Iron and Metal project requirements. The AcoustiFiber™ Wall is designed to be a “hyper construction” sound wall (includes advanced focus and automatic capability on a single project). It is lightweight and requires no heavy equipment to install. Many consultants, engineers and architects now demand advanced technology and materials in the construction of sound barrier walls. New materials are being sought out that virtually eliminate any maintenance after the acoustical wall has been installed. Unlike conventional sound wall systems, the AcoustiFiber™ sound barrier wall system is extremely low maintenance.

Sturgis Iron and Metal’s engineering demands were also met with the AcoustiFiber™ sound barrier wall system. The sound barrier wall also needed to incorporate two gates to allow access by tractor-trailers and rail cars. Sturgis also requested the ability to retrofit the sound wall to raise its height for future sight growth. The AcoustiFiber™ sound barrier wall system can be easily modified in the field to meet expansion demands.

The Sturgis Iron and Metal sound barrier wall was completed in January 2007, making the industrial site a quieter neighbor for the residential communities nearby.

The Mega Shedder



All Aboard for Noise Control for Aircraft!

American Eagle Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines, was faced with a problem that is common to many industries.

Their facility was next to a residential area, and they were receiving complaints about the noise. In an effort to maintain a friendly relationship with their neighbors, and reduce noise levels, American Eagle Airlines used the AcoustiClear™ by Quilite International noise barrier wall system to build an enclosure around three sides of the area that was causing the bulk of the complaints.

The “U” shaped enclosure has a width of approximately 88 feet and a depth of approximately 64 feet. The total height of its walls is 20 feet. The base of each wall has a 4 foot high vertical concrete block section which is topped by a 16 foot high section that extends the height to 20 feet, the total wall area measured 3100 sq. ft. With fence posts in place, it only took 3 days to install the clear modular AcoustiClear™ panels!

The results were substantial. Acoustic tests were administered after the wall system was installed using a SAAB A-340 Turbo-Prop transports aircraft.

Acoustic measurements indicate that the average wall sound transmission loss between 63Hz and 8000Hz is approximately 20dBA. Also, at a location 200 feet in front of the open side of the enclosure, measurements indicate that the reflected sound pressure level average, between 500Hz and 8000Hz, was 11dBA lower than direct noise projected from the enclosure.



The Big Dig

It's called "THE BIG DIG". Boston's Central Artery and Harbor Tunnel project is the largest highway construction job ever undertaken in the United States...at a cost over $11 billion dollars!

One sensitive issue of such a significant project is how construction noise will impact local businesses and residences. Quincy Marketplace, a unique, open-air collection of restaurants, shops and offices, is located adjacent to a section of the project requiring working underneath an overhead highway, while a densely populated residential area is located on the opposite side. Thus, the noise impact upon the Marketplace and residences is even greater from the direct construction noise as well as the reflected noise off the deck.

It was determined that Audioseal Combination Blanket ABBC-13-2" Acoustical Curtain Panels would offer the required noise reduction. ABBC-13-2" Acoustical Curtain Panels are a combination of a 2" thick vinyl-faced Quilted Fiberglass Sound Absorber and a 1 lb PSF reinforced loaded vinyl noise barrier. Modular Panels are constructed with grommets for attaching to the framework as well as exterior grade hook and loop fasteners for joining adjacent panels together. Over 400 such panels within a three week period. As the panels were being installed, preliminary sound level testing showed a 9 to 10 dB(A) reduction in noise levels even before the entire job site was buttoned up. This was just the kind of noise reduction promised to the local community. Many other

sections of the massive project have also utilized the Sound Seal Curtain Panels with even better results since they were not located below an overpass, with completed sections showing noise reductions up to 12 dB(A). A common treatment is to have the Audioseal Curtains installed on fence posts inserted in pre-cast concrete highway barriers. This allows for the noise reduction treatment to be easily relocated along with the highway barriers.

In conjunction with the Noise Barrier/Sound Absorption Walls, we also manufactured a significant quantity of portable "Hoistable Curtain Enclosures". The ABBC-13-2" Acoustical Curtain Panels are installed on heavy- duty frames to drop-over jackhammer operations during that phase of construction. The jack-hammer operator works inside the three-sided roof enclosure to screen that very loud operation from the neighbors. The enclosure is then lifted by crane and dropped onto the next section they are working on. By combining a sound absorber with a noise barrier at construction projects such as these, the AudioSeal Acoustical Curtain Panels offer noise reduction for construction workers as well as serving the primary purpose of keeping noise levels at a minimum in the neighborhood.



LSE Sound Wall at the Kiwi Grill

When the Kiwi Grille opened its doors, the goal was to create the ultimate dining experience. The restaurant, housed in a renovated church in the historic downtown area of Newburyport, MA, chose Advanced Integration Services to install its video, audio, control and data systems. But a new challenge arose when an outdoor patio was installed: creating an appealing and peaceful environment by eliminating undesirable ambient noise – including the excessive reverberation of the air conditioning chiller unit and electrical units. Advanced Integration Services met this challenge by calling on Acoustical Solutions for products that would meet their client’s need. An outdoor sound control fence was installed that utilizes sound blocking materials to absorb and minimize noise. The product of choice was a twelve-foot high LSE Wall system.

LSE Noise Barrier Wall System

The planning by Advanced Integration Systems and the quality products offered by Acoustical Solutions, Inc. solved the restaurant’s problem and created an acoustically pleasing space that allowed patrons to enjoy the great outdoors.

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