Reducing the harmful effects of noise on the human environment. Sound insulation of industrial skeleton enclosures in the 10–40 kHz frequency range

PURPOSE: The purpose of the research is to work out a method for determining the sound insulation of acoustic enclosures for industrial sources emitting noise in the frequency range of 10–40 kHz and apply the method to measure the sound insulation of acoustic enclosures build of different materials. METHODS: The method is developed by appropriate adaptation of techniques applicable currently for sound frequencies of up to 10 kHz. The sound insulation of example enclosures is determined with the use of this newly developed method. RESULTS: The research results indicate that enclosures (made of polycarbonate, plexiglass, sheet aluminium, sheet steel, plywood, and composite materials) enable reducing the sound pressure level in the environment for the frequency of 10 kHz by 19–25 dB with the reduction increasing to 40–48 dB for the frequency of 40 Hz. The sound insulation of acoustic enclosures with a sound-absorbing material inside reaches about 38 dB for the frequency of 10 kHz and about 63 dB for the frequency of 40 kHz. CONCLUSION: Some pieces of equipment installed in the work environment are sources of noise emitted in the 10–40 kHz frequency range with the intensity which can be high enough to be harmful to humans. The most effective technical reduction of the associated risks are acoustic enclosures for such noise sources. The sound pressure level reduction obtained after provision of an enclosure depends on its design (shape, size, material, and thickness of walls) and the noise source frequency spectrum. Realistically available noise reduction values may exceed 60 dB.