Noise health hazards need more effective acoustic specs

Demand for high-performance acoustic solutions is growing as knowledge of the detrimental effects of noise becomes more widespread. Until recently, excessive noise was seen as a distressing irritant, but recent studies from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that noise pollution can be linked to heart disease, stroke, and mental ill health. There is also significant proof of poor concentration and productivity in classrooms and offices because of distracting, disruptive noise.

“Research evidence has been accumulating of noise pollution’s long-term damage to our health and wellbeing,” comments Nigel Sill, Chairman of Enfield Speciality Doors. “We should think about noise reduction in a similar way to fire resistance and security, not assume that a standard spec can do the job.

“Any door manufacturer is capable of making acoustic doors that reduce sound by up to 35dB or even 38dB using standard door cores, but often a higher performance (eg 41dB) is required to significantly reduce internal noise (from interview rooms or school music rooms, for example) or external sound from traffic or aeroplane flight paths. Anything above 35dB is usually considered ‘specialist’. The difference between 35dB and 41dB may not sound a lot, but as the sound reduction doubles for every 3dB increase, the performance would be four times better.”

Nigel continues: “What’s more, the combinations of materials used in acoustic doors means it can be difficult to achieve good fire performance. We’re one of the few manufacturers in the country that can supply doors with high levels of noise reduction and fire resistance. So we provide FD30 doors with up to 48dB acoustic performance, to FD60 doors with up to 41dB, and a variety in-between. We supply door manufacturers across the UK so they don’t have to compromise on fire or acoustic performance.”

Enfield Speciality Doors has been certified through the Quiet Mark accreditation scheme since 2014 for its range of bespoke, flush timber acoustic doorset systems, which are used in recording studios, schools, universities, hospital, hotels, offices, homes and police stations.

Quiet Mark encourages noise reduction and is associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society. Poppy Szkiler, Founder and Managing Director of Quiet Mark, comments: “Enfield Doors is committed to excellence in acoustic performance and has developed a product that effectively shuts in and shuts out sound. Each door is subjected to a rigorous independent and scientific testing process using consistent sound waves across a spectrum of frequencies. It is this level of noise reduction that means Enfield doorsets are perfectly suited to transforming our leisure, education and working spaces, creating quiet sanctuaries and improving the aural environment for all.”

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