Noisecontrol

Noise control, or acoustic control, refers to efforts to reduce unwanted sound in built and natural environments to protect health, improve comfort, and comply with regulatory limits. It encompasses occupational, environmental, architectural, product-design, and urban planning disciplines and involves both prevention of noise at the source and management of sound transmission and exposure.

Core approaches include source control, path control, and receptor protection. Source control aims to reduce noise generation through equipment selection, maintenance, operational procedures, and process changes. Path control uses barriers, enclosures, vibration isolation, damping, and acoustic treatment to limit sound transmission and propagation. Receptor protection focuses on shielding people from noise exposure with zoning, scheduling, quiet spaces, and hearing protection when needed.

Sound levels are measured in decibels with A-weighting (dB(A)) to approximate human hearing. Standards such as ISO 1996 for environmental noise, ISO 11202 for sound from activities of daily living, ISO 11690 for building acoustics, and national regulations guide assessment, limits, and compliance. Sound measurements typically involve sound level meters, sampling, and local context considerations.

Two main strategies are distinguished: passive noise control, which relies on physical barriers, absorptive materials, and structural design; and active noise control, which generates anti-noise to cancel specific frequencies, mainly effective for steady, low-frequency noise in enclosed spaces. Each approach is selected based on the noise source, environment, and cost considerations.

Applications span building design, industrial noise management, transportation systems, product design, and urban planning, with goals including improved worker safety, reduced community disturbance, and enhanced performance of equipment. Effective noise control often requires multidisciplinary collaboration and lifecycle budgeting from design to maintenance.