Study of Sound Insulation of Control Cabins in Industry in the Low Frequency Range

Abstract

The number of control cabins installed in industry has increased considerably during the last few years. Most cabins installed nowadays show a satisfactory noise reduction in the frequency range above 500 Hz. The effect of noise damping however shows a gradual decrease for lower frequencies. The present paper is a description of the distribution of low frequency noise in different types of control cabins installed in typical low frequency noise environments in steel plants and the machine building industry. Measurements were made in 20 control cabins, constructed of metal and stone Measurements of sound pressure levels in octave bands were made inside and outside the cabins. The sound pressure level in octave bands in the low frequency range (4–31.5 Hz) inside the cabins was high and varied between 60–108 dB. This is probably due to the insufficient noise reduction for lower frequencies. In some control cabins there was an increased level of low frequency noise inside the cabin compared to the outside. In these control cabins sound pressure levels exceed the admissible values according to Polish standards. The increase of noise level within the low frequency range is considered to be based on resonances.