Containing the Decibels: Custom Acoustic Enclosure for S-TEAM Lab

Project Overview

Industrial equipment is designed for performance, not silence. For S-TEAM Lab, the relentless noise from their outdoor air conditioning unit and pump had become a source of tension with neighbours, threatening their operational peace.

This project highlights how strategic acoustic engineering can seamlessly integrate with mechanical systems to solve community noise issues without compromising performance.

Challenge

The core challenge was to drastically reduce the noise emissions from S-TEAM Lab's outdoor air conditioning and pump system that were causing a disturbance.

The solution needed to be highly durable and weather-resistant, but the primary engineering constraint was maintaining unimpeded airflow to the unit.

Any soundproofing structure that compromised ventilation would cause the system to overheat and fail, making a standard enclosure impossible. The solution had to be acoustically robust yet intelligently designed for breathability.

Scope of Work

• Site Assessment & Noise Analysis: Measuring sound levels and identifying key noise sources from the AC unit and pump.
• Custom Design & Engineering: Designing a bespoke enclosure structure using PZP industrial acoustic panels.
• Ventilation Integration: Engineering the design to incorporate sufficient airflow paths to meet the equipment's cooling requirements.
• Fabrication & Installation: Constructing and installing the durable, weather-resistant acoustic enclosure on-site.

Solution

DECIBEL designed and built a fully custom acoustic enclosure fabricated from metal perforated PZP industrial panels, known for their high mass and exceptional sound insulation properties.

The design was not a simple box; it was meticulously engineered to include integrated ventilation channels and louvres.

This critical feature ensured a constant supply of fresh air to the unit's intake, preventing overheating and preserving the full functionality and lifespan of the air conditioning system, all while containing and absorbing the noise at its source.

Result

The installation was a complete success. The noise level was significantly reduced, effectively eliminating the disturbance for neighbours and resolving the client's community relations issue.

S-TEAM Lab was able to maintain optimal operating conditions for its equipment without any loss of efficiency. The outcome was a quieter environment and a highly satisfied client. This project was done in collaboration with our partners from POTICHU. 

Get in touch with DECIBEL for engineered solutions to industrial and environmental noise challenges.