Services Acoustics
A Acoustics
The acoustic environment in and around our daily lives can have a significant effect on our well-being and productivity, and it is therefore increasingly important to consider the acoustic landscape in all aspects of the built environment.

Acoustics

We have assembled a specialist acoustic team that has significant experience in the delivery of acoustic design of projects from masterplans, major new buildings, through to individual studios and concert halls throughout the UK and internationally. All our acousticians are fully, qualified and are either Associate or Corporate members of the Institute of Acoustics as well as being Chartered Engineers (CEng) or Chartered Members of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CMCIEH).

The tougher the assignment the more our team relish it as they are proven problem solvers in noise and vibration issues.

This team use the latest technology to assist in the development of solutions for our clients. This includes state of the art measurement equipment and various internal and external 3D computer modelling packages including Cadna, Catt, EASE, Insul as well as our own in-house bespoke calculations systems. Acoustics is a complex science and our strength is our experience in designing, testing and developing acoustic solutions, communicating these and integrating  these as part of the overall design process.

Hilson Moran is also a Sponsor Member of the Institute of Acoustics and a full Member of the Association of Noise Consultants.

For more information, please contact Tim Freeman.

ACOUSTICS CONSULTANCY SERVICES:

  • Architectural acoustic design
  • Environmental noise assessments
  • Acoustic modelling including auralisations and acoustic demonstrations
  • Planning and EIA process input and reports
  • Noise and vibration control in building services
  • Measurement of noise and vibration
  • Assessment of vibration from trains and other transportation sources
  • Prediction of vibration in buildings
  • Developing vibration mitigation systems including whole building isolation requirements
  • Testing buildings including pre-completion testing to demonstrate compliance with the Building regulations

Acoustics Case studies

FIFA 2022 Stadia: Acoustics

Hilson Moran Acoustics are employed to provide acoustic design services for multiple football stadia projects for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ including Al Thumama Stadium. Al Thumama stadium will be located in Doha’s southern suburbs in the Al Thumama area holding at least 40,000 fans, which will host games through to the 2022 FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals. Hilson Moran has provided a multidiscipline design service including acoustic consultancy from early phases of concept design through to developed design.

Our role on the project started by conducting a detailed noise survey at the project site, the data from which was used as a baseline for the noise impact studies. Noise impacts to the neighbouring areas from various sources such as crowd cheering noise, noise from public announcement systems, noise due to increased traffic flows and noise from cooling systems; were assessed using 3D acoustic modelling software. Furthermore, noise predictions and measurement results were used to predict the level of noise ingress and façade sound reduction specifications were determined.

The internal design of the stadium was developed in order to meet the acoustic design criteria. These areas included the stadium bowl and the internal ancillary acoustic sensitive areas such as press conference rooms, TV and Presentation studios, offices and player’s areas. A 3D room acoustic model was constructed using EASE and an assessment of pertinent room acoustic characteristics of the bowl were conducted.  The key considerations for the bowl’s acoustics were to create a lively bowl atmosphere balanced with controlled reverberation which facilitates clear communication via the PAVA system.

The pitch and bleachers of the stadium are equipped with a cooling system to provide comfortable conditions for both players and spectators. The cooling and ventilation system was carefully reviewed and solutions developed to control noise to appropriate levels to meet the internal and external noise egress criteria.

NXP Manchester: Acoustics

Hilson Moran Acoustics were commissioned by AHR Architects to develop the noise control design of a new combined heat and power building proposed as part of the development of the NXP Stockport site. The new facility comprised a building containing gas powered engines, boilers, external radiators and a ventilation system to provide aspiration and cooling for the engines.

Our role was to develop the design of the facility with the architect and engine supplier so that its noise emission was low enough not to cause disturbance to the neighbouring residential properties. We worked with the Local Authority to establish suitable noise emission criteria and undertook the necessary noise surveys to establish baseline noise conditions around the site. Based on the data collected during the survey and the architectural proposals for the new facility, a 3D computer model of the building was constructed using CadnaA. This allowed us to create a virtual model of the different noise sources associated with the building and establish the extent of screening required in each case.

It was found that by altering the internal layout of facility and redistributing the ventilation ductwork, the noisiest plant items could be located such that building itself provided some screening. We also worked with the engine supplier to determine what could be achieved in terms of noise reduction from the ventilation system without compromising the aspiration and cooling to the engines.

Regent’s Crescent: Acoustics

Hilson Moran Acoustics were commissioned to develop the acoustic and vibration mitigation design of this new-build mixed use residential scheme. The building contains high-end residential accommodation, including conference and leisure facilities requiring onerous acoustic conditions. The proposed building is situated above three underground railway lines and therefore comprehensive analysis of the extent of groundborne vibration on the site proposed for the building was required.

Following a detailed vibration survey, the level of vibration and re-radiated noise was calculated within the proposed building. This was undertaken by predicting how the vibration would interact with the building’s foundation system, superstructure and room finishes. It was found that on the lower floors of the development, the level of vibration and subsequent re-radiated noise would result in an exceedance of the noise and vibration criteria. The solution developed to mitigate the vibration was to float the building on elastomeric bearings, the acoustic specification of which was developed in-house by Hilson Moran.

The acoustic specification for the elastomeric bearings varies depending on the magnitude of vibration across the site and the sensitivity of the rooms in different parts of the development.

Hilson Moran worked with the specialist isolation system manufacturer and structural engineer to develop a workable bearing system design which would meet the isolation performance requirements.

In addition the vibration isolation requirements and the internal architectural acoustic design was developed to meet the client and statutory acoustic requirements.

Hilson Moran @HilsonMoran

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