If our dependence on IT and web-based cloud services grows, the technology required to sustain this trend must also be cutting-edge and powerful. While data centers house some of the most sophisticated information processing equipment, they can also produce a lot of noise if not properly monitored.

The rate of noise released will be improved and the requirement for expert attenuation will be reduced by positioning a compound as far away as possible from natural noise receptors. Acoustic louvers, enclosures, barriers, and bins may reduce noise depending on the particular equipment that needs to be handled.

There are typically five major causes of noise involved with data center activities, and they are as follows:

  • external machinery compounds
  • external perimeter scanning
  • internal data halls
  • back-up engine plant rooms
  • roof-top air handling devices
  • external machinery compounds
  • external perimeter screening

Plant Rooms

When designing a plant space, particularly one that houses backup generators, finding the right combination between airflow and attenuation is critical. Generators are normally the noisiest pieces of machinery in any data center while they’re running. The degree of attenuation needed must compensate for the quietest ambient periods of the day – usually during the night –In the case of a power failure, the system can continue to function.

Farm rooms hosting any live generators must be constructed appropriately to ensure proper and effective ventilation while ensuring an agreed-upon acoustic specification while they are expected to operate for prolonged periods. All necessary attenuation on both the intake and exhaust must be planned before construction. Silencers must be provided adequate room, particularly if the acoustic specification is strong, to prevent wider openings or the inclusion of additional external silencers.

Noise break-out to neighboring rooms inside the center must also be considered throughout the room’s design. Often, blockwork or mortar is used to generate mass and thereby minimize noise transmission, but weight is a major consideration, especially for rooms above ground level. In this case, acoustic panels may be used as a lightweight solution for reducing noise and, depending on the design, reducing reverberation times inside the space. The result of increasing the amount of absorption inside the space is to reduce noise much further. Acoustic absorption may also be applied to rooms made of conventional materials by installing rugged acoustic panels on the walls and ceiling.

Access is therefore important to remember since these are usually vulnerable points in a plant room’s acoustic integrity. Based on the degree of attenuation needed and their proximity to quieter parts of the building, such as offices, specialized acoustic doors can be required.

Roof-top Mechanical Equipment

Mechanical plants, such as chillers, are typically installed at roof level due to the vast amounts of conditioned air needed to cool data center halls. Noise can be difficult to block out, particularly if the center is surrounded by high-rise buildings. Constant ventilation means that the machinery runs properly, but it may often create noise problems. Acoustic louvers are commonly used to reduce noise while increasing ventilation to the devices.

Acoustic barriers and fan-mounted silencers may also be used to help suppress noise when airflow is not a problem.

 External Mechanical Plant Compounds

Based on their position inside the site’s perimeter, external compounds found at a ground level usually need additional attenuation in the form of barriers and screens. Acoustic mapping is normally done as part of the design phase to maximize attenuation by optimizing the location of a compound. The rate of noise released will be improved and the need for professional attenuation will be reduced by positioning a compound as far away as possible from potential receptors (usually residents).

There are a variety of items that can be used as standalone solutions or as part of a full kit as needed. Acoustic louvers, enclosures, barriers, and bins may all be used to minimize noise depending on the equipment that has to be handled.

Perimeter Screening

If treating individual noisy components isn’t enough or isn’t cost-effective, scanning sections (or even the entire) of a data center may help minimize the noise in specific directions. With a variety of efficiency standards and materials to choose from, the most important thing to remember is the barrier’s long-term durability. Metal and carbon barriers are the most resistant to the elements. The acoustic stability of these components is protected throughout the lifespan of the barrier so they are less vulnerable to warping and cracking.

Audiology Booths

An Audiology booth is a specially designed cabin for providing a quiet atmosphere for the person. Also referred to as “Audiometric Room”, it aims to provide a proper acoustical atmosphere so that tests can be performed without much interference from outside noise. Audiometric booths are available in a variety of sizes, including Booths that are compact enough to go into a 32” doorway despite being wide enough to perform research. In short, the goal of an Audiometric Room is to provide a proper acoustical environment so that tests can be conducted without much interference from outside noise.