Backup generators are essential for hospitals, commercial buildings, data centers, industrial facilities, schools, utilities, and other sites that cannot afford an extended loss of power. But diesel and natural-gas generator sets can also produce high levels of mechanical, exhaust, cooling-fan, and airflow noise that affects nearby workers, tenants, businesses, and residential properties.
Sound Fighter® Systems designs sound-attenuated generator enclosures and absorptive barrier systems for outdoor gensets and backup power equipment. Unlike hard reflective walls that can redirect generator noise, absorptive barriers help reduce reflected sound energy while blocking the direct path between the generator and nearby receivers.
A properly designed generator noise-control system should also account for ventilation, heat rejection, exhaust, maintenance access, electrical clearances, and site conditions. The goal is to reduce noise without interfering with reliable generator operation.
Why You Need A Genset Sound Attenuator
A backup generator is necessary to power an establishment, facility, or commercial building in case of a power outage. It ensures your business and tenants will have continuous power and avoid losses during unscheduled or extended power outages.
Unfortunately, generators produce high levels of noise. Even the small, portable generator sets (gensets) can get very noisy. So it’s no exaggeration to say that buildings and facilities that regularly use generators must have a sound-attenuated generator enclosure to reduce noise pollution and avoid its detrimental effects. Find out how Sound Fighter Systems solves this problem.
Components of a Sound-Attenuated Generator Enclosure
The purpose of attenuated enclosures is to prevent unauthorized people from getting near and potentially getting hurt by touching the machine. More importantly, the enclosures were meant to contain and reduce generator noise.
Unfortunately, most enclosures were made from concrete, steel sheet panels, wood, and PVC, and were poor mitigation materials. They reflect sound waves instead of absorbing or breaking them apart. As a result, the noise from the generator within the enclosure reverberates and magnifies, dispersing in every direction and disturbing homes and businesses nearby.
Sound Fighter Systems does things differently by building a sound barrier for generator sets that effectively breaks down sound waves via sound-absorption. The result? A noticeable noise reduction, even when you stand near the generator sound barrier.
These are the components of a modular genset sound wall by Sound Fighter Systems:
- High-density, UV, and Color-stabilized Synthetic Shell: These sound panels have holes that capture and absorb sound waves instead of reflecting them.
- Premium Absorptive Material: The panels absorb and diffuse the noise instead of bouncing the sound waves in every direction.
How Does a Generator Sound Barrier Work?
MODULAR ASSEMBLY
Sound Fighter Systems’ sound absorptive, genset noise reduction barriers are modular panels that are stacked on top of each other tongue-in-groove, each locking securely into a structural steel framework.
SOUND ATTENUATION
As sound waves penetrate walls via the perforations and pass through the absorptive material within, they break down and eventually dissipate.
Applications of a Generator Sound Attenuated Enclosure
Where can we build a sound-absorptive enclosure or wall for generator systems? The following are a few examples:
- Commercial buildings
- Multi-family residential buildings
- Educational institutions
- Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare and medical research institutions
- Power generation plants
- Production factories
Sound Fighter Systems’ engineers work closely with every client in designing a sound-attenuated generator enclosure. We can build it as high as three stories – on a building rooftop, a yard, an outdoor area, or inside a facility.
The Benefits of Building a Genset Sound Attenuator
COMPLIANCE
Sound Fighter Systems helps facilities comply with OSHA regulations for workplace safety. The OSHA sets the maximum permissible exposure limit (PEL) to 90 dBA for eight hours for all employees. This means employees who must work in environments with high noise levels cannot be exposed to over 90dBA noise and can only be at work for eight hours per day.
EMPLOYEE WELFARE AND SAFETY
Building a genset sound enclosure helps prevent hearing damage among employees, facility guests, and the general public. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, warns that prolonged exposure to noise over 70 decibels can start damaging one’s ears. Meanwhile, exposure to noise levels over 120 decibels can cause immediate ear damage.
GOOD WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT
Hardworking employees shouldn’t have to endure uncomfortable working conditions. If you can make it so employees won’t spend eight to nine hours in a noisy environment, they will be in better condition to work and be productive during their shifts.
GOOD REPUTATION
Noise problems can spawn long-term clashes between establishments that own generators and their neighboring residents or business owners. Investing in noise attenuation barriers saves you the headache of addressing complaints from the local community.
Get an Effective Sound Barrier for Your Generator With Sound Fighter Systems
A generator sound-attenuated enclosure benefits everyone on your property and beyond. It will help you comply with local regulations and avoid sanctions and conflicts within your local community. With our state-of-the-art technology and flexible sound attenuation wall designs, Sound Fighter Systems is the best company to build a noise reduction barrier or enclosure for your generators.
Schedule a consultation with our experts today. Call or send a message through our Contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sound-Attenuated Generator Enclosures
What is a sound-attenuated generator enclosure?
A sound-attenuated generator enclosure is an acoustic structure designed to reduce noise from a generator set while allowing the equipment to operate and remain accessible for maintenance. Depending on the project, it may use absorptive wall panels, acoustic doors, ventilation openings, or a partial enclosure around the generator.
What causes generator noise?
Generator noise can come from the engine, exhaust system, cooling fans, radiator airflow, vibration, combustion, and other mechanical components. The current Sound Fighter page notes that both small and large generator sets can create significant unwanted noise. (soundfighter.com)
How does an absorptive generator enclosure reduce noise?
An absorptive generator enclosure reduces noise by interrupting the direct sound path and absorbing acoustic energy at the wall surface. This helps limit the amount of sound that reflects around the equipment area or travels toward nearby buildings and property lines.
Can a generator enclosure affect airflow or cooling?
Yes, if it is poorly designed. Generator enclosures must account for radiator airflow, combustion air, heat rejection, exhaust, and maintenance access. Competing enclosure manufacturers also emphasize that sound attenuation has to be balanced with airflow and generator performance.
Where are sound-attenuated generator enclosures used?
They are commonly used at hospitals, data centers, commercial buildings, industrial plants, schools, utilities, multifamily properties, power-generation sites, and other facilities that rely on standby or prime power systems.
Can generator sound barriers include access doors or custom openings?
Yes. Generator noise-control systems can be designed with personnel doors, removable panels, pipe penetrations, equipment clearances, and other site-specific features. Sound Fighter has published projects that included double personnel doors and pipe cut-outs in large absorptive enclosures.
