HEALTH & SAFETY REDUCE GENERAT
TOP TIPS ON HOW TO RA
ATOR NOISE
Ongoing exposure to it can help contribute to stress and even lead to ill-health, potentially leading to time off work
A
s noise becomes more of an issue for plant operators due to health and safety regulations, industry growth, and a rise in
the number of residential areas encroaching onto brown-field land, Nigel Thompson, sales manager – Gas Power Solutions at Finning UK & Ireland, outlines his top tips for reducing generator noise. Reducing high noise levels has a number of benefits for companies. Ongoing exposure to it can help contribute to stress and even lead to ill- health, potentially leading to time off work. Long periods of exposure can also result in permanent hearing loss, while high noise levels can make communication between work colleagues difficult and increase the likelihood of accidents. Indeed, the health and safety executive
estimates that 170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work. When specifying a generator, it is essential to consider the application for which it is being used. While kW output and fuel type are major considerations, noise becomes the next big factor in any decision making. In fact, control and suppression of noise is an essential component of a generator set’s performance.
There are a range of different noise sources that have to be taken into consideration with a generator. These include the engine exhaust, which is a major contributor to overall sound levels – and can be reduced by fitting an exhaust silencer
52 OCTOBER 2019 | FA ORY&HANDLINGSOLI
– as well as the sound that is generated from the movement of cooling air when a generator is placed inside an enclosure or building.
Therefore, whether they are outside a facility, inside, or on a roof, efforts must be made to control sound and vibration. To begin with, it is important to undertake a background noise test. This needs to take into account the existing background noise for the area where the
generator will be installed, any existing local noise sources and even factors such as the weather, as noise propagation can be affected by wind and temperature gradients and changes in humidity.
to reduce the noise from a generator, some more effective than others, but many can be used together to help significantly reduce overall noise.
SITE LAYOUT
The simplest way to reduce the noise from a generator is to increase the distance between the operation/workforce/community and the source. If a generator is moved further away, the energy is spread over a greater distance and, as a result, has less acoustic intensity. A general rule is that if distance is doubled, a 6dB noise reduction can be achieved. It is also important to note that the term ‘free field’, which describes where sound freely propagates and spreads uniformly, does not begin until 30-50 feet away from the generator.
A number of tactics can be employed by operators THE RIGHT SPECIFICATION FROM THE START
A HIGH QUALITY FOUNDATION Most laws are tougher when dealing with prime A big source of noise from generators is vibrations caused by the machine running that then transfer into the ground and equipment. Inertia bases provide an ideal vibration and noise isolation solution. They are designed to support reciprocating equipment, such as generators, and when used in conjunction with an acoustic isolation system, are an effective anti-vibration technique for machinery. For example, a concrete-filled frame can be used to provide inertial mass, which muffles vibration and lowers the centre of gravity, thereby reducing movement.
Finning
www.finning.com FACTORY&HANDL NGSOLUT ONS UTIONSI
Good acoustic design must be considered early on in the planning process to ensure that the most appropriate and cost-effective solution is identified.
or continuous power applications because of their extended use of operation. If a particular noise level at the property line must be achieved, then the sound attenuated enclosure manufacturer should be told beforehand what the requirement is and how far the enclosure will be from the property line. By taking these steps, decision makers can help ensure that they are installing a generator that is fit for purpose, emitting a noise level that is appropriate for the surrounding site.
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