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Can I Soundproof My Unit?

Industrial equipment generally produces a great amount of heat and excess noise. Some sites must comply with specified noise levels, meaning that any machinery on site must not create an excessive amount of noise – a problem that occurs frequently with industrial equipment.

Standard units are frequently used to house engineering machinery, however, they offer very little in reducing sound pollution. With specialised modifications, they can be converted into a sound attenuated enclosure.

Are Containers Soundproof?

In essence, they are not typically soundproof – as their traditional purpose was to transport cargo.

As the steel is relatively thin, sound waves can easily travel through the sides of the unit. Acoustics amplify further once inside the container as the sound waves can bounce around the empty space.

However, it is possible for a conversions specialist to provide sound attenuation with some extra modifications.

How Do I Achieve Sound Attenuation?

To create a soundproofed unit, you must consider the science behind sound – sound is a vibration that pushes a wave of pressure through the air. The more a sound wave can vibrate, the more intense the noise. Soundproofing works by absorbing the sound vibrations and thus preventing the waves from travelling.

The main problem with container acoustics is that there is nothing insulating the steel sheet sides so sound waves can pass through. Sound needs to be absorbed by a medium to be blocked, so adding layers of insulation is the best way to reduce noise levels. Many layers of soundproofing may be needed depending on the frequencies of sound experience.

Bear in mind that sound travels in all directions so every side of the box, including the ceiling and floor, must be soundproofed.

These modification designs can also deal with heat losses by introducing air conditioning or forced-air ventilation cooling in conjunction with “air splitter” or “sound attenuated louvre” technology. If you need a sound-attenuated storage solution, get in touch with our conversions team.

Uses For A Sound Attenuated Container

Noisy venues, like stadiums or music festival sites, can create an acoustic barrier wall from containers to minimise the noise levels of events. If the units are filled with a dense material, such as sand or soil, they will be soundproof. These can then be stacked to create a barrier for sound to be absorbed.

Industrial equipment, such as diesel generators, can be exceptionally loud. These noise levels can damage the hearing of anyone working or living near the machinery and often these types of machines must meet a restricted, low sound level as set by authorities. Whoever owns the equipment has the responsibility of ensuring the operating noise is at a safe level, and this is an example of where a soundproofed container would be beneficial.

This type of sound attenuation often needs more attention to detail in order to guarantee that the soundproofing complies with the lawful noise restrictions in the area.

At S Jones Containers, we have worked with many customers to create soundproofed storage for industrial equipment. We can design and deliver a bespoke storage solution that complies with your local restrictions, offering peace of mind that your equipment won’t cause any disruption.

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0800 1954 538