Design Tips

Maximizing the Opportunities Of Acoustic Design Alternatives

Many system design factors are critical to achieving successful acoustical results for a self-contained project. The following provides a prioritized list of design alternatives to maximize the acoustical performance of your design. The most important items are listed first.

The following are general recommendations only. For more information or when concern about a particular installation exists, contact an acoustical consultant for assistance.

Location And Orientation Of Mechanical Equipment Room

The equipment room should be surrounded by stairwells, utility rooms, electrical closets and restrooms if possible. This minimizes the acoustic effects and risk of workmanship or installation errors.

The discharge and return air ductwork should be placed over these less acoustically sensitive areas.

Vertical or horizontal fresh air shafts can be used. Consult code requirements for fresh air and smoke purge constraints.

Return Air Ductwork

The return air should be ducted into the mechanical equipment room. It does not have to be ducted to the unit.

However, this duct should have an elbow inside the equipment room. The ductwork should extend from the elbow inside the equipment room far enough to block the "line of sight" to the exterior of the equipment room.

The recommended length of ductwork exterior to the equipment  is 15 feet. This duct should be lined with 2 inch, 3 lb. density

Supply Air Ductwork

The supply air duct should be lined with 2 inch, 3 lb. density fiberglass. The flexible horizontal discharge option helps avoid complicated ductwork transitions wall.

The aspect ratio of the duct should be as small as possible. Large flat room panels transmit sound like speakers and should be minimized. In addition, potential "oil canning" of the duct due to flow turbulence will be minimized with small aspect ratios.

The flexible horizontal discharge This lining should extend at least 15 option helps avoid complicated feet out from the equipment room ductwork transitions.