National Institute of Standards and Technology

The Issue

Acoustical Solutions has soundproofing and noise control products, ideas and solutions for almost every situation, and ‘Advanced Measurement Lab Test Rooms’ are no exception. Acoustical Solutions had the opportunity to treat just such a room at a research facility in Maryland: National Institute of Standards and Technology. For this project, we used acoustic foam which is perfect for high performing sound absorption. Not to mention, also for when a great deal of cutting and custom shaping is necessary.

The Challenge

One of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s advanced measurement lab test rooms in Gaithersburg, Maryland, was too reflective. This caused sound energy to ‘ring’ in the room for long periods of time, skewing sound data.

The cure to high reverberation times like this is sound absorptive material. These materials work by absorbing sound energy before it has a chance to reflect back and forth between reflective surfaces. These reflections are what cause echo and reverberation.

The Solution

The facility staff called Acoustical Solutions, and after speaking with one of our Architectural Reps, ordered enough Sonex^® One Acoustic Foam tiles to cover almost every inch of wall space in the test chamber.

Sonex^® One Acoustic Foam is a popular acoustic foam that can be used for acoustical treatment in a number of different spaces, including recording studios, broadcast studios, music practice spaces, performance halls and in residences.

More specifically, this acoustic foam provides the following benefits:

1. Reduction of slap back echo
2. Lowering ambient noise levels
3. Suppression of room flexure
4. Elimination of standing waves
5. Reduction of near-field reflections
6. Smoothing of frequency response

Sonex^® One Acoustic Foam tiles are Class 1 fire-rated and are available with natural or HPC finishes.

National Institute of Standards and Technology used Sonex^® One acoustical foam as it is easy to cut and install around conduit, mechanical fixtures and doors.

The Result

The room now has almost exclusively absorptive surfaces, eliminating reverberative sound energy in the room. This created the perfect acoustical environment for sensitive testing.