Project Description
Princess Anne Hospital, located in Southampton, is a key healthcare facility that recently required significant expansion. This expansion necessitated the installation of a new, more powerful generator to meet increased energy demands. However, this posed a potential noise problem, which could negatively affect patient wellbeing and the hospital environment.
What Was Needed
To address the potential noise issues from the new generator, it was essential to implement a soundproofing solution that would mitigate the noise without compromising the functionality and accessibility for maintenance. The hospital needed an effective and sustainable solution that would blend with its surroundings while reducing noise levels.
What We Did
JCW Acoustic Fencing was contacted in March 2021 by ITT Services to develop a solution. After detailed discussions involving the scheme’s acoustic consultant, it was decided to install an acoustic timber enclosure around the generator. This enclosure measured 8m by 4m and was designed to reduce noise while allowing for proper ventilation and maintenance access. Steel posts were used to ensure stability, and particular attention was given to the area around the exhaust system to maintain noise reduction effectiveness.
The Result
The installation was completed over a week in September 2021. The enclosure not only reduced the generator noise by approximately 8-10dB but also fit seamlessly into the hospital’s aesthetic environment. Malcolm Copeland of ITT commented on the success of the project, noting: