Hydraulic Equipment Test Facility

New dedicated hydraulic equipment test facility including an acoustic enclosure for Eaton Hydraulics to enable them to test equipment over 24 hour periods, without causing noise disturbance to adjacent workers within the production area.

Read the full case study here [PDF]

The Problem

Eaton Hydraulics required a new test facility within their factory to test their equipment over 24 hour
periods without causing noise disturbance to adjacent workers within the production area.

The Solution

A dedicated acoustic enclosure designed and installed by AGS Noise Control Limited. The enclosure includes an attenuated ventilation system to provide cooling air to the plant. It was deemed that air intake attenuators as well as an extract system comprising of 2no fan and silencers were key to the project’s ventilation requirements so the extract fans can be individually switched on depending on the number of test rigs running.

In addition, due to the plant being run overnight and being unattended, an automatic fire suppression system was also installed. The system includes heat detectors, smoke detectors, electric sounder and control panel etc.

AGS also provided the electrical installation including new power suppliers for the test equipment, new data connections and internal lighting. Furthermore, the wiring for the extract fan and strip out of a machine next to the enclosure as well as relocating power.

2no double leaf industrial steel acoustic doors were included for employee access for maintenance etc. These doors included laminated windows for observation into the space during testing.

The exterior face of the acoustic wall panels were polyester powder coated white and the interior face was galvanised perforated steel. Roof panels consisted of the same 50mm thick construction with a dense mineral wool infill.

AGS installed structural steelwork to support any loads imposed by the enclosure. In addition, considerable consideration was put on the ventilation requirements of the space.

The enclosure was designed to achieve a reduction of over 40dB (A) at 1m from the enclosure.

The Result

The completed facility achieved the required external noise levels when the test rigs were in operation.

Similar Projects

This project is similar to a number of industrial projects AGS have completed over previous decades including dyno test cells and facilities where vehicles run constantly for long periods of time and noise mitigation is required.

Similarly, AGS produce noise havens for workers in factories. This is often when the equipment in a factory is so extensive it makes more sense to build an enclosure around the people working instead of around the machinery. These areas often require a view of equipment during operation so include acoustic windows and personnel soundproof doors.

Ensuring that equipment complies with the relevant Noise at Work regulations is critical to ensure employee welfare and these sort of solutions are a great solve to combat this issue.

If you have an factory enquiry you think we could help assist in reducing noise levels or harshness then get in touch today!

Check out the photos below showing the finished solution for the project!