As mentioned in our January blog post, 2022 marks the 50-year anniversary of Trane’s Engineers Newsletter publication! This month we hear from EN author, Trane Systems Development Engineer Dustin Meredith.
Acoustics affects how each of us judges and responds to the comfort of the immediate environment. It can enhance or impair our ability to perform and, especially in the case of commercial buildings, can affect the value (marketability and tenancy) of the space. Although there are many aspects to building acoustics, the HVAC system designer is generally interested in a design that will minimize unwanted sound (known as noise) and vibration.
The subject of acoustics was addressed in the very first year of publication for Trane’s Engineers Newsletter and it continues to be a hot topic. In 1972, we were already talking about the very important topic of fan selection with an EN comparing the sound levels generated by backward-tended fans to those generated by forward-curved fans. Just last year, we published an EN focused on a modern HVAC system in a modern space: VAV box noise in an open plan office.
In total, we’ve published 15 newsletters dedicated to acoustics, but the topic has been persistent with mentions in many other newsletters throughout the years. Particular attention has been given to rooftop and VAV applications. Other examples include:
- Estimating room sound levels and good air distribution design
- Fan selection
- Quality equipment sound and sound standards
- Classroom acoustics
Acoustics has gained marked importance with acoustic criteria now being a requirement in building performance standards like ASHRAE® Standard 189.1 and classroom regulatory efforts with the advent of ANSI® Standard S12.60.
Included below are links to a few of the past ENs related to acoustics in case you missed them. Be sure to subscribe if you want to receive future issues of the Trane Engineers Newsletter!
- VAV Systems and Open Ceilings: Can You See the Noise?
- Understanding VAV Sound Standards
- Acoustical Considerations for Large Rooftop Units
- A New Standard for Acoustics in the Classroom
- Getting to the Source: Sound Ratings and ARI Standard 260P (ENEWS-29_1, 2000)
- Specifying “Quality Sound”
- Sound Propagation from Air-Cooled Chillers (ENEWS-17_3, 1988)
- Creating Quiet Comfort: Passive Duct Sounds (Part 3) (ENEWS-16_2, 1987)
- Estimating Room Sound Levels by Computer (ENEWS-15_6, 1986)
- Creating Quiet Comfort: Selecting a Quiet Fan (Part 2) (ENEWS-15_8, 1986)
- Creating Quiet Comfort: Getting Started (Part 1) (ENEWS-15_7, 1986)
- Sound Control in Rooftop Equipment (ENEWS-14_8, 1985)
