Innovative companies such as Eco-Blok Europe Limited have found a way of transforming them into a creative new defense barrier against traffic noise.

The dense rubber compound, if shaped, positioned and erected correctly – enter the specialist skills of Red Acoustics Limited – can significantly reduce noise disturbance created by our busy highways and motorways.

Red, recently commissioned by Eco-Blok Europe, is currently working closely with the manufacturing team and US company South Bend Modern Molding Inc. on reducing the noise pollution created by the well-used highways of America.

The potential versatility of the barrier means it can be applied to many sources of modern noise – traffic, railways, airports, industrial areas. In an increasing culture stretching worldwide that depends so heavily on the car, travel and industry, the positive impact on the environment through reducing noise pollution is obvious.

Laboratory tests undertaken in the USA coupled with our remote modelling systems allow us to analyse any location worldwide without having to visit site, reducing air miles, saving time and money.

A positive side-effect of the process means the difficult disposal problem of rubber car and aircraft tyres – previously a headache in creating pollution of its own – is solved. What helps to create the noise will finally become a barrier against it – the irony isn’t lost!

YouTube

We are using a new way to deliver data in an accessible format that allows you to see the same as us – an instant, clear, visual acoustic image of how your design is performing.

CleVA (Clear Visual Acoustics) allows us to see areas of concern immediately – and areas of success. Colour allows us to screen share your designs and to discuss issues at any stage of development without the delay of arranging a meeting.

You can see what we mean – and now see what we hear.

From initial design, through planning, to construction and potential environmental impact, the benefits are clear – time is saved, money is saved and most important to us, you are happy.

So you can see why we’re pleased with ourselves.

CleVA, isn’t it?

Just a taste of what CleVA can do; to find out more about how we can help you at any stage of your project contact us.

Thank you to our clients for your continued business. We look forward to working with you in 2012, continuing to offer you a cost-effective and professional service as an Acoustic Consultant market-leader. Perhaps together we’ll see in a new US President, survive the Mayan prophesied end of the world (again) and enjoy a London Olympic repetition of Bolt’s Chinese chicken run of 2008?

Happy New Year and here’s wishing you a fruitful 2012.

Simon was spurred on by having seen first hand how Christies can change peoples lives through Red Acoustics recently commissioning the new Christies ARC unit at Royal Oldham Hospital. If you wish to lend your own personal support to the team, please click on the following link to make a donation to Christies.

Good Luck VINCI and Red Acoustics!

www.justgiving.com/bunkerbuildersrideagain

Ian Etchells, our Red Hot Principal Consultant, joined us in May.

Ian has worked countrywide within consultancies in London, Manchester, Warrington and Dublin, having 15 accomplished years experience under his belt. He spent his early years after graduating in Electroacoustics in ’89 with Westminster City Council as Senior Technical Officer on their 24 hour Noise Team.

His specialisms – aside from saving clients significant construction costs through his careful value engineering – include building and room acoustics, designing acoustic solutions for student accommodation, mixed use and residential developments.

Ian’s presence strengthens our core areas of technical expertise  and enables us to further diversify what we can offer our clients whilst maintaining our high standards of excellence.

Acoustics in Schools

A good acoustic environment is essential for good teaching and learning and a particular need for hearing impaired children who are increasing attending mainstream schools.

As such, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has recently announced that acoustic testing will be a contractual requirement for all rebuilt and refurbished secondary schools funded by BSF projects in England.

The current requirements for acoustics in schools are highlighted in Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) which includes specifications for:

• insulation from noise ingress from external noise sources & plant noise

• insulation of noise between neighbouring rooms

• reverberation times of rooms

Compliance of BB93 is a requirement for BREEAM credits for schools.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) is the worlds leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe a buildings environmental performance.

Red Acoustics offers an unsurpassed understanding of the intricate dynamics of compliance of both BB93 and BREEAM criteria which creates cost and operational benefits for our clients.

Our specialist knowledge enables clients to integrate acoustic requirements into their designs with numerous schemes delivered by Red Acoustics on budget, on time, and on the basis of high-grade professional advice.

Talk to us about your existing or future school projects on 01772 722 182, email us at info@redacoustics.co.uk or visit our website www.redacoustics.co.uk for further details of the services Red Acoustics provide including ANC accredited pre-completion tests.

Acoustics in Care Homes & Extra Care Housing

A good acoustic environment is a precious commodity within care homes and extra care housing for residents with age induced hearing loss.

In a field of mandatory requirements set by Building Regulations, Red Acoustics offers an unsurpassed understanding of the intricate dynamics of compliance which creates cost and operational benefits for our clients.

Architectural acoustic services are needed for all types of care homes and extra care housing, including new build developments and conversions from early planning stages through to commissioning.

Our specialist knowledge enables clients to integrate statutory acoustic requirements into their designs. This translates into schemes, totaling in excess of 600 care home bedroom spaces across the UK, that have been delivered by Red Acoustics on budget, on time, and on the basis of high-grade professional advice.

Talk to us about your existing or future care home or extra care housing schemes on 01772 722 182, email us at info@redacoustics.co.uk or visit our website www.redacoustics.co.uk for further details of the services Red Acoustics provide including ANC accredited pre-completion tests.

Effective acoustic design was an essential part of the refurbishment programme because the bar is located directly below residential apartments.

Red Acoustics worked closely with the client, who owns the bar, along with the architects, Normal TM, to minimise music noise transfer to the residential spaces.

The acoustic design work involved maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the building including exposed cast iron columns and basement faced with original white bricks. At the same time, the Red Acoustics team had to ensure strict compliance with sound insulation criteria.

The project followed previous assessments and design guidance for a neighbouring bar, Oporto, which is owned by the same manager, Ged Feltham.

Repeat business is particularly strong evidence of a satisfied client and Red Acoustics were eager to impress Ged for a second time.

Wall linings and acoustic ceilings were created to work within the limited space available in the design and the programme also incorporated an assessment of external plant noise.

The bar has been open for some weeks and a complete absence of complaints from neighbouring residents speaks volumes.

The work, in accordance with BB93 rules for the acoustic design of schools, is required for the new-build and refurbished areas at the school. These include new teaching and study spaces, along with an audio-visual room and multi-purpose hall for sports, speeches and music performances.

Among Red Acoustics’ assignments are analyses of internal noise transfer as well as reverberation time assessments to provide optimum speech intelligibility in classrooms and support for music in the audio-visual room and multi-purpose hall.

The project involves working closely with the client, Makin Architecture, to ensure that the design satisfies the acoustic requirements without having an adverse impact on aesthetic proposals and design.

The £17 million project is the first of a network of centres enabling local patients to access the world-famous Christie Hospital’s radiotherapy treatment, which uses radiation beams to destroy cancerous cells.

The acoustic engineering services – delivered in accordance with HTM guidance – include internal sound separation as well as assessment of internal walls and floors.

Red Acoustics is also carrying out environmental noise assessments to gauge noise impact from Rochdale Road to ensure internal noise levels satisfy strict criteria and allow patients to sleep without being disturbed.

The work involves detailed assessments of noise from new plant in noise-sensitive hospital areas, including wards and clinical facilities.

Working closely with the design team to ensure precise compliance, the Red Acoustics team is using cadnaA modelling to deliver accurate pre-construction assessments of noise propagation across the site. The work must be especially exacting because noise-sensitive bedroom spaces are located directly below plant.

Additionally, Red Acoustics is working with VINCI Construction on North Manchester General Hospital’s new £32 million Women & Children’s Ward development. The company has received further repeat-business from VINCI Construction for Guild Park Low Security Unit in Preston, along with a prestigious office development.