Well Red Blog
Keep up to date on everything that is Red Acoustics
Sleepeasy on your travels knowing Red Acoustics is on the case…
March 30 2012
Case Study
It’s welcome news that Travelodge take their customer comfort seriously with regards to a quiet night’s sleep. Just as well with the recent addition to their chain of hotels in Liverpool being positioned right on the busy main waterside road, The Strand, close to Albert Dock and Liverpool One. Anyone familiar with Merseyside’s Capital is aware of this heavily trafficked route well-used by HGVs, cars and buses.
Red were enlisted from design conception through to post-completion testing, to meet the strict criteria set by Travelodge in ensuring their guests experience a stay undisturbed from traffic.
The challenge of developing a facade design alongside architects that met both acoustic criteria and ventilation requirements was achieved by Red through a
series of noise surveys, extensive meetings, and complex 3D Cleva noise modelling.
Daytime and more crucially, a range of night time post-completion tests involving monitoring audio events confirmed that Red’s recommendations had met all criteria set.
Red provided the goods – enabling Worthingtons to deliver a compliant and value engineered building on time meeting the client’s approval.
Sweet dreams!
Tyred out with traffic noise? Rubber barriers are the key in erasing noise pollution.
February 7 2012
Case Study
The teetering towers of discarded, worn-out tyres historically seen stacked up by the motorway may soon be a thing of the past.
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!
Who’s a CleVA clogs then? We think we are…
February 1 2012
News
We’re just a bit pleased with ourselves. Here at Red we recognise that understanding data can be tricky. We have been working hard to find ways to help you see what we hear – and we know we’ve cracked it.
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.
Five years and counting…
January 7 2012
News
Barack Obama took on the top job in the USA, changing history; The Big Bang Experiment in Sweden didn’t herald the end of the world as we know it and Usain Bolt became the fastest man alive on chicken nuggets. All in 2008. In good company, Red Acoustics began its first full year of trading…..Happy 5th Anniversary!
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.
Gearing up for success!
June 10 2010
News
Simon Webster of Red Acoustics is getting on his bike to join with Dave Davies and the VINCI Construction Team in raising money for Christies Hospital, Manchester, riding in the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride on 4th July 2010.
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!
Key Appointment For Red
June 1 2010
News
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
April 12 2010
News
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
February 10 2010
News
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.
Neon Cactus, Leeds
November 27 2009
Case Study
Neon Cactus in Leeds is a lively tequila bar where music is a vital part of the vibrant ambience.
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.
Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School
October 20 2009
Case Study
A full acoustic review is being carried out by Red Acoustics at Broughton Jewish Cassel Fox Primary School in Salford.
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.
