Acoustic Barriers

Acoustic fence panels, quilts, sheeting and enclosures

Acoustic barriers fall into two groups. The first is barriers that line a boundary, for noise that comes from across the whole site. The second is units set beside a single source such as a saw, breaker or generator, which contain the noise before it spreads. Rated noise reduction across both groups reaches up to 43 dB.

Single-panel acoustic blankets for fencing

A single acoustic blanket hangs from the top rail of a mesh fence panel, a scaffold lift or another site boundary, and several blankets sit side by side to cover a run. The Echo Acoustic Barrier H9 is the general-purpose blanket for construction, utilities and maintenance work, and it is light enough for one person to handle and fit. The Echo Acoustic Barrier H10 adjusts easily along a fence line and suits jobs where the noise is heavier or the neighbours are closer.

Full-bay acoustic quilts

A full-bay quilt covers one standard 3.5m temporary fence panel in a single piece, so a long perimeter is screened bay by bay. The Echo Acoustic Quilt H8 gives large-area coverage on construction, utilities and infrastructure sites, and the Echo Acoustic Barrier HT 3.5 is a folding full-bay barrier for fencing that stays out in all weathers.

Scaffolding acoustic sheeting

Scaffolding acoustic sheeting fixes to the face of a scaffold or temporary structure. This puts the noise control at the height where facade, roof and refurbishment work takes place. It comes in rolls that run along the lifts, with a choice of acoustic rating to match the project specification. Choose sheeting where the noisy work is at height and a fence-level barrier would leave the upper floors of neighbouring buildings in direct line of the source.

Portable acoustic screens

A portable acoustic screen stands on its own folding, wheeled frame, so it needs no fence and moves with the work. It suits short, noisy tasks that shift around a site during the day, such as breaking out a slab in sections, coring, or cutting kerbs along a footpath.

Acoustic enclosures for cutting and generators

An enclosure surrounds the source on more than one side and contains the noise, dust and debris from a fixed workstation. The acoustic enclosure for cutting work moves on integrated wheels and comes in compact and large sizes, for saw benches and for maintenance work in confined areas. The generator acoustic enclosure is made for small generators and site power units, and it sets up as a screen, a partial enclosure or a full enclosure to suit the task. Where plant stands taller than the barrier around it, an acoustic fence extension raises the screen and covers it overhead, so sound does not escape over the top.

Acoustic barriers for demolition, building and road works

Demolition and building work next to occupied properties

Demolition, breaking out and piling beside homes, schools or offices produce the loudest and longest-running noise on most projects. The boundary closest to the occupied building is the stretch to line first, with fence-mounted blankets at full height. Where the boundary is steel site hoarding or timber hoarding, acoustic barriers can be fixed to its inner face. This turns the hoarding into acoustic hoarding, adding absorption and reduction to a boundary that already blocks the line of sight.

Road, footpath and utility works

Road openings, kerb and footpath work and utility trenches move along a street, so the noise control has to move too. Mobile screens, and single blankets on fence panels, relocate with the gang as each section is finished. The acoustic run sits inside the traffic management layout, which is planned to Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual.

Fitting acoustic barriers to Heras fencing and scaffolding

Lining a mesh fence or a scaffold with acoustic material changes how it behaves in wind, so the fixing plan comes before the first blanket goes up.

Wind loading and ballast on a covered fence

Open mesh lets wind pass through it, but a covered panel becomes a solid face. A long run of Heras or harris fencing lined with blankets or quilts therefore carries far more wind load than the same run left bare. Add extra feet and ballast at each panel, using concrete fencing blocks and ballast. Brace the run with stays and the fixings in temporary fencing accessories. Return the ends and corners where the layout allows, because a run that turns a corner is stiffer than a straight one. Walk the line after high winds.

Acoustic sheeting on scaffolding

Acoustic sheeting adds weight and a large wind load to a scaffold. It has to be allowed for in the scaffold design, with the tie pattern and bracing set for a sheeted structure. Agree it with the scaffold designer and the PSCS before ordering. Do not fix sheeting to a scaffold designed for netting or an open face.