Industrial noise can be distracting and hazardous, and communication on the production floor is critical. High noise levels in the work environment decrease production, increase the likelihood of accidents, and adversely affects the health of employees. There are a wide range of products available to reduce sound levels in the industrial workplace that can solve these issues.

Sound may be transmitted into a building or between parts of a building in four basic ways:

DIRECT FIELD: From the standpoint of the source-path-receiver relationship, isolating the worker from a noise level from a given source can be accomplished through the use of acoustical barriers or noise enclosures constructed of materials used to block and/or absorb unwanted noise.

FLANKING: Flanking noise is noise reaching a room by an indirect path such as through the ceiling joists or ductwork, over a wall partition, or an improperly sealed door. Flanking noise can be abated through the use of flexible sound barrier, duct silencers, and acoustic doors and windows.

REFLECTIVE: Sound intensity near a hard surface such as concrete or drywall is enhanced because soundwaves are reflected off of these surfaces and build on the initial incident wave. Absorptive materials are light and fibrous and are excellent for absorbing reflective noise.

STRUCTUREBORNE: Structureborne sound is transmitted through solids or building components from a source which is structurally connected. The vibrating components then transmit sound to the air. Structureborne noise can be solved by decoupling ceiling and wall structures with flexible sound barriers and resilient sound isolation clips. Vibrating equipment and machinery can be dampened by using vibration pads.