Noise control for data centres
Data centres run continuously. The generators, cooling systems, HVAC plant and transformers that keep them online generate noise around the clock, and that noise has to be managed. For many operators, the consequence is boundary noise levels that exceed local EPA limits, complaints from neighbouring businesses or residents, and working environments that fall short of occupational health requirements.
Flexshield designs and manufactures acoustic products for data centres across Australia. Whether you are fitting out a new facility, managing noise from an existing site or responding to a planning condition, products are engineered to suit the site, the equipment and the compliance requirement.
Noise challenges in data centres
Data centres generate noise from multiple sources at the same time. Cooling towers and chillers run continuously during peak operation. Backup generators fire up under load and during testing. HVAC plant moves large volumes of air through ducts and louvres. Rooftop equipment adds to the total noise footprint.
The combined effect is rarely straightforward to manage. Tonal components from inverters and transformers can be particularly difficult to address. Exhaust noise from generators travels at low frequencies that standard barriers do not attenuate effectively. Airflow requirements for cooling mean that fully enclosing equipment is not always practical. That is where engineered design makes the difference.
Common noise sources include emergency generators and diesel plant, HVAC systems and cooling towers, air handling units and exhaust fans, chillers and compressors, rooftop mechanical equipment, and electrical infrastructure including transformers and switch rooms.
Noise Control Solutions for Your Facility
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Acoustic products for data centres
Sonic acoustic enclosures
Flexshield manufactures custom acoustic enclosures for generators, compressors, chillers and mechanical plant. Enclosures are designed with integrated ventilation to maintain airflow and service access panels to allow maintenance without full disassembly. Where full enclosure is not practical, partial or three-sided configurations can still reduce noise significantly while maintaining accessibility.
Exhaust silencers
Diesel and gas generators produce substantial exhaust noise at frequencies that are difficult to attenuate with barriers alone. Flexshield manufactures industrial exhaust silencers for generator sets and backup power systems. Silencers are custom-sized to suit exhaust diameter, flow rate and back-pressure requirements.
Sonic Series acoustic louvres
Plant rooms and HVAC equipment rooms require ventilation openings that allow air to move while limiting noise transmission. Sonic Series acoustic louvres are engineered to deliver acoustic attenuation without unacceptable pressure-drop penalties. Louvre selection is based on required Rw performance, free area and airflow velocity.
Acoustic barriers and noise walls
Where boundary noise levels are the primary concern, engineered noise walls provide a practical and durable option. Flexshield manufactures modular acoustic wall panels suitable for temporary and permanent installations. Panels can be configured to height and finished for outdoor exposure.
Sonic Access acoustic doors
Generator enclosures, plant rooms and service areas all require acoustic access. Sonic Access acoustic doors are manufactured in single and double leaf configurations, and are available with Rw ratings up to 52dB.
Applications
Flexshield acoustic products are in service across hyperscale data centres, colocation facilities, edge data centres, telecommunications infrastructure, cooling plant upgrades and backup power facilities. Products are available for retrofit applications and new build projects.
Talk to Flexshield about your data centre project. Our team can assess your noise requirements and recommend products suited to your site, equipment and compliance obligations. Contact us to discuss the scope.
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