Acoustics and Noise Control

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Understand how to quantify and assess noise using standard acoustic metrics and measurement approaches
• Perform core acoustic calculations to evaluate sound propagation and combined noise sources
• Interpret environmental noise assessments to support informed technical decisions
• Explain the principles affecting sound inside rooms
• Apply acoustic criteria to building systems, equipment, and architectural design
• Identify and implement practical noise control and hearing conservation strategies

Description

Managing noise in industrial, environmental, and built environments requires more than basic awareness of sound, it requires the ability to measure, interpret, and control it within real operational constraints. Inadequate noise control can lead to regulatory non-compliance, reduced system performance, and increased risk to occupant health and safety.

This course develops a practical foundation in acoustics to support effective analysis and decision-making. It equips you with the ability to understand various noise metrics, quantify noise, understand how it propagates, and apply relevant criteria across environmental, mechanical, and building systems. You will work through real-world applications including environmental noise assessments, building acoustics, and mechanical system noise.

Through structured instruction and applied examples, this course provides the tools needed to evaluate noise conditions and implement appropriate control strategies, supporting safer, compliant, and higher-performing technical outcomes.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for:

• Engineers and engineering technologists working across disciplines
• Technical professionals involved in environmental, mechanical, or building systems
• Professionals responsible for noise assessment, compliance, or system performance
• Early- to senior-career practitioners seeking applied acoustics knowledge

Day I

Overview

• Introductions
• Review of the content of the seminar

Fundamentals of Acoustics

• Noise and definitions
• Units of measurement
• Noise and generation
• Noise propagation
• Sound and hearing

Basic Acoustics, Terminology and Background

• Physics
• Sound Measurement (dB sound levels)
• Physiology, Weighting Networks (dBA, dBC)
• Addition of Sounds and Sound Power
• Examples

Analysis of Sounds

• Fluctuating Sounds
• Measurement Times Averaging
• Broadband, Octave Bands, 1/3 Octave Bands; with example

Sound Sources

• Point / Line / Area
• Transportation noise sources
• Effects of traffic composition
• Rules of thumb

Environmental Noise

• Various Types of Sound Sources
• Sound Propagation
• Environmental Effects
• Road Noise barriers
• Noise Modeling Software

Day II

Environmental Noise Regulations

• Federal Noise Guidelines
• Provincial Noise Guidelines
• Municipal Noise Guidelines
• Other jurisdictions & useful background information

Architectural Acoustics

• Sound Absorption(absorption coefficients reverberation time)
• Indoor Noise Levels(NC / RC)
• Sound Transmission, Sound Transmission Class (STC) measurements and lab results
• Impact Insulation Class (IIC),
• Building noise isolation techniques
• National Building Code (NBC) Acoustics

HVAC Noise

• Building mechanical noise sources
• Sound transmission, absorption, and re-generation in duct work
• Noise mitigation methods
• Industry Standards (ASHRAE)

Occupational Hearing Conservation

• Principles of hearing loss
• OHS regulations

General Noise Control Methods

• Control of building mechanical noise and sources
• Control of industrial noise sources
• General Sound Level Meter discussion