YUMA, Ariz., April 3, 2013 - Acoustifence soundproofing material placed around a pickleball court reduced noise by 10-12 decibels in a sound meter test conducted by USA Pickleball Association president Bill Booth on April 17, 2012 at the Country Roads RV Village pickleball courts in Yuma, Ariz. This represents more than a 50 percent reduction in sound as perceived by the human ear the report concludes.
Even as one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States continues to gain new participants and fans every day, pickleball is disturbing some neighbors and communities who don’t want the courts around because paddle noise has become a nuisance issue for some people living close to the courts.
In addition to being one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States today, pickleball has spread overseas into Canada, Singapore, India, Pakistan and other places. According to the USA Pickleball Association, the sport boasts an estimated 100,000 adult players in the United States now, more than triple the number in 2003. There are about 2,500 public courts, versus just 150 in 2003.
For decades, the game of pickleball was little known outside the Pacific Northwest United States. Since its inception in 1965 as a backyard pastime, it is now an organized sport represented by national and international governing bodies. While people ages 6 to 70-plus play pickleball and even compete in local, regional and national tournaments, the main driver of the recent growth is the 55-plus demographic who have taken a liking to the sport. They view it as a way to exercise, burn calories, socialize, and get outdoors. More and more pickleball courts are being built in community parks and especially into 55-plus housing developments. Some communities are converting sporadically used tennis courts into pickleball courts or painting additional lines on tennis courts so pickleball can also be played. Pickleball is played on a smaller court size than tennis but has a similar court design.
More courts, participants, tournaments, and attention to the game has brought on more public complaints and even noise or nuisance related lawsuits attempting to stop play on existing courts or stop construction of new courts.
Racquet and paddle sports like tennis, badminton, and table tennis (ping pong) each produce a unique sound when the racquet or paddle hits the ball. In pickleball, there is a “ping, ping” sound made when the paddle hits the ball because the sport uses medium-sized, solid faced wooden, composite or graphite paddles and a hard plastic perforated ball (resembles a Wiffle ball) that is larger, stiffer and less resistant than a tennis ball. The noise generated by the game is louder, sharper and at a higher pitch than tennis which generates a deeper “thwack” sound that registers far lower on a sound meter.
Pickleball paddle noise is in a sound classification called impact noise – noise that occurs when an object collides with another object. It is a high frequency noise that is at a frequency that our ears are most attuned to. Through Acoustiblok’s analysis and modeling efforts of various pickleball noise related projects, the company says there’s one limiting band of approximately 1.25 Khz (1250 hz) that spikes when the paddle hits the ball. Acoustifence blocks much of the noise and reduces it to below a nuisance level for nearby neighbors, becoming barely perceptible among other outdoor background noises such as automobile, airplane, human, and machine noise.
You can hear the pickleball paddle noise for yourself by watching the following YouTube video of a tournament match at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdVMcIDQJlA [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdVMcIDQJlA __title__ USA Pickleball Association nationals competition]
Unlike often tried natural sound barriers such as fences or shrubs, the Acoustifence material does extraordinarily well in not only blocking direct sound, but also has a tendency to reduce sound from reflecting off it. Acoustifence is a revolutionary heavy mineral filled viscoelastic polymer sound deadening material which is only 3mm (1/8 inch) thick. It’s made in the United States and compared to other soundproofing alternatives, is an economical way to reduce outdoor noise.
The ultraviolet (UV) tolerant Acoustifence is hung via grommets onto the top line of existing chain link, panel, security or support pole fencing systems. It comes in 6 X 30 foot-sheets and can be easily cut and shaped into custom sizes with a craft knife. On solid structure fence surfaces, Acoustifence can be installed by nailing, stapling or gluing. Acoustifence is one of the most effective first steps in reducing outdoor noise. The amount of noise Acoustifence reduces however is much related to other reflective structures in the area. More details on Acoustifence can be seen at: http://www.acoustiblok.com/acoustical_fence.php
Country Roads RV Resort is a 55-plus gated community which boasts 150 acres of lavish, mature landscaping and 1294 privately owned home sites. The Acoustifence testing was conducted by USA Pickleball Association president Bill Booth. Tests were made using a Sper Scientific Digital Datalogging Sound Meter (model 840013), a S-Type Composite Extreme Paddle, and New Dura Fast 40 outdoor balls. Tests were made with the tester attempting to hit the ball with maximum force for a worse-case scenario. A series of readings were taken both through the Acoustifence sound curtain and with no sound curtain. Readings were recorded with the meter at 50 feet from the point of impact. In the first case, the reading was even taken through the sound curtain next to a nearby home at a point 42 feet from the sound curtain. The paddle was 8 feet inside the court for a total of 50 feet. The second set of readings was recorded inside the court at a distance of 50 feet from the point of impact.
With no sound curtain, readings ranged from 64.2 – 71.8 decibels for an average of 68 decibels. Through the Acoustifence sound curtain, the meter readings were between 54.7 – 59.2 decibels for an average reading of 56.7 decibels. The report concluded that an 11.3 decibel reduction in sound was achieved. This represents more than a 50 percent reduction in sound as perceived by the human ear by nearby homeowners. That reduction in sound takes the pickleball noise from being annoying to someone to being just barely perceptible, the report conclusion stated. The report also recommended that the Acoustifence product be installed on the inside of the pickleball court if the fence posts are outside the court. The report went on to say that homeowners near the Country Roads RV Village pickleball courts who had the most complaints and lived closest to the courts reported a significant reduction in sound level from having the Acoustifence material up. He said that his wife often does not realize that they are playing on the court. At times, ambient noise significantly exceeded paddle noise.
Lahnie Johnson is president and founder of Acoustiblok, Inc., a NASA spinoff listed company in Tampa, Fla., that invented and manufactures the Acoustifence product.
“Acoustifence serves as a barrier and blocks high frequency sounds very well. The material actually flexes with certain frequencies. In the process of sound waves physically moving it, the product transforms sound wave energy into inaudible internal friction energy. It’s Underwriters Laboratories listed and has attained an STC (Sound Transmission Class) of 28 decibels in independent laboratory tests,” said Johnson.
“Like all our products, Acoustifence is made in the USA with all USA materials. Besides the primary benefit of reduction in perceived noise levels, there are many reasons why Acoustifence is being used not only in the United States, but across the globe for many applications,” he said.
Paul Getts, is an Acoustiblok sales associate who has worked with various pickleball related customers.
“There are many reasons why Acoustifence is a good solution for pickleball noise. For homeowner associations and developers, Acoustifence easily attaches to existing fencing found around most existing pickleball courts and complexes and can be put up in a matter of hours with a few minor hand tools. It is easily configurable to add height and length so it can be used on fences of any size. The material is paintable to meet the needs of the environment,” said Getts.
“There are vinyl photographic coverings for the fence called Acoustiblok landscapes. Hundreds of different unbelievably realistic landscapes are available, from vines and flowers to even antique brick wall, or stone fence photographs. So real one of our customers drove right by their home forgetting they had it installed,” he added.
“Acoustifence is also one of the best priced first response soundproofing solutions in the industry,” Getts added.
Melissa Wood is community association manager at Country Roads RV Village. In a related World Fence News article about pickleball and Acoustifence, she said, “I can attest that Acoustifence material is not difficult to install, can be easily blended into the aesthetics, particularly if you have existing wind screens.” She added that Country Roads RV Village is located near Phoenix and other communities have seen the installation and have inquired about it.
Besides pickleball, Acoustifence is commonly used to quiet generator and motor noise at industrial sites, highway and construction related noise on bridges, mass transit rail line noise, shooting/gun range noise, and even dog kennel noise. It is also being used at college sports complexes and athletic parks and on private backyard residential fences to create a quieter and more peaceful environment.
“People are discovering that there are a lot of great uses for this modern day soundproofing product,” Johnson said.
Johnson went on to say, “We’re not just a soundproofing products company, we’re a noise solutions company. Sometimes, prior to the sale of Acoustiblok’s products, we perform computer-based sound propagation modeling when customers are unsure if Acoustiblok’s materials will work in their specific application.
“We use advanced software called Cadna-A, a top acoustical software made by DataKustic used in the prediction of environmental outdoor noise. It calculates sounds through mediums and different barriers and terrains. We have used it for pickleball-related customers who all have a different set of circumstances associated with their noise. We also use DataKustic’s Cadna-R software for prediction and presentation of inside noise in industrial facilities, rooms and workplaces.”
“We use this acoustical modeling to say to the potential customer ‘here’s your noise level now without Acoustiblok’s material and here’s the noise level with our material based on the noise information we have available to us right now.’”
For more information about Acoustiblok Inc., or Acoustifence visit the Acoustiblok website (www.acoustiblok.com), send an Email to sales(at)acoustiblok(dot)com, or call 813-965-4373.
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About Acoustifence
http://www.acoustiblok.com/acoustical_fence.php
About Acoustiblok – “Quieting the World”
Acoustiblok, Inc, a NASA Spinoff listed company headquartered in Tampa, Fla., provides acoustical soundproofing solutions for noise related issues. The company develops, manufactures, and markets lab tested and certified acoustical products around the world, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers.
Primary products include Acoustiblok® viscoelastic polymer based soundproofing material, Acoustifence® outdoor noise barrier, All Weather Sound Panels®, QuietFiber® insulating material, Quiet-Cloud® industrial sound absorption panels, Acoustiblok WALLCOVER®, and Thermablok® nanotechnology insulation. The company also sells a line of acoustical soundproofing accessory products. Acoustiblok products are used every day primarily in industrial, residential, commercial, building and construction/architectural, and marine sectors worldwide. The company’s products are made and sourced in the United States.
Acoustiblok, Inc. ships products to approximately 60 countries around the world and has a network of stocking distributors both in the United States and internationally. The company operates a wholly owned subsidiary, Acoustiblok Mideast, in Saudi Arabia to augment our distributor network.
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About Country Roads RV Village, Yuma, Ariz.
Country Roads RV Resort is a 55-plus gated community which boasts 150 acres of lavish, mature landscaping and 1294 privately owned home sites.
http://www.countryroadsyuma.com/
LAS VEGAS, Nev., January 21, 2013 – Tampa based Acoustiblok Corporation exhibited the company’s line of certified and lab tested acoustical soundproofing products for single and multi-family residential applications in booth number 1049 at the 2013 NAHB International Builders Show being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 22 – 24, 2013.
Acoustiblok's new and more interative trade show booth (shown below before the opening of the exhibit hall) caught the eye of many conference attendees and IBS show judges. Acoustiblok was one of hundreds of companies that participated in the show and exhibited their products on the 400,000 square-foot exhibition hall floor.
Acoustiblok® is an easily installed material that can not only reduce noise from within a house but also reduce outside noise. Acoustiblok can be installed:
• on studs before attaching drywall to reduce noise between rooms
• over floor joists before the sub floor is attached to reduce the sound from walking (impact noise) as well as the noise created in the room
• on roof trusses to reduce noise from low flying airplanes or busy highways
• around plumbing pipes to quiet the sound of running water.
Acoustiblok can also be used in home theaters and multi-functional A/V type entertainment rooms.
In multi-family units such as condominiums and apartment complexes, a leading cause of tenant relocation is noise. The problem of sound attenuation in these types of buildings is rarely addressed properly. By installing Acoustiblok® over the studs, ceiling and floor joists, sound can be effectively stopped before it vibrates the structure. Acoustiblok® is a flexible, dense material that reduces sound by 26db. A 32 oz. product (STC 32) is also available for challenging noise problems.
The International Builders' Show is organized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and is the largest light construction building industry tradeshow in the United States. It is the only event of its kind, focusing specifically on the needs, concerns, and opportunities that face builders. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is one of the largest trade associations in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NAHB's mission is "to enhance the climate for housing and the building industry. Chief among NAHB's goals is providing and expanding opportunities for all consumers to have safe, decent and affordable housing."
Founded in 1942, NAHB is a federation of more than 800 state and local associations. About one-third of NAHB’s more than 140,000 members are home builders or remodelers. The remaining members are associates working in closely related fields within the housing industry such as mortgage finance and building products and services.
For more information on the IBS 2013 show visit: http://www.buildersshow.com/Home/
Information about the show for the media is available at: http://www.buildersshow.com/Home/Page.aspx?genericContentID=106662
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About Acoustiblok – “Quieting the World”
Acoustiblok Corporation, a NASA “Spin-off” company headquartered in Tampa, FL, provides acoustical soundproofing solutions for noise related issues. The company develops, manufactures, and markets lab tested and certified acoustical products around the world, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers.
Primary products include Acoustiblok® viscoelastic polymer based soundproofing material, Acoustifence® outdoor noise barrier, All Weather Sound Panels®, QuietFiber® insulating material, Quiet-Cloud® industrial sound absorption panels, Acoustiblok WALLCOVER®, and Thermablok® nanotechnology insulation. The company also sells a line of acoustical soundproofing accessory products. Acoustiblok products are used every day primarily in industrial, residential, commercial, building and construction/architectural, and marine sectors worldwide. The company’s products are made and sourced in the United States.
Acoustiblok Corporation ships products to approximately 60 countries around the world and has a network of stocking distributors both in the United States and internationally. The company operates a wholly owned subsidiary, Acoustiblok Mideast, in Saudi Arabia to augment our distributor network.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Thomas Wiseman
Director of Public Relations
Acoustiblok Corporation
813-980-1400 Ext. 210
twiseman@acoustiblok.com
TAMPA, FL, January 16, 2013 – An Acoustifence barrier recently installed near a noisy exposed aerator motor at the Hillsborough County Northwest Regional Facility resulted in an immediate and significant reduction in noise pollution for neighboring residents.
The facility is part of a 1,500-acre multi-use tract owned by Hillsborough County. It is a Type 1 advanced wastewater treatment facility built to process five million gallons of wastewater per day. The facility is located on a 67-acre parcel of land 10890 South Mobley Road in Hillsborough County Florida. A residential community called Highland Park is located near the county facility.
Last year, members of the Highland Park Residential Community voiced their complaints about loud whining noises coming into their community from the nearby county facility. The facility took action to find a solution to the noise issue. In residential areas, road traffic noise is usually the major source of noise, with air conditioning/heat pumps, generators, construction, and industrial noises also problems typically.
Wastewater is sewage, storm water and water that are used for various purposes around the community. Unless properly treated, wastewater can harm public health and the environment. It is not uncommon across the United States for wastewater treatment facilities like Northwest to be located within hearing range of residents living in a particular area.
The wastewater treatment facility noise source was a 200-HP Carrousel vertical, high efficiency aerator drive motor located on top of the facility’s 24-foot Oxidation Aeration Basin structure according to Flint Seth, general manager of bio solids production and maintenance at the Hillsborough County Northwest Water Reclamation Facility.
Doug Fisher of the Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department worked with Acoustiblok to devise an economical solution consisting of an L-shaped frame barrier with four 6 X 30 foot-Acoustifence outdoor noise reduction panels secured to it. Acoustifence is a product of Acoustiblok Corporation. Witt Fence Company of Riverview, Fla., was contacted by Hillsborough County personnel to install the barrier.
From a technical standpoint, Acoustifence is an advanced sound barrier. A sound barrier, by its own named definition, is put between the noise source and the listener. Some barriers can be made of virtually anything that sound does not penetrate. There are however, differences and distinct advantages in some over others. Unlike a concrete block wall, which in one respect is a good sound barrier, the Acoustifence actually flexes with certain frequencies, especially very low frequencies. In the process of sound waves physically moving it, the product transforms sound wave energy into inaudible internal friction energy. A concrete block wall would not do this. As the Acoustifence is only 1/8 of an inch thick, it is very easy to position it closer to the noise source. The closer a barrier is to the noise source the more restricting it becomes to the initial sound waves.
Acoustiblok Corporation’s Acoustifence product is a unique proprietary formula. It is a heavy mineral filled viscoelastic polymer material that is 1/8 inch thick and made in the United States. It comes in 6 X 30 foot-sheets. It is one of the most effective first steps in reducing noise for many applications including industrial, commercial, and residential. The amount of noise it reduces however is much related to other reflective structures in the area.
Sound pressure is measured in decibels. The average person can hear sounds starting at 0 to 1 decibel. A typical conversation occurs at 60 decibels – not loud enough to cause damage. An idling bulldozer (not bulldozing) is loud enough at 85 decibels that it can cause permanent damage after only 1 work day (8 hours). If a sound reaches 85 decibels or stronger, it can cause permanent damage to a person’s hearing with prolonged exposure. The amount of time a person listens to a sound affects how much damage it will cause.
A noise meter was used to measure the difference in sound before and after the installation of the noise barrier fence at the wastewater facility. Typical noise from these Carrousel vertical aerator motors ranges from 80-83 decibels from three feet away according to the manufacturer. From 10 feet away, the noise measured 79 decibels before installation of the Acoustifence began and registered 69 decibels immediately after the fence was in place. In a 10 decibel decrease in sound level, perceived loudness is cut in half to the human ear.
"While we were pleased with the reduction in sound decibels picked up by the meter, the most significant difference that we noticed was the reduction in noise heard by the ear. The reduction in noise felt significantly higher than what registered on the sound meter," said Seth.
According to OSHA, typical engine noise, mainly caused by mechanical and combustion forces, can typically range from 100 - 121 decibels measured at approximately 10 feet.
Besides the proven and tested sound reduction qualities of Acoustifence, another beneficial quality of the product is that it is quick and easy to install. "Once we determine the technical solution to a noise issue, the installation of our products is not time consuming or labor intensive," said Lahnie Johnson, President and Founder of Acoustiblok.
Installation of the sound barrier at the Hillsborough County facility was fast and they encountered no unexpected problems. "It took only one day to install the barrier and it resulted in an immediate decrease in directional noise for our facility," Seth said.
"Acoustiblok’s success is not just about the products we have invented but more about the innovation of the products in finding solutions for people’s noise problems. For advanced problems, we incorporate state-of-the-art acoustical prediction software modeling. This allows us to really tie down what the results will be in advance of someone’s purchase and of course can result in huge financial savings to the customer," Johnson added.
While the solution to the noise issue at the wastewater treatment facility was not a complex one, it was an effective one for Hillsborough County. "The Acoustifence barrier made a difference and we are very pleased with it. We have not received any new complaints about the motor noise since the installation of the barrier fence so that’s a good sign so far. We are currently planning to build additional barrier fences for some of the other vertical aerator motors we have on site," Seth added.
While Hillsborough County is happy with how the small amount of Acoustifence quieted the large pump, Johnson sees this as the first of literally thousands of similar pumps around the country and overseas hat may need a similar noise abatement solution.
About Acoustiblok – "Quieting the World"
Acoustiblok Corporation, a NASA "Spin-off" company headquartered in Tampa, FL, provides acoustical soundproofing solutions for noise related issues. The company develops, manufactures, and markets lab tested and certified acoustical products around the world, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers.
Primary products include Acoustiblok® viscoelastic polymer based soundproofing material, Acoustifence® outdoor noise barrier, All Weather Sound Panels®, QuietFiber® insulating material, Quiet-Cloud® industrial sound absorption panels, Acoustiblok WALLCOVER®, and Thermablok® nanotechnology insulation. The company also sells a line of acoustical soundproofing accessory products. Acoustiblok products are used every day primarily in industrial, residential, commercial, building and construction/architectural, and marine sectors worldwide. The company’s products are made and sourced in the United States.
Acoustiblok Corporation ships products to approximately 60 countries around the world and has a network of stocking distributors both in the United States and internationally. The company operates a wholly owned subsidiary, Acoustiblok Mideast, in Saudi Arabia to augment our distributor network.
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PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release
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PRODUCT INFORMATION
For more information about our Acoustifence or other Acoustiblok products, or to speak to a knowledgeable Acoustiblok sales representative, call 813-965-4373. Learn more about Acoustiblok products on the Sound Solutions Products page of our website or click here to send an Email inquiry.
PRESS RELEASE INFORMATION AND AVAILABLE PHOTOS
If you are a media representative and would like additional information about this article, have questions, or would like high-res photographs electronically sent to your publication, please contact:
Thomas Wiseman, Director of Public Relations
twiseman@acoustiblok.com
(office) 813.980.1400 Ext. 210
ORLANDO, FL, December 13, 2012 - Acoustiblok exhibited the company’s line of sound reduction materials this week at the 2012 POWER-GEN International Show being held in Orlando, FL on December 11-13, 2012.
POWER-GEN International is the industry leader in providing comprehensive coverage of the trends, technologies and issues facing the generation sector. More than 1,200 companies from all sectors of the industry exhibit each year to benefit from the exposure to 20,000 attendees. Displaying a wide variety of products and services, POWER-GEN International represents a horizontal look at the industry with key emphasis on new solutions and innovations for the future.
Generator noise is a growing problem everywhere, especially in residential neighborhoods, where multiple units can be running at once after a storm or power outage. This is the type of noise that contributes to noise pollution and the health risks that go along with it. People are becoming more proactive about creating a quiet environment, especially at home.
Acoustiblok All Weather Sound Panels® are engineered specifically to withstand the most rigorous outdoor and industrial environments. Water, moisture, humid salt air or salt water, dirt, dust, constant ultraviolet light, chlorine air, grease, corrosion, and most harsh chemicals are not a problem for this wonderful product. The hurricane All Weather Sound Panel is tested to withstand wind load more than 270 MPH.
Acousitblok’s QuietFiber® is the answer to any space in need of a noise fix that is easy to install anywhere noise is a problem, without spending thousands of dollars to retrofit sound abatement material under drywall, or cover walls with expensive sound panels.
Acoustiblok’s QuietFiber® is UL fire rated for floor, wall and ceiling applications, a significant safety factor when compared to common insulating materials – usually highly flammable -- often used in an attempt to reduce sound.
Acoustiblok sound reduction material is made of a 1/8-inch (3 mm) thick proprietary viscoelastic polymer material with a high-density, non-barium mineral content, heavy yet extremely flexible. It is easily cut to fit with a utility knife, which makes it customizable to fit around pipes and other fixtures. Just one thin layer of Acoustiblok added to a standard metal or wood stud wall will result in more sound reduction - and provide more privacy - than 12-inches (30.5 cm) of poured concrete.
Get more information on some of Acousitblok’s generator-related projects here.
About Acoustiblok All Weather Sound Panels®:
Acoustiblok, a NASA “Spin-off” company, developed the All Weather Sound Panels, engineered specifically to withstand the most rigorous outdoor and industrial environments. Water, moisture, humid salt air or salt water, dirt, dust, UV, chlorine air, corrosion, and most harsh chemicals do not affect them. The industrial sound panels are available with an acoustically transparent five micron stainless steel dust filter for outdoor use in the world’s toughest environments, from the mining industry to the desert areas of the Middle East, and other applications where dust is a concern. Acoustiblok sound panels are extremely durable and are currently in use by the United States Army in the Middle East.
Washable, durable, long lasting and usable in hundreds of areas and applications, the Acoustiblok All Weather Sound Panels are not just "sound absorbing" but also "sound blocking." This allows the panel to not only absorb sound but also stop the sound from penetrating through the panel, a very meaningful advantage over conventional "sound absorbing" panels that stop sound reflections but are poor sound barriers.
With an unprecedented noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 1.00 (Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories test results), they are the only noise barrier wind-load tested to 270 mph. Rigid and self-supporting, they can be used like building blocks to permanently or temporarily enclose any noise source, such as chillers and industrial machinery.
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PRESS RELEASE
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For Immediate Relase
Contact: Thomas Wiseman, Director of Public Relations
twiseman@acoustiblok.com
phone: 813.980.1400 Ext. 210
Left: Volunteer cuts Acoustiblok Wallcover to size; Center, Bellewood residential cottages are home to abused and neglected children from across Kentucky; Right: Children from birth to age 21 have had a second chance at better lives through Bellewood.)
TAMPA, Florida, November 5, 2012, 2012 – Tampa-based Acoustiblok, Inc. has donated its noise reducing Acoustiblok Wallcover® material to the Bellewood Home for Children in Anchorage Kentucky, to block noise from the campus’s multi-machine laundry room from passing through a common wall and into the facility’s therapy room. Installation of the Acoustiblok Wallcover effectively reduced noise in the therapy room by 10 decibels, which translates to a perceived volume reduction of 50 percent.
The donated Acoustiblok Wallcover was installed last week as part of a large-scale project to restore and improve the facility’s five residential cottages, recreational areas and common buildings, and to improve safety and enhance Bellewood Home’s village setting.
For 163 years, Bellewood Home has provided a safe haven for thousands of abused, neglected and homeless children from across Kentucky.
Lahnie Johnson, President and Founder of Acoustiblok, Inc., says he is proud that the company was able to contribute the noise blocking qualities of Acoustiblok Wallcover to the ambitious renovation project at Bellewood.
“When you have noise from commercial machines such as those in the facility’s laundry room passing through a common wall into the therapy room, it can be detrimental to the children’s therapeutic or remedial treatments,” Johnson says. “Noise is known to cause a myriad of problems in therapeutic settings, including stress, inability to focus, and other problems.
“This is a wonderful use of Acoustiblok Wallcover, and the community volunteers on the Bellewood renovation project were able to use it because it could be installed directly over the existing drywall, so no demolition or costly construction process was required.”
For more information on Acoustiblok Wallcover or any of Acoustiblok’s noise abatement products, visit the Acoustiblok website, Email sales@acoustiblok.com, or call 813-965-4373.
About Acoustiblok:
Acoustiblok, Inc., a NASA spin-off company, has been providing high quality noise abatement products since 1998, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers. Acoustiblok is a proprietary viscoelastic polymer material with a high density mineral content, heavy and yet extremely flexible. As sound waves cause the Acoustiblok material to flex, internal friction occurs and the acoustical energy is transformed into inaudible trace amounts of heat (adiabatic).
Just one, 1/8-inch layer of Acoustiblok in a standard wall can result in more sound reduction than 12-inches of poured concrete. Environmentally friendly, Acoustiblok contains no lead, barium, or asbestos, is UV resistant and impervious to water and mold; it is UL rated and classified in the US and Canada (CUL) for virtually all wall, floor, and ceiling installations.
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PRESS RELEASE
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Liz Ernst, Director of Public Relations
Lizernst@acoustiblok.com
813.980.1400 x 210
VANCOUVER, BC, October 22, 2012 – Raicor Contracting, Ltd. earned the Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau’s Outstanding Project of the Year 2012 award for the visually spectacular LDS Temple located about 50 miles southeast of Vancouver in Langley, BC. Included in the project’s flawless design and execution are Acoustiblok’s All Weather Sound Panels, custom fit to create a clean, architecturally attractive noise barrier for the Temple’s roofless ancillary building that houses an industrial generator and HVAC systems.
Project Manager Timo Orava of Raicor worked with acoustic specialist Steve Hibbens, who recommended the All Weather Sound Panels for the project. Not only did the Temple officials want the noise reduced for Church members to worship in peace and quiet, the solution had to offer a clean, architecturally attractive appearance in keeping with the meticulously designed interior.
The LDS Temple which was built in the spirit of Solomon’s Temple of the Old Testament, according to Orava. Extreme care was taken not only in the design, but in the execution, which took more than three years to complete.
“The LDS Temple is an inspiring monument that Church leaders wanted built to perfection, right down to the very last detail,” Orava says. “It’s a visually stunning structure built to last, ideally, for hundreds of years.
“Church leaders’ interest was in getting a completed structure that is pleasing to God’s eye, and nothing less would suffice.”
The project was challenging for Orava’s team at Raicor because of the extremely high building standards in place, and the Temple leaders’ meticulous requirements. With a zero-tolerance for deficiencies, from the drywall to the wall sconces, the project demanded faultless workmanship. Orava said the Acoustiblok All Weather Sound Panels were no exception, and needed to fit exacting specifications in the structure.
“One-eighth of an inch off anywhere, and they would not have fit,” he said. “But the Acoustiblok team custom cut and finished each panel to the exact dimensions, and they all fit together flawlessly.”
Nineteen standard 4 foot x 8 foot panels and 13 custom sized panels were used to create the precision noise barrier that Temple leaders wanted; clean, aesthetically pleasing, and most important, effective.
“After the panels went in, the noise issue was resolved, which was surprising because the building that houses this noisy industrial equipment has no roof,” Orava says. “The noise is no longer a problem.”
Acoustiblok President and Founder Lahnie Johnson says the All Weather Sound Panels are different from other conventional sound panels. In addition to being able to stand up to the most extreme environments, they not only absorb virtually all sound but they also contain a layer of Acoustiblok material which provides exceptional noise blockage.
The sound absorbency of the panel brings down substantially the acoustical energy around the generator and chiller by eliminating all sound reflections in the area, while the Acoustiblok material in the panel allows it to also be an excellent sound barrier. These qualities make the All Weather Sound Panels a perfect fit for the LDS Temple, where they will perform at their full potential in the Northwest Canadian environment.
“Vancouver experiences some real weather extremes, which these panels are built for,” Johnson says.
“In addition, when they are worked into an architectural design with this kind of precision and attention to detail, they offer an enhanced aesthetic when appearance is important, as it was here.”
For more information visit the Acoustiblok website (www.acoustiblok.com), Email (sales@acoustiblok.com), or call 813.980.1400.
About Acoustiblok All Weather Sound Panels®:
Acoustiblok, a NASA “Spin-off” company, developed the All Weather Sound Panels, engineered specifically to withstand the most rigorous outdoor and industrial environments. Water, moisture, humid salt air or salt water, dirt, dust, UV, chlorine air, corrosion, and most harsh chemicals do not affect them. The industrial sound panels are available with an acoustically transparent five micron stainless steel dust filter for outdoor use in the world’s toughest environments, from the mining industry to the desert areas of the Middle East, and other applications where dust is a concern. Acoustiblok sound panels are extremely durable and are currently in use by the United States Army in the Middle East.
Washable, durable, long lasting and usable in hundreds of areas and applications, the Acoustiblok All Weather Sound Panels are not just "sound absorbing" but also "sound blocking." This allows the panel to not only absorb sound but also stop the sound from penetrating through the panel, a very meaningful advantage over conventional "sound absorbing" panels that stop sound reflections but are poor sound barriers.
With an unprecedented noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 1.00 (Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories test results), they are the only noise barrier wind-load tested to 270 mph. Rigid and self-supporting, they can be used like building blocks to permanently or temporarily enclose any noise source, such as chillers and industrial machinery.
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PRESS RELEASE
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For Immediate Relase
Contact: Liz Ernst, Director of Public Relations
Lizernst@acoustiblok.com
813.980.1400
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, October 11, 2012 – Acoustiblok, Inc., announced today that the recent installation of Acoustiblok noise blocking material and QuietFiber sound absorbing material at the Ethical Labs production plant in Santo Domingo has provided enough noise abatement to lower noise levels in a louvered structure housing industrial high velocity blowers by 71 percent.
The Acoustiblok and QuietFiber installation, conducted by Carlos Montas, the Dominican Republic representative for Acoustiblok, Inc., lowered decibel levels from 80dB to 62dB, even with a portion of the louvers remaining open.
Montas, owner of Edelca – the industrial power engineering company that prepared the electrical system of the entire pharmaceutical production plant – says the project required layering Acoustiblok 3mm soundproofing material in the structure first, followed by a layer of QuietFiber sound absorbing material on top of the Acoustiblok, on both the interior walls and door of the metal structure.
Representatives of Ethical Labs said they were thrilled with the results, which took the unbearably loud blower noise down to a decibel level that was no longer a distraction to anyone.
“We are totally impressed with how well the products worked,” says Carlos Mendez of Ethical Labs. “When the project was half way done we could already hear a difference, it’s amazing.”
Montas, who designs and installs industrial emergency generators throughout the Caribbean’s coastal regions, installs QuietFiber in all of his projects to deaden industrial noise. Both the Acoustiblok and Quiet Fiber materials are easily cut to fit around electric conduits, and secured to the walls and ceiling with standard insulation stick pins.
The sound deadening qualities of the layered Acoustiblok and QuietFiber materials will help to protect the pharmaceutical plant’s employees and visitors from the high volume industrial noise contained within the enclosure.
Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok, Inc., says that the application of Acoustiblok and QuietFiber in the louvered structure housing the blowers was the best possible solution for addressing the high decibel, reverberant sound emanating from within.
“Both Acoustiblok and QuietFiber are designed to withstand this type of hot, humid environment,” Johnson said. “When you’re addressing this type of industrial noise within a louvered structure, you need a layer of noise blocking material, which the Acoustiblok material provides, and a layer of noise absorbing material, which QuietFiber provides.
"Combined, you have proven maximum noise abatement, high temperature rating for fire blocking, and hydrophobic (resistant to moisture) qualities that make the solution a success.”
For more information visit the Acoustiblok website (www.acoustiblok.com), Email (sales@acoustiblok.com), or call 813.980.1400.
About Acoustiblok:
Acoustiblok, Inc., a NASA spin-off company, has been providing high quality noise abatement products since 1998, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers. Acoustiblok is a proprietary viscoelastic polymer material with a high density mineral content, heavy and yet extremely flexible. As sound waves cause the Acoustiblok material to flex, internal friction occurs and the acoustical energy is transformed into inaudible trace amounts of heat (adiabatic).
Just one, 1/8-inch layer of Acoustiblok in a standard wall can result in more sound reduction than 12-inches of poured concrete. Environmentally friendly, Acoustiblok contains no lead, barium, or asbestos, is UV resistant and impervious to water and mold; it is UL rated and classified in the US and Canada (CUL) for virtually all wall, floor, and ceiling installations.
About QuietFiber:
High sound absorbency QuietFiber is a two-inch thick interior/exterior noise solution that can also be cut to fit and simply hot glued underneath a bar, cabinets, countertops, tables, chairs, behind a wall tapestry or curtains. Slide a QuietFiber “pillow” on top of cabinets, or anywhere else that reverberant noise and echo is a problem. Easily cut to size with a serrated knife, QuietFiber can be concealed almost anywhere.
Used industrially for reducing noise, QuietFiber is a non-fiberglass material designed to absorb the maximum amount of sound (NRC 1.00). Fireproof, totally hydrophobic (will not absorb water or moisture), washable, non-deteriorating, mold and mildew-proof.
QuietFiber® is used extensively for industrial noise reduction in large diesel generator rooms. It is also the answer to any space in need of a quick noise fix. QuietFiber is easy to install anywhere noise is a problem, without spending thousands of dollars to retrofit sound abatement material under drywall, or cover walls with expensive sound panels.
QuietFiber is UL fire rated for floor, wall and ceiling applications, 100 percent recyclable and 100-percent made in the USA.
###
PRESS RELEASE
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For Immediate Relase
Contact: Liz Ernst, Director of Public Relations
Lizernst@acoustiblok.com
813.980.1400
Richard E. Ramirez has been named Acoustiblok’s International Sales Representative for South America.
TAMPA, Florida, October 3, 2012 – Acoustiblok, Inc. Founder and President Lahnie Johnson has named Richard E. Ramirez International Sales Representative for South America, joining the company’s expanding international sales team.
Ramirez’s responsibilities at Acoustiblok will include exploring industry-specific business opportunities in South America, identifying and addressing trade barriers, developing marketing strategies, and creating a stable trading environment to make access to Acoustiblok’s family of noise abatement products easier for South American buyers.
Prior to joining the Acoustiblok team, Ramirez worked as Assistant Import/Export Manager for a Customs brokerage firm in Venezuela from 1999 through 2009. From 2010 to August, 2012 he worked as an Expediting Clerk for a promotional distributor in Largo, Florida.
Ramirez’s expertise includes navigating the complicated international import and export processes, advising customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, and other customs-related matters.
Fluent in both Spanish and English, Ramirez is licensed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and The Federal Maritime Commission.
Ramirez is a native of Venezuela and earned a degree in International Business Administration from the Colegio Universitario de Administracion y Mercadeo C.U.A.M.
“We’re excited to have Rick on board and representing Acoustiblok in South America,” Johnson says. “His experience and understanding of the South American market make him a very capable presence and a perfect addition to our growing international sales team.”
For more information, visit the Acoustiblok website, email rramirez@acoustiblok.com, or call 813.980.1400.
About Acoustiblok:
Acoustiblok, Inc., a NASA spin-off company, has been providing high quality noise abatement products since 1998, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers. Acoustiblok is a proprietary viscoelastic polymer material with a high density mineral content, heavy and yet extremely flexible. As sound waves cause the Acoustiblok material to flex, internal friction occurs and the acoustical energy is transformed into inaudible trace amounts of heat (adiabatic).
Just one, 1/8-inch layer of Acoustiblok in a standard wall can result in more sound reduction than 12-inches of poured concrete. Environmentally friendly, Acoustiblok contains no lead, barium, or asbestos, is UV resistant and impervious to water and mold; it is UL rated and classified in the US and Canada (CUL) for virtually all wall, floor, and ceiling installations. For more information, visit www.acoustiblok.com.
###
PRESS RELEASE
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For Immediate Relase
Contact: Liz Ernst, Director of Public Relations
Lizernst@acoustiblok.com
813.980.1400
TAMPA, Florida, September 27, 2012 – Acoustiblok, Inc. Founder and President Lahnie Johnson this week approved a working agreement with Carlos Montas as Acoustiblok’s manufacturing representative in the Dominican Republic. Montas, Engineering Manager of Electicidad del Caribe SRL (EDELCA) in Santo Domingo, will represent Acoustiblok sound abatement products throughout the Dominican Republic.
Montas, a native of the Dominican Republic, is a 2005 graduate of Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC). He has built a career in the design, installation, and supervision of emergency generator systems in the industrial and commercial communities throughout the Caribbean. He was first introduced to Acoustiblok products after installing QuietFiber noise absorbing material in one of EDELCA’s massive generator system projects to dramatically lessen the impact of the high decibel generator noise outside the generator facility.
With years of experience designing and installing his trademark generator systems, Montas understands the importance of installing noise absorbing material in every generator room and outbuilding he designs, since the noise can be intolerable and pose a real problem for businesses, residents, and visitors.
“Noise levels from the generators are almost unbearable, so you need to have some layer of soundproofing in place when they are running,” Montas said. “When we first installed QuietFiber in a generator room, I knew right away it was the best soundproofing product I had ever used, and I’ve used no other sound absorbing material since.”
EDELCA is a leader in the installation of emergency generation systems in the Dominican Republic and throughout the Caribbean, where tropical storms and weather events are a source of frequent power outages, making emergency generators a necessity for businesses to function smoothly. As an authorized dealer of QuietFiber and other Acoustiblok noise deadening products, Montas offers first-hand experience and a seasoned understanding of how to solve noise issues from a variety of sources, including one of the toughest – industrial generators.
“Carlos Montas is a highly knowledgeable and sought after emergency systems engineer in a high-demand environment,” Johnson says. “I am convinced that we could have no better representative for Acoustiblok products in the Caribbean, given his extensive experience and comprehensive understanding of the region’s distinct noise abatement needs.
“His expertise and his work in the Dominican Republic and throughout the Caribbean make the alliance particularly satisfying, a perfect fit with Acoustiblok’s expansion into the Dominican Republic.”
For more information on Acoustiblok products, visit the Acoustiblok website, Email emontas@edelca.com.do , or call 809-596-8290.
About Acoustiblok:
Acoustiblok, Inc., a NASA spin-off company, has been providing high quality noise abatement products since 1998, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers. Acoustiblok is a proprietary viscoelastic polymer material with a high density mineral content, heavy and yet extremely flexible. As sound waves cause the Acoustiblok material to flex, internal friction occurs and the acoustical energy is transformed into inaudible trace amounts of heat (adiabatic).
Just one, 1/8-inch layer of Acoustiblok in a standard wall can result in more sound reduction than 12-inches of poured concrete. Environmentally friendly, Acoustiblok contains no lead, barium, or asbestos, is UV resistant and impervious to water and mold; it is UL rated and classified in the US and Canada (CUL) for virtually all wall, floor, and ceiling installations. For more information, visit the Acoustiblok website, Email sales@acoustiblok.com, or call 813-980-1400.
###
PRESS RELEASE
Download PDF
For Immediate Relase
Contact: Liz Ernst, Director of Public Relations
Lizernst@acoustiblok.com
813.980.1400
TAMPA, Florida, September 20, 2012 – Acoustiblok, Inc. Founder and President Lahnie Johnson this week approved a working agreement with Alan Peterson as Acoustiblok’s manufacturing representative for Acoustiblok in New England. Peterson, owner of A.E. Peterson & Associates in Bedford, New Hampshire, will represent Acoustiblok sound abatement products in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Peterson, a native of Boston, attended Northeastern University before establishing himself in commercial aluminum window & doors sales, specializing in acoustical, hurricane, and historical windows. He founded A.E. Peterson & Associates in 1982, working with architects in New England, California, Texas, Florida and Georgia on finding solutions to noise problems in and around airports, trains, highways and other industrial settings where noise levels can reach 110 decibels. Peterson’s company also focuses on treating buildings in coastal areas where hurricane conditions exist, as well as some of the country’s oldest industrial buildings, with highly specialized historical aluminum windows.
Acoustiblok is a natural extension of Peterson’s product offerings, designed to fight noise pollution in some of the most extreme settings. Acoustiblok provides sound abatement materials for indoor and outdoor use to address noise issues in industrial, commercial and residential applications.
“Alan Peterson is a respected and sought after acoustical door and window expert in a highly specialized niche,” Johnson says. “His expertise and his work with architects in New England and nationwide fits perfectly with Acoustiblok’s ongoing expansion throughout the U.S.
“Few people have spent the past 30-plus years participating in and developing serious noise abatement products; Mr. Peterson is a pioneer, and he exemplifies the high caliber sales professionals who contribute to Acoustiblok’s exponential growth.”
For more information on Acoustiblok products, visit the Acoustiblok website, Email Alan Peterson, or call Alan Peterson at 603-472-8454.
About Acoustiblok:
Acoustiblok, Inc., a NASA spin-off company, has been providing high quality noise abatement products since 1998, earning the industry’s highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers. Acoustiblok is a proprietary viscoelastic polymer material with a high density mineral content, heavy and yet extremely flexible. As sound waves cause the Acoustiblok material to flex, internal friction occurs and the acoustical energy is transformed into inaudible trace amounts of heat (adiabatic).
Just one, 1/8-inch layer of Acoustiblok in a standard wall can result in more sound reduction than 12-inches of poured concrete. Environmentally friendly, Acoustiblok contains no lead, barium, or asbestos, is UV resistant and impervious to water and mold; it is UL rated and classified in the US and Canada (CUL) for virtually all wall, floor, and ceiling installations. For more information, visit www.acoustiblok.com, Email sales@acoustiblok.com, or call 813-980-1400.
###
PRESS RELEASE
Download PDF
For Immediate Relase
Contact: Liz Ernst, Director of Public Relations
Lizernst@acoustiblok.com
813.980.1400