Performance Guide - ECHO BARRIER H-SERIES User Manual

BARRIER NOISE MITIGATION
Echo Barrier's guide to successful noise mitigation with
portable acoustic barriers. Echo Barrier leads the world
in combating noise pollution with its modular system of
portable acoustic panels.
This introductory guide defines:
• why Echo Barrier's portable acoustic panels are so
effective at mitigating noise;
• why they offer superior performance in diverse
operating conditions; and
• how you can achieve best results with them, in terms
of both noise mitigation and broader commercial and
reputational benefits.
99.999
99.99
99.97
99.9
99.7
99.5
99
H4 field attenuation
97
95
90
68
50
just perceptible by ear
0 3 5 10 13 15
Figure 12. Barrier Noise Mitigation
NOTICE
Attenuation = Noise Mitigation
ECHO BARRIER • USER MANUAL — REV. #0 (09/14/18) — PAGE 15

PERFORMANCE GUIDE

Echo Barrier is committed to combating noise pollution and
enhancing the sustainability of projects and businesses
through the practical application of innovative technology.
Decibels, Noise Mitigation and the Human Ear
Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). Since the
decibel is a logarithmic (non-linear) unit of measurement,
noise mitigation of just 3 dB is equivalent to a substantial
(50%) reduction in noise energy, yet that reduction is only just
perceptible to the human ear. If noise mitigation increases
to 10 dB, it equates to a reduction in noise energy of 90%,
which the human ear senses as noise reduction of 50%.
The chart below (Figure 12) places this in the context of the
performance of Echo Barrier's H-Series acoustic panels.
Taking this further, the chart makes clear why it becomes
difficult to mitigate noise by more than 20 dB in the field
(on-site).
H4 lab. attenuation: double
H4 lab. attenuation: single
sounds 25% as loud
sounds half as loud
20 23 26 30
attenuation: decibels (dB)
sounds 12% as loud
35 40 49