CASE STUDY: AcoustiBlok Reduces Traffic Noise for School Playground

THE CHALLENGE

Ecole Claire Fontaine, a private preschool in Los Angeles, California, reached out to AcoustiBlok for assistance in reducing heavy traffic noise coming into their school playground. Studies have found that students in schools next to very busy roads, highways or railroads fall as much as one year behind by the time they reach the 5th grade due to the noise disruptions and negative impact on concentration during class time. The school wanted to prevent this for their students.

Background on Background Noise in Classrooms

Background noise for both permanent and relocatable classrooms is a critical issue for our education system. On any given school day, thousands of students across the country are unable to understand 25 to 30 percent of what’s said in their classroom. The reason: excessive noise and reverberation interferes with their ability to clearly hear their teacher. The result: a decreased level of concentration, an increased level of stress, and an overall reduction in the level of learning.

SOLUTION

School leadership from Ecole Claire Fontaine discussed AcoustiBlok’s Patented AcoustiFence with one of the company’s experienced consultants, Natalia Chudy, who has a background in the medical field, including a Master’s in Mental Health, postgraduate certification, training in biologics and orthopedics, as well as OSHA training. The school decided to purchase AcoustiBlok’s Patented AcoustiFence green at a 12-foot height and attach it to their existing chain-link fence around the playground and the school.

AcoustiBlok has been awarded a 20-year patent on the AcoustiFence, which is made with a propriety formula. “The beauty about our fence is that it doesn’t just block sound, like virtually all other sound barriers,” explains Chudy. “In frequencies of 50Hz and below, the heavy limp Acoustifence material actually begins to vibrate from low frequency sound waves. In essence, it is transforming these sound waves into mechanical movement and internal friction energy.”

Laboratory tests indicate that this transformation process inhibits these lower frequencies from penetrating Acoustifence, reducing their level by over 60 percent relative to the human ear. In addition, Acoustifence becomes an absorbent material in these frequencies with test results showing an NRC (noise reduction coefficient) as high as 0.78 (with 1.00 being the max). “This means Acoustifence not only reduces sound as a barrier, but it also acts as an acoustical absorbent material in very low frequencies, as opposed to reflecting those frequencies back like most other barriers,” adds Chudy.

The AcoustiFence attaches quickly and easily to existing chain-link or wooden fences with heavy duty ties and grommets which are manufactured into the fabric. This allows for the AcoustiFence to be portable and taken down or relocated if necessary.

AcoustiFence has certified lab tests from Riverbank Laboratories, one of the most accredited acoustical laboratories in the nation and has been tested at a hurricane center to withstand 202 mph wind-loads.

RESULTS

Chudy says after installing AcoustiFence, the school achieved a 75% reduction in perceived volume. “We need to combat the increase in noise pollution as a society, as it not only inhibits children from learning and processing information, but may cause an inaccurate diagnosis of ADHD and need for medication.”

Learn more about AcoustiBlok’s Patented AcoustiFence at www.acoustiblok.com.