What usually goes wrong
- Machinery noise builds up in the space.
- Alarms and shouts are hard to hear.
- Workers need hearing protection.
The main noise sources are machinery, forklifts and tools. Sound bounces off hard walls, floors and ceilings, so it lingers and builds up. Absorbing panels soak up those reflections.
Where the panels go
- Baffles in rows under the roof deck.
- Panels on walls near the loudest machines.
- An enclosure around a loud machine.
Mistakes to avoid
- Expecting panels to lower the noise right next to a machine.
- Soft faces where forklifts pass.
Fire rating and codes
Factory or storage occupancy: Class A finishes; follow your hearing conservation program, because absorption reduces reverberant noise but not the direct sound at a machine.
Blocking sound between rooms
Panels make a room sound better, but they don’t stop sound passing through a wall. For that you need a wall assembly rated around STC 50, for offices and break rooms next to the shop floor. Read about STC ratings and soundproofing.
Recommended
Panels that suit workshops
Learning center
14 guides for workshops
Acoustic panels for workshops: the complete guideWhat makes workshops noisy, which panels fix it, and how to plan treatment from start to finish.How many acoustic panels does a warehouse and workshop need?A worked Sabine calculation for a typical workshop, with panel counts for small, typical and large rooms.Where to put acoustic panels in a warehouse and workshopWhere panels do the most good in workshops, in priority order.Wall acoustics for workshopsHow walls behave acoustically in workshops and how to treat them with panels.Ceiling acoustics for workshopsClouds, baffles and ceiling tiles for workshops, and how much of the ceiling to cover.Choosing panel thickness for a warehouse and workshop1, 2 or 4 inches: which thickness suits workshops and why.Reverberation time targets for workshopsThe reverberation time to aim for in workshops, and why it matters.What acoustic treatment costs for a warehouse and workshopBudget estimates for treating a typical workshop, and where the money goes.Fabrics, colors and shapes for workshopsFabric types, colors and shapes that work in workshops.Fire ratings and code requirements for panels in workshopsFire ratings, occupancy rules and mounting requirements for panels in workshops.Installing acoustic panels in a warehouse and workshopTools, hardware and step-by-step installation for panels in workshops.Common acoustic mistakes in workshopsThe errors we see most often in workshops, and how to avoid them.Soundproofing and STC ratings for workshopsWhen workshops need soundproofing, which STC rating to aim for, and how to get there.Warehouse and workshop acoustics checklist and FAQA one-page checklist and answers to common questions about workshop acoustics.