Ventilation Systems - Acoustic Calculation Procedure

An acoustic noise calculation of a ventilation system following a systematic procedure to estimate sound sources, attenuation, and determine required silencer specifications.

Sound and Noise Sources

Estimate all sound power sources.

1. Sound Power Level from the Fan (LN)

Enter the manufacturer's sound power data or calculate the fan sound power.

2. Add Safety Factors

Add safety factors - 3 dB is recommended.

Attenuation

Estimate the attenuation in the system.

10. Room and Terminal Effect

The sound pressure levels are converted to sound power level at the terminals. The acoustic characteristics of the room as well as the number and location of the terminals must be considered.

  • Determine the acoustic characteristics of the room
  • Determine whether the receiver are in the direct or reverberant field
  • Find the room's absorption characteristics
  • Determine how many terminals the listener is influenced by

11. Allowance for End Reflection

Attenuation due to end reflection based on duct dimensions.

12. Duct Work Attenuation

Calculate the attenuation in unlined and lined ducts (in dB/m).

13. Elbow Attenuation

Calculate the attenuation in the elbows.

14. Power-level Split, Branch to Terminals

Determine the allowance for split - branch to terminals.

15. Power-level Split, Main Duct to Branch Duct

Determine the allowance for split - main duct to branch.

16. Other Attenuation

Add attenuation from other components.

Calculator

Inputs

Results

Fan Sound Power (with Safety Factor)-- dB
Total System Attenuation-- dB
Resulting Sound Power Fan-- dB
Required Silencer Attenuation-- dB
Calculation StepComponentAttenuation (dB)Notes
1Fan Sound Power Level (LN)InputManufacturer's data
2Safety Factor+3Recommended value
10Room and Terminal EffectVariableDepends on room absorption and terminal count
11End Reflection AllowanceVariableBased on duct dimensions
12Duct Work AttenuationVariabledB/m for lined/unlined ducts
13Elbow AttenuationVariableBased on duct elbow configuration
14Power-level Split (Branch)VariableBranch to terminals
15Power-level Split (Main)VariableMain duct to branch duct
16Other AttenuationVariableFrom other components
20Resulting Sound PowerCalculatedFan power minus total attenuation
21Sound Pressure Level CriterionNR-valueBased on location and regulations
22Silencer RequirementsCalculatedAttenuation needed to meet criterion