Sound Abatement project at NAS Meridian, MS passes with Flying Colors

January 3, 2007

Ever wondered what’s worse than staying in a hotel next to an airport? How about working next to a runway that’s functional from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and experiencing random “touch and go” schedules for T-45 Goshawk jets? Until recently, the fire response crew at Bravo Field Fire Station was experiencing jet noise in excess of 85 decibels (dB) inside of their building.

According to Noise Control, A Guide for Workers and Employees by the US Department of Labor and the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) this level of noise is categorized as “hazardous.” Workers exposed to noise sometimes complain of nervousness, sleeplessness, and fatigue. Excessive noise exposure can also reduce job performance and cause high rates in absenteeism. The NAVY realized that firemen, expected to be in peak performance at all times, needed help in diminishing the hazardous noise pollution.

Initially, Navy engineers recommended a barrier wall as a solution to deflect the deafening noise from the Bravo Field Fire Station, located just 1,000 yards away from the runway. PRI, working along with an acoustical engineer, concluded that the 85dB of noise could be reduced significantly by simply replacing the windows and doors in the building with STC 45-rated windows and doors. Additionally, PRI suggested that the building use a combination of STC 45 windows and doors on the critical (runway) side of the building and STC 40 on the non-runway side of the building. This recommendation provided the Navy with a substantial cost savings.

After preliminary sound testing on January 24th, the sound abatement project showed there was a significant
decrease in noise, scoring in the low 60 dB range. Noise Control, A Guide for Workers and Employees - Sound levels are measured in units of decibels (dB) If sound is intensified by 10 dB, it seems to the ears approximately as if the sound intensity has doubled. A reduction by 10 dB makes it seem as if the intensity has been reduced by half.

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About PRI:

Project Resources, Inc. (PRI) provides facilities management, environmental remediation, and design-build construction services. PRI consistently delivers unparalleled quality and service to its government and private sector clients worldwide. PRI’s responsiveness and flexibility has resulted in consistent outstanding performance ratings from the federal government. For more information about PRI or its services, visit www.priworld.com or call (858) 505-1000. The corporate office is located 3760 Convoy Street, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92111.