Trox passes media editing suite test

Tests were undertaken and Trox's comprehensive report confirmed that the acoustic levels reached were well below NR25

The Criteria.

A media editing suite demands very tight constraints on ambient noise levels to ensure there is no acoustic interference during the recording and editing processes.

Such a suite will be designed with sufficient wall, ceiling and floor insulation to cut out external noise.

However, due to the additional thermal qualities of this insulation and the concentration of recording equipment within the room generating heat, a cooling system is essential.

When a specialist international consultancy operating in all areas of acoustic, audio visual, noise and vibration design, was challenged by its media client with finding the quietest cooling equipment for its new editing suite, and providing proof, it approached Trox UK.

Through its past experience in working with Trox, the consultant knew that the air conditioning specialist not only provided a full range of high performance cooling equipment, it also had the necessary facilities to test the total fan coil system.

The main requirement was for the cooling equipment to meet NR25 classification across an extended noise curve between 32 Hz and 8 kHz.

On top of this, a 3.3kW cooling capacity was also needed.

Whilst this is not a particularly high load, there was concern that the potential noise generated by the fan coil system could compromise the acoustic criteria.

The Test.

The Trox Design Bureau had already developed what it believed would be the ideal cooling solution.

Trox adapted a Constant Volume Fan Box into a low noise level fan coil system.

All Trox needed to do was prove that the noise generated by the special fan coil unit and associated air terminal devices would fall below the noise curve, and that the product would provide the required cooling.

Before trials commenced, Trox produced an Acoustic and Thermal Performance Test Proposal that clearly outlined the equipment to be used, the test parameters, the test methods and what could be expected in its subsequent test report.

Trox proposed a series of tests to verify the thermal performance of the special fan coil unit and the resultant room temperature and sound pressure levels within the space.

These would be carried out in the Trox Design Bureau's recently extended laboratories at Thetford, Norfolk, where a real room mock up would be created to simulate the conditions within the editing suite.

The acoustic tests would be undertaken and witnessed by the Design Team.

Besides the special Trox fan coil unit, the mock up would also contain four swirl diffusers, project ductwork configurations and a suspended ceiling.

The fan coil unit would be set at the required fan speed applicable to the cooling capacity required in the specification.

Room noise levels would be taken with a calibrated sound level analyser and readings taken from various positions within the room in real time over a sampling period of 15 to 20 seconds.

Air volumes, water flow rates to the cooling coil, diffusers balance and static pressures would also be measured.

The Result.

The tests were undertaken in March 2005 and Trox's comprehensive report confirmed that the acoustic levels reached were well below NR25 in each of the positions in the room where measurements were recorded.

It also demonstrated that the 3.3kW cooling load was adequately met.

Confident in the validity of its testing procedures, Trox has guaranteed to the client that the same levels of acoustic and thermal performance will be achieved on site in the editing suite.

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