Services

Architectural Acoustics

ROOMS FOR MUSIC AND SPEECH

The greatest challenges for acousticians are to be found in rooms designed for music (Concert Halls, Opera Houses, Chamber Music Rooms etc.). Many have multi-purpose uses making it necessary to integrate different solutions in order to ensure optimum conditions for each particular use. With a system of variable acoustics the same Hall can provide excellent acoustics for music as well as for Drama and Conferences.

GARCIA-BBM collaborates with the Architect from the start of the project defining the materials and building elements which guarantee optimum acoustic conditions. It also provides Technical Assistance during construction to ensure that the solutions defined in the project are correctly installed. GARCIA-BBM is responsible for the Acoustics of more than 100 Halls of different shapes and sizes, designed by many different Architects in many different cities. 

Industrial Noise

NOISE AT THE WORKPLACE

Daily exposure to noise present in many workplaces can cause an irreversible loss of hearing or result in a health hazard. The first step is to carry out measurements “in situ”. These are analysed and the levels compared to noise regulations and laws to make sure that legal noise exposure levels are not exceeded. Where noise-abatement measures are necessary, GARCIA-BBM is able to recommend solutions which protect the worker as well as guaranteeing the optimization of industrial processes.

NOISE EMISSIONS

In many cases industrial noise is not confined to within the factory, it affects surrounding urban areas. GARCIA-BBM offers assessment on the environmental impact of all industrial facilities, whether they apply to individual noise sources or large scale industrial sites with hundreds of noise emissions.

For industrial sites under construction GARCIA-BBM carries out Noise Maps which simulate future noise levels. These maps take into consideration the industrial processes or machinery involved, their individual noise levels, the terrain of the area surrounding the facility and the different noise receptors.

NOISE CONTROL

GARCIA-BBM assesses on noise control measures designed to provide cost-efficient solutions for each particular noise problem. These methods may address the problem at source, during propagation or both at source and during propagation.

 

The design of total, partial or mixed enclosures, barriers and acoustic grilles offer a wide variety of solutions.

Environmental Noise

NOISE WITHIN CITIES

Community Noise from bars, discotheques, workshops, commercial centres etc. is becoming an increasing problem within cities. GARCIA-BBM carries out acoustic studies to identify emission and immission levels and offers corrective measures to ensure that these levels comply with the current legislation.

 

Noise Maps determine different levels of noise exposure and provide the authorities responsible with information for Planning Development. This enables them to manage noise issues within cities, adopting the appropriate noise reduction measures in the most affected areas and preserving low noise levels in others. GARCIA-BBM uses the latest noise mapping software. Based on our experience in predicting noise levels and carrying out “ in situ” measurement surveys we offer a complete noise mapping service.

 

TRANSPORT SYSTEMS

Intense traffic or traffic with a high percentage of heavy vehicles generates noise levels which affect vast areas, both rural and urban. GARCIA-BBM has collaborated on many projects all over Spain to assess the environmental impact of road and rail noise as a result of the expansion of motorway development and the growth of High Speed Train infrastructure.

 

Aircraft noise is a major problem for communities living near airports, aerodromes or heliports. GARCIA-BBM has analysed the noise contours around airports to determine the extent of aircraft noise exposure and to provide authorities with land-use planning information.   

 

NOISE CONTROL SOLUTIONS

We offer a wide range of cost effective solutions whether at source or along the transmission path, in traffic operational measures or at the receiver end. Some involve increasing insulation in buildings; in other cases acoustic barriers are recommended as they shield the building from the noise source and reduce outside noise levels.

 

Land-use planning, the type of building, its location and orientation, its interior design etc. are factors which are carefully studied before applying noise-reduction measures to new developments.  

 

Vibrations

 

Annoying or even dangerous levels of vibration have become more common and are more likely to appear in buildings, industry and transportation systems.

ENVIRONMENTAL VIBRATIONS

Rail and vehicle transportation systems are responsible for environmental vibrations which propagate via the ground to buildings exciting oscillations which, in turn, are transmitted to floors and walls giving rise to structurally radiated sound.

 

GARCIA-BBM measures existing vibration levels within the building to determine the degree of comfort experienced by its occupants and to work out what solutions, if any, should be adopted.

INDUSTRIAL VIBRATIONS

Large industrial rotating machinery generate the highest levels of continuous vibration. Presses and stamping machines, on the other hand, generate higher levels of instantaneous vibration. Once the vibration levels are measured and their spectra analysed, it is possible to design appropriate vibration-reduction systems or establish preventive maintenance programs.

VIBRATION CONTROL SOLUTIONS

There are a wide range of solutions for reducing the effect of transportation-induced vibrations. These include rail fastening systems, sleeper mounts, suspension systems, trenches, anti-vibrators for buildings etc.

 

Solutions to reduce vibrations generated by industrial equipment include floating floors, floating pads, anti-vibrators for equipment, compensation joints, etc.

 

Tests and Certifications

MEASUREMENTS

GARCIA-BBM is equipped with modern precision instrumentation for the measurement of acoustic parameters. We have carried out a large number of acoustic tests “in situ” or in our laboratory facilities to determine immission and emission levels, sound  power levels, vibration levels, frequency band levels, FTT etc..

 

GARCIA-BBM has a reverberation room specifically designed to test the absorption coefficient of materials, seats or volumetric systems.

TESTS

There are many different types of acoustic tests.  However, they usually follow procedures specified by law or by the manufacturer. GARCIA-BBM carries out acoustic tests for the air-borne and impact sound insulation of building elements (partitions, walls, façades, slabs, roofs elements, doors, windows etc.),as well as for the acoustic insulation between rooms.  We measure reverberation times, over 10 fine-adjustment parameters for halls for music, sound propagation, vibration propagation and characterization.

 

GARCIA-BBM has developed the FAR 36/91 (Noise) software approved by the FAA in the USA for the calculation of noise level characteristics for aircraft, in compliance with the FAR 36 standard and the OACI appendix 16.

ADVANCED ACOUSTICS, COURSES AND SEMINARS

Research into new products and systems is of the utmost importance for the application and development of acoustics within our different fields of activity. GARCIA-BBM is committed to carrying out Applied Research. Areas of particular interest are the study of existing and new computational methods and the acoustic behaviour of state-of-the art building elements

 

With its experience and professional expertise GARCIA-BBM is able to offer courses, seminars and technical day sessions on topics related to any field of its activity. These courses and seminars are provided in response to private or public demand.