4 benefits of our noise control solutions in glass manufacturing
At Wiltech Acoustics we help many manufacturing, industrial and power generation businesses control the noise of their equipment and processes.
Glass production facilities have a range of noise sources in their typical process equipment configuration. Gas-fired furnaces themselves are noisy and also require a continuous supply of combustion air for the furnace’s kiln. Ventilation via industrial fans and blowers facilitate the combustion process, managing temperature and pressure. Furnaces are used in the manufacturing process of glass bottles, jars for oil, wine and spirits bottles and food vases, which all require cooling post production.
The majority of commonly used glass is derived from float glass / annealed glass production lines, which is subject to further conversion process – tempered / toughened glass is produced through a quick cooling into sheet form. This safety glass can be laminated or treated for fire resistance performance in further production processes and finishes.
Industrial fans and blowers for glass tempering provide a specific cold air flow uniformly blown to cool and temper float glass, after high temperature exposition in the furnace. The whole production line, conveyor, lifting equipment and associated all combine to create a high noise level output, typically well over 100dBA.
Here are four ways our noise control solutions help in this setting:
1. Protects factory employees
Loud or continuous noise can be dangerous for human health, causing stress, high blood pressure and sleep disturbance — and, more obviously, loss of hearing. By installing acoustic enclosures around glass blowers and treating inlet ventilation with attenuators and extract systems with acoustic louvres, we help to protect factory employees from noise exposure. And by keeping the workforce healthy, we’re also helping them stay productive.
2. Legal compliance
In choosing to control workplace noise, the glass factory owners aren’t only doing the right thing by their staff — they’re also staying on the correct side of the law. If levels reach 80 decibels, businesses are legally required to assess the risk to workers’ health and provide them with information and training. Anything above 85 decibels means employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones for their staff. Workers shouldn’t be exposed to anything above 87 decibels.
3. Keeps neighbours happy
Unmitigated industrial noise can often be heard outside the glass factory walls. If noise negatively impacts nearby residential neighbourhoods, it could land the company in hot water — and do little for its relationship with the local community.
4. Extends operational hours
Noise control solutions help businesses like glass factories run machinery throughout the night without disturbing nearby residents. This could help boost their output and potentially reduce costs, as energy is likely to be cheaper after dark.
If you’re looking for noise control solutions for manufacturing, industrial equipment, power generation or power distribution, contact our specialist team to find out how we can help.