What is acoustic ventilation?

We all enjoy letting fresh air into our homes, offices and schools. Unfortunately, opening windows or doors can also let in unwanted noise. The concept of ‘acoustic ventilation’, and the technology behind all Silenceair® products, focuses on allowing air to freely enter and circulate in our buildings, while keeping noise out. This is a type of acoustic soundproofing.

Why is fresh air so important?

Fresh air gives us a sense of well-being, energises us and combats lethargy and drowsiness. In damp or enclosed spaces, fresh air displaces unpleasant smells and helps to dry out the environment.

When we block noise from our buildings, we usually also reduce ventilation, or use noisy air-conditioning units to circulate air. The air in our buildings can become ‘stale’, leading to a build-up of moisture and the growth of unhealthy mould and bacteria. Toxic fumes, given off by modern furnishings and paints can also accumulate without adequate ventilation.

How do Silenceair^® acoustic vents work? 

Silenceair® products are ‘passive acoustic ventilators’. ‘Passive’ refers to the fact that they need no energy to operate. At the core of all Silenceair® products are special arrangements of open-ended tubes called ‘acoustic attenuators’. These tubes allow air to pass freely, but channel and redirect sound waves in such a way that the waves cancel themselves out, significantly reducing the passage of noise through the ventilation passage.

All that is required for Silenceair® to work effectively as a ventilator is a difference in pressure between the outside and inside of the building. A simple breeze is usually enough to create this differential. However, bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans or passive thermal chimneys will also help to draw air into your building through the Silenceair® vent. If there is very little air moving through the unit, the Silenceair® vent will still reduce noise. However, the noise reducing properties actually improve as the volume of air moving through the vent increases. In extremely windy or cold conditions, the sliding cover on the inside of the vent can be closed to reduce the airflow.

Solutions for our changing environment

Noise pollution is becoming increasingly common in our built environment. However our desire for natural fresh air and light remains as strong as ever. Silenceair® products are an environmentally responsible, technically sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing solution to ventilation and noise-management challenges. They represent a breakthrough in sustainable building design that is being embraced by architects, builders and home renovators around the world. Silenceair® represents a new way of thinking in sound and ventilation management for the home, commercial buildings, offices and schools.

Applications

• Residential apartments in noisy locations – fresh air and cross ventilation.

• Office towers – façade ventilation and ceiling voice ventilation.

• Office & meeting room relief ventilation – acoustic privacy.

• Schools – classroom ventilation – keep the noise in or out.

• Sound studios, nightclubs and music rooms – keep the noise in.

• Factories – ventilation and stop noise pollution of local area.

Technical advantages

• Easy to install.

• Space efficient- 230mm Silenceair® = 3,000mm fibreglass ducting.

• Can be washed – foam and fibreglass ducting cannot be washed.

• No dirt and bio-film – no sick building syndrome.

• Will last the life of the building – no need for replacement.

• Will maintain optimal performance for life.

• No cancer causing fibres.

• Strong and robust for construction.