Sound attenuation is the gradual weakening or silencing of noise generated by objects or materials. From gas and diesel engine rooms to loud exhaust systems and industrial applications, managing industrial noise is a regulatory and operational necessity. According to OSHA standards, acceptable workplace noise levels should not exceed 85 decibels over eight hours.
To help meet these requirements, Firwin provides high-performance sound attenuation solutions tailored to a wide range of industrial applications. Our offerings include sound attenuation blankets, curtains, panels, and custom materials.
Sound Attenuation Blankets
Sound attenuation blankets are essentially removable insulation blankets, but instead of being designed to insulate against heat, sound attenuation blankets are designed to minimize sound.. At Firwin, our removable sound attenuation blankets minimize noise levels while accommodating non-standard contours, components, and nearby obstructions, with each blanket custom-engineered to meet your machinery’s specific dimensions and acoustic needs.
Here are some common applications where Sound Attenuation Blankets can be found:
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Heat
Exchangers
Some of the largest equipment Firwin insulates, these heat exchangers can reach up to 14 feet in diameter and require upwards of 75 individual blanket pieces. Silicone outer layers, mesh inners, and 1-inch insulation layers balance acoustic performance with manageability.
Firwin’s blankets are manufactured in labeled sections, allowing for systematic installation, removal, and maintenance. Despite the equipment’s scale, the lightweight construction of each panel ensures that handling remains manageable while still delivering the required decibel drop. Whether installed indoors or outdoors, these solutions hold up against weather, corrosion, and mechanical stress.
In cases where sound material is already embedded within the Heat Exchanger cladding, Firwin’s sound blankets would omit the sound block layer.
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Large
BlowersSound attenuation blankets are often used to cover the “turbo” section of large industrial blowers. The standard construction includes:
- Outer layer: Silicone or PVC
- Middle layer: ⅛-inch Noiseblok 100 (mass-loaded vinyl) + 2-inch MW1200 insulation
- Inner layer: Vermiculite or Mesh
These blower systems often operate at extremely high speeds and generate substantial noise, particularly in confined plant environments. Adding sound attenuation blankets from Firwin can dramatically reduce airborne noise and improve the overall acoustic environment. Custom sizing ensures a snug fit around irregular contours, while combining dense and absorbent materials helps reduce high and low-frequency noise emissions.
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Oil & Gas Pumps and
Gear Boxes
These smaller, often more intricate systems require blankets with precise splits and cutouts. Secured using D-rings and straps, these blankets are designed for durability and acoustic efficiency in rugged, often overseas environments that can involve high temperatures, vibration, and mechanical wear. Blanket construction is similar to that used with Blowers.
Firwin’s sound blankets are engineered for industrial noise reduction as well as thermal protection. They’re ideal for compressors, pumps, and gearboxes, where space constraints and safety standards demand a custom, easy-to-remove solution that won’t degrade under pressure.
Case Study: Combining Sound and Insulation into a Removable Cover
When a newsprint manufacturer faced a noise control challenge at their gas-fired power plant, Firwin stepped in with a turnkey solution. The facility operated ten CAT natural gas engines, each equipped with its own dedicated Miratech Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. These units produced high decibel levels, prompting the client to seek an effective way to meet stringent noise reduction requirements.
With ambitious acoustic goals in mind, the Firwin team engineered a custom sound attenuation solution using multi-layer removable insulation blankets enhanced with Noiseblok barriers. For that level of noise reduction, Firwin’s team chose 4-inch thick blankets. They also incorporated a Noiseblok sound barrier into the blanket design to meet the client’s frequency-specific noise control targets.
The large size of the SCR units, combined with the blanket thickness, necessitated a multipart and multilayer approach to ensure each piece remained manageable for installation and removal. Design complexities also included maintaining clear access to the SCR ports and staggering blanket seams to prevent acoustic leaks and ensure a snug, high-performance fit.
View Additional Project Details
The company had an ambitious noise reduction requirement:
| Req’d Noise Control | Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz) | |||||||||
| 31.5 | 63 | 125 | 250 | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 4000 | 8000 | ||
| Minimum Insertion Loss Req’d, | 2 | 6 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 16 | |
| SCR Lagging (dB) | ||||||||||
“For that level of noise reduction, we needed to go with 4” thick blankets,” said Jon Miles, Firwin’s Design Manager. “We also decided to incorporate a Noise Block sound barrier into the blanket design, to arrive at the noise control goals over the frequency range that the client specified,” added Jon.
Because of the large size of these SCRs and the thickness of the insulation blankets, the blankets needed to be designed in a ‘multipart / multilayer’ format, to facilitate handling and weight restrictions per piece. Other factors complicating the design were ensuring that access ports to the SCRs were left open, and staggering the blanket ‘joins / seams’ to ensure a snug fit and optimal noise reduction.
What follows is an illustrated timeline of how the blankets were assembled:
“This was quite the challenging project”, notes Jon. “But it really showcases Firwin’s strengths as a complete insulation solutions provider – from our ability to work with our clients to understand their needs, select the right materials and design, all the way to ensuring proper installation.”
Additional Sound Attenuation Products and Materials
Noise reduction materials go beyond blankets. At Firwin, we offer a full catalog of acoustic solutions to meet diverse industrial needs.
Curtains
Flexible, modular, and effective in various industrial settings, curtains can be deployed around noisy work zones, machinery, or open plant areas to create sound-dampened enclosures. AcoustiGuard™ Acoustic Curtain Systems from Firwin feature high-density core materials to block sound transmission and can be customized in size, color, and mounting style to suit your facility’s needs.
Panels
Rigid options for fixed installations, these panels are ideal for permanent structural sound control in environments such as engine rooms, compressor stations, and factories. Industrial Sound Attenuation Panels from Firwin offer high NRC ratings and can be used to line walls, ceilings, or enclosures for a robust, low-maintenance acoustic solution.
Barriers and Enclosures
Sound attenuation solutions must contain sound at the source while integrating seamlessly into your plant layout. Firwin’s barriers and enclosures are built using advanced soundproofing composites that can withstand heat, moisture, and industrial wear. They are effective for enclosing power generators, HVAC systems, and processing units where sound needs to be blocked or absorbed at the point of origin.
Acoustic Materials
A range of acoustic materials are available depending on the application’s specifications. These can include:
- Conasorb. A lightweight, flame-resistant material known for its excellent sound-absorbing capabilities.
- Barymat. A dense, flexible sound barrier material that reduces airborne sound transmission.
- Wildamp. Designed for vibration damping and sound absorption.
- 1099 Plastic Adhesive. A versatile bonding agent that provides strong adhesion for acoustic materials.
- Super 74 Fastfoam Adhesive. This spray adhesive is designed for foam-based acoustic materials and offers quick tack and strong bonding.
Contact Firwin for Premium Industrial Sound Attenuation Solutions
If you’re facing excessive noise in your industrial operation, sound attenuation blankets can provide the necessary noise reduction. At Firwin, our tailored solutions meet OSHA standards, improve worker safety, and reduce equipment noise through precise, effective insulation systems. Contact us today or request a quote to find out more about our offerings and how we can help.