Thursday’s 6pm ET Zoom Session program is titled, “Duct Noise”

Thursday’s 6pm ET Zoom Session is titled, “Duct noise” You’ll take the first five minutes of class to answer the question alone, but if you would like to get a head-start on that, here is the assignment.

An architect, hired to design a new research facility for a behavioral psychology lab, is asked to make a change in the design. Midway through CDs, he’s informed that the labs will include spaces that require extreme quiet (for studies related to meditation, sensory deprivation, etc.). He had not been made aware of this programmatic requirement before, and it was just now brought up in a stakeholder meeting. The above-ceiling volume design of the proposed building has been filled by consultants with ducts, light fixtures, pipes, and conduit—and while reconfiguring with larger ducts or a new duct layout will be difficult, involving costly delays—a new duct layout is achievable. The current duct layout is simple in its geometry, non-convoluted, and without abrupt elbows, take-offs, or duct transitions. The mechanical engineer has determined that fan noise, rather than duct turbulence noise, will govern the noise level in the rooms. Which of the following best addresses the fan noise problem? Select the best 2 solutions.

Add a duct silencer to supply and return ducts in the system

Add high-NRC sound absorption to the walls of the mechanical rooms housing the AHUs

Add high-NRC absorption to the walls and ceiling of the labs where the quiet lab studies may take place

Add sound-absorbing insulation to the exterior walls of the ducts as a “sound wrap”

Add sound-absorbing insulation to the interior walls of the ducts

Let the owner know that quieting the fan noise will require a duct reconfiguration, that such an undertaking will require more time and design fees, and ask for written guidance to either proceed with a new configuration or to keep the existing duct layout

*Please don’t post your answer on this thread 

The Zoom session will take place at 6pm ET Thursdays in our Zoom link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83922907346

It’s free for everyone, so join us. You’ll increase your odds of passing the exam. . . Plus, it’s fun.