SMD Acoustics - Examples of Our Work

Commercial Developments

Service stations, fast food outlets, supermarkets and childcare centres. Acoustic reports to support development applications for these projects are typically done as a desktop assessment without the need for a site visit. Assigned levels are calculated in accordance with the Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 based on surrounding land uses and appropriate treatments such as barriers, relocation of noise sources determined to meet these noise limits at nearby neighbours.

Community Centres, Schools and Offices

Key issues for these projects include recommending appropriate wall types and services penetration treatments to achieve acoustic separation between rooms, absorption to control reverberation, and floor treatments to attenuate footfall noise. Environmental noise emission from mechanical plant may also require further treatments. We also have experience with defence and justice projects, including designing to the most stringent acoustic security speech privacy class (SPC) requirements.

Environmental and Occupational Noise Issues

Troubleshooting tough problems is our specialty. Problematic noise and vibration issues in industrial and commercial environments are addressed with detailed investigations and targeted solutions. Occupational noise surveys have been undertaken at various agricultural and industrial sites to assess the noise exposure of workers and develop noise management solutions. Disputes between existing commerical or industrial sites and neighbours over noise can often be resolved with compliance measurements and cost-effective treatments.

Places of Worship, AV Systems and Entertainment Venues

For performance spaces such as a concert hall, auditorium, or church, focusing on optimal sound distribution and audience experience are key to creating a desireable space. Places of worship can require exceptional acoustic design to preserve or enhance their character. For historic churches and cathedrals, we balance modern comfort upgrades with preservation of the essential reverberation characteristics that define the building's acoustic identity - measured by reverberation time (RT60) and speech transmission index (STI). For concert halls, auditoriums, and lecture theatres, we optimize sound distribution, audience experience, and speech intelligibility using computer models and simulation.

Residential, Mixed Use and Healthcare

We cover all project phases from input at the concept to schematic and detailed design phases, review of construction documents, construction phase inspections and compliance testing. Ensuring that the acoustic detailing is correct and meets the requirements of the building code (BCA/NCC) and relevant standards and regulations is a key part of our service. Wall detailing, placement and attenuation of carpark exhaust fans, mechanical services, car stackers, SPP 5.4 and other noise intrusion assessments may be applicable depending on the development.

Traffic Noise Intrusion Assessments

Road, rail, and aircraft noise assessments of noise intrusion into residential and commercial properties, providing recommendations for glazing system requirements and other noise mitigation strategies. These assessments are typically performed as a requirement of State Planning Policy 5.4 (SPP 5.4) for proposed developments near busy roads, or State Planning Policy 5.1 (SPP 5.1) for land use near Perth Airport. Noise and/or vibration monitors may be deployed to measure representative noise levels over a three day period, depending on the specific site.

Assessment of Emergency Warning and Public Address Systems

We provide modelling for the coverage of new installations and remediation of non-compliant systems - both inside buildings and in external outdoor environments. Examples of such projects include challenging conditions in noisy offshore facilities and industrial sites. These involve evaluating the effectiveness of public address general alarm (PAGA) systems, emergency speech, and other warning devices in providing audible communication during emergencies.

Anything else?

We are always up for a challenge. If you have a project that doesn't fit into the above categories, please get in touch to discuss how we can help. SMD Acoustics takes great pride in the breadth and depth of our combined technical experience, getting things right, and giving great advice. For example, we have experience in underwater noise impact assessments and measurement, finite element analysis (FEA) of building vibration, condition monitoring solutions for machinery such as pumps and conveyor systems, assessment of shooting and mine site blasting activities, experience in developing bespoke software solutions to assist in acoustic monitoring requirements and much more...