In early May, acoustic experts from the DASM Institute were invited by a leading Japanese manufacturing plant in Thai Binh to survey and assess the chiller noise of the plant’s cooling chiller system. DASM, known for its professional capabilities in noise testing, surveying, evaluation, acoustic consulting and design, sound simulation design, and noise and vibration control, proudly collaborated with one of Japan’s leading industrial plants in Vietnam to determine chiller noise levels, thus helping to resolve noise issues from the plant’s chiller system.
This plant, specializing in nylon fabric production and textile finishing, was established in December 2023 in the Tien Hai Industrial Zone, Thai Binh, with a total investment of 905 billion VND. As a wholly Japanese-owned company, worker health and workplace environment are top priorities. To ensure optimal working conditions and compliance with the national technical regulation on noise exposure levels in the workplace, the company collaborated with the DASM Institute to assess the current noise levels of the chiller system.
Excessive chiller noise not only causes discomfort but also affects workers’ health and productivity. Moreover, loud noise can disturb the surrounding community and other factories, potentially leading to legal issues and penalties for violating environmental noise standards. Therefore, accurately determining the current chiller noise levels, to then minimize them to below the regulatory threshold of 60 dB, is crucial for ensuring a safe and efficient work environment, as well as protecting the health and quality of life of employees and the community.
To improve working conditions and avoid unnecessary complications related to chiller noise, the DASM Institute was trusted by the company to survey and analyze the noise levels. The noise assessment process at the DASM Institute involved on-site visits and measurements in accordance with standards such as TCVN 3985-1999: Vietnam Standard on Acoustics – Allowed Noise Levels at Workplaces; QCVN 26:2010; TCVN 7878:2008 (ISO 1996 – 1:2003) on environmental noise description, measurement, and assessment.
To accurately measure the chiller noise, acoustic experts at the DASM Institute first identified and selected measuring locations following specific standards, ensuring no obstructions that could reflect sound and avoiding man-made noise sources like music or metal clanging. The measurements included equivalent sound level (LAeq), maximum equivalent sound level (LAmax), and percentage level (LAN,T), with noise analysis across frequency bands typically found in industrial zones.
Using advanced handheld noise meters and supportive microphones in accordance with TCVN 5964:1995, the experts ensured accurate results. The noise measurement method and duration were chosen according to TCVN 7878:2008, requiring outdoor measurements to minimize sound reflection and ensure a distance of at least 3.5 meters from any reflective structures, measuring noise across the 1:1 octave band as per TCVN 3985:1999.
After the measurements, the DASM Institute experts processed the data using specialized methods and software, subsequently providing a report with the findings and recommendations for the most effective and feasible noise reduction measures to the client.
Here are some actual images of the noise survey and measurement at the Japanese manufacturing plant that the DASM Institute recently conducted in Thai Binh.
