Sound isolation of a generator in Telenor

Years ago, right next to Business Park Sofia, where Telenor's offices are located, the company built its own large data center.

The data center needs powerful cooling, which of course the company provides. For this purpose, they need a backup power supply provided by 2 diesel generators, each with a capacity of 1 ship's engine. Powerful auxiliary power, which is rarely turned on, but sometimes at night (for periods of several hours), causes complaints about the loud noise that keeps neighbors living in a block across the street. Usually in such cases, complaints and requests for elimination of the problem begin, as happens with Telenor. The people from the block describe the noise as unbearable and creating an impossibility to have a peaceful stay in their homes. The case lasted for about 3 years without result, until an angry resident decided to shoot a Telenor employee with an air rifle. Warning. This obviously gives a new impetus to solving the problem, because soon after the event Telenor contacted us and told us about the problem with the powerful and noisy generators. After hearing their version of "interfering" noise causes, we decided to check the information with the residents of the block - the "victims". They said the noise they heard was "a reason they can't sleep at night and can't open their windows during the day."

We decided to take up the case by designing, manufacturing, delivering and installing outdoor silencers. The technological process of their design and production took the specialists in our engineering department and our factory about 3 months, and the silencers created by them have a total weight of over 2000 kg. The installation took us 20 days.

According to the contract, our client wanted to achieve a result that would ensure compliance with the Bulgarian noise standards during the day and those at night. However, we set another goal for our selves. Namely - the residents  to experience the pleasure of the silence in their homes as it was before the construction of the additional power supply of the data center, and the company Telenor to work undisturbed..

At this point, the task is completed. Yesterday, walking down the street between the block and the Telenor facility, we found that the cooling works, but it no longer bothers anyone. Professional control measurements verified the effect of the silencers.

The people living in the block opposite could no longer hear when the cooling is working and when it is not.

In our work we often meet with "interfering" and "victims", in some cases our clients are "interfering", in others they are "victims". Noise isolation is possible in both cases.

However, our goal has always been to inform and draw attention to the importance of consulting with acoustics specialists in the design stage of buildings and facilities. Designed and implemented in timely manner and quality sound insulation by experienced professionals is the most effective. In these means respect between the "neighbors" can be maintained without the use of rifles;)

If you are familiar with the situation described above, do not hesitate to contact our specialists and share your noise problem. They will give an individual solution for your case related to sound insulation, acoustics or vibration in residential, public or industrial buildings.

We thank Telenor and the residents of the building, who, despite of the difficulties, helped to improve their living and working environment and made us part of solving an important case. This result is valuable for both our customers and us.