Message-Id: <s2d36d18.076@genetics.com>
Date: Wed, 08 Jan 1997 09:52:42 -0500
From: Elliott Nickbarg <ENickbarg@genetics.com>
Subject: sound reply
To: Recipients of ABRF List <abrf@aecom.yu.edu>
Martha,
I seem to recall a discussion on this very topic in the not too
distant past. The topic arose from someone operating an ABI DNA
sequencer, I believe, but this is a significant issue in almost any
instrument-packed lab (manufacturers--are you listening?).
Our Finnigan esi triple quad is the loudest problem for me. It
originally came with two loud Alcatel rough pumps. We changed to
slightly quieter Edwards pumps. We tried enclosing the pumps in
boxes with cooling fans. That deadened the pump noise only slightly,
made the pumps difficult to service, and added a cooling fan noise.
Now the pumps are partly shielded by foam covered panels and we wear
ear protectors when the sound gets unbearable.
After the last discussion, someone suggested coating the walls and
ceiling of the instrument room with acoustical tiles, and referred to
an outfit called "The Silent Source", which supplies such materials.
I looked them up and have some literature--there is a whole range of
tiles and coatings of various types and prices. I have not yet
followed up on this. Does anyone have any experience about what works
best?
FYI--"The Silent Source"
58 Nonotuck St.
Northhampton MA 01060
tel/fax--(413) 584-7944
http://www.crocker.com/~silent
Good luck,
Elliott Nickbarg
Genetics Institute
87 Cambridgepark Dr.
Cambridge, MA 02140