Wall-Series

Noise barriers for outdoor equipment – when an enclosure does not fit

No room for an enclosure, access needed from all sides or only one neighbour affected? Then an absorbing noise barrier is often the simpler solution. 6 to 10 dB(A) is often enough to meet the limits.

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Schematic: noise barrier between the unit and the neighbouring house, sound diffracted at the top edge

6–10 dB(A)typical reduction, depending on geometry

freely plannedstraight, L, U, polyline

absorbingHSA3 instead of reflective panels

wind loaddesigned to EN 1991-1-4

Enclosure or barrier?

When a noise barrier is the better choice

An acoustic enclosure damps in all directions and achieves the highest values. A noise barrier screens only one side – but the unit stays open at the top, there is no pressure drop and it remains accessible from all sides.

	Noise barrier (Wall-Series)	Acoustic enclosure
Typical reduction	6–10 dB(A) towards the screened side	approx. −15 to −25 dB(A) in all directions
Air side	open at the top, no pressure drop	designed for air volume and fan pressure
Upper floors	effect decreases with window height	works upwards too
Service	unit freely accessible	via doors and removable panels
R290 (propane)	uncritical, gas flows away freely	only floorless and with manufacturer approval
A good fit when …	one neighbour on one side is affected and the limit is only slightly exceeded	several sides or higher windows are affected and a large reduction is needed

How a barrier works

Interrupting the direct path

A noise barrier works as soon as it breaks the line of sight between the unit and the window. Sound then has to travel over the top edge – it is diffracted and loses energy. The longer this detour, the greater the screening.

Close to the source: A barrier close to the unit screens more than one halfway between unit and neighbour.
Height matters: The barrier must rise well above the sound source. A cantilever inclined 45° towards the unit increases the effect without building the wall higher.
Absorbing, not reflecting: HSA3 on the unit side stops the barrier from throwing sound to the other side or back onto the unit.
Extend beyond the ends: Otherwise sound simply travels around the ends of the barrier.

What a barrier can achieve

Line of sight just interrupted: around 5 dB
Typical for units in residential settings: 6–10 dB(A)
Theoretical limit to ISO 9613-2 for diffraction over one edge: 20 dB

Much more than 10 dB(A) requires tall barriers close to the unit – at that point an enclosure is usually the more economical solution.

What we need for the design

Dimensions and discharge direction of the unit
Sound power from the data sheet
Distance and height of the relevant window
Area type (e.g. general residential area)

Construction

Built like our enclosures

Any shape

Straight, L-shaped, U-shaped or freely planned with up to eight segments and 45° or 90° bends. Segments over 3 m are divided into modules of equal width.

HSA3 absorber

HSA3 lining with resonance cavity, non-combustible A1 – on the unit side, or on both sides if reflections are a problem on the other side too.

Top edge

Straight or with a 45° cantilever (500 mm) that tilts the top edge towards the unit.

Structure

Base frame of anodised aluminium profiles 45 × 45 mm, panels of 1.5 mm aluminium, powder-coated. Braced with cross members on three-sided walls.

Wind load

Designed to EN 1991-1-4 for wind zone, terrain and height of the installation surface – on the ground and on flat roofs.

Doors and colour

Service doors in the barrier possible, colours RAL 7016, 9006, 7035 or special RAL.

Configure the barrier and check its effect

Enter unit and layout: the configurator calculates the screening to ISO 9613-2, checks the limits, recommends the barrier height and calculates the wind load. The quotation is available on request.

Configure a noise barrier Request a project

Frequently asked questions

How high does the noise barrier need to be?

High enough to reliably break the line of sight between the sound source and the relevant window – with a margin. If the window is on an upper floor, the barrier has to be correspondingly higher. The configurator suggests the barrier height for your situation.

Is a barrier enough for a neighbour on the second floor?

Often not. The higher the window, the less a barrier on the ground screens. In that case an enclosure with a tube silencer in the roof is usually the better solution.

Does the barrier restrict the unit's air flow?

No, as long as the distance to the unit is kept. The barrier is open at the top; we agree the distance based on the unit's air side so that no exhaust air is drawn back in.

Why absorbing and not just a solid wall?

A hard wall reflects sound – onto the unit, onto facades opposite or towards other neighbours. With HSA3 on the unit side, the sound is absorbed instead of redirected.

Is there a fixed price?

We design noise barriers individually. The configurator shows dimensions, effect and wind load instantly; you receive the price with the quotation.