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PVC Strip Curtains for Noise Control: Acoustic Properties & Applications
Industrial noise is a significant occupational health issue in UK workplaces. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require action at 80 dB(A) and mandatory controls above 85 dB(A). PVC strip curtains — while not primarily acoustic products — can provide meaningful noise reduction as part of a broader noise management strategy.
How PVC Reduces Noise
Sound transmission loss through any material depends on mass and damping. PVC provides some acoustic attenuation:
- A 3mm PVC curtain with 50% overlap provides approximately 5–10 dB(A) of sound reduction
- A 4–5mm heavy-duty curtain with 100% overlap can achieve 10–15 dB(A)
- More effective at higher frequencies than at low-frequency sources (diesel engines, compressors)
While 5–15 dB(A) may seem modest, 10 dB(A) is perceived as approximately halving loudness. Reducing adjacent worker exposure from 90 dB(A) to 80 dB(A) shifts them out of the mandatory hearing protection zone entirely.
Setting Realistic Expectations
PVC strip curtains are not a substitute for purpose-built acoustic enclosures. They are effective as supplementary measures reducing noise spill from noisy process areas into adjacent spaces, and best value where needed reduction is modest (5–15 dB), physical barriers would be too expensive, or access flexibility is required.
Browse our noise reduction PVC strip curtains for acoustic applications.
Industrial Applications
Workshop & Factory Zone Separation
In mixed-use industrial units with noisy fabrication, welding or pressing operations sharing space with quieter assembly or packing areas, PVC strip curtain dividers provide meaningful noise separation without the cost or permanence of solid walls. Our heavy-duty PVC strip curtains in 4mm are well suited for workshop zone separation.
Compressor & Plant Rooms
Compressors and HVAC plant generate continuous noise. Heavy-duty strip curtains at plant room access doors reduce noise spill into adjacent occupied areas during maintenance access.
Loading Bays & Despatch
Loading bay noise — reversing alarms, engine noise, pneumatic equipment — can disturb adjacent offices or production areas. Strip curtains at the internal loading bay doorway reduce noise transmission while maintaining vehicle access.
Packaging Lines & Food Production
Continuous packaging machinery generates significant noise. Strip curtains between production zones can reduce operator noise exposure in adjacent areas, contributing to Noise at Work Regulation compliance.
Maximising Acoustic Performance
- Use thickest practical strip: 4–5mm provides better acoustic mass than 2mm
- Maximise overlap: 100% overlap eliminates small sound paths at strip edges
- Seal perimeter gaps: any gap around the curtain significantly reduces effectiveness
- Consider twin track systems: two curtain layers provide greater attenuation than single curtains
- Choose high-density formulations: specialist acoustic PVC grades offer greater density and damping
Noise at Work Regulations: Compliance Context
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require:
- At 80 dB(A): inform workers of risks; provide hearing protection on request
- At 85 dB(A): mandatory hearing protection zones; engineering controls required
- At 87 dB(A) peak: absolute exposure limit not to be exceeded
Engineering controls — including acoustic barrier curtains — take priority over hearing protection in the regulations' hierarchy of controls. PVC strip curtains contributing to noise reduction are a recognised engineering control measure.
Before You Specify
Commission a qualified acoustic consultant to carry out a noise survey before specifying strip curtains as noise control measures. This establishes baseline noise levels, quantifies the reduction required, and assesses whether strip curtains can achieve the reduction needed or whether more substantial acoustic engineering is required.