Scott R. Riedel & Associates, Ltd. - Consultation, Design and Technical Services for Acoustics, Architecture, Organs and Sound Systems

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SOUND SOLUTIONS THAT PROTECT AND SERVE
Serving the public in institutional facilities can involve both the presence of communicative sounds, and the absence of unwanted noise. Clear communication throughout a facility via a “public address” system will deliver necessary instructions, information and safety announcements. The control and suppression of distractive, disruptive, and unwanted noise will result in a calming environment.

Carefully considering each institution’s needs, we develop innovative solutions using appropriate materials and systems designed to deliver communication, as well as reduce noise and meet durability and cleanliness requirements. We can also conduct on-site testing to diagnose noise problems, and design and specify appropriate solutions.

In addition to a safe environment, our sound solutions can help maximize information dissemination and minimize unwanted noise dynamics.

Consultation Services Include:

Acoustical Design for Institutional Spaces

Physical Health Facilities
Mental Health Facilities
Offices
Meeting and Conference Spaces

“Public Address” Sound System Design
Conference and Meeting Room Sound System Design
Speech Clarity/Intelligibility
Noise Control, Isolation, and Privacy
Video System Design
Sound and Video System Evaluation
System Optimization and Upgrade Design
System Education and Training Services
System Tuning and DSP Programming
Acoustical Testing, Analysis, and Evaluation of Existing Spaces

Reverberation
Noise Levels
Speech Intelligibility
Sound Distribution
Sound Transmission

"911" Call Center

Clear, intelligible communication via telephone is necessary to providing public safety. The 911 call center operators had difficulty hearing and understanding callers due to excessive background sounds from other operators, and from HVAC and technical/mechanical equipment within the center. The design solution included installing sound absorbing and diminishing materials, relocating noise generating equipment to isolated spaces, and orienting call desks to diminish “direct” sound projection between operators.

Mental Health Facility

The hard surface, durable, cleanable materials used in hallways and vestibules at the mental health facility also served to reflect and reinforce any speech or sound generated in the halls and vestibules. The result was an environment that turned even “minor” sounds into distracting, disruptive and excessive noise. A quieting, calm environment, that could resist damage, vandalism, and that could be easily cleaned was desired. The solution included high performance sound absorbing materials installed at the ceiling and upper wall regions of the halls and vestibules that have durable and easily washed surfaces.

Mental Health Facility

The Facility is a large institution, requiring a “Public Address” type sound system to communicate information and safety announcements to all rooms and corridors simultaneously, or to select spaces. Hundreds of ceiling mounted speakers are installed within the facility, and were not delivering clear, consistent sound quality. Each speaker was inspected and tested to determine their quality, performance, and potential need for repair, adjustment or replacement. The result is full communication.

Animal Shelter

The Humane Society provides lodging and care for a variety of animals within the same building. They primarily house cats and dogs. A calm environment for the animals is important to their good care. When first built, construction details in the building allowed barking dogs to be heard with considerable intensity and clarity within the feline/cats rooms. This factor caused disruption and discontent within the cat population. The design solution was to extend the height of walls separating the cat and dog environments. Formerly, these walls ended at the “false/suspended” ceiling height. Sound attenuating walls are now extended to the full structural ceiling deck height to prevent “cross-over” sound transmission between spaces.