Next to the complex outfitting of the decks, guest cabins, owners suite and main lounge with state-of-the-art appliances and furniture, they encountered the problem of noise control. Immediately under the main deck with the beautiful lounging area, two huge MTU turbocharged engines with 2250 HP each will be roaring, along with power plants for electrics, airco equipment and water makers! Having all those noise sources only two inches away from the dining table, they were desperate for solutions.

Danube Marine called upon Willem B. Kraan and contracted him as an adviser, being a veteran in noise control and very well familiar with the best yacht builders in the world, having advised on ships built by Moonen, Amels, Benetti and many others. Willem Kraan strongly advised the use of Acoustiblok® as the main product for all sound abatement aboard. He also developed a special isolation panel for the isolation of the engine room, this panel being based on Acoustiblok® with layers of glass fibers, decoupling foam and protection meshing. With a thickness of only 65 mm, it does the job. Acoustiblok® turned out to be an easy to apply product that has proven to be excellent in all conditions, also in a harsh salt water environment. It allows for a fast and efficient isolation and yet being a very thin material, did not interfere with the complex interior of the “Romantica”. The special panels were used in the engine rooms; In other places as the ventilation shafts, around the galley equipment etc. a standard laminated panel, of course with the Acoustiblok® inside, was widely used.

Danube says they are impressed by the professional way Willem B. Kraan made certain the right materials were fitted in the right places, and they are very pleased by the way Acoustiblok® turned out to be a high performance, versatile and easy- to –install sound isolator! Although the “Romantica” has not been launched yet, test with noise generators has proven the isolation is very satisfactory!

Danube Marine, with 2 more 120 feet yachts under contract say they surely will continue to work with Acoustiblok® and Willem B. Kraan, for them: a winning team!

Acoustiblok Distributor for The Netherlands
Willem B. Kraan, bv;
31.0.118.440012(P);
31.0.653.265.016(M);
31.0.118.440071(F)
pimkraan@zeelandnet.nl

Costa Rica

Calderón Guardia Hospital: New E.R. Building

Our experience with Acoustiblok was absolutely positive and even exceeded our expectations, this hospital project had a severe acoustic problem due to the fact that the only feasible location for the chilled water plants ( 90 tons each) of the A/C system is right next to the building, specifically 4 feet apart from the intern’s dormitories!!!!!

Once the chillers were installed, the owner discovered that the high pitch ( very uncomfortable) noise produced by the rotary screw compressors went thru the structural concrete walls like nothing, measuring up to 67 dBA inside the dorms and adjacent areas.

With just 3 weeks prior to the deadline, I recommended a perimeter acoustical barrier wall to deflect sound out of the hospital walls, the wall was simply made out of Sheetrock and a single layer of Acoustiblok , it only took a week to finish it and we obtained an impressive 20 dbA sound transmission loss in that same areas, now under a manageable 47 dbA reading.

Previous installed walls in similar applications made out of concrete or concrete and Styrofoam cost more time and money and are only half as efficient as the Acoustiblok solution, I definitively recommend to give Acoustiblok a try, you´ll be impressed, just like us!!!

Francisco Brenes
President
INGENIERIA Y CONSULTORIA ALFA ( Acoustic consultants)