A Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) contracted Commercial Acoustics to install acoustic wall panels in one of their facilities. Speech intelligibility is critical in facilities such as TRACONs, because of the critical information that needs to be conveyed and understood. The air traffic controllers within the facility are responsible for guiding airplanes both taking off and landing at that specific airport. They also guide aircrafts flying over their specific facility to ensure safe spacing between those in the surrounding airspace.

When to Use Sound Absorbing Panels

Acoustic Treatment for TRACON

Acoustic wall panels were actually designed into this space by the architect, which is not always the case. Many people don’t realize they’ll need acoustic panels until the space is already occupied, which can make the installation process a bit difficult, especially in restaurants, office spaces, etc. If the space is already occupied, and then panels are needed, the space needs to be free and clear of furniture and people during the installation. In this case, our team came in to install pre-occupancy so there were no such obstructions, allowing for a smoother installation process.

Benefits of Custom Cut Acoustic Wall Panels

This specific TRACON facility required full wall acoustic panels with small gaps at the top and bottom of the panels in case they needed to be removed at any point. Typically, full wall panels would call for a stretched fabric wall, but the FAA and architect specified custom sized, individual wall panels.

Our team was able to come in and install the acoustic wall panels after the drywall was complete and painted, and before any computers or furniture was installed. Penetrations in the panels were cut in the field for outlets, light switches and monitors that would be mounted on the walls.

Without this acoustic treatment, it is very likely that the TRACON facility would have required acoustic treatment post-occupancy. The polished concrete floors and gypsum walls and ceilings are very reflective surfaces and would have created echo and reverberation, making it hard to understand critical information being conveyed within the space and over communication devices.

If you have a space in need of critical speech intelligibility and think it may experience excessive echo and reverberation, consider Commercial Acoustics to design and install Acoustic Treatment options, including Acoustic Wall Panels or Stretched-Fabric Wall Systems.