Both acoustic curtains and acoustic enclosures are designed to absorb sound generated by nearby construction activities, but they serve distinct purposes.
Acoustic curtains are typically faster to install and can be easily attached to an existing fence or barrier.

They provide strong sound attenuation, though generally less than a full enclosure that includes a roof. This makes curtains ideal for use in confined areas or large outdoor environments where large machinery is in operation.

Acoustic enclosures take slightly longer to set up but deliver superior noise reduction. Our enclosures are engineered for quick assembly and can reduce sound by up to 59.9dB. Enclosures fully contain the noise source, effectively deadening sound within the enclosed space.

Yes, all RVT’s SOUNDEX® noise control products are wind, water, and fire resistant.

SOUNDEX® products feature a unique Velcro connector; when several curtains or quilts are installed side by side, they create a completely seamless sound barrier fence (unlike other acoustic curtains or sound deadening panels, which end up with gaps where they are cable-tied together). Noise control barriers are not effective when there are gaps between them! The ingenious design of the Velcro connector is not available anywhere else on the market. It also makes our curtains and quilts quick and easy to install.

SOUNDEX® products are made from high sound attenuation materials and have been tested and certified inline with British and European standards; furthermore, many of our products are also BS 7955 scaffolding compliant.

Simply put, it means to put a sound barrier fence in place so that the source of noise cannot be seen; by its very nature, this will reduce the noise heard by those on the other side of the barrier (in the ‘shadow zone’). The level of noise reduction will depend on the material and quality of the acoustic barrier being used. A high-quality acoustic enclosure, with walls and a roof, will be the most effective way to reduce noise at source, as there will be no line of sight from any angle.

The following whitepaper explains the above with diagrams > Download Best Practice Noise Control Whitepaper

The SOUNDEX® Acoustic Curtain can achieve up to 32.9 dB noise reduction (tested to BS:10140-2 and BS:717-1) and 98% sound absorption (tested to BS:354 and BS:11654).

The SOUNDEX® Acoustic Quilt can achieve up to 28.2 dB noise reduction (tested to BS EN 140-3:1995).

Yes, the acoustic curtains and quilts can be hung from scaffolding, fencing, or hoarding to reduce noise on construction sites, street works, or along site perimeters and internal partitions.

• Enclosing noisy equipment such as grinders, compressors, or pumps during refit and repair work in dry docks or onboard vessels during ship and submarine maintenance.
• Creating temporary enclosures around engines, testing areas, or tooling bays to reduce noise exposure for personnel inside aircraft hangars and aviation workshops.
• Reducing sound from welding, cutting, or fabrication work within military engineering or vehicle maintenance facilities.
• Providing flexible acoustic screening for equipment trials, system tests, or prototype evaluations inside testing and calibration areas.
• Partitioning sections of large hangars or workshops to create temporary work zones that contain noise from specific maintenance activities.
• Screening generators, compressors, or support plant used for field servicing or refuelling operations for outdoor or dockside operations.
• Reducing noise transmission to nearby offices, accommodation blocks, or training areas within defence sites.

• Creating temporary enclosures around noisy machinery, compressors, or pumps during servicing or overhaul work during planned maintenance or shutdowns.
• Containing sound from cutting, grinding, fabrication, or assembly areas to protect nearby workers.
• Separating high-noise work zones within large industrial spaces to minimise cross-area noise exposure.
• Providing a flexible sound barrier for machinery testing, product trials, or prototype development.
• Lining walls or fencing to reduce reverberation and airborne noise in confined industrial areas such as plant rooms and mechanical spaces.
• Screening off temporary generators, compressors, or air handling units to reduce off-site noise impact during outside maintenance.

• Containing noise from piling, resurfacing, drilling, or concrete breaking near traffic routes and residential areas during highways and roadworks.
• Reducing disturbance during rail maintenance, track renewal, or station construction.
• Managing noise from temporary generators, compressors, pumps, and excavation works in urban areas during utility and street works.
• Providing sound attenuation for plant and equipment used in bridge strengthening, tunnelling, or abutment projects.
• Minimising disruption during infrastructure upgrades or expansion works at airports or transport links..
• Energy and water projects: Used around substations, pumping stations, and treatment plants to meet environmental noise limits.
• Creating enclosed zones around noisy machinery, workshops, or welfare areas to reduce off-site noise impact.

Enclosing piling rigs, impact hammers, or other drilling operations during piling and foundation works:

• Hanging off façades to contain noise and debris during building strip-out or demolition.
• Lining perimeter fencing or hoarding to reduce sound migration from general construction activity.
• Providing a localised acoustic screen around high-noise operations during curing and grinding activities.

Sizes vary, however, RVT offers the Soundex Acoustic Curtain which is 1250mm x 2500mm and the Soundex Acoustic Quilt which is 3600mm x 2050mm (which is designed to fit a standard security fence panel).

Yes, we have wind loading calculations available for our most popular SOUNDEX® products. These calculations are based on tests conducted by a third-party certification body. RVT have summarised the key information for each product, which is available upon request.

According to the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations), the level at which employers must assess the risk to workers' health and provide them with information and training is 80 decibels. The level at which employers must provide hearing protection and hearing protection zones is 85 decibels (daily or weekly average exposure). The regulation also details an upper exposure limit value of 87 decibels. For more information please read the regulation in full.