Industrial fabric curtain walls are growing in popularity. In assembly plants, two of the fastest-growing applications are for lowering noise levels and controlling
dust. Industrial environments that use fabric curtain walls to provide these benefits are safer and more pleasant for employees.
Noise from industrial machinery or processes can be merely an annoyance, or it can pose a serious long-term safety threat to employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that more than 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels in the United States every year.
Assembly and machine tool operation, process equipment (such as pumps, compressors and blowers), material-handling equipment (like conveyors and fork trucks), and power tools (nutrunners, grinders and drills) are just a few common sources of industrial facility noise. The effect of human exposure to noise levels higher than 90 decibels is cumulative. Because long-term exposure can result in permanent hearing loss, reducing noise levels is important for employee well-being.
OSHA requires employers to limit employee exposure to 90 decibels or less of noise on an 8-hour time weighted average basis. If industrial facilities are found to be above the 90-decibel limit, employers are required to take action to ensure employee exposure levels are below this limit.