Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/384751
30 • OCTOBER 2014 • WORLD FENCE NEWS TAMPA, Fla. — Acoustiblok was recently featured on the new National Geographic Channel series, "Show- down of the Unbeatables." The episode turned up the volume when Acoustiblok, an award-winning thin noise-reduction material that is as effective as 12 inches of solid concrete when added to a stud wall, took on the Nathan Airchime – multiple scream- ing train horns that produce the same decibel levels as a jet airplane – and a deafening guitar from a rock musician whose music solo hit 130 decibels. Acoustiblok clearly won the chal- lenge and proved that Acoustiblok material, a thin 1/8" flexible mem- brane that increases the sound atten- uation properties of conventional wall and floor/ceiling designs when added to a stud wall, does exactly what the company claims. Rather than attempting to block or absorb sound as other materials do, the Acoustiblok material transforms sound energy into inaudible internal friction energy as the soft heavy mate- rial (virtually the same as lead without the environmental problems or costs) flexes from sound waves. Noise reduction material manufacturer Acoustiblok wins challenge on national television series A video recap of the episode is available on the Acoustiblok web site, www.acoustiblok.com. The episode was filmed in the fall of 2013. Before filming began, Acoustiblok had to agree to the chal- lenge ahead of time, regardless of the outcome. Confident that Acoustiblok would win the challenge, Lahnie Johnson, president and founder of Acoustiblok, accepted the conditions and the film- ing of the show was put into produc- tion. "We are very pleased with the outcome. The results of the challenge exceeded our expectations and the Acoustiblok materials did what they were created to do," said Johnson. "Most of our testing is done in a lab- oratory setting. This was a real world test situation that we welcomed. It was a big success for us and clearly demonstrates the efficacy of our com- pany's products." Acoustiblok develops, manufac- tures, and markets acoustical and thermal products around the world, and has earned the industry's highest ratings from architects, builders, and consumers, including the top award in the British House of Commons re- garding sound abatement. Now celebrating 15 years in busi- ness, Acoustiblok is expanding its fa- cility in Tampa, Fla. to keep up with the demand both domestically and in- ternationally for its products. The global demand for sound deadening products has been steadily rising as noise pollution has become so prevalent in our environment, Johnson noted. This past April 30 was the 19th annual International Noise Awareness Day. The event was founded by the Center for Hearing and Communica- tion to increase awareness internation- ally on the damaging affects of noise. According to Acoustiblok, ex- perts agree that continued exposure to noise over 85 decibels (such as a pow- er mower) will cause hearing damage. Noise levels exceeding 140 decibels (jet engine/jackhammer) can cause damage after a single exposure. Researchers have found noise pol- lution not only leads to serious hear- ing damage, but it's also been linked to lowered productivity, sleep disor- ders, stroke, heart failure and more. Staying indoors won't keep noise out either. Unlike light waves, sound waves travel through walls of the places we live, work, and frequent. As noise pollution has increased, the need for specialized sound proof- ing products has also grown. Over the years, Acoustiblok has created addi- tional sound abatement products that utilize their award winning material. Primary products include Acoustiblok ® viscoelastic polymer based soundproofing material, Acous- tifence ® outdoor noise barrier, All Weather Sound Panels ® , QuietFi- ber ® sound insulating material, Qui- et-Cloud ® industrial sound absorption panels, Acoustiblok WALLCOVER ® , and Thermablok ® aerogel (the highest type of insulation known) as a thin 1/4 inch flexible insulation strip for stop- ping thermal bridging in walls. Concerns around the globe have also increased about environmental pollution. Acoustiblok's products are con- sidered green products, Johnson Above, a guitarist plays music that reaches 130 decibels on the National Geo- graphic Channel show "Showdown of the Unbeatables." A box sealed with two layers of Acoustiblok material slowly covers him, blocking out 95% of the noise. Below, the box being lowered. (Acoustiblok photos) continued on page 32 LQIR#UKLQRWRROFRPZZZUKLQRWRROFRP 7KH)HQFH&RQWUDFWRU·V %HVW)ULHQG *3' )HQFH3UR (QJLQHHUHGIRU025(SRZHUDQG HTXLSSHGZLWKD LQFKFKXFN WRGULYHODUJHUSRVWV )CU2QYGTGF&TKXGT