SILENCER

SELECTION
INSTRUCTIONS

For general information in HVAC Acoustics, consult the

­following publications:
>> 2017 ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook,
Chapter 8 Sound and Vibration
>> 2015 ASHRAE Applications Handbook,
Chapter 48 Noise and Vibration Control
>> Algorithms for HVAC Acoustics, 1991
>> A Practical Guide to Noise and Vibration Control for
HVAC Systems, 1991

Before following the procedures below, it may be beneficial to first

familiarize yourself with the 18 Common Silencing Problems summarized
and illustrated through Silencer Application Solutions (SAS sheets)
found in the Application ­section of the this Guide.

To select a silencer, it is necessary to determine:

How much insertion loss (IL) is necessary to achieve the specified

1 room sound criterion

How much additional pressure drop (PD) is allowable at the system

2 duct velocity

3 Where the silencer should be located

4 How much silencer airflow generated noise (GN) can be tolerated

5 Silencer type to meet system/application requirements

6 Silencer model to meet IL, PD and GN requirements

7 Silencer construction

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SILENCER SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS

1 Insertion Loss
Required 2 Maximum Allowable
Pressure Drop

EACH DUCT SYSTEM needs to be analyzed separately. DETERMINE how much silencer pressure drop (including
All possible sound sources and paths should be system effects) has been allowed for in the system
considered. Common paths often forgotten include duct design. Ordinarily, the silencer pressure drop (including
break-out noise and equipment noise radiated to the system effects) should not exceed 0.35” (85 Pa).1
environment through intake or exhaust louvers.
The user should always consider the added losses
It is critical that the duct system analysis begin at the due to aerodynamic system effects. That is, if the
initial sound source and continue in order, duct element silencer is located where less than ideal conditions at
by element, to the occupied space. This will ensure that the inlet and/or at the discharge of the silencer exist,
the noise level can be calculated at any point along the then the silencer’s effective pressure drop will be
system to help determine if break-out noise and/or airflow increased. (Total silencer PD = silencer PD per catalog
generated noise need to be controlled (see below). ASTM E-477-13 rating + system effect losses). In some
situations the added system effect losses can exceed
The octave band sound power levels of the noise the pressure drop of the silencer.
generating elements are summed logarithmically
(e.g. main fan or AHU, terminal boxes and airflow Figure: Effect of Silencer Location on
generated noise of ductwork, fittings, terminal devices, Pressure Drop Performance
etc.). The natural attenuation elements, such as
ductwork, plenums and fittings, etc. are subtracted. 5A

(See ASHRAE’s “System Design Procedures”1 for

A A
more details.)

The silencer should not be included in the initial

calculation. Its required insertion loss is the positive
difference between the estimated resultant sound
pressure level in the space and the room criterion2 for
the space. If a duct system transmits noise to more than For example, an elbow fitting located immediately
one space, the greatest insertion loss for each octave following a silencer will prevent regain of static pressure
band is the insertion loss required. from the silencer’s exit velocity pressure. Furthermore,
local velocities within the elbow fitting will be greater
Vibro-Acoustics’ V-A Select computer program than the average duct velocity and more turbulent. These
automates the duct system analysis procedure. See the factors will produce higher overall static pressure losses.
V-A Select manual for more information.

ASHRAE Applications Handbook, 2015, P. 48.24

1

1
ASHRAE Applications Handbook, 2015, P. 48.18.
2
ASHRAE Applications Handbook, 2015, P. 48.3

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SILENCER SYSTEM EFFECTS

THE FOLLOWING are guidelines To determine the allowable silencer catalog pressure drop for
to estimate increased pressure ­selection and specification purposes:
losses due to varying silencer inlet
and ­discharge conditions. These Allowable Catalog Silencer PD =
should be considered only as very
approximate guidelines. Substantial Total Allowable Silencer Pressure Drop including System Effects
­variations can occur depending
upon the type of silencer, its internal (Inlet System Effect Factor x Outlet System Effect Factor)
geometry, size of silencer, size of
duct, airflow turbulence, etc.
Vibro-Acoustics’ V-A Select program allows the user to evaluate
Note: the factors shown do NOT include
system effects when selecting silencers. See the V-A Select Manual
pressure drops of the duct element. These must for more information.
be added separately.

Duct Element Silencer system effect factor duct element on...

Silencer Inlet Silencer Discharge

Transitions D D

7-1/2 degrees per side

Distance of transition from silencer
D1 = 1 1.0 1.0
D=2 1.1 1.1
D=3 1.2 1.1

25 degrees per side

Distance of transition from silencer
D = 1 1.3 1.1
D=2 1.6 1.1
D=3 1.8 1.1

45 degrees per side

Distance of transition from silencer
D = 1 1.7 1.1
D=2 1.9 1.1
D=3 2.0 1.1
D
Elbow – radius type D

Distance of radius elbow from silencer

D=0 1.2 1.4
D=1 1.1 1.2

Elbow – mitered type with D D

short turning vanes

Distance of mitered elbow from silencer

D = 0 1.2 1.1
D=1 1.2 1.1
D=2 1.2 1.2

1
D is the diameter of round duct or equivalent diameter of rectangular duct.

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SILENCER SYSTEM EFFECTS

Duct Element Silencer system effect factor duct element on...

Silencer Inlet Silencer Discharge

Elbow – mitered type with D D

no turning vanes

Distance of mitered elbow from silencer

D1 = 0 1.2 2.9
D=1 1.0 1.8
D=2 1.1 1.4

Abrupt entry or exit D D

Smooth Inlet or Discharge

Distance of entry or exit from silencer
D=0 1.1 1.8
D=1 1.0 1.4
D=2 1.0 1.1
D=3 1.0 1.0

Abrupt entry or exit D D

Sharp Inlet or Discharge

Distance of entry or exit from silencer
D = 0 1.2 2.0
D = 1 1.1 1.5
D = 2 1.0 1.2
D=3 1.0 1.0

Centrifugal fan
D D

Distance of centrifugal fan from silencer

D = 0 1.5 2.0
D=1 1.2 1.7
D = 2 1.1 1.5
D=3 1.0 1.2

Axial fan (Also see below – effect of D D

silencer on fan)

Distance of axial fan from silencer

D = 0 1.5 2.0
D=1 1.2 1.7
D = 2 1.1 1.5
D=3 1.0 1.2

1
D is the diameter of round duct or equivalent diameter of rectangular duct.

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 SILENCER SYSTEM EFFECTS

Duct Element Silencer system effect factor duct element on...

Silencer Inlet Silencer Discharge

Coils or filters D D

Distance of coils or filters from silencer

D1 = 0 1.6 1.6
D=1 1.0 1.3
D=2 1.0 1.1
1
D is the diameter of round duct or equivalent diameter of rectangular duct.

Axial/Fan Silencer System Effects

The effects of various Free Air Silencer Inlets/Discharges upon horsepower consumed by an Axial Fan in a
Constant System with Constant Air Flow. Percentages are indicative only, and would differ in different systems.

FREE INLET H.P. CONSUMED FREE DISCHARGE

Standard Constant 100% 100% Constant Abrupt fan discharge 4

Bellmouth Inlet System System to room

1 Inlet cone silencer Constant 99% 97% Constant Fan manufacturer’s

well matched to System System evase
fan hub

Acoustic plenum Constant 105% 97% Constant Discharge cone 5

System System Silencer well matched
to fan motor hub

2 Plenum with Constant 106% 99% Constant Non-aerodynamic

aerodynamic low System System evase (typical) &
turbulence splitters aerodynamic splitters

3 Plenum with blunt Constant 110% 104% Constant Non-aerodynamic 6

turbulent splitters System System evase (typical) &
blunt non-aerodynamic
splitters

SEE DIAGRAM

1 Inlet Cone Silencer 2 Splitters designed 3 Blunt, untapered 4 Although unlikely 5 Discharge Cone 6 Blunt, untapered
must be aerodynamically so turbulent wake is splitters with either in practice, this was Silencers must be splitters do not allow
matched to fan gone before reaching radius or sharp edged chosen as the reference matched to fan pressure/velocity recovery
hub, otherwise H.P. plane of the fan blades, tails, create excess configuration. motor hub, or fan before dumping air to the
consumed increases for lowest fan noise. turbulence & fan noise H.P. can be well in room causing excessive,
considerably to 105% - from turbulence. excess of 100%! abrupt expansion
110% or more! pressure losses.

General Notes: A. If a fan consumes less horsepower, it generates less noise and therefore needs less silencing.
B. Turbulence allowed to impinge upon the plane of the axial fan blades can create 10-15 dB or more excess fan sound power.

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SILENCER SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS

3 Silencer
Location
Considerations for
Silencer Location

SILENCERS SHOULD generally be located as close to BEST SILENCER LOCATION IF NO FIRE DAMPER
the fan or noise source as possible. This will help contain
the noise at the source and limit potential points along
the system where the unsilenced noise may break out.
However, turbulent airflow usually exists close to noise
sources such as fans, valves, dampers, etc. Therefore
SILENCER
the user should evaluate aerodynamic system effects
(see above).

If silencers are carefully designed they can actually

Mechanical room Occupied space
improve flow conditions close to fans. Special fan
inlet and discharge silencers, including cone silencers
and inlet box silencers, minimize aerodynamic system
effects, and contain noise at the source. Their effective
added pressure drop could even be slightly negative if
the silencer improves the flow into or out of the fan, thus BEST SILENCER LOCATION IF FIRE DAMPER IS REQUIRED
increasing the fan’s performance.

Despite the foregoing, the best acoustic location for a

duct silencer may be straddling the mechanical room
wall to minimize ductborne and breakout/break-in noise
(see figure). However, fire dampers are often located SILENCER FD
at this point. As a compromise, many times silencers
are located inside the mechanical room close to the
mechanical room wall. However, if space does not
permit this position, the silencer may need to be located Mechanical room Occupied space
outside the mechanical room. In such cases, high
transmission loss (HTL) silencer walls may be required
to prevent noise from breaking in or out of the silencer
before it is fully attenuated. Connecting duct between
the silencer and wall may also have to be HTL wall
ALTERNATE SILENCER LOCATION
construction.

FD SILENCER

Mechanical room Occupied space

Heavier silencer walls

may be required to
stop breakout noise

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SILENCER SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS

4  aximum Allowable Airflow

M
Generated Noise 5 Select Type of
Silencer

IN THE MAJORITY OF INSTALLATIONS, a concern ONCE THE ABOVE STEPS HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED,
for silencer airflow generated noise is generally DETERMINE:
unwarranted because it does not materially contribute to >> Silencer shape (Rectangular or Circular dependent on
the overall system noise level. This is particularly true if the connection shape of the ductwork).
the silencer is properly located close to the source and
pressure drops are not excessive. >> Silencer type
>> Dissipative (RD and CD): Uses acoustic grade glass
ASHRAE1 recommends that in general, airflow generated fiber protected by perforated metal.
noise should be evaluated if silencer static pressure >> Film-Faced (RFL and CFL): Dissipative type with
drops exceed 0.35” (including system effects), the noise film such as Tedlar or Mylar lining between the
criterion is below RC-35(N), or if the silencer is located perforatedmetal and the acoustical glass fiber. An
very close to or in the occupied space. acoustical spacer is used between the perforated
metal and the liner to reduce insertion loss
To roughly calculate the maximum allowable silencer degradations caused by the film liner.
generated noise when the silencer is located very close
to or in the occupied space: Subtract 5dB per octave >> No-Media (RNM, CNM and CENM): Completely void
from the room sound criterion spectrum. of absorptive media or fill of any kind.

ASHRAE Applications Handbook, 1995 p. 43.17

3
Note: ASHRAE does not recommend selecting silencers with pressure
drops in excess of 0.35” pressure drop (including system effect). If the
noise criterion is below RC-35(N) consider retaining a qualified Acoustical
Consulting Engineer having expertise in HVAC noise control.

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SILENCER SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS

6 Select
Silencer

COMPARE THE ACTUAL INSERTION LOSS required Vibro-Acoustics’ model numbers also include a
spectrum with the insertion loss spectrum shapes for frequency indicator (e.g. AC1, AC2, etc.). The lower the
different silencer sizes and pressure drops available “AC” numeric the better the silencer performs in the low
(see Performance Data Section or use the V-A Select or frequency range. The higher the number the better it
Quick Pick Computer Programs). Select the silencer that performs at the mid and high frequency ranges.
best fits the insertion loss required and does not exceed
the maximum allowable silencer pressure drop and Normally, the selection of a silencer is limited by the
generated noise. space available and allowable pressure drop. It should
be recognized that for a given silencer, the pressure
Ensure that the silencer length selected fits within the drop will increase as the square of the duct velocity.
allowable space and does not affect the aerodynamic Thus, at lower system velocities, more insertion loss can
system effects calculated in step 2 above. be achieved at acceptable pressure drops. In higher
velocity systems, longer silencer lengths with larger air
As a guideline, Vibro-Acoustics’ silencer model numbers passage ways may be required to maintain acceptable
include a duct velocity range indicator (i.e., ULV, LV, MV, pressure drops and achieve the required insertion loss.
HV or UHV). This can be used to narrow the multiple
silencer options: Vibro-Acoustics’ V-A Select computer program can be
used to efficiently select a silencer from the parameters
determined in steps 1 through 4 above.

Normal Recommended Duct Velocity Ranges for Vibro-Acoustics’ Silencers

Ultra Low Velocity Low Velocity Medium Velocity High Velocity Ultra High Velocity
Silencer Type ULV LV MV HV UHV
RD, RFL, RNM 0-500 fpm 500-750 fpm 750-1250 fpm 1250-2000 fpm see SS8 and SS9
CD, CFL see LV 0-1500 fpm 1500-3000 fpm 3000-5000 fpm 5000-7000 fpm

CNM see LV 0-750 fpm 750-1250 fpm 1250-2000 fpm 2000-3500 fpm

CENM see LV 0-1250 fpm 1250-1750 fpm 1750-2250 fpm N/A

Note: Silencers can always be used in systems with lower velocities than the recommended operating range.
However, more silencer length may be required to achieve the required insertion loss.

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SILENCER SELECTION INSTRUCTIONS

7 Standard and Special

Construction Options

For standard construction features see the applicable

Silencer Sheet.

Vibro-Acoustics offers many special construction options

which are needed for certain applications, see Special
Construction Options.

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