5 Ways To Prevent A Rented Air Compressor From Causing A Dangerous Noise Problem
Air compressors are powerful and invaluable tools, but all that power comes at the cost of high noise levels. Many of the best compressors produce up to 90 decibels of ear-splitting sound, and constant exposure to that level of noise can do permanent damage to your hearing. However, some of the methods for muffling the sound only work for air compressors you own because they involve making permanent changes to the equipment. These five methods all protect your hearing, or the hearing of your employees, without requiring any lasting modifications to your rented equipment.
Move the Equipment
The least expensive and easiest way to immediately lower the amount of noise coming out of your air compressor is to move it away from your work area. While it is always good to minimize hose tangling and wear by using shorter lengths, this is not always an option when you're dealing with a very loud model. Enclosed spaces like workshops and garages are particularly good at intensifying the noise by bouncing it back at you, so at least rolling the compressor out of a door can produce enough of a muffling effect to keep your ears happy.
Try Hearing Protection
Next, focus on personal protection instead of a larger solution if you're working on a tight budget. Even a basic pair of sound-muffling ear covers will protect your hearing, and a headset may be a better use of your money than a workshop-mounted muffling solution if you carry out other tasks in noisy areas. For example, a set of advanced ear plugs can stay in your work truck so that you're prepared to run a wood chipper, work outdoors next to an airport, or handle other noisy situations. Of course, if you only ever need hearing protection in your workshop, a fixed muffling solution may be better.
Hang Sound Curtains
Permanent sound curtains tend to be built as freestanding framed walls that support multiple layers of sound-absorbing material, but you don't have to make permanent changes to your workshop just to use a sound curtain. Pre-made curtains that hang from mounting hardware you install in the ceiling can do just as good of a job in a small space. Make sure the curtain is rated for the amount of sound reduction you need.
Use a Muffling Enclosure
Of course, sound still goes around the curtain, and even a wall only deflects sound from one direction. When you need more noise reduction than a curtain offers, you'll need to use an air compressor enclosure because it absorbs as much noise as possible in all directions. A complete enclosure with a bottom even prevents vibrations from creating a buzz against the floor. Don't be tempted to rig up your own muffling enclosure, since a lack of proper ventilation and heat absorption will cause the air compressor to overheat, leaving you paying to repair or replace the rented unit. Stick with pre-constructed compressor enclosures, preferably the largest one you can afford so as many different models of rented devices can fit inside it without modification.
Add a Muffler
Finally, consider a screw-on or clip-on muffler that slips onto the inlet of the air compressor. The majority of the noise coming from this kind of equipment is generated there, and these mufflers come right off again when you're ready to return the rented equipment. Your rental company may even offer these mufflers with the air compressor if you request, either for free or for a small additional fee. This way you're not left with a muffler that might not fit the next model of compressor you rent. To learn more about your options, contact a company that rents air compressors, like Wirtz Rentals CO.
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