Airport Noise Control: How Perforated Metal Panels Reduce Reverberation
The Acoustic Challenge in Airports
Airports are large-volume, high-traffic spaces filled with reflective surfaces like glass, steel, and stone. These materials, while visually appealing, create excessive reverberation and echo, making announcements unclear and increasing passenger stress.
Controlling noise in terminals is crucial for speech intelligibility (PA systems), passenger comfort, and operational efficiency.
Solution: Perforated metal acoustic panels—engineered to reduce reverberation while maintaining the sleek, modern aesthetics airports demand.
Why Perforated Metal Panels Are Ideal for Airports
Perforated metal acoustic panels combine sound absorption, fire safety, and durability for high-traffic infrastructure environments.
Key Acoustic Benefits:
1
Reverberation Reduction
The perforated metal face allows sound waves to pass through and be absorbed by the acoustic backing (mineral wool or foam).
This decreases RT60 (reverberation time), ensuring clear announcements.
2
Speech Intelligibility
Reduces sound reflections, improving PA system clarity in crowded concourses.
3
Durability & Cleanability
Metal panels withstand heavy use and are easy to clean, ideal for hygiene-sensitive spaces like airports.
4
Fire Safety
ASTM/EN/ISO certified, Class A fire-rated—critical for public infrastructure compliance.
Technical Specifications (MMT Acoustix Perforated Metal Panels)
NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient):
0.70 (with acoustic infill)
Panel Size:
2 x 2 ft (custom sizes available)
Thickness:
1 inch (with mineral wool backing)
Material:
Powder-coated steel or aluminum
Fire Rating:
Class A, non-combustible
Design Options:
Micro-perforations, custom perforation patterns
How They Work (Science of Absorption)
Perforation Patterns:
Micro-holes (1–3 mm) allow sound to pass through.
Acoustic Backing:
High-density mineral wool or foam absorbs and dissipates sound energy.
Result:
Balanced noise levels and reduced echo, even in large halls with high ceilings.
Case Study: International Airport Terminal, Middle East
Challenge:
Excessive echo in arrival concourse causing unclear PA announcements.
Solution:
Installed perforated metal ceiling panels with 50 mm mineral wool backing (NRC 0.70).
Added acoustic wall cladding in check-in and baggage claim areas.
Result:
Reduced RT60 from 2.8s to 1.4s, improving clarity of announcements and lowering passenger noise complaints.
Design Integration in Airports
Ceilings:
Suspended grid systems for terminals and lounges.
Walls:
Behind check-in counters and boarding gates for speech clarity.
Baggage Areas:
To reduce mechanical noise and crowd chatter.
Lounges:
Blended with wood or fabric finishes for premium aesthetics.
System Pairing for Maximum Acoustic Control
For complete airport noise control:
1
Perforated Metal Panels (NRC 0.70)
Reverberation reduction.
2
SoundBlanket® MLV (STC 32–36)
Installed in walls to block external runway noise.
3
BassBloc® (NRC 0.85)
Concealed in ceilings for effective low-frequency sound absorption.
4
Acoustic Baffles/Clouds
Suspended panels in high-ceiling zones.
FAQs
A: Yes. Panels can be powder-coated or printed to match airport aesthetics or branding.
A: Exterior-grade perforated panels with weather-resistant coating are available.
A: Proper installation can cut reverberation time by 40–60%, dramatically improving acoustic comfort.
Conclusion: Smart Acoustics for Modern Airports
Perforated metal panels are the gold standard for controlling noise and reverberation in airports. Combining NRC-rated performance (0.70) with durability, fire safety, and design flexibility, they ensure that terminals stay functional, comfortable, and compliant.
Contact MMT Acoustix today for airport-grade acoustic solutions, perforated metal panels, and design consultancy for terminals, lounges, and transport hubs.
Airports are large-volume, high-traffic spaces filled with reflective surfaces like glass, steel, and stone. These materials, while visually appealing, create excessive reverberation and echo, making announcements unclear and increasing passenger stress.
Controlling noise in terminals is crucial for speech intelligibility (PA systems), passenger comfort, and operational efficiency.
Solution: Perforated metal acoustic panels—engineered to reduce reverberation while maintaining the sleek, modern aesthetics airports demand.
Why Perforated Metal Panels Are Ideal for Airports
Perforated metal acoustic panels combine sound absorption, fire safety, and durability for high-traffic infrastructure environments.
Key Acoustic Benefits:
1
Reverberation Reduction
The perforated metal face allows sound waves to pass through and be absorbed by the acoustic backing (mineral wool or foam).
This decreases RT60 (reverberation time), ensuring clear announcements.
2
Speech Intelligibility
Reduces sound reflections, improving PA system clarity in crowded concourses.
3
Durability & Cleanability
Metal panels withstand heavy use and are easy to clean, ideal for hygiene-sensitive spaces like airports.
4
Fire Safety
ASTM/EN/ISO certified, Class A fire-rated—critical for public infrastructure compliance.
Technical Specifications (MMT Acoustix Perforated Metal Panels)
NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient):
0.70 (with acoustic infill)
Panel Size:
2 x 2 ft (custom sizes available)
Thickness:
1 inch (with mineral wool backing)
Material:
Powder-coated steel or aluminum
Fire Rating:
Class A, non-combustible
Design Options:
Micro-perforations, custom perforation patterns
How They Work (Science of Absorption)
Perforation Patterns:
Micro-holes (1–3 mm) allow sound to pass through.
Acoustic Backing:
High-density mineral wool or foam absorbs and dissipates sound energy.
Result:
Balanced noise levels and reduced echo, even in large halls with high ceilings.
Case Study: International Airport Terminal, Middle East
Challenge:
Excessive echo in arrival concourse causing unclear PA announcements.
Solution:
Installed perforated metal ceiling panels with 50 mm mineral wool backing (NRC 0.70).
Added acoustic wall cladding in check-in and baggage claim areas.
Result:
Reduced RT60 from 2.8s to 1.4s, improving clarity of announcements and lowering passenger noise complaints.
Design Integration in Airports
Ceilings:
Suspended grid systems for terminals and lounges.
Walls:
Behind check-in counters and boarding gates for speech clarity.
Baggage Areas:
To reduce mechanical noise and crowd chatter.
Lounges:
Blended with wood or fabric finishes for premium aesthetics.
System Pairing for Maximum Acoustic Control
For complete airport noise control:
1
Perforated Metal Panels (NRC 0.70)
Reverberation reduction.
2
SoundBlanket® MLV (STC 32–36)
Installed in walls to block external runway noise.
3
BassBloc® (NRC 0.85)
Concealed in ceilings for effective low-frequency sound absorption.
4
Acoustic Baffles/Clouds
Suspended panels in high-ceiling zones.
FAQs
A: Yes. Panels can be powder-coated or printed to match airport aesthetics or branding.
A: Exterior-grade perforated panels with weather-resistant coating are available.
A: Proper installation can cut reverberation time by 40–60%, dramatically improving acoustic comfort.
Conclusion: Smart Acoustics for Modern Airports
Perforated metal panels are the gold standard for controlling noise and reverberation in airports. Combining NRC-rated performance (0.70) with durability, fire safety, and design flexibility, they ensure that terminals stay functional, comfortable, and compliant.
Contact MMT Acoustix today for airport-grade acoustic solutions, perforated metal panels, and design consultancy for terminals, lounges, and transport hubs.