Warehouse growth continues (January 2023)
The last few years made many people acutely aware of the impact that challenges to supply chain logistics can create. From empty spots on grocery store shelves, to delayed building supplies for repairs and new construction, to container ships being forced to wait outside of ports, most of us have felt the impact of a strained supply chain. Warehouses and trucking services are a vital part of the supply chain, facilitating the movement and storage of goods. In some areas existing warehouses have increased operations, sometimes expanding nighttime operations, while other areas have seen the construction of new warehouses. This is especially true in the Lehigh Valley, with an airport, and Amazon and FedEX distribution centers nearby. JMS Acoustics has recently assisted with noise complaints for several cold storage facilities, and a major distribution warehouse. In addition to having experience assisting clients with noise impact studies as part of the zoning and planing process, JMS Acoustics performs studies to determine compliance with local and state noise regulations. Most noise-related challenges of new warehouses are best addessed early during the planing phase, when berms and sound barriers, and other noise mitigation measures may be more readily incorporated into the facility design. In addition to providing noise impact studies, design and mitigation services for warehouse developers, JMS Acoustics also has experience providing application review services for local governments, and objection work on behalf of residents that may be impacted by warehouse related noise.
Moving power generation on campus (June 2015)
Both the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Naval Station Norfolk have recently completed design projects to increase on-site power co-generation capabilities. The NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is adding a new plant building containing an 8 MW Solar Taurus T70 gas turbine, a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG), and ancillary system equipment. An air-cooled fuel gas compressor will be located outdoors in a sound attenuated enclosure. Additionally, JMS Acoustics measured the existing daytime and nighttime sound levels, to quantify the potential acoustical impact of the proposed combined heat and power (CHP) plant at the nearest adjacent residential properties, and in the vicinity of the new plant on the NIST campus. The Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, is adding a new co-generation plant consisting of a 15 MW Solar Titan T130 gas turbine, a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG), and ancillary system equipment. Additionally, two 2.5 MW natural gas generators, and two 2.5 MW diesel generators, will be installed to bring the total plant capacity to 25 MW. An air-cooled fuel gas compressor will be located outdoors in a sound attenuated enclosure. JMS Acoustics worked with the design teams for both projects to provide full service acoustical consulting for the development of comprehensive sound mitigation measures for both sites.
Improving education through better classroom acoustics (December 2014)
The New Jersey School Development Authority (NJSDA) awarded Terminal Construction the design/build contract for the new Gloucester Elementary/Middle School in Gloucester City, NJ. JMS Acoustics is proud to be part of the design team. The NJSDA is using the ANSI/ASA S12.60-2010 Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design Requirements, and Guidelines for Schools as the guideline for the project, in addition to seeking LEED certification. As part of the project, JMS Acoustics will be consulting on the interior acoustics for core learning spaces, acoustical design of exterior building envelope for sound mitigation of aircraft noise, control of classroom mechanical system noise, and exterior community noise due to mechanical systems.
Michael Spencer provides expert testimony in Monroe County Court (April 2012)
JMS Acoustics completed measurements of the sound associated with the aeration operations at the Pleasant Valley School District's water treatment lagoons located at the Pleasant Valley Middle School in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania. J. Michael Spencer provided expert testimony in acoustics during the trial, which contributed to the school district's successful defense.
JMS Acoustics sees continued growth in the rental design market (February 2012)
The new year has brought continued growth in the number of rental projects currently under design at JMS Acoustics. Exciting projects include the acoustical design for several new open-web truss wood-framed communities, with retail components; two mid-rise luxury rental communities; and new modular wood-framed apartment building located near Temple University. Additional services on these projects include the mitigation of outdoor sound sources, sound and vibration recommendations for mechanical and plumbing systems, and noise control for back-up generators.
JMS Acoustics provides custom acoustical designs for new residential communities (September 2011)
JMS Acoustics has assisted numerous developers, architects and engineers with the acoustical design of apartments, condominiums and mixed-use developments. JMS Acoustics provides solutions for the sound isolation and impact isolation (STC and IIC) in all levels of multi-family communities. JMS Acoustics has specific experience in sound and impact isolation for both new and existing wood, concrete and metal-framed projects, including open web trusses, composite metal joists, plate concrete systems, and others. We provide the expert guidance to select the sound and vibration design and products appropriate for individual communities.JMS Acoustics assists in selecting locations for buildings, which reduce the noise exposure from nearby noise sources, and reduce the cost of exterior wall sound isolation. For areas were additional sound isolation is necessary, JMS Acoustics develops recommendations for facade sound isolation design, including walls, windows, and the roof, to achieve acceptable interior sound levels.
JMS Acoustics has recently provided acoustical design and testing services for numerous multifamily communities throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maryland. Our Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, office consults nationally.
JMS Acoustics can meet your challenging project needs using our unique acoustical assessment and modeling tools (February 2011)
JMS Acoustics uses modern instrumentation, such as Bruel & Kjaer's Type 2270 portable sound level analyzer. In addition to advanced sound pressure level measurement and analysis, the Type 2270 can be used to perform narrow band FFT measurements, building acoustics measurements to quantify reverberation times (RT60), sound transmission class (STC) and impact insulation class (IIC), and can be used for short and long duration indoor or outdoor sound level monitoring (LDN, DNL, Leq, SEL, CNR, MCNR, etc.). When used with JMS Acoustics' Norsonics Nor277 impact tapping machine, impact insulation class measurements (IIC) can be performed accurately and quickly in full accordance with the ASTM testing standards.In addition to the Type 2270 portable sound level analyzer, JMS Acoustics has many noise dosimeters to quantify employee noise exposure and assess your Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) compliance assessment needs. Unlike many industrial hygiene firms, we can also design the noise control measures to lower your employees' noise exposure, resulting in a safer and more productive work environment.
JMS Acoustics is an independent acoustical consulting firm specializing in sound and vibration (January 2011)
It is a great pleasure to share the exciting news that I have left Lewis S. Goodfriend & Associates and started my own acoustical consulting firm, JMS Acoustics, LLC. JMS Acoustics looks to continue and build upon the relationships forged with developers, builders, architects, engineers and other design professionals throughout the Northeast.JMS Acoustics would be interested in assisting you with the acoustical aspects of any of your current or future projects. If you have any questions about how JMS Acoustics can assist you on a specific project, please contact me. I look forward to the opportunity to working with you.
Best Regards,
J. Michael Spencer
President and Principal Consultant