Introduction
A sound barrier that is poorly positioned or structurally undersized can hinder daily access to facilities, slow down technical work, and may result in non-compliance with safety route requirements.
The Groupe Boët worked with Schneider Electric at its Porte-de-Savoie site as part of the IPEM project to simultaneously meet these acoustic and operational requirements.
Addressing HVAC noise without disrupting operations
HVAC equipment installed at an industrial site generates noise emissions that must be controlled to comply with applicable regulatory limits. However, at a site operating continuously, noise reduction is only part of the requirements. Maintenance teams must maintain direct and secure access to the equipment without having to bypass the installed acoustic devices and without interrupting site operations during the work.
This dual requirement—acoustic performance and day-to-day usability—calls for an integrated approach, in which the structural framework of the acoustic system is designed in conjunction with the utility routes and maintenance access points.
Background: IPEM project at the Porte-de-Savoie site
Schneider Electric commissioned the Groupe Boët to provide acoustic treatment for the HVAC equipment at its Porte-de-Savoie site as part of the IPEM project. The challenge was to design a system capable of achieving a high levelof sound attenuation while preserving the equipment’s airflow performance and ensuring safe daily maintenance access at a site that remained operational throughout the duration of the work.
The project also involved a structural constraint: installing the acoustic screen required precise modifications to the existing support structure, including optimizing the foundations and verifying load transfer.
Solution: acoustic screen and suitable support structure
The Groupe Boët designed and installed a four-meter-high, three-sided acoustic screen built around the site’s HVAC equipment.
The solution utilizes BSP 60 sound-absorbing panels, which provide a sound reduction of 34 dB and a sound absorption coefficient of αw = 1.00, representing maximum absorption performance across the relevant frequency range.
The primary and secondary framework of the screen was constructed from galvanized steel, designed to accommodate the site’s specific conditions: optimizing existing concrete footings, adding additional structural posts, verifying load-bearing capacities, and installing chemical anchors. A technical walkway made of galvanized grating, equipped with a staircase and guardrails, was integrated into the structure to ensure safe access to the HVAC equipment without having to go around the acoustic screen.
The Groupe Boët relies on ISO 9001 and ISO 19443-certified manufacturing processes, which are applied here through a 3D design approach that integrates acoustics, structure, and maintenance access into a single, cohesive system—from design through installation.
Results: Acoustic compliance and secure maintenance access
The installation of the acoustic screen has enabled the project to achieve its target acoustic compliance, with a sound reduction of 34 dB and optimal sound absorption thanks to the BSP 60 panels. The airflow performance of the HVAC equipment remains fully intact. Daily maintenance access is now secured via the integrated service walkway, eliminating the need to go around the acoustic structure.
The Porte-de-Savoie site remained operational throughout the construction period. The solution delivered is ready for immediate use, with no additional adjustment phase required after installation.
An integrated approach to HVAC projects at industrial sites
This project for Schneider Electric illustrates the Groupe Boët’s approach to operational industrial sites: integrating acoustic, structural, and operational constraints into a single technical solution from the design phase onward, rather than addressing these aspects separately. For any noise control project involving HVAC equipment in an industrial setting, contact the Groupe Boët to evaluate a solution tailored to your site’s specific requirements.