Keraglass is committed to reducing occupational and environmental noise at its Bagneaux-sur-Loing plant. The programme created has led to tangible results.
Keraglass manufactures flat glass ceramic for cooking plates and fireplace inserts in its Bagneaux-sur-Loing plant. In 2012, the industrial manufacturer commissioned Cetim to perform an audit in order to comply with occupational and environmental noise regulations. Noise measurements and a thorough study of the texts specific to the glass manufacturing sector and to the site served to clarify the regulatory context and identify the target goals.
Acoustic antennas
A campaign was therefore initiated to measure the occupational noise. Operators were fitted with dosimeters and the occupational and environmental noise was monitored. An innovative noise monitoring technique was implemented outside using acoustic antennas. Therefore, the measurements served to model the noise inside and outside of the building. These models helped to devise noise abatement scenarios which led to several tangible actions such as soundproofing of four control cabinets and enhancement of the silencers on the building’s air vents. The installation of variators controlling the fans also made it possible to lower noise by 5 dB while reducing the energy bill.
A partnership
This cooperation with Cetim is scheduled to take place over several years and is a genuine partnership. “Their experts are willing to transmit their know-how and explain this highly-specific area”, stated Jean-Luc Hoffmann, Technical Manager at the plant. Cetim is now helping Keraglass to incorporate the noise reduction into its call for tenders to purchase machines and the development of new processes. Its experts are providing assistance in the design of the furnace and buildings for the new production line which will be launched in 2017.
Cetim has the necessary range of expertise to create a plan of action to foster compliance with occupational and environmental noise regulations. It possesses measurement and analysis equipment to model noise and to identify its sources in order to efficiently reduce noise.
