Acoustician

The acoustician is the specialist for the domain of science and techniques related to the study of acoustic vibrations and concerning their production, propagation and effects in relation to different needs of the industry (this domain is basing an important part of the activity of ITS).

As appropriate, being acoustician may involve the recourse to different areas of expertise:

• acoustic metrology, when it comes to quantifying the noise emissions of a noise source (machinery, equipment, ...) or the performance of products or construction systems in a laboratory or on site (materials for sound insulation, partitions, silencers ...) or the performance of sets such as enclosures (acoustic hoods), premises and buildings (in terms of sound insulation or in terms of reverberation) or when it comes to the characterization of an acoustic situation (e.g. the source of a discomfort) in accordance with applicable standards
• modeling, when it comes to simulate the performance of products or construction systems (materials for acoustic insulation, walls, silencers ...) or the performance of sets such as enclosures (acoustic hoods), premises and buildings (in terms of sound insulation or in terms of reverberation) or the impact of a noise source for a given environment
• construction technologies (metal, wood, masonry ...) including the selection of products and construction systems (for sound insulation or soundproofing equipment or for reverberation control systems) possibly in the context of the construction / refurbishment of buildings with the management of related features in connection with the building process (mechanical strength, fire performance, thermal insulation, ...) and with the mastering of technical implementation according to applicable regulations, guidelines and rules of the Art
• knowledge of various industrial processes involving equipment generating specific constraints and sometimes antagonistic with respect to acoustics (e.g. those linked to aerodynamics in general and to the treatment of hot or cold gas flows in particular in the area of energy or for test benches and testing rooms), and of the physics of heat transfer (in the field of production of heat, cooling, ...)
• familiarity with various industrial noise sources (machinery & equipment of all types) and with related requirements for example in terms of ergonomics with respect to many projects related to the fight against noise at work (for accounting in a correct way constraints related to the tasks of production and maintenance)

In relation to the activities of an acoustician (as the human ressource of ITS), diagnosis (if necessary based on acoustic measurements) of situations of noise pollution (sound disturbance to neighbors, noise in the workplace, etc ...) or of discomfort in terms of acoustics (poor quality of constructions, occurrence of exceeded noise limits) research and recommendation of solutions in terms of soundproofing or acoustic comfort, supply of sound insulation materials and equipment (standard or custom), acoustic insulation design and works (of current technicity or high tech) turnkey with guaranteed results for a single project (e.g. in relation to the end user of a noisy real estate good or equipment) or for recurring needs (e.g. in relation to builders: support for developing industrialized solutions to fight against noise or for acoustic comfort): possible means of intervention of ITS with respect to all projects in relation to acoustics are as varied as the needs.

The acoustician can intervene in the context of projects related to a new construction or to a rehabilitation. The customer of the acoustician can be the designer of a machine or of a building, its builder or its user.To all, ITS acoustician can provide answers to all questions related to the issues related to soundscapes.

In order to be able to carry out the missions likely to be entrusted to him, in the industry sector as in the construction sector, the acoustician can usefully have followed a formation:

• in physical measurements (instrumental techniques) in relation to the realization of the measurements which are often an important step of a project: e.g. before soundproofing (to characterize an acoustic situation which, often, is problematic) or after, to evaluate the effectiveness of the improvement actions implemented. In France, two-year Higher Education (after baccalaureate) is appropriate to acquire the basic skills necessary to be operational and, later, to be able to follow the additional training (sometimes: self-training) required to take into account the technological improvements in the field of acoustic metrology
• in physical sciences: in acoustics of course, but also in fluid mechanics, aeraulics, thermal transfers, computer science, mechanical design in connection with the participation in projects often involving multidisciplinary skills. In France, there are five-year Higher Education (after baccalaureate) courses available (in engineering schools or at universities), preparing acousticians for their future studies, future engineering work e.g. consulting, calculations, R & D work, simulation software development, and also to future upgrades (often: continuously) of their knowledge and skills that will be made necessary, in the various technical and scientific fields related to acoustics, as and when evolution of experience results, theories, or productions of norms and regulations.

ITS's human resource has followed such in terms trainings for being of acoustician and has diplomas attesting to it. She periodically follow sessions to upgrade its skills. She is regularly informed of international publications related to acoustics illustrating the progress of the profession.

In relation with its national and international business partners, ITS actively participate in the preservation of our sound environment and in the improvement of our living conditions, for which acoustic comfort,  of which the acoustician is the guarantor, constitutes a major ambient factor.