27 March 2006

AcoustiRACK® Cabinet - Power Without the Noise: Announcing the First Quiet Rackmount Cabinet to Deliver Serious Noise Reduction!

Acousti Products, a rapidly growing British company has developed a solution to the growing problem of computer noise experienced in many workplaces. After developing several successful product lines for quietening PCs, Acousti Products have turned their attention to the largely neglected issue of powerful but noisy rackmounted computer equipment.

Many people working close to noisy servers are vocal about how stressful the constant noise can be. The high-frequency whirring of cooling fans coupled with the drone of other components, produces a nerve-grating combination guaranteed to drive anyone to distraction. Studies show that working in a noisy office can significantly heighten stress levels and lower staff productivity.

Moreover, the problem is set to worsen as not only are faster, more powerful and therefore hotter and noisier systems being developed all the time, but stricter noise thresholds are now required by new EU legislation*.

A Solution to Noisy Rackmount Equipment

Acousti Products have tackled this problem with typical thoroughness and attention to detail. The quality steel and aluminium rackmount cabinet is specially designed to reduce unwanted server noise, and is lined with Acousti Products' unique dual-layer soundproofing material. In addition, the patent pending self-venting design aids cooling and Acousti Products have designed quality add-ons such as an assisted venting fan roof for cooling higher thermal loads.

Tests Show Dramatic Reduction in Noise

The result is a stylish and durable product of high quality, which delivers up to 90%** reduction in unwanted noise.

Independent tests show that housing noisy server equipment inside the cabinet can transform a working environment. For example, standing 1m away, it can make the difference between being unable to hold a conversation without shouting, to being able to hold a normal conversation without any difficulty. It is that dramatic!

Dr Jeremy Goodman, Technical Director, says, "The noise from some high-end servers can be intolerable, and this product can help many businesses, particularly where workers are sharing office space with rackmount equipment due to space limitations or other considerations."

The AcoustiRACK® 24U and 42U models are now currently available in the UK and across Europe, however, distribution partnerships are also still available worldwide. Acousti Products welcome contact from anyone interested in distributing or reselling the AcoustiRACK®. To find out more, or listen to an online mp3 demo showing the impressive noise reduction achieved by using the AcoustiRACK® visit www.acoustiproducts.com or call +44 (0)845 873 1143.

Notes to Editors:

*New Laws on Noise in the Workplace

According to the new European Directive for Noise Reduction in the Workplace, if for a part of the working day employees have to raise their voices to carry out a normal conversation when about 2m apart, then there could be a significant noise problem.

This new directive, introduced for all EU member states from February 2006 sets a new limit on acceptable levels of office noise. This new limit is significantly lower than the previous national legislation for the majority of these member states. You can see the UK comparison below:

	Previous UK Legislation	New European Legislation
Lower Action Level	85dB(A)	80dB(A)
Upper Action Level	90dB(A)	85dB(A)
Limit Value	None	87dB(A)

This reduction from 85dB(A) to 80dB(A) looks like a small difference in numbers, but actually represents a significant reduction in noise energy.

The new European directive aims to encourage employers to use equipment designed to reduce noise emissions and to ensure that their workplaces comply with the new directive.

Noise levels taken at close proximity to some high-end rackmounted equipment could easily exceed these limits and therefore require action by law. Even when noise levels do not exceed this, the character of the noise, such as the frequency (pitch), can cause problems with concentration and work output.

In an ideal environment you would replace any noisy equipment with inherently quiet alternatives. However, in the majority of cases this is not possible or practical. In these cases the European Directive suggests that soundproofed enclosures should be used to isolate the noise source.

**see www.acoustiproducts.com for independent test results.

Media Enquiries:

Bob Alexander
Marketing & Finance Director
Tel: +44 (0)845 873 1143
Email: bob.alexander@acoustiproducts.com

Jeremy Goodman
Technical Director
Tel: +44 (0)845 873 1143
Email: jeremy.goodman@acoustiproducts.com

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