To mitigate noise levels inside buildings, the solutions will be:

• Design Solutions
• Engineered Solutions
• Acoustic Materials
• Management Solutions

In some cases it will be a combination of all three elements.

The Harmful effects of Noise on Dogs and People
When constructing new kennels, the number of kennels, design and choice of materials used will have the most noticeable effect on how the dogs react in the kennel, to staff, visitors and other dogs.  Traditionally, typical kennels were and still are extremely noisy places; they are not pleasant to visit and create enormous amounts of stress for the dogs.

The good news is that there are designs and materials that can make significant improvements in reducing noise and stress to all concerned.  The only disadvantage is that these are initially more expensive.

Reducing noise is just one of the many reasons why we advocate the construction of few kennels that are more home-like,
and stress-reducing.

The initial capital cost will be higher, but the long-term benefits will more than compensate.

Designs that reduce noise levels automatically improve the quality of the building environment for all concerned - dogs and people, and makes life so much more pleasant.  It's a win-win situation.

Design Solutions

Choose a single-line design that is purpose-built
Ideally you should look at the single line design to reduce dog stress and therefore noise as much s possible.  Design is the critical area and, if finances allow, you should look at a new, purpose-built building rather than adapting an existing one.

Offset Kennels
If you must have a double-line design, offset the kennels as much as possible so dogs do not look into each other.

Dogs should not face other dogs
Do you have external exercise runs that face other exercise areas?  This can be a major source of noise with dogs able to see each other, particularly if animals are constantly being moved around.  If so, look at installing visual barriers such as fencing, landscaping etc.

Glass not bars
Look at using glazed doors instead of bars.  You will find it quite astonishing just how much more relaxed the dogs are.  Even without finding scientific data to support this, it is evident when you compare the two systems.  Think of the kennel compartment as a ‘complete room' with full-height dividing walls running up to ceiling level.

Zone the building
Try to break up the building into smaller compartments using solid walls and doors.  Ideally, there should be no more than 10 kennels in any one section.  Some organisations have brought this figure down to six kennels.

Zone the sections
Try to keep ancillary activities separate from the kennel work.  Install separation doors into the buildings to reduce the amount of disturbance to other areas.  Ideally these should be solid, half hour fire-resistant doors; these are durable and will help protect the building and animals in the event of a fire.  These doors should be fitted with an overhead closing device to ensure they function as fire doors; this will also help reduce the noise breakout as it is an automatic system and lessens the chances of doors being left open.  Ensure the doors have vision panels for safety.

Solid partition walls
Try to construct partitions/dividing walls between kennels out of solid concrete block; this will help reduce the transmission of noise between sections/buildings.

Home-like rooms
Think of making the kennel more like a room by adding full height walls and a ceiling.  Even a lightweight suspended ceiling will make the kennel feel more room-like, private and secure so dogs settle much more easily.

Avoid long straight corridors
Long, linear corridors increase the amount of excitability of the dogs within the building due   to them being aware of staff/visitors, but not able to see them.  Long, straight corridors can also act as ‘handrails' for noise.  As noise travels less effectively round corners, anything that can break up the flow is advantageous.  Think of adding a kitchen or separation door midway to achieve this.

Use acoustic material
Use acoustic ceiling tiles to help absorb noise.  Vinyl flooring in corridors will also help - although smooth, it is not a ‘hard' surface and therefore does not bounce noise around so much.

Engineering Solutions

Do not use metal partitions
Look at the construction of the building. Do you have metal divisions/partitions?  These can generate HIGH levels of noise and increase the reverberation times.  It is strongly advised to avoid meal divisions, but, if you must, the only way to help combat some of the high noise levels produced by this type is to sandwich a layer of polystyrene/polyurethane between sheets

Glazing thickness
Use a minimum of 6mm thick glass, or double-glazed kennels.

Dog doors/hatches - avoid metal
Use plastic type sliding hatches instead of single sheet metal.

Add a ceiling to kennels
Add a plasterboard ceiling with an overlay of insulation quilt.  A secondary installation of an acoustic ceiling tile under the plasterboard would

Acoustic Materials
The installation of acoustic materials to the ceiling and any high-level areas will act as highly efficient sound absorbers, ie a reduction of sound within the room and a reduction in reverberation times.

Most of the proprietary ceiling tiles used in the kennel environment use similar materials and construction methods, ie a glass wool backing with a decorative microporous surface, laid in a suspended grid.  The materials used also increase the insulation within the building.  The tiles should have an overlay of insulation quilt.

• The tiles should have the following properties:
• A thickness of between 25-40mm
• A moisture resistance of at least 90%
• A decorative finish suitable for cleaning with a cloth.  Products are available that will withstand cleaning by pressure washing but these are expensive and are normally reserved for areas requiring high levels of hygiene such as food preparation rooms in commercial suppliers.
• A product with a light coloured finish.  The majority of tiles used are white, as this offers the highest level of light reflection.  However, most of the larger manufacturers only offer tiles in a limited range of pastel colours.

Management Solutions

• Change metal feeding bowls for plastic; it is surprising how much noise is generated by dogs pushing bowls around the floor, or by staff dropping a metal bowl.  If a dog will not eat from a metal bowl, but will accept food by hand - it may be that the dog is afraid of the bowl as it is so noisy.  Try changing to ceramic, plastic or rubber-footed bowls.
• Look at your management systems, minor changes here can help reduce noise (eg do visitors really need to see all the dogs, can you provide staff and separate visitor zones.
• Change metal mop buckets to plastic to help reduce noise.
• Do you have noise-producing equipment in the kennel building (eg boilers, laundry equipment or ventilation fans?).  Old equipment is not only less efficient than new, it also tends to be noisier.
• Have strict opening and closing times.  This provides quiet times for the dogs, and a routine for dogs and people.
• Look at building higher quality, larger size, higher fee kennels with a reduction in the overall numbers.
• Can you manage the dogs more effectively?  For example in outside exercise paddocks, allow only certain areas of access at any one time to reduce negative excitement (barking and excitement due to frustration and stress).
• Improve your environment and behavioural enrichment program.  A happy, relaxed, physically and mentally enriched dog is less likely to bark.

Conclusion

For older buildings that have been converted or are of a poor quality and standard, it might be cheaper and more cost effective in the long term to think about replacing these with kennels.  Again, this all needs to be part of your business philosophy and statement.  Correct design and specification will go a long way to help resolving your problems.

Source: Kennel Design by David Key