A joint guide from Caice & LCP Acoustics
Modern Data Centres operate in tight urban and campus environments where noise, airflow and appearance must all perform flawlessly.
This detailed guide from Caice and LCP Acoustics explains how early collaboration between consultants, contractors and acoustic specialists can remove uncertainty, reduce risk, and maintain performance throughout design and delivery. Drawing on real UK Data Centre experience, it outlines proven methods to achieve compliance, secure planning approval and deliver long-term reliability.
Why this guide matters
When noise control, ventilation and architecture are handled together from the start, projects stay on track and within budget.
You will learn to apply BS 4142 receptor-based assessment correctly. Combine acoustic and airflow design to avoid over specification.
Integrate Weather Louvres and Acoustic Louvres seamlessly into façades. Meet visual impact and planning requirements. Protect programme certainty through tested, coordinated systems.
For Building Services Consultants
When noise control, ventilation and architecture are handled together from the start, projects stay on track and within budget.
Early Planning and BS 4142 Compliance
Engage acoustic specialists at concept stage to model site context and predict cumulative impacts. Use these insights to set realistic plant noise limits and create noise budgets that allow for redundancy and expansion.
Understand noise sources
Identify tonal and low-frequency risks from generators, fans and chillers. Specify attenuation where it delivers measurable benefit, and design screen geometry that preserves airflow at the true pinch point.
Balancing airflow and acoustics
Work with Caice to iterate airflow and acoustic models simultaneously. This ensures cooling resilience is protected while meeting external noise limits—without unnecessary fan upgrades or power penalties.
Visual integration planning
Architectural screening can make or break a planning submission. Weather Louvres conceal plant, align with façade grids and reduce perceived scale, achieving compliance and community acceptance.
Future-proofing and cumulative noise
Design with tomorrow in mind. Model additional plant, anticipate acoustic interaction between phases, and plan modular screening so new capacity can be added without re-approval.
For Building Services Contractors
On site, time and coordination are everything. The same design principles apply, but the actions differ.
Early Planning and BS 4142 Compliance
Confirm that acoustic criteria are fully documented in the tender stage. Coordinate with consultants and LCP Acoustics to verify design assumptions before procurement begins.
Understanding noise sources
Use verified data for all fan and generator selections. Cross-check that attenuation and louvre systems match the specified duty points, not generic catalogue ratings.
Balancing airflow and acoustics
Plan for physical interfaces between acoustic and weather louvres, screens and supports. Factor pressure-drop margins into commissioning allowances to prevent last-minute adjustments.
Visual integration planning
Ensure manufactured components maintain the approved façade appearance. Protect finishes, joints and seal continuity during installation to preserve planning compliance.
Future-proofing and cumulative noise
Document installed noise levels and maintain test records for future expansion phases. Provide feedback to consultants so models remain accurate for campus-wide assessments.
Testing, verification & sustainability
All design intent relies on proven data
Caice operates an in-house Thermal & Acoustic Test Laboratory, commissioned with BSRIA, where airflow and acoustic performance are verified under controlled conditions.
Rigorous product testing
Acoustic Louvres are fire-tested to BS EN 13501-1, and Weather Louvres are rated for rain rejection and free-area performance in accordance with EN 13030.
Reducing embodied carbon
At the Caice Production Centre, manufacturing efficiency reduces embodied carbon and ensures consistent quality. By consolidating design, fabrication and installation, transport waste and interface errors are minimised, supporting environmental goals and programme certainty.
A powerful partnership
- Acoustic Louvres, Weather Louvres, Attenuators and Enclosures
- Integrated design, manufacture and installation
- Proven Data Centre experience
- Independent acoustic consultancy
- BS 4142 assessments & modelling
- Planning noise compliance for Data Centres
“Caice’s creativity, enthusiasm and strong project management skills helped us to achieve precisely what we wanted, within our budget.”
- John Belton, Program Delivery Director, Infinity SDC
Data Centre success stories
Caice completes another Data Centre project in Berkshire
Bespoke Louvre Screens & secure Acoustic Doors setting a new standard for future Data Centre projects.
Caice delivers complex Acoustic Louvre installation for Yondr Data Centre
Complex acoustic and air movement solution within a dynamic and congested construction environment.
Seamless Acoustic Louvre integration for MCR2 Manchester Data Centre
Seamless Acoustic Louvres for noise control & architectural consistency.
Caice 3,000 m2 weather louvre screen for NTT DATA, Hemel Hempstead 4 Data Centre
Design, manufacture & installation of a 3,000 m2 weather louvre screen.
Here East Data Centre, East London
A unique engineering project featuring the supply and installation of our continuous line acoustic louvre system at Infinity Here East Data Centre in East London.
Thomson Reuters Data Centre, East India Docks, London
Working with our client KeyClad, Caice designed & installed a louvre system to screen generator and chiller plant equipment from view.
Data Centre resources
Useful links & documents
Still have questions?
Talk to our Data Centre specialists for integrated design, manufacture and installation of proven acoustic and visual screening systems that protect performance and uptime.