Construction sites are places where all sorts of activities are going on: welding, sawing, drilling, hammering, and the like. If in use, air compressors also contribute a lot to this noise, but sometimes we bear the noise due to the importance and variety of their applications to the detriment of our hearing.
For construction engineers, supervisors, or contractors, there is a need to protect their workers from all the noise that comes from on-site activities and not making it worse by introducing air compressors that work at 80 decibels and above. Silent air compressors that work at around 40 decibels, which is about as loud as a conversation, should be seen to reduce the noise problem.
Towable and portable air compressors are common pieces of equipment found at construction sites all around the world. As an energy source, compressed air is used because it supplies reliable and efficient output that can be used to power pneumatic tools like drills, air guns, jackhammers, etc.

How Do Air Compressors Work?

Air compressors receive air at atmospheric pressure and convert it into denser, highly pressurized air. An advantage air-powered tools have over their electric counterparts in that they are lighter, easier to use, safer and because of less working parts, generally requiring less maintenance.
The work air compressors usually occur in three stages; Air intake, Air pressurization, and Air release. How compressors work is their basis for their classification. Air compressors can be broken into two types – positive displacement compressors and dynamic compressors.

Positive Displacement Compressors

Positive displacement compressors work by drawing air into one or more of the compression chambers, then shut off from an inlet. The chamber volume decreases, thereby increasing the pressure of the air.

Dynamic Compressors

These compressors employ dynamic compression, otherwise known as turbo compression. In this mechanism, the air is pulled through a rapidly rotating compression impeller’s blades, which accelerates the air to a high velocity. The gas is then passed through a diffuser, and the kinetic energy is transformed into static pressure.

Application of Air Compressors in the Construction Industry

Besides protecting users and people in the surrounding environment from hearing impairment, low noise air compressors can power lots of other equipment used in the construction industry that include but are not limited to the following.

Jackhammers and Drilling Equipment

Jackhammers and other drilling equipment use compressed air as energy sources to break up rocks and pavement; they can also be used for landscaping, reaming, tapping holes, and countersinking.

Impact Wrenches

Quiet air compressors are used to provide the power needed for impact wrenches where accurate torque is required to loosen or tighten nuts and bolts and fasteners. 

Grinders

This equipment uses compressed air to achieve the high-speed rotation needed for grinding abrasive materials.

Sanders

Sanders also makes use of pressurized air to smooth surfaces in construction jobs.

Nail guns

Once again, this equipment makes use of compressed air to drive nails into wood.

Selecting an Air Compressor for Construction

When sourcing for air compressors like any other equipment, it is important to consider a few factors to make it easier for you to pick those that fit your needs. Some factors worth considering include.

CFM Requirements

CFM means cubic feet per minute, which determines the volume the compressor can work at. It also determines what power tools the compressor will be able to provide energy for. For instance, an air compressor required for general use will usually require 0 to 5 CFM at 70 – 90 psi (pounds per square inch).

Power Type

It is important to note that the power source type of air compressor influences its decibel output. Gas-powered options are usually the loudest because of their engine mechanism, while some of the quiet air compressors are usually electrically powered.
For construction applications, your compressor must be small and compact enough to allow for easy towing while still being powerful enough to supply the flow of compressed air needed to power your equipment.

Noise

Quiet air compressors are the most beneficial for use in urban areas as they cause less disturbance. Even at that, for your safety and those working with you, low noise air compressors are the way to go.

Qualities of a Silent Air Compressor

More people and industries seek quieter compressors for protection as prolonged exposure to sound levels can cause immediate or permanent hearing impairment called noise-induced hearing loss.
A list of qualities for a silent air compressor will go a long way to aiding you when you will like to purchase one.

Sound Dampening

On most compressors, if you take a look at the pump and notice it is unshielded, it will lead to an unrestricted blast of noise to your ears. Quiet compressor strategically utilized dampening pads to reduce the amount of vibration and mitigate the compressor’s sound.

Rubber Components

The more metal components a compressor has, the louder the compressor gets. Due to vibration, these metal parts could make the compressor noisier than it is as they amplify the sound of the compressor.

Oil-free

Oil-free compressors were previously thought to be noisier than their oil-injected counterparts, but contrary to popular belief, these compressors can be very quiet. Medical, food and dental industries use them because they produce clean air.