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Stewart LZcoustical Consultants Post Office Box 30461 nds@stewartacousticalconsultants.com Raleigh, NC 27622 919-781-8824 WHAT IS AN ACOUSTICAL CONSULTANT? After Wallace Clement Sabine discovered the principles of modern architectural acoustics around 1900, he was sought for his advice on the design of new buildings and the solution of problems in existing buildings. Fifty years later, the challenge of acoustical design for a new United Nations headquarters brought the formation of a firm that became a model for the modern acoustical consulting firm. Today, approximately 1400 individual members of the Acoustical Society of America indicate a primary interest in azchitectural acoustics or noise. About half are regularly available as consultants. Many of those involved in noise control are also members of the Institute of Noise Control $ngineering. Most qualified consultants work for one. of the approximately 130 member firms of the National Council of Acoustical Consultants. Acoustical consultants use a combination of scientific theory, experimental data, experience, and judgment to analyze new problems and provide advice. Sometimes answers to common problems can be immediate. However, most of the problems we face require measurements or mathematical analysis or both. The diverse backgrounds, specialties, and services among consultants can make it hazd to find the best consultant for some projects. Acoustical consultants should be selected based on a careful comparison of their qualifications and services with the needs of the project. ' The work of most acoustical consultants is properly limited to questions related to acoustics. Acoustical consultants aze not usually fully knowledgeable of requirements in building codes and other technical matters. Other professionals should be involved in projects as appropriate and necessary. WHY STEWART ACOUSTICAL CONSULTANTS? The primary goal of this firm is to meet the needs for quality services in azchitectural acoustics, occupational noise, and environmental noise among our clients primarily in the Cazolinas and southern Virginia. We concentrate full-time in acoustics and noise control. We are especially ' knowledgeable of people, environment, traditional industries and building practices of this region. We believe this knowledge of the region and our location near our clients is a major advantage. We maintain advanced instruments for the, measurement and analysis of sound. Our active participation in technical, professional, and standards organizations provides contacts and current technical knowledge of developments in our field. While we specialize in acoustics and noise control, we are general practitioners serving the primary needs of the region. We do encounter some projects requiring specialists or that are too lazge for us to handle within schedule constraints. If appropriate, we can subcontract specialists or other firms to assist with projects. If a project should be under the direction of a specialist, we can refer you to appropriate firms and people. 62 We also strive to control costs for our clients by doing and chazging far only the work requested. While we welcome and need larger jobs as our primary revenue source, we accept much-smaller jobs than many acoustical consulting firms to serve the regional needs.