Specialty
Noise / Vibration
SECTOR
Municipal
TYPE
Environmental Study
CLIENTELE
Private Sector
TIMESPAN
2013LOCATION
Lexington, MA
Project Number:
3758Condominium Noise Complaint Investigation
SERVICE:
Sound Study
DESCRIPTION:
Tech performed a noise assessment of a condominium complex in which neighbors on the second floor of the building were complaining about the noise from a fitness center, located on the third floor of the building. The site visit by Tech included conducting noise monitoring at the fitness center and in the condo that was located directly below the fitness center. The measurements were done with and without the fitness room in use. Inside of the condo, when the fitness room was in use, it was clear to Tech's engineer that the sounds were intrusive, with the treadmill similar to that of shoes in a dryer. The increase between the sound levels measured when the fitness room was vacant and those when the fitness room was in use was roughly 20 dBA, representing a quadrupling of sound. Tech provided mitigation recommendations to install a floating floor system that would allow the transfer of sound and vibration to spring coupler units, rather than to the inside of the condominium.
Key Points
- Tech was asked to collect sound measurements inside a condo units that was located directly below a fitness center.
- Tech collected a series of measurements inside the unit while the fitness room was empty and while it was in use. Because the sound level increase inside the condo was very noticeable, recommendations were made to install a floating floor system.