The ASHRAE HVAC Applications Handbook:

What Building Owners and Engineers Should

Know About Noise and Vibration
Steve Wise
Wise Associates
Madison, WI
608-233-7683

stevewise@att.net
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Presentation Title

1/24/2010

5/11/2007
1

Owners
*Beware that HVAC Equipment Makes Noise
*Set acceptable noise level specifications

Equipment Suppliers
*How to provide useful acoustical data

Architects
*Understand noise transmission in construction options

HVAC Engineers
*Maintain noise control design vigilance

Contractors
*Avoid value-engineering acoustical pitfalls
*Understand
impactIDofhere
subtle installation
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CHAPTER 47 - NOISE AND VIBRATION CONTROL

Data Reliability
Acoustical Design of HVAC Systems
Indoor and Outdoor Sound Criteria
Basic Acoustical Design Techniques
Source Sound Levels
Fans
Terminal Units
Rooftop Mounted Air Handlers
Aerodynamic Sound in DuctsRoom Air Devices (GRD)
Chillers / Compressors
Emergency Generators
Path Noise Estimation and Control
Plenums
Ducts, Branches and End Reflections
Duct Silencers
Duct Sound Radiation ( Breakout and Breakin)
Receiver Room Sound Correction

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Path Noise Estimation and Control (continued)

Mechanical Equipment Room Sound Isolation
Special Construction Types
Floating Floors and Barrier Ceilings
Sound Transmission in Return Air Systems
Sound Transmission Through Ceilings
Sound Control for Outdoor Equipment
Fume Hood Duct Design
HVAC Noise Reduction Design Procedures
Vibration Isolation and Control
Vibration Measurements and Criteria
Specification of Vibration Isolation
Internal Versus External Isolation
Isolation of Vibration and Noise in Piping Systems
Seismic Protection
Vibration Investigations
Room Noise Measurements,
Commissioning
Trouble-Shooting
References / Resources

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DATA RELIABILITY
Data in this chapter comes from both from consulting
experience and research studies. Use caution when
applying the data, especially for situations that
extrapolate from the framework of the original research.
Although specific uncertainties cannot be stated for each
data set, the sound levels or attenuation data are
probably within 2 dB of measured or expected results.
However, significantly greater variations may occur,
especially in low frequency ranges and particularly in
the 63 Hz octave band. Specific data sets may have a
wide uncertainty range, but experience suggests that, if
done correctly, system estimates that combine data sets
usually
compare
about 5 dB of measured levels.
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Sources of Noise
or Vibration
Where to get data,
or how to estimate it

Paths of
Transmission
How to identify and
evaluate them

Sound Level
at Receiver Location
What is desired, and what will result

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Path A:
Path B:
Path C:
Path D:
Path E:

Structureborne through floor

Airborne through supply air system
Duct breakout from supply air duct
Airborne through return air system
Airborne through MER wall

Typical
of Noise
Transmission
from
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HVAC Systems
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Sound Levels From Various HVAC Noise Sources

70

Total
60
50
40
30

Fans / AHUs
Fan coils / VAVs

20

Grilles / Diffusers
10
31.5

63

125

250

500

1000

2000

4000

Octave Band Frequency (Hz)

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Guidelines for HVAC-Related Background Sound in Rooms

RC(N) (QAI <5 dB)

Room Types / Uses

Residences, Apartments, Condos
Bathrooms, kitchens, utility space

25 to 35
30 to 40

Performing Arts Spaces

Drama theaters, concert and recital halls
Music teaching studios
Music practice rooms

25
25
30 to 35

Office Buildings
Executive and private offices
Conference rooms
Teleconference rooms
Open-plan offices
With sound masking
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Corridors
andCompany
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25 to 35
25 to 35
<25
<40
<35
40 to 45
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Guidelines for HVAC-Related Background Sound in Rooms

RC(N) (QAI <5 dB)

Room Types / Uses

Residences, Apartments, Condos
Bathrooms, kitchens, utility space

25 to 35
30 to 40

Performing Arts Spaces

Drama theaters, concert and recital halls
Music teaching studios
Music practice rooms

25
25
30 to 35

Office Buildings
Executive and private offices
Conference rooms
Teleconference rooms
Open-plan offices
With sound masking
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andCompany
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25 to 35
25 to 35
<25
<40
<35
40 to 45
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Noise Criteria (NC) Curves

90
80
70

Room Noise is NC 43
NC-65

Sound Pressure Level (dB)

60

NC-60
NC-55

50

NC-50
NC-45

40

NC-40
NC-35

30

NC-30
NC-25

20

NC-20
NC-15

10
0
63

125

250

500

1000

2000

4000

8000

Octave Band Frequency (Hz)

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A - clearly noticeable vibrations

90

B - mildly noticeable vibrations

Room Criteria (RC) Curves

A
80
B

Rumbly

Sound Pressure Level (dB)

70

60

Room Noise is RC 35 rumbly

RC Rating Curve

50

RC55
RC50

40

RC45
RC40
30

RC35

RC-35

RC30

20

RC25
RC20

10

LF

MF

HF

0
16

31

63

125

250

500

1000

2000

4000

Octave Band Frequency (Hz)

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Guidelines for HVAC-Related Background Sound (2011?)

RC/NC dBA dBC

Room Types / Uses

Residences, Apartments, Condos
Bathrooms, kitchens, utility space

30
35

35
40

55
60

Performing Arts Spaces

Drama theaters, concert and recital halls
Music teaching studios
Music practice rooms

25
25
30

30
30
35

50
50
55

Office Buildings
Executive and private offices
Conference rooms
Teleconference rooms
Open-plan offices
With sound masking
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andCompany
lobbiesID here

30
30
25
40
35
45

35
35
30
45
40
50
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55
55
50
65
60
1270

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Sound Source

Path No.

Circulating fans; grilles; registers; diffusers; unitary equipment in room

1
Induction coil and fan-powered VAV mixing units
1, 2
Unitary equipment located outside of room served; remotely located air-handling equipment, 2, 3
such as fans, blowers, dampers, duct fittings, and air washers
Compressors, pumps, and other reciprocating and rotating equipment (excluding air4, 5, 6
handling equipment)
Cooling towers; air-cooled condensers
4, 5, 6, 7
Exhaust fans; window air conditioners
7, 8
Sound transmission between rooms
9, 10
No. Transmission Paths
Noise Reduction Methods
1 Direct sound radiated from sound source to ear
Direct sound can be controlled only by selecting
quiet equipment.
Reflected sound from walls, ceiling, and floor
Reflected sound is controlled by adding sound
absorption to room and to equipment location.
2 Air- and structureborne sound radiated from casings
Design duct and fittings for low turbulence; locate
and through walls of ducts and plenums is
high-velocity ducts in noncritical areas; isolate
transmitted through walls and ceiling into room
ducts and sound plenums from structure with
neoprene or spring hangers.

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Ceiling/Plenum/Room Attenuations in dB for Generic Ceiling

in T-Bar Suspension Systems
Tile Type
Mineral fiber
Glass fiber
Glass fiber
with TL
backing
Gypsum
board tiles
Solid gypsum
board ceiling
Double layer
of gypsum
board
Mineral fiber
tiles,
concealed
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NO
mount.

Density,
lb/ft2

Thickness,
in.

63

Octave Midband Frequency, Hz

125
250
500 1000 2000

1
0.5
0.1
0.6
0.6

0.625
0.625
0.625
2
2

13
13
13
14
14

16
15
16
17
17

18
17
15
18
18

20
19
17
21
22

26
25
17
25
27

31
30
18
29
32

36
33
19
35
39

1.8

0.50

14

16

18

18

21

22

22

1.8

0.50

18

21

25

25

27

27

28

2.3
3.7

0.625
1

20
24

23
27

27
31

27
31

29
33

29
33

30
34

4.5
0.5 to 1

1-1/2
0.625

26
20

29
23

33
21

33
24

35
29

35
33

36
34

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4000

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Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Transmission Loss Values of

Typical Mechanical Equipment Room Wall, Floor, and Ceiling Types,
Octave Midband Frequency, Hz
dB
63
125
250
500 1000 2000 4000
Room Construction Type
STC
8 in. CMU*
8 in. CMU with 5/8 in. GWB* on
furring strips
5/8 in. GWB on both sides of 3 5/8
in. metal studs
5/8 in. GWB on both sides of 3 5/8
in. metal studs with fiberglass
insulation in cavity
2 layers of 5/8 in. GWB on both
sides of 3 5/8 in. metal studs with
fiberglass insulation in cavity
Double row of 3 5/8 in. metal studs,
1 in. apart, each with 2 layers of 5/8
in. GWB and fiberglass insulation in
cavity
6 in. solid concrete floor/ceiling
6 in. solid concrete floor with 4 in.
isolated concrete slab and
fiberglass insulation in cavity
6 in. solid concrete floor with two
layers of 5/8 in. GWB hung on
spring isolators with fiberglass
insulation in cavity

50

35

35

41

44

50

57

64

53

33

32

44

50

56

59

65

38

18

16

33

47

55

43

47

49

16

23

44

58

64

52

53

56

19

32

50

62

67

58

63

64

23

40

54

62

71

69

74

53

40

40

40

49

58

67

76

72

44

52

58

73

87

97

100

84

53

63

70

84

93

104

105

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LENGTHY SECTION ON TYPES OF VIBRATION ISOLATORS

Note 22. Steel springs are the most popular and versatile isolators for HVAC applications
because they are available for almost any deflection and have a virtually unlimited life.
Spring isolators may have a rubber acoustical barrier to reduce transmission of highfrequency vibration and noise that can migrate down the steel spring coil. They should be
corrosion-protected if installed outdoors or in a corrosive environment. The basic types
include:
Note 23. Open spring isolators (type 3) consist of top and bottom load plates with
adjustment bolts for leveling equipment. Springs should be designed with a horizontal
stiffness of at least 80% of the vertical stiffness (kx/ky) to ensure stability. Similarly, the
springs should have a minimum ratio of 0.8 for the diameter divided by the deflected
spring height.
Note 24. Restrained spring isolators (type 4) have hold-down bolts to limit vertical as
well as horizontal movement. They are used with (a) equipment with large variations
in mass (e.g., boilers, chillers, cooling towers) to restrict movement and prevent strain
on piping when water is removed, and (b) outdoor equipment, such as condensing
units and cooling towers, to prevent excessive movement due to wind loads. Spring
criteria should be the same as open spring isolators, and restraints should have
adequate clearance so that they are activated only when a temporary restraint is
needed.
Closed mounts, or Housed spring isolators consist of two telescoping housings
separated by a resilient material. These provide lateral snubbing and some vertical
damping of equipment movement, but do not limit the vertical movement. Care
should be taken in selection and installation to minimize binding and short-circuiting.

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AerodynamicallyGeneratedSoundinDucts
Aerodynamic sound is generated when airflow turbulence occurs at duct elements such as duct
fittings, dampers, air modulation units, sound attenuators, and room air devices. For details on air
modulation units and sound attenuators, see the sections on Variable Air Volume Systems and
Duct Silencers.
Table 3 Maximum Recommended Duct Airflow Velocities to Achieve Specified
Acoustic Design Criteria
Maximum Airflow Velocity,
fpm (m/s)
Main Duct Location
In shaft or above drywall ceiling

Above suspended acoustic ceiling

Duct located within occupied space

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Design
RC(N)

Rectangular
Duct
Circular Duct

45

3500

5000

35

2500

3500

25

1700

2500

45

2500

4500

35

1750

3000

25

1200

2000

45

2000

3900

35

1450

2600

25

950

1700

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Path Element Sound Calculation Reference

Description

Data Source Reference

Supply air fan, 7000 cfm, 2.5 in. of water

22 in. dia., 90 rad. unlined elbow
22 44 in. long sound attenuator
22 in. dia., 8 ft long unlined duct
10 in. dia. branch, 22 in. dia. main, branch path
10 in. dia. branch, 22 in. dia. main, main path
10 in. dia., 6 ft long unlined duct
VAV terminal
10 in. dia., 2 ft long unlined duct
10 in. dia., 90 rad. unlined elbow
10 in. dia. diffuser, end reflection
15 15 in. rectangular diffuser
ASHRAE room correction: point source

Manufacturers data
Attenuation: Table 18
Manufacturers data
Attenuation: Table 11
Attenuation: Table 22
Attenuation: Table 22
Attenuation: Table 11
Manufacturers data
Attenuation: Table 11
Attenuation: Table 18
Attenuation: Table 24
Manufacturers data
Equation (22), Tables 32 and 33

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Slide 19

Estimated Sound Level Build-Up in Mechanical

Rooms for ARI 575 Chiller Sound Levels
Example:
For ARI 575 test area 15 x 30 x 10
and a room area 30 x 40 x 16
Area ratio =19200/4500 = 4.25

If the room is LIVE (block walls)

the sound level could be 13 dB
louder than ARI submittal sound
rating.
Absorptive wall treatments may
reduce the sound by 10 dB+.

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Troubleshooting (Oops)
Determining Problem Source
Fans, Diffusers, etc.
Determining Problem Type
Noise or Vibration
Testing Vibration Isolator Systems
Floor Flexibility Problems
Vibration Isolation System Resonance
Building Resonances
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Slide 21