Investigation into a Standardized Test Method for Measuring and Predicting Heavy Weight Impact Noise Transmission

Noise and vibration concerns from activity within fitness facilities, heavy weight impacts in particular, are commonplace. Products have been developed to mitigate impacts, but quantitative, comparable data of their effects is lacking since no standardized measurement method exists. Further, there is no standard for evaluating heavy weight impacts or for predicting noise and vibration levels in potentially affected spaces. The general assumption is that reduction in floor vibration from a mitigation approach, as measured immediately adjacent to the impact location, applies equally to resultant noise and vibration levels at other locations in the building. If this can be demonstrated, such measurements could provide a means for evaluating the effectiveness of a particular mitigation and potentially predicting noise and vibration levels prior to application of said mitigation. As the first step in creating such a method, the authors' previous research ["Field acoustical measurements of heavy weight impacts associated with weight drops in fitness centers", Paper 847, Proceedings of Inter-Noise 2015] determined the properties of suitable impact sources. This paper will present measurements of noise and vibration levels in spaces offset vertically, laterally, and diagonally from impact locations, with various flooring products, and evaluating the accuracy and repeatability of the measurement method.