An Overview of the Draft ASTM Heavy/Hard Object Field Impact Test Standard

Noise and vibration from gyms and fitness centers is a significant and growing issue in building acoustics. One of the primary noise sources associated with gyms is impacts from dropped weights such as dumbbells, kettlebells, and barbells. The current test standards using the tapping machine and rubber ball do not adequately address the significant forces imparted into the building structure by dumbbells and the like. An ASTM work group is currently developing a new field test standard for impacts from heavy/hard objects. Heavy/hard objects such as dumbbells are the focus of the standard since they typically are the most significant sources of impact noise. Other objects and activities, such as box jumps, tire flips, battle ropes, and medicine balls, may be covered in a future appendix. Currently, the draft focuses on standardizing the impact objects, drop heights, and measurement metrics, and emphasizes reporting as much information as possible so that the data collected may be used to improve the test methodology and standard. The paper will present further details of the proposed standard, as well as an overview of papers used to guide the standard's development.