Testing vibration levels on floors in a chemistry laboratory building

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) purchased a monochromator for the Meyerhoff Chemistry Building. Measurement using a monochromator is sensitive to vibrations. Test data may become contaminated due to excessive vibration levels. UMBC contracted to measure the ambient vibration levels on two floors of the Chemistry Building. The objective of the measurements was to evaluate building structural vibration levels that may adversely affect the precision instrumentation. The highest vibration levels of day and time was identified. Vibration measurements were conducted in rooms on the fourth and first floors. Vibration level data was acquired for fifteen test points across two floors in each of three directions. Measured vibration levels were highest on the fourth floor of the building in the normal direction to the floor surface. In general, the vibration levels on the ground floor were significantly lower than the levels on the fourth floor. The vibration levels at all fifteen test points were low relative to criteria established for human body exposure or building structural durability.  The acceptability of the vibration levels must be determined based on the specified tolerance of the precision instrument under consideration. Also, testing on the monochromator should be scheduled during for low vibration levels.