An Introduction to Vibration Control

in Buildings

Course No: M03-026

Credit: 3 PDH

J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI

Continuing Education and Development, Inc.

9 Greyridge Farm Court
Stony Point, NY 10980

P: (877) 322-5800
F: (877) 322-4774

[email protected]
An Introduction to
Vibration Control
in Buildings

J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A.

Paul Guyer is a registered civil engineer,
mechanical engineer, fire protection
engineer and architect with 35 years
experience designing buildings and related
infrastructure. For an additional 9 years he
was a principal staff advisor to the
California Legislature on capital outlay and
infrastructure issues. He is a graduate of
Stanford University and has held numerous
national, state and local offices with the
American Society of Civil Engineers,
Architectural Engineering Institute and
National Society of Professional Engineers.

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 1

 CONTENTS

1. VIBRATION CRITERIA
2. VIBRATION ISOLATION ELEMENTS
3. VIBRATION CONTROL
4. TABLES OF RECOMMENDED VIBRATION ISOLATION DETAILS
5. VIBRATION ISOLATION – MISCELLANEOUS

(This publication is adapted from the Unified Facilities Criteria of the United States government which are
in the public domain, have been authorized for unlimited distribution, and are not copyrighted.)

(Figures, tables and formulas in this publication may at times be a little difficult to read, but they are the
best available. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PUBLICATION IF THIS LIMITATION IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE TO YOU.)

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 2

1. VIBRATION CRITERIA. Structural vibration in buildings, which results in feelable
vibration, produces structural or superficial damage of building components or interferes
with equipment operation is unacceptable. In addition large building components that
vibrate can produce unacceptable sound levels.

1.1 VIBRATION CRITERIA FOR OCCUPANTS. Figure 1 shows the approximate

occupant response to building vibration levels. An approximation of the “threshold of
sensitivity” of individuals to feelable vibration is shown by the shaded area of Figure 1,
labeled “barely perceptible.” Other typical responses of people to vibration are indicated
by the other zones in Figure 1. These reactions or interpretations may vary over a
relatively wide range for different individuals and for different ways in which a person
might be subjected to vibration (standing, seated, through the finger tips). The lower
portion of the “barely perceptible” range is most applicable to commercial installations.
Complaints of building vibration in residential situations can arise even if the vibration
levels are slightly below the lower portion of the “barely perceptible” range. The choice
of a vibration criteria, for annoyance due to feelable vibration, will be determined by the
usage of the space and the perceived sensitivity of the occupants. There should not be
a problem with perceptible vibration if the levels are 6 to 8 dB below the “barely
perceptible” range of Figure 1.

1.2 VIBRATION CRITERIA FOR BUILDING STRUCTURES. High amplitude vibration

levels can cause damage to building structures and components. When vibration is
destructive to building components the vibration will be highly perceptible to the building
occupants. A structural vibration velocity of 2.0 in/sec has commonly been used as an
upper safe limit for building structures, and vibrations above this value will have adverse
environmental impact. A vibration velocity of 1.0 in/sec should be used as a normally
safe vibration upper limit with respect to structural damage. Vibrations with a velocity
level greater than 1.0 in/sec should be avoided or special arrangements should be
made with the owners of the exposed structure. Even with a vibration level of 1.0 in/sec
superficial damage may occur in isolated instances. Superficial damage can consist of

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small cracking in brittle facades such as plaster. In order to ensure that the possibility of
superficial damage is minimized a vibration criteria of 0.2 in/sec has been
recommended. And finally for very old structures an even lower level of 0.05 in/sec is
recommended. The manner in which the level is to be determined is a function of the
type of vibration expected or experienced. For continuous vibration the RMS level
should be used. For impulsive vibration the Peak value is to be used. In Figure 2 the
vibration limits mentioned above have been plotted in terms of acceleration level in dB
re 1 micro G.

1.3 VIBRATION CRITERIA FOR SENSITIVE EQUIPMENT. Building vibration may be

disturbing to the use or proper operation of vibration-sensitive equipment, such as
electron microscopes and other special chemical, medical, or industrial instruments or
processes. Figure 3 shows vibration criteria for some sensitive equipment types. To
achieve these low level vibration levels special building construction, mechanical
equipment selection and isolation, and vibration isolation for the sensitive equipment are
required.

1.4 VIBRATION CRITERIA FOR SOUND CONTROL. Vibrating building components

will produce sound radiation which may be unacceptable. Figure 4 shows “NC-
equivalent” sound level curves as a function of acceleration level of a large surface.
These NC-equivalent curves show the vibration acceleration levels of a large vibrating
surface (such as a wall, floor, or ceiling of a room) that will produce radiated sound
having approximately the octave band sound pressure levels of the NC curves (shown
elsewhere).

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 4

 Figure 1
Approximate Sensitivity and Response of People to Feelable Vibration

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 Figure 2
Vibration Criteria for Damage Risk to Buildings.

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 Figure 3
Vibration Criteria for Sensitive Equipment in Buildings

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 Figure 4
Vibration Acceleration Levels of a Large Vibrating Surface that Will Produce Radiated
Sound Levels into a Room Approximating the Sound Levels of the NC Curves

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 8

2. VIBRATION ISOLATION ELEMENTS. Table 5 lists the principal types of vibration
isolators and their general range of applications. This table may be used as a general
guide for comparing isolators and their range of static deflections and natural
frequencies as applied to two equipment categories (rotary and reciprocating) and two
equipment locations (noncritical and critical). Additional details are required for actual
selections of mounts. Vibration isolator types are discussed in this paragraph, and
equipment installations are discussed in the remaining paragraphs of this discussion.

2.1 STEEL SPRING ISOLATORS. Steel springs are used to support heavy equipment
and to provide isolation for the typical low-frequency range of about 3 to 60 Hz (180- to
3600-rpm shaft speed). Steel springs have natural frequencies that fall in the range of
about 1 Hz (for approximately 1-inch static deflection) to about 6 Hz (for approximately
1/4-inch static deflection). Springs transmit high frequency structure borne noise, so
they should be supplemented with a high-frequency pad-type isolator when used to
support equipment directly over critical locations in a building. Unhoused “stable” steel
springs are preferred over housed unstable or stable springs. Unstable springs tend to
tilt over when they are loaded and to become short-circuited when they bind against the
inside walls of the spring housing. Stable steel springs have a diameter that is about 0.8
to 1.2 times their compressed height. They have a horizontal stiffness that is
approximately equal to their vertical stiffness; therefore, they do not have a tendency to
tilt sideways when a vertical load is applied. The free-standing unhoused spring can
easily be inspected to determine if the spring is compressed correctly, is not overloaded
to the point that adjacent coils are solid against one another, and is not binding against
its mounting bracket, and to ensure that all springs of a total installation are uniformly
compressed and that the equipment is not tilting on its base. For reasons of safety, steel
springs are always used in compression, not in tension.

2.2 NEOPRENEIN-SHEAR ISOLATORS. Neoprene is a long-lasting material which,

when properly shaped, can provide good vibration isolation for the conditions shown in
Table 1. Typically, neoprene-in-shear mounts have the appearance of a truncated cone

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 9

of neoprene bonded to the bottom and top metal plates for bolting to the floor and to the
supported equipment. The mount usually has an interior hollow space that is conically
shaped. The total effect of the shaping is that for almost any direction of applied load,
there is a shearing action on the cross section of neoprene. In this shearing
configuration, neoprene serves as a vibration isolator; hence, the term “neoprene-in-
shear.” A solid block of neoprene in compression is not as effective as an isolator.
Manufacturers’ catalogs will show the upper limit of load-handling capability of large
neoprene-in-shear mounts. Two neoprene-in-shear mounts are sometimes constructed
in series in the same supporting bracket to provide additional static deflection. This
gives the double deflection mount referred to in Table 1.

2.3 COMPRESSED GLASS FIBER. Blocks of compressed glass fiber serve as

vibration isolators when properly loaded. The manufacturers have several different
densities available for a range of loading conditions. Typically, a block is about 2-inches
thick and has an area of about 10 to 20 in2, but other dimensions are available. These
blocks are frequently used in series with steel springs to remove high-frequency
structure-borne noise, and they are often used alone, at various spacings, to support
floating concrete floor slabs. The manufacturer’s data should be used to determine the
density and area of a block required to achieve the desired static deflection. Unless
otherwise indicated, a static deflection of about 5 to 10 percent of the uncompressed
height is normal. With longtime use, the material might compress an additional 5 to 10
percent of its height. This gradual change in height must be kept in mind during the
designing of floating floors to meet floor lines of structural slabs.

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 10

3. VIBRATION CONTROL

3.1 INTRODUCTION. This discussion provides the details of vibration isolation

mountings so that the desired vibration conditions discussed above can be met for most
electrical and mechanical equipment. In addition typical forms of vibration isolators are
given, five general types of mounting systems are described, and summary tables offer
suggested applications of five mounting systems for the mechanical equipment
commonly found in buildings.

3.2 VIBRATION ISOLATION ELEMENTS. Table 1 lists the principal types of vibration
isolators and their general range of applications. This table may be used as a general
guide for comparing isolators and their range of static deflections and natural
frequencies as applied to two equipment categories (rotary and reciprocating) and two
equipment locations (noncritical and critical). Additional details are required for actual
selections of mounts. Vibration isolator types are discussed in this paragraph, and
equipment installations are discussed in the remaining paragraphs of this chapter.

3.2.1 STEEL SPRING ISOLATORS. Steel springs are used to support heavy
equipment and to provide isolation for the typical low-frequency range of about 3 to 60
Hz (180- to 3600-rpm shaft speed). Steel springs have natural frequencies that fall in
the range of about 1 Hz (for approximately 1-inch static deflection) to about 6 Hz (for
approximately 1/4-inch static deflection). Springs transmit high frequency structure
borne noise, so they should be supplemented with a high-frequency pad-type isolator
when used to support equipment directly over critical locations in a building. Unhoused
“stable” steel springs are preferred over housed unstable or stable springs. Unstable
springs tend to tilt over when they are loaded and to become short-circuited when they
bind against the inside walls of the spring housing. Stable steel springs have a diameter
that is about 0.8 to 1.2 times their compressed height. They have a horizontal stiffness
that is approximately equal to their vertical stiffness; therefore, they do not have a
tendency to tilt sideways when a vertical load is applied. The free-standing unhoused

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spring can easily be inspected to determine if the spring is compressed correctly, is not
overloaded to the point that adjacent coils are solid against one another, and is not
binding against its mounting bracket, and to ensure that all springs of a total installation
are uniformly compressed and that the equipment is not tilting on its base. For reasons
of safety, steel springs are always used in compression, not in tension.

3.2.2 NEOPRENEIN-SHEAR ISOLATORS. Neoprene is a long-lasting material which,

when properly shaped, can provide good vibration isolation for the conditions shown in
Table 1. Typically, neoprene-in-shear mounts have the appearance of a truncated cone
of neoprene bonded to bottom and top metal plates for bolting to the floor and to the
supported equipment. The mount usually has an interior hollow space that is conically
shaped. The total effect of the shaping is that for almost any direction of applied load,
there is a shearing action on the cross section of neoprene. In this shearing
configuration, neoprene serves as a vibration isolator; hence, the term “neoprene-in-
shear.” A solid block of neoprene in compression is not as effective as an isolator.
Manufacturers’ catalogs will show the upper limit of load-handling capability of large
neoprene-in-shear mounts. Two neoprene-in-shear mounts are sometimes constructed
in series in the same supporting bracket to provide additional static deflection. This
gives the double deflection mount referred to in Table 1.

3.2.3 COMPRESSED GLASS FIBER. Blocks of compressed glass fiber serve as

vibration isolators when properly loaded. The manufacturers have several different
densities available for a range of loading conditions. Typically, a block is about 2-inches
thick and has an area of about 10 to 20 in.2 but other dimensions are available. These
blocks are frequently used in series with steel springs to remove high-frequency
structure borne noise, and they are often used alone at various spacings to support
floating concrete floor slabs. The manufacturer’s data should be used to determine the
density and area of a block required to achieve the desired static deflection. Unless
otherwise indicated, a static deflection of about 5 to 10 percent of the uncompressed
height is normal. With longtime use, the material might compress an additional

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 12

5 to 10 percent of its height. This gradual change in height must be kept in mind during
the designing of floating floors to meet floor lines of structural slabs.

Table 1
General Types and Applications of Vibration Isolators

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3.2.4 RIBBED NEOPRENE PADS. Neoprene pads with ribbed or waffle-pattern
surfaces are effective as high frequency isolators in series with steel springs. In stacks
of 2 to 4 thicknesses, they are also used for vibration isolation of flow power rotary
equipment. The pads are usually about ¼ to 3/8 inches thick, and they compress by
about 20 percent of their height when loaded at about 30 to 50 lb/in2. Higher durometer
pads may be loaded up to about 100 lb/in2. The pads are effective as isolators because
the ribs provide some shearing action, and the spaces between the ribs allow lateral
expansion as an axial load is applied. The manufacturer’s literature should be used for
proper selection of the material (load-deflection curves, durometer, surface area, height,
etc.).

3.2.5 FELT PADS. Felt strips or pads are effective for reducing structureborne sound
transmission in the mounting of piping and vibrating conduit. One or more layers of 1/8
or 1/4 inch thick strips should be wrapped around the pipe under the pipe clamps that
attach the piping to building structures. Felt pads will compress under long time and
high load application and should not be used alone to isolate vibration of heavy
equipment.

3.2.6 CORK PADS. Cork pads, strips, or blocks may be used to isolate high frequency
structureborne noise, but they are not recommended for high load bearing applications
because cork gradually compresses under load and loses its resilience. High density
construction cork is sometimes used to support one wall of a double wall. In this
application, the cork will compress slightly with time, and it will continue to serve as a
high frequency isolator (say, for structureborne noise above about 100 to 200 Hz), but it
will not provide good low frequency isolation at equipment driving frequencies of about
10 to 60 Hz. Years ago, before other resilient materials came into widespread use, cork
was often misused under heavy vibrating equipment mounts; full area cork pads were
frequently loaded at rates of 1 to 5 lb/in2. This is such a low loading rate that the cork
appears stiff and does not provide the desired resilience. If cork is to be used for
vibration isolation, a load deflection curve should be obtained from the supplier, and the
cork should be used in the central linear region of the curve (possibly loaded at about

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 14

10 to 20 lb/in2). With this loading, the compressed material will have an initial deflection
of about 5% and will continue to compress gradually with age.

3.2.7 AIR SPRINGS. Air springs are the only practical vibration isolators for very low
frequencies, down to about 1 Hz or even lower for special problems. An air mount
consists of pressurized air enclosed in a resilient reinforced neoprene chamber. The air
is pumped up to the necessary pressure to carry its load. Since the chamber is subject
to very slow leakage, a system of air mounts usually includes a pressure sensing
monitor and an air supply (either a pump or a pressurized air tank). A group of air
mounts can be arranged to maintain very precise leveling of a base by automatic
adjustment of the pressure in the various mounts. If air mounts are used in a design, an
active air supply is required. Operational data should be obtained from the
manufacturer.

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 15

 Table 2

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 16

3. MOUNTING ASSEMBLY TYPES. In this section, five basic mounting systems are
described for the vibration isolation of equipment. These mounting systems are applied
to specific types of equipment. Certain general conditions relating to all the systems are
first mentioned.

3.1 GENERAL CONDITIONS.

3.1.1 BUILDING USES. Isolation recommendations are given for three general
equipment locations: on grade slabs, on upper floors above noncritical areas, and on
upper floors above critical areas. It is assumed that the building under consideration is
an occupied building involving many spaces that would require or deserve the low noise
and vibration environments of such buildings as hotels, hospitals, office buildings, and
the like, as characterized by categories 1 through 4 in Table 2. Hence, the
recommendations are aimed at providing low vibration levels throughout the building. If
a building is intended to serve entirely such uses as those of categories 5 and 6 of
Table 2, the recommendations given here are too severe and can be simplified at the
user’s discretion. An on-grade slab usually represents a more rigid base than is
provided by a framed upper floor, so the vibration isolation recommendations can be
relaxed for on-grade installations. Of course, vibration isolation treatments must be the
very best when a high-quality occupied area is located immediately under the MER, as
compared with the case where a “buffer zone” or noncritical area is located between the
MER and the critical area.

3.1.2 STRUCTURAL TIES, RIGID CONNECTIONS. Each piece of isolated equipment

must be free of any structural ties or rigid connections that can shortcircuit the isolation
joint.

3.1.2.1 ELECTRICAL CONDUIT should be long and “floppy” so that it does not offer
any resistance or constraint to the free movement of the equipment. Piping should be
resiliently supported. Limit stops, shipping bolts, and leveling bolts on spring isolators

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should be set and inspected to ensure that they are not inadvertently short-circuiting the
spring mounts.

3.1.2.2 ALL BUILDING TRASH should be removed from under the isolated base of the
equipment. Loose pieces of grout, 2x4s, nuts, bolts, soft drink bottles, beer cans,
welding rods, pipes, and pipe couplings left under an equipment base can shortcircuit
the isolation mounts. It is recommended that a 2-inch to 4-inch clearances be provided
under all isolated equipment in order to facilitate inspection and removal of trash from
under the base.

3.1.2.3 FOR MANY EQUIPMENT INSTALLATIONS, there is no need to bolt down the
isolation mounts to the floor because the smooth operation of the machine and the
weight of the complete assembly keep the system from moving. For some systems,
however, it may be necessary to restrain the equipment from “creeping” across the
floor. In these situations, it is imperative that the hold-down bolts not short circuit the
pads. A suggested restraining arrangement is illustrated in Figure 5. Simpler versions
can be devised.

3.1.2.4 FOR BUILDINGS LOCATED IN EARTHQUAKE prone areas, the isolation

mounts should contain snubbers or motion-limiting devices that restrain the equipment
against unusual amounts of movement. These snubbers should be set to provide
adequate free movement for normal equipment operation. These devices are available
from most suppliers of isolator equipment.

3.2 TYPE I MOUNTING ASSEMBLY. The specified equipment should be mounted

rigidly on a large integral concrete inertia block. (Unless specified otherwise, all
concrete referred to in this discussion should have a density of at least 140 to 150
lb/ft.3.)

(1) The length and the width of the inertia block should be at least 30 percent greater
than the length and width of the supported equipment.

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(2) Mounting brackets for stable steel springs should be located off the sides of the
inertia block at or near the height of the vertical center-of-gravity of the combined
completely assembled equipment and concrete block. If necessary, curbs or pedestals
should be used under the base of the steel springs in order to bring the top of the
loaded springs up to the center-of-gravity position. As an alternative, the lower portion of
the concrete inertia block can be lowered into a pit or cavity in the floor so that the steel
springs will not have to be mounted on curbs or pedestals. In any event, the clearance
between the floor (or all the surfaces of the pit) and the concrete inertia block shall be at
least 4 inches, and provision should be allowed to check this clearance at all points
under the block.

(3) Floor slab thickness. It is assumed that MER upper floor slabs will be constructed of
dense concrete of 140-150 lb/ft.3 density, or, if lighter concrete is used, the thickness
will be increased to provide the equivalent total mass of the specified floor. For large
MERs containing arrays of large and heavy equipment, it is assumed that the floor slab
thickness will be in the range of 8 to 12 inches, with the greater thicknesses required by
the greater floor loads. For smaller MERs containing smaller collections of lighter weight
but typical equipment, floor slab thicknesses of 6 to 10 inches are assumed. For
occasional locations of one or a very few pieces of small high-speed equipment (say
1800 rpm or higher) having no reciprocating action, floor slabs of 4 to 6 inches may be
used with reasonable expectation of satisfactory results. However, for reciprocating-
action machines operating at the lower speeds (say, under 1200 rpm), any floor slab
thicknesses reduced from those listed above begin to invite problems. There is no clear
crossover from “acceptable” to “unacceptable” in terms of floor slab thickness, but each
reduction in thickness increases the probability of later difficulties due to vibration. The
thicknesses mentioned here are based on experience with the “acoustics” of equipment
installations. These statements on thicknesses are in no way intended to represent
structural specifications for a building. “Housekeeping pads” under the equipment are
assumed, but the height of these pads is not to be used in calculating the thickness of
the floor slab.

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 19

 Figure 5
Suggested Arrangement of Ribbed Neoprene Pads for Providing Resilient Lateral
Restraint to a Spring Mount

(4) The ratio of the weight of the concrete block to the total weight of all the supported
equipment (including the weight of any attached filled piping up to the point of the first
pipe hanger) shall be in accordance with the recommendations given in the paragraph
and table for the particular equipment requiring this mounting assembly. The inertia
block adds stability to the system and reduces motion of the system in the vicinity of the
driving frequency. For reciprocating machines or for units involving large starting
torques, the inertia block provides much-needed stability.

(5) The static deflection of the free-standing stable steel springs shall be in accordance
with the recommendations given in the paragraph and table for the particular
equipment. There shall be adequate clearance all around the springs to assure no
contact between any spring and any part of the mounted assembly for any possible
alignment or position of the installed inertia block.

3.3 . TYPE II MOUNTING ASSEMBLY. This mount is the same as the Type I mount in
all respects except that the mounting brackets and the top of the steel springs shall be

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located as high as practical on the concrete inertia block but not necessarily as high as
the vertical center-of-gravity position of the assembly, and the clearance between the
floor and the concrete block shall be at least 2 inches.

(1) If necessary, the steel springs can be recessed into pockets in the concrete block,
but clearances around the springs should be large enough to assure no contact
between any spring and any part of the mounted assembly for any possible alignment
or position of the installed inertia block. Provision must be made to allow positive visual
inspection of the spring clearance in its recessed mounting.

(2) When this type of mounting is used for a pump, the concrete inertia block can be
given a T-shape plan, and the pipes to and from the pump can be supported rigidly with
the pump onto the wings of the T. In this way, the pipe elbows will not be placed under
undue stress.

(3) The weight of the inertia block and the static deflection of the mounts shall be in
accordance with the recommendations given in the table for the particular equipment.

3.4 TYPE III MOUNTING ASSEMBLY. The equipment or the assembly of equipment
should be mounted on a steel frame that is stiff enough to allow the entire assembly to
be supported on flexible point supports without fear of distortion of the frame or
misalignment of the equipment. The frame should then be mounted on resilient mounts-
steel springs or neoprene-in-shear mounts or isolation pads, as the static deflection
would require. If the equipment frame itself already has adequate stiffness, no additional
framing is required, and the isolation mounts may be applied directly to the base of the
equipment.

(1) The vibration-isolation assembly should have enough clearance under and all
around the equipment to prohibit contact with any structural part of the building during
operation.

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(2) If the equipment has large starting and stopping torques and the isolation mounts
have large static deflections, consideration should be given to providing limit stops on
the mounts. Limit stops might also be desired for large deflection isolators if the filled
and unfilled weights of the equipment are very different.

3.5 TYPE IV MOUNTING ASSEMBLY. The equipment should be mounted on an array

of “pad mounts”. The pads may be of compressed glass fiber or of multiple layers of
ribbed neoprene or waffle pattern neoprene of sufficient height and of proper stiffness to
support the load while meeting the static deflection recommended in the applicable
accompanying tables. Cork, cork-neoprene, or felt pad materials may be used if their
stiffness characteristics are known and if they can be replaced periodically whenever
they have become so compacted that they no longer provide adequate isolation.

(1) The floor should be grouted or shimmed to assure a level base for the equipment
and therefore a predictable uniform loading on the isolation pads.

(2) The pads should be loaded in accordance with the loading rates recommended by
the pad manufacturer for the particular densities or durometers involved. In general,
most of these pads are intended for load rates of 30 to 60 psi, and if they are
underloaded (for example, at less than about 10 psi), they will not be performing at their
maximum effectiveness.

3.6 TYPE V MOUNTING ASSEMBLY (FOR PROPELLER-TYPE COOLING

TOWERS). Large, low-speed propeller-type cooling towers located on roof decks of
large buildings may produce serious vibration in their buildings if adequate vibration
isolation is not provided. In extreme cases, the vibration may be evident two or three
floors below the cooling towers.

(1) It is recommended that the motor, drive shaft, gear reducer, and propeller be
mounted as rigidly as possible on a “unitized” structural support and that this entire
assembly be isolated from the remainder of the tower with stable steel springs in

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accordance with Table 9. Adequate clearance between the propeller tips and the
cooling tower shroud should be provided to allow for starting and stopping vibrations of
the propeller assembly. Several of the cooling tower manufacturers provide isolated
assemblies as described here. This type of mounting arrangement is shown
schematically in Figure 6.

(2) In addition, where the cooling tower is located on a roof deck directly over an
acoustically critical area, the structureborne waterfall noise may be objectionable. It can
be reduced by locating three layers of ribbed or waffle-pattern neoprene between the
base of the cooling tower and the supporting structure of the building. This treatment is
usually not necessary if there is a noncritical area immediately under the cooling tower.

(3) A single-treatment alternate to the combined two treatments of (1) and (2) above is
the isolation of the entire cooling tower assembly on stable steel springs, also in
accordance with Table 10. The springs should be in series with at least two layers of
ribbed or waffle-pattern neoprene if there is an acoustically critical area immediately
below the cooling tower (or within about 25 feet horizontally on the floor immediately
under the tower). It is necessary to provide limit stops on these springs to limit
movement of the tower when it is emptied and to provide limited movement under wind
load.

(4) Pad materials, when used, should not be short-circuited by bolts or rigid
connections. A schematic of an acceptable clamping arrangement for pad mounts is
shown in Figure 7. Cooling tower piping should be vibration-isolated in accordance with
suggestions given for piping.

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4. TABLES OF RECOMMENDED VIBRATION ISOLATION DETAILS

4.1 TABLE FORMAT. A common format is used for all the tables that summarize the
recommended vibration isolation details for the various types of equipment. A brief
description of the format is given here.

4.1.1 EQUIPMENT CONDITIONS. The three columns on the left of the table (location,
rating, and speed of the equipment) define the equipment conditions covered by the
recommendations. The rating is given by a power range for some equipment, cooling
capacity for some, and heating capacity for some. The rating and speed ranges
generally cover the range of equipment that might be encountered in a typical building.
Subdivisions in rating and speed are made to accommodate variations in the isolation. If
vibrating equipment is supported or hung from an overhead floor slab, immediately
beneath an acoustically critical area, the same degree of vibration isolation should be
provided as is recommended for the location designated as “on upper floor above
critical area”. Similarly, if the vibrating equipment is hung from an overhead floor slab
beneath a noncritical area, the same vibration isolation should be provided as is
recommended for the location designated as “on upper floor above noncritical area”.

Figure 6
Schematic of Vibration Isolation Mounting for Fan and
Drive-Assembly of Propeller-Type Cooling Tower

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 24

 Figure 7
Schematic of a Resilient Clamping Arrangement with Ribbed Neoprene Pads

4.1.2 MOUNTING RECOMMENDATIONS. The three columns on the right of the table
summarize three basic groups of recommendations: Column 1, the type of mounting;
Column 2, the suggested minimum ratio of the weight of the inertia block (when
required) to the total weight of all the equipment mounted on the inertia block; and
Column 3, the suggested minimum static deflection of the isolator to be used.

(a) When the weight of the inertia block is being considered, the larger weight of the
range given should be applied where the nearby critical area is very critical, or where
the speed of the equipment is near the lower limit of the speed range given, or the rating
of the equipment is near the upper limit of the rating range. Conversely, the lower end of
the weight range may be applied where the nearby critical area is less critical, or where
the speed is near the upper limit of the speed range, or the rating is near the lower limit
of the rating range.

(b) When the static deflection of the isolators is being considered, these minimum
values are keyed to the approximate span of the floor beams; that is, as the floor span
increases, the floor deflection increases, and therefore the isolator deflection must
increase. The specific minimum deflection in effect specifies the type of isolator that can

© J. Paul Guyer 2013 25

be used. Refer to Table 1 for the normal range of static deflection for most isolators.
Specific selections should be made from manufacturers’ catalog data.

(c) The recommendations given here assume that a moderate amount of large
equipment (say, more than five or six pieces) totaling more than this equipment are
given in Table 4. These recommendations apply also to the drive unit used for a single
piece of equipment remote from other equipment. The recommendations can be
relaxed, either by decreasing the static deflection of the mount or by decreasing the
weight of the inertia block, or even by eliminating the inertia block where a critical area
is not involved.

(d) Resilient support of all piping connected to vibrating equipment should be in

accordance with the recommendations herein. This recommendation applies to the
mounting of each piece of vibrating equipment, even though it is not repeated below for
each piece of equipment.

4.2 CENTRIFUGAL AND AXIAL-FLOW FANS. The recommended vibration isolation

mounting for fans are given in Table 3. Ducts should contain flexible connections at both
the inlet and discharge of the fans, and all connections to the fan assembly should be
clearly flexible. The entire assembly should bounce with little restraint when one jumps
up and down on the unit. Where supply fan assemblies are located over critical areas, it
is desirable to install the entire inlet casing and all auxiliary equipment (coil decks and
filter sections) on floated concrete slabs. The floated slab may also serve to reduce
airborne noise from the fan inlet area into the floor area below. Large ducts (cross-
section area over 15 sq feet) that are located within about 30 feet of the inlet or
discharge of a large fan (over 20 hp) should be supported from the floor or ceiling with
resilient mounts having a static deflection of at least 1/4 inch.

4.3 RECIPROCATING-COMPRESSOR REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT. The

recommended vibration isolation for this equipment are given in Table 4. These
recommendations apply also to the drive unit used with the reciprocating compressor.

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Pipe connections from this assembly to other equipment should contain flexible
connections.

Table 3
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Centrifugal and Axial-Flow Fans

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 Table 4
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Centrifugal and Axial-Flow Fans

4.4 ROTARY-SCREW-COMPRESSOR REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT. The

recommended vibration isolation for this equipment are given in Table 5.

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.
4.5 CENTRIFUGAL-COMPRESSOR REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT. The
recommended vibration isolation for this equipment, including the drive unit and the
condenser and chiller tanks, are given in Table 6.

4.6 ABSORPTION-TYPE REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT. The recommended

vibration isolation for this equipment are given in Table 7.

4.7 BOILERS. The recommended vibration isolation for boilers are given in Table 8.
These apply for boilers with integrally attached blowers. Table 3 should be followed for
the support of blowers that are not directly mounted on the boiler. A flexible connection
or a thermal expansion joint should be installed in the exhaust breaching between the
boiler and the exhaust stack.

4.8 STEAM VALVES. Steam valves are usually supported entirely on their pipes;
recommendations herein should be applied to the resilient support of steam piping,
including steam valves.

4.9 COOLING TOWERS. The recommended vibration isolation for propeller-type

cooling towers are given in Table 9. Additional recommendations for the installation are
given herein which describes the Type V mounting assembly. The recommended
vibration isolation for centrifugal-fan cooling towers are given in Table 10.

4.10 MOTOR-PUMP ASSEMBLIES. Recommended vibration isolation for motor-pump

units are given in Table 11. Electrical connections to the motors should be made with
long “floppy” lengths of flexible armored cable, and piping should be resiliently
supported. For most situations, a good isolation mounting of the piping will overcome
the need for flexible connections in the pipe. An important function of the concrete
inertia block (Type II mounting) is its stabilizing effect against undue bouncing of the
pump assembly at the instant of starting. This gives better long-time protection to the
associated piping. These same recommendations may be applied to other motordriven

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rotary devices such as centrifugal-type air compressors and motor-generator sets in the
power range up to a few hundred horsepower.

4.11 STEAM TURBINES. Table 12 provides a set of general isolation

recommendations for steam turbine driven rotary equipment, such as gears, generators,
or centrifugal-type gas compressors. The material given in Table 6 applies when a
steam turbine is used to drive centrifugal compressor refrigeration equipment. The
recommendations given in Table 4 apply when a steam turbine is used to drive
reciprocating-compressor refrigeration equipment or reciprocating-type gas
compressors.

4.12 GEARS. When a gear is involved in a drive system, vibration isolation should be
provided in accordance with recommendations given for either the main power drive unit
or the driven unit, whichever imposes the more stringent isolation conditions.

4.13 TRANSFORMERS. Recommended vibration isolation for indoor transformers are

given in Table 13. In addition, power leads to and from the transformers should be as
flexible as possible. In outdoor locations, earthborne vibration to nearby neighbors is
usually not a problem, so no vibration isolation is suggested. If vibration should become
a problem, the transformer could be installed on neoprene or compressed glass fiber
pads having 1/4-inch static deflection.

4.14 AIR COMPRESSORS. Recommended mounting for centrifugal type air

compressors of less than 10 hp are the same as those given for motor-pump units in
Table 11. The same recommendations would apply for small (under 10 hp)
reciprocating type air compressors. For reciprocating type air compressors (with more
than two cylinders) in the 10 to 50 hp range, the recommendations given in Table 4
apply for the particular conditions. For 10 to 100 hp, one or two cylinder, reciprocating
type air compressors, the recommendations of Table 14 apply. This equipment is a
potentially serious source of low frequency vibration in a building if it is not isolated. In
fact, the compressor should not be located in certain parts of the building, even if it is

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vibration isolated. The forbidden locations are indicated in Table 14. When these
compressors are used, all piping should contain flexible connections and the electrical
connections should be made with flexible armored cable.

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5. VIBRATION ISOLATION-MISCELLANEOUS.

5.1 RESILIENT PIPE SUPPORTS. All piping in the MER that is connected to vibrating
equipment should be supported from resilient ceiling hangers or from floor-mounted
resilient supports.

(1) As a general rule, the first three pipe supports nearest the vibrating equipment
should have a static deflection of at least one-half the static deflection of the mounting
system used with that equipment. Beyond the third pipe support, the static deflection
can be reduced to 1/4 inch or ½ inch for the remainder of the pipe run in the MER.

(2) When a pipe passes through the MER wall, a minimum 1-inch clearance should be
provided between the pipe and the hole in the wall. The pipe should be supported on
either side of the hole, so that the pipe does not rest on the wall. The clearance space
should then be stuffed with fibrous filler material and sealed with a nonhardening
caulking compound at both wall surfaces.

(3) Vertical pipe chases through a building should not be located beside acoustically
critical areas. If they are located beside critical areas, pipes should be resiliently
mounted from the walls of the pipe chase for a distance of at least 10 feet beyond each
such area, using both low-frequency and high-frequency isolation materials.

(4) Pipes to and from the cooling tower should be resiliently supported for their full
length between the cooling tower and the associated MER. Steam pipes should be
resiliently supported for their entire length of run inside the building. Resilient mounts
should have a static deflection of at least 1/2 inch.

(5) In highly critical areas, domestic water pipes and waste lines can be isolated with the
use of 1/4-inch- to 1/2-inch-thick wrappings of felt pads under the pipe strap or pipe
clamp.

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(6) Whenever a steel spring isolator is used, it should be in series with a neoprene
isolator. For ceiling hangers, a neoprene washer or grommet should always be
included; and if the pipe hangers are near very critical areas, the hanger should be a
combination hanger that contains both a steel spring and a neoprene-in-shear mount.

(7) During inspection, the hanger rods should be checked to ensure they are not
touching the sides of the isolator housing and thereby shorting out the spring.

5.2 FLEXIBLE PIPE CONNECTIONS. To be effective, a flexible pipe connection

should have a length that is approximately 6 to 10 times its diameter. Tie rods should
not be used to bolt the two end flanges of a flexible connection together. Flexible
connections are either of the bellows type or are made up fitted with an exterior braided
jacket to confine the neoprene. These connections are useful when the equipment is
subject to fairly high-amplitude vibration, such as for reciprocating-type compressors.
Flexible connections generally are not necessary when the piping and its equipment are
given thorough and compatible vibration isolation. For serious pipe vibration problems,
two flexible connections should be used, mounted 90 degrees to each other. Inertial
masses may be attached to the piping to add stability and help maintain pipe alignment.

5.3 NONVIBRATING EQUIPMENT. When an MER is located directly over or near a

critical area, it is usually desirable to isolate most of the nonvibrating equipment with a
simple mount made up of one or two pads of neoprene or a 1 inch or 2 inch layer of
compressed glass fiber. Heat exchangers, hot water heaters, water storage tanks, large
ducts, and some large pipe stands may not themselves be noise sources, yet their
pipes or their connections to vibrating sources transmit small amounts of vibrational
energy that they then may transmit into the floor. A simple minimum isolation pad will
usually prevent this noise transfer.

5.3 SUMMARY. In this publication, fairly complete vibration isolation mountings are laid
out for most of the equipment included in an MER. Most of these have been developed

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and proven over many years of use. Although all the entries of the accompanying tables
have not been tested in actual equipment installations, the schedules are fairly self
consistent in terms of various locations and degrees of required isolation. Hence, the
mountings are considered realistic and reliable. They are not extravagant when
considered in light of the extremely low vibration levels required to achieve near
inaudibility. The noise and vibration control methods given here are designed to be
simple to follow and to put into use. If these methods and recommendations are carried
out, with appropriate attention to detail, most equipment installations will be tailored to
the specific needs of the building and will give very satisfactory results acoustically.

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 Table 5
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Rotary Screw Compressor
Refrigeration Equipment Assembly

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 Table 6
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Centrifugal Compressor
Refrigeration Equipment Assembly

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 Table 7
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Absorption-Type Refrigeration Equipment Assembly.

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 Table 8
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Boilers

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 Table 9
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Propeller-Type Cooling Towers

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 Table 10
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Centrifugal-Type Cooling Towers

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 Table 11
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Motor-Pump Assemblies

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 Table 12
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Steam-Turbine Driven Rotary Equipment

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 Table 13
Vibration Isolation Mounting for Transformers

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 Table 14
Vibration Isolation Mounting for One or Two-Cylinder Reciprocating-Type Air
Compressors in the 10-to l00-hp Size Range.

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