The Problem
HVAC and mechanical equipment generate noise and vibration that travel through air and structure. This noise is continuous and can dominate the background level in a room, harming comfort and speech intelligibility. Mechanical noise is controlled at the source, along the path, and at the receiver.
Control Strategies
- Source — select quieter equipment and locate it away from sensitive spaces.
- Vibration isolation — mount equipment on resilient isolators to stop structure-borne transmission.
- Duct treatment — attenuators and lined ducts reduce fan and airflow noise.
- Path — isolate ducts and pipes from the structure with resilient hangers and flexible connections.
Design Considerations
- Keep air velocities within recommended limits to reduce regenerated noise.
- Seal penetrations where ducts and pipes pass through walls (see Flanking Transmission).
- Balance the system so the residual noise meets the target background level for each space.
Relevant Standards
- ISO 3382-2 — background noise and reverberation in ordinary rooms.
Limitations
Mechanical noise control is a system-level problem: source, path and structure must all be addressed. A single product does not solve it.
Related Yamamah Solutions
For mechanical noise control, contact us for a free acoustic consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I start with HVAC noise? At the source (equipment selection and isolation), then the duct path.
Can I add absorption to fix HVAC noise? Absorption reduces reverberation but does not remove mechanical noise; source and path treatment are required.
Verified Sources
- ISO 3382-2 — Reverberation time and background noise in ordinary rooms.