Machine Rooms & Utility Spaces: Controlling Structure-Borne Noise
The Problem: Structure-Borne Noise in Mechanical Areas
Machine rooms, utility spaces, and mechanical areas house HVAC systems, pumps, compressors, elevators, and generators, all of which produce structure-borne noise. Unlike airborne sound, structure-borne noise travels through building frameworks—floors, walls, and ceilings—creating vibration that disturbs adjacent offices, hotel rooms, or residential units.
Solution: A targeted acoustic system combining vibration damping, isolation, and sound absorption to ensure compliance with noise codes and improve occupant comfort.
European Acoustic Requirements (EN/ISO Standards)
EN ISO 717-1: Evaluates Sound Reduction Index (Rw) for walls
Residential (Apartments): Rw 50+
Hotels & Hospitality: Rw 52–55+ (guestroom privacy)
Healthcare & Offices: Rw 48–50 (speech confidentiality)
Studios & Auditoriums: Rw 60+ (high isolation for performance spaces)
Acoustic Solutions for Machine Rooms & Utility Spaces
BassBloc® – Vibration Damping Core
Function: High-density absorber targeting low-frequency hums and mechanical vibration.
NRC: 0.85 (20 mm) | 0.95 (40 mm)
Placement: Concealed behind walls, ceilings, or floating floors in utility areas.
Benefit: Stops vibrations before they propagate through structural elements.
SoundBlanket® MLV – Barrier Layer
STC: 27–40 (2–10 mm thickness)
Use: Blocks airborne components of machine noise.
Installation: Applied on walls, ceilings, or machine enclosures for dual-layer protection.
Floating Floors with Resilient Underlays
Install MLV or BassBloc® underfloor mats to decouple floors from vibrating equipment bases.
Critical for buildings where utility rooms sit above offices or residential floors.
Acoustic Ceiling Treatments
Combine BassBloc® above suspended ceilings and Echsorbix® felt panels (NRC 0.90) on visible surfaces for dual vibration control and echo reduction.
Equipment Enclosures
Wrap noisy machinery (compressors, pumps) with MLV + BassBloc® composite cladding, reducing both airborne and vibration-driven sound at the source.
Typical Wall Build-Up for Machine Rooms
Layer 1: SoundBlanket® MLV (4 mm, STC 32)
Layer 2: BassBloc® (20 mm, NRC 0.85) vibration control
Layer 3: Dense finishing board (gypsum or cement)
Result: Composite wall achieves STC 55+, suitable for machine-intensive areas adjacent to offices or hotel rooms.
Case Study: Elevator Machine Room Noise Control (Mumbai Hotel)
Problem:
Elevator motor room noise disturbed adjacent luxury suites.
Result:
Noise levels reduced by ~20 dB, meeting hotel acoustic standards.
Solution:
Installed floating floor with BassBloc® 20 mm.
Added SoundBlanket® MLV 4 mm (STC 32) on walls.
Suspended felt acoustic ceiling panels (NRC 0.90) to control reverberation.
Additional Measures for Utility Spaces
Isolate Equipment
Use vibration pads, inertia bases, and spring mounts for heavy machinery.
Seal Penetrations
Close cable trays and pipe penetrations with acoustic sealants or putty pads.
HVAC Duct Liners
Install acoustic liners in ducts to reduce fan and airflow noise.
FAQs
A: Insulation absorbs echo but doesn’t stop structure-borne vibration. BassBloc® and floating floors are essential.
A: Proper isolation can cut mechanical noise by 15–25 dB, creating compliant and quiet adjoining spaces.
A: Yes. All MMT Acoustix solutions meet ASTM/EN/ISO Class A fire ratings.
Conclusion: Control Vibration at Its Source
Machine rooms and utility spaces require engineered acoustic assemblies to stop vibration transfer and protect adjacent areas. By combining SoundBlanket® MLV (STC-rated), BassBloc® (vibration damping), and floating floor systems, MMT Acoustix delivers industry-grade noise control for hotels, offices, and industrial facilities.
Contact MMT Acoustix today for datasheets, BOQs, and engineered designs to control structure-borne noise in your next project.
Machine rooms, utility spaces, and mechanical areas house HVAC systems, pumps, compressors, elevators, and generators, all of which produce structure-borne noise. Unlike airborne sound, structure-borne noise travels through building frameworks—floors, walls, and ceilings—creating vibration that disturbs adjacent offices, hotel rooms, or residential units.
Solution: A targeted acoustic system combining vibration damping, isolation, and sound absorption to ensure compliance with noise codes and improve occupant comfort.
European Acoustic Requirements (EN/ISO Standards)
EN ISO 717-1: Evaluates Sound Reduction Index (Rw) for walls
Residential (Apartments): Rw 50+
Hotels & Hospitality: Rw 52–55+ (guestroom privacy)
Healthcare & Offices: Rw 48–50 (speech confidentiality)
Studios & Auditoriums: Rw 60+ (high isolation for performance spaces)
Acoustic Solutions for Machine Rooms & Utility Spaces
BassBloc® – Vibration Damping Core
Function: High-density absorber targeting low-frequency hums and mechanical vibration.
NRC: 0.85 (20 mm) | 0.95 (40 mm)
Placement: Concealed behind walls, ceilings, or floating floors in utility areas.
Benefit: Stops vibrations before they propagate through structural elements.
SoundBlanket® MLV – Barrier Layer
STC: 27–40 (2–10 mm thickness)
Use: Blocks airborne components of machine noise.
Installation: Applied on walls, ceilings, or machine enclosures for dual-layer protection.
Floating Floors with Resilient Underlays
Install MLV or BassBloc® underfloor mats to decouple floors from vibrating equipment bases.
Critical for buildings where utility rooms sit above offices or residential floors.
Acoustic Ceiling Treatments
Combine BassBloc® above suspended ceilings and Echsorbix® felt panels (NRC 0.90) on visible surfaces for dual vibration control and echo reduction.
Equipment Enclosures
Wrap noisy machinery (compressors, pumps) with MLV + BassBloc® composite cladding, reducing both airborne and vibration-driven sound at the source.
Typical Wall Build-Up for Machine Rooms
Layer 1: SoundBlanket® MLV (4 mm, STC 32)
Layer 2: BassBloc® (20 mm, NRC 0.85) vibration control
Layer 3: Dense finishing board (gypsum or cement)
Result: Composite wall achieves STC 55+, suitable for machine-intensive areas adjacent to offices or hotel rooms.
Case Study: Elevator Machine Room Noise Control (Mumbai Hotel)
Problem:
Elevator motor room noise disturbed adjacent luxury suites.
Result:
Noise levels reduced by ~20 dB, meeting hotel acoustic standards.
Solution:
Installed floating floor with BassBloc® 20 mm.
Added SoundBlanket® MLV 4 mm (STC 32) on walls.
Suspended felt acoustic ceiling panels (NRC 0.90) to control reverberation.
Additional Measures for Utility Spaces
Isolate Equipment
Use vibration pads, inertia bases, and spring mounts for heavy machinery.
Seal Penetrations
Close cable trays and pipe penetrations with acoustic sealants or putty pads.
HVAC Duct Liners
Install acoustic liners in ducts to reduce fan and airflow noise.
FAQs
A: Insulation absorbs echo but doesn’t stop structure-borne vibration. BassBloc® and floating floors are essential.
A: Proper isolation can cut mechanical noise by 15–25 dB, creating compliant and quiet adjoining spaces.
A: Yes. All MMT Acoustix solutions meet ASTM/EN/ISO Class A fire ratings.
Conclusion: Control Vibration at Its Source
Machine rooms and utility spaces require engineered acoustic assemblies to stop vibration transfer and protect adjacent areas. By combining SoundBlanket® MLV (STC-rated), BassBloc® (vibration damping), and floating floor systems, MMT Acoustix delivers industry-grade noise control for hotels, offices, and industrial facilities.
Contact MMT Acoustix today for datasheets, BOQs, and engineered designs to control structure-borne noise in your next project.