Method for evaluating and predicting noise from hard, heavy impact sources

Noise and vibration from activity in fitness facilities, in particular, drops of hard heavy weights, is a common source of disturbance and complaint in residential, commercial, and mixed-use building types. Mitigating systems exist, including specially designed rubber flooring tiles and products for architectural vibration isolation systems, but in the United States, there is no standardized method for evaluating the reduction in noise or vibration provided by these products and systems. Quantitative and comparable data of the effectiveness of these products are therefore lacking. The authors previously reported (Internoise 2015, Noise-Con 2016, ASA Boston 2017) a preliminary test method to evaluate athletic tile flooring with heavy weight drops, based on the reduction in floor vibration (delta-LV) achieved due to the insertion of the products. Preliminary results indicated that the delta-LV measurement adequately described the impact reduction due to athletic tile, over a certain frequency range, reasona...