ASHRAE Chapter Meeting

HVAC Noise & Vibration Control

Specifications & Best Practices

Industrial OEM
Presented By

Noise & Vibration Control, Inc.

610-863-6300
www.brd-nonoise.com
Architectural HVAC

Marine Environmental Military Aviation

1
 Topics

☺ Brief Intro to Acoustics

☺ Specification Best Practice
☺ Treatment Best Practices

2
 Why Acoustics Matter!

3
 Important Acoustic Terminology
• Loudness vs. Pitch
• Decibels: Sound Power vs. Sound
Pressure
• Decibel Weighting Networks
• Tonal Content

4
A 1K Hz tone at 60 dB would require a
102 dB tone at 20 Hz to sound as loud to
the human ear.

5
 Tonal Noise

Common Municipal Code defines tone as:

“any sound which can be distinctly heard as a single pitch or set of single pitches…. and shall exist
of the one-third octave band sound pressure level in the band when the tone exceeds the arithmetic
average of the sound levels of the two contiguous one-third octave bands by five dB for frequencies
of 500 Hz and above, eight dB for frequencies between 160-400 Hz, and by 15 dB for frequencies
less than or equal to 125 Hz.”

6
 PWL vs. SPL
Sound Power vs. Sound Pressure
Cause vs. Effect

7
8
 What is the overall dBA level?
Octave Center Unweighted A-weighting A-weighted Decibel Overall
Band Frequency Sound factor (dB) Sound Addition Resultant
Pressure (dB) Pressure (dBA) Level
1 63 94 -26 68
72
2 125 86 -16 70
86
3 250 85 -9 76
86
4 500 89 -3 86 91 dBA
5 1,000 89 0 89
89
6 2,000 77 1 78
89
7 4,000 75 1 76
79
8 8,000 76 0 76

9
 1. Where are we now?
Freq (Hz) 63 125 250 500 1K 2K 4K 8K A

Lw 90 98 99 97 94 92 85 81 100
Loss100’ -37 -37 -37 -37 -37 -37 -37 -37 -37
Lp 53 61 62 60 57 55 48 44 63
(Sound Levels 270 ton Air Cooled Chiller)

2. Where do we need to be?

10
 3. How much noise reduction is required?
Freq (Hz) 63 125 250 500 1K 2K 4K 8K A

Chiller 53 61 62 60 57 55 48 44 63
Ordinance 67 61 52 46 40 33 28 26 50
Needed
-- -- 10 14 17 22 20 18 13
Attenuation

4. What needs to be done to achieve compliance?

11
 Sub Topics
☺ Common Specification
Strategies
☺ Specifications Types
☺ Specification Best
Practices

12
 A Specification Should Provide
“Just the Right Prescription”

• Accountability
• Cost Control
• Predictable Performance
• Review of subjective and objective noise
criteria

13
 Common Specification
Strategies

14
 Common Spec Strategies on Noise
Sensitive Projects
• Specify sound data for lowest rated model as
equipment basis of design
• Specify all available OEM equipment low noise
options
• Specify an equipment model that is not tonal
• Specify the same treatment used on the last
noise sensitive project
• Retain an acoustical consultant to write the
specification
• Specify base equipment and address any
noise problems at start-up
15
 Common Specification Strategies:

Specify sound data for lowest rated model as equipment basis of design

Published Sound Power Data

(No OEM Sound Kit Options)
Sound Power Levels (dB) Overall
Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz) A-Wtd
4 Different 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 (dBA)
Manufacturers &
1 97 94 92 97 90 88 84 82 97
Chiller Models
2 102 103 99 99 98 94 87 84 102
(Screw and Scroll
Designs) 3 67 70 79 83 89 91 88 80 95
4 93 99 97 100 97 91 88 80 105

Published Sound Pressure Data at 30’ Away

(No OEM Sound Kit Options)
Sound Pressure Levels 5 (dB) @ 30' Overall
Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz) A-Wtd
4 Different Chiller 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 (dBA)
Manufacturers & 1 70 67 65 70 63 61 57 55 70
Models (Screw and 2 75 76 72 72 71 67 60 57 75
Scroll Designs) 3 40 43 52 56 62 64 61 53 68
4 66 72 70 73 70 64 61 53 74

16
 Common Specification Strategies:

Specify sound data for lowest rated model as equipment basis of design

Specify all available OEM equipment low noise options
Sound Pressure Data for property line 80’ away
(No OEM Sound Kit Options)
Sound Pressure Levels 5 (dB) @ 80' Overall
Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz) A-Wtd
4 Different Chiller 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 (dBA)
Manufacturers & 1
61 58 56 61 54 52 48 46 61
Models (Screw
2 66 67 63 63 62 58 51 48 66
and Scroll
3 31 34 43 47 53 55 52 44 60
Designs)
4 57 63 61 64 61 55 52 44 66

Sound Pressure Data for property line 80’ away

(with factory OEM options)
Sound Pressure Levels 5 (dB) @ 80' Overall
Octave Band Center Frequency (Hz) A-Wtd
4 Different Chiller 63 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 (dBA)
Manufacturers & Models 63 57 57 59 54 48 44 42 60
(Screw and Scroll 52 60 61 59 56 54 46 41 62
Designs) 31 33 43 46 49 51 48 42 56
57 63 61 61 60 55 52 42 64

None of the chillers will comply with typical nighttime

17 noise ordinance values of 50 to 55 dBA.
 Common Specification Strategies:

Specify an equipment model that is not tonal

Screw Chiller Sound

Pressure Levels

dB
100

90

80

70
Scroll Chiller Sound
60
Pressure Levels
50

40

30
C
A

100
125
160
200
250
315
400
500
630
800

1k6

2k5

6k3
Z

12
16
20
25
32
40
50
63
80

1k25

3k15

12k5
1k

2k

4k
5k

8k
10k

16k
20k

Hz
18
 Specification Types

☺ Performance
☺ Design
☺ Allowance

19
 Performance Specifications
• Typical performance descriptors
– Sound Power and/or Sound Pressure
– Octave band and/or overall dB and/or dBA levels
– NC or RC levels
• Relies on the acoustical credibility of the equipment
manufacturer
– May or may not have the capabilities needed
– Commonly will take an exception
• Spec is difficult to enforce
– AHRI 370, AHRI 575, AHRI 260, etc...
• Spec is often not based on project target levels at
receiver positions
• Performance spec may or may not address equipment
integration issues (operating performance, maintenance,
etc…)

20
 Performance Specification Example

21
 Performance Specification Example

22
 Contradictory Performance Specification

Sound attenuation solution quiet

23
 Contradictory Performance Specification

24
 Design Specifications = “Just Right Prescription”

• Evaluates noise sensitive location(s) to provide

– Predictable Performance
– Accountability
– Cost Control
• Right amount of attenuation
• Accounted for in the budget
• Describes, provides performance, and/or
illustrates (schematic details) the materials and
products needed

25
 Design Specification
Schematic Design
Detail

ABC model JJJ

26
 Schematic
Design Detail

ABC solution/model

Design
Specification

27
 “Loose” Design Specification

ABC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Result of a “Loose/Generic” spec

What is criteria for approving or rejecting?

28
 “Better” Design Specification

ABC model and manufactured by ABC company or equivalent.

29
 “Detailed” Design Specification

30
 “Best” Design Specification

Attenuation

31
 “Best” Design Specification Cont’d

32
 Allowance Specifications

• Equivalent advantages of pre-

purchased equipment
– Provides the right material that is
wanted on the project
• Assures needed design will be built
• Levels the playing field for bidders

33
 Allowance Specification

ABC Acoustic Attenuation DEF Company.

34
 Specification Best
Practices

35
 Best Practices
Acoustic Design
• Answer 4 design questions
1. Where are we now?
2. Where do we need to be?
3. What needs to be done to get there?
4. How much will that cost?
• Use 3-5 dBA safety factor
• Cursory review on every project, in depth review when
warranted
• Assess site ambient noise levels
• Evaluate airborne and structure-borne transmission
• System problems require system solutions

36
 Best Practices
Specifications
• Job specific combined design/performance specs
preferred over generic performance specs
• Evaluate project specific objective and subjective criteria
– Indoor criteria: NC, RC, NCB, RC Mark II
– Outdoor criteria: Zoning and ordinance criteria
• Place in Division 15/23 with equipment
• Specify single source for system acoustic performance
• Specify turnkey where installation critical
• Require submission for approval as “or
equal” 10 days before bid date

37
 Take Away

• Location specific performance is “king”

and drives the design spec
• Design specs provide “just the right”
knowledge of costs that can get into
the budget
• Acoustic treatments/solutions need to
be in the equipment spec to ensure
predictable performance,
acceptability, and accountability
38
 Sub Topics
☺ Construction Trends
☺ Specifications
☺ Vibration Isolation
☺ Chiller Noise Treatments
☺ Roof Mounted Treatments
☺ Duct Work & Silencers
☺ Rooftop Unit Treatments

39
 Construction Trends
• Less mass in building
• Less space between floors
• Curb mounted equipment
• Drop ceilings
• Premium for rentable/usable space
• Value Engineering
• Heightened sensitivity of owners
• ANSI S12.60
• LEED

40
 Best Practices

Indoor Chillers
• Thickened slab above and
below
• Floating floors
• Pneumatic isolation systems
• 6 sided enclosures
• Stay away from midpoints of
column spans
• Buffer from noise sensitive
spaces
• Source & path acoustic
treatments

41
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 Source Treatments

43
 Critical Design Factors
• Broadband Performance
• Tonal Performance
• Aerodynamic Performance
• Operating Efficiency
• Operating Costs

44
 “Soft” Enclosure Path Treatments

45
 “Hard” Enclosure Path Treatments

46
 Best Practices
Outdoor Chillers
• Thickened slab for
rooftop
• Evaluate loudness and
tonal content
• Special consideration for
remote evap piping
• Evaluate building and
property line noise
• Optimize aerodynamic
and acoustic performance
• Source and path acoustic
treatment
47
 Compressor Source Treatments
Sound Blankets
• Treat all accessible compressor circuit
components
• 3 to 4 lb. surface density
• Fit/refit attachment features must be “user
friendly”
• UL 764C Listed

48
 Treating Compressor Circuits

49
 Result of “generic” spec

50
 Air Intake Source Treatments

51
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 Condenser Fan Source Treatments
• Acoustical plenums
• Plenum with baffles
• Plenum with silencer bank
• Individual stack silencers

53
 Open Plenums

54
 Plenum with Baffles

55
 Plenum with Silencer Bank

56
 Not Recommended by OEMs

“Dedicated” Stack Silencers

57
 Path Treatments
Wall and Fence Liners

58
 Turnkey Acoustical Barrier Walls

59
 20+ dBA Attenuation Systems

60
 Best Practices
Rooftop Curb
Mounted AHU
• Integral vibration/seismic
curb
• Lock down internal
isolation
• Add mass inside curbs
• Seal (acoustic) duct
drops
• Dissipate supply breakout
noise above deck
• Plenum style acoustic
curbs
61
62
 Poor “Best Practice”
This is a seismic job!

63
 In-Curb Treatment

64
 Best Practices
RTU Configurations
• Increase plenum liner thickness
• Utilize RTU discharge plenums on the supply
side
• Avoid vane type flow modulation devices. VFD
controllers are preferred
• Slower fan speeds = lower noise levels
• Evaluate fan wheel types. Backward inclined (BI)
and aerofoil (AF) wheels are preferred over
forward curved models (FC)

65
 Integrated Sound Attenuators

66
 External
Acoustic Duct
Lagging

7 - 9 dB reduction in first 3
octave bands
67
 Rooftop Unit Condenser Section
Treatments

68
 Best Practices
Roof Mounted Equipment on
Dunnage Steel
• Restrained isolators if spring
• UV compatible shear mounts
• 3” to 4” thickened slab 8’ to 10’ around unit
perimeter
• Locate over utility space
• Keep away from skylights and operable
windows

69
 Cooling Towers
• Similar to Chiller strategies
• Restrained spring isolators
• Condenser fan discharge
treatment
• Path treatments

70
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 Best Practices
Vibration Isolation
• Follow ASHRAE guidelines for static deflection
• Review actual deflections
• Isolate pipes and ducts at riser and wall
penetrations
• Avoid suspended piping in mechanical rooms
below noise sensitive space
• Avoid cantilevered loads
• Proper adjustment of isolator lockdowns
and snubbers

72
 Pipe and Duct Penetrations

Acoustical Sealant
in ½” Gap Acoustical Batt Mineral Fiber
Packing

73
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 Best Practices

Pumps
• Concrete inertia bases
• Support elbows on base
• Open springs
• Seismic snubbers for
base
• Molded neoprene flexes
• Vibration isolation
hangers for 50’ or entire
mechanical room
• Acoustic treatment rarely
needed
80
 Best Practices

AHU Duct Silencers

• Avoid high pressure
drop models
• Evaluate self
generated noise
• Apply ∆p correction
factors
• Stay 3 equivalent duct
diameters away from
fittings
81
 Guidelines for Sound Trap Placement
Near Fans and Duct Fittings

82
 Best Practices
Avoiding Respirable Fibers
• Fiber free reactive duct silencers
(packless)
• Media wrap of packed silencers
with spacers
• Closed cell thermal insulation
• Open cell melamine foams

83
84
 Best Practices
Duct Design
• Follow ASHRAE guidelines
• Follow SMACNA guidelines
• Control ductwork aspect ratios
• Increase gauge and stiffening near units
• Double wall duct
• Duct shape
• Target velocities consistent with target
NC goals

85
 Turbulence = Regenerated Noise

86
 Regenerated Noise at Fittings
Recommended maximum airflow
velocities for various installations

87
 Duct
Shapes

88
 Best Practices
Room Diffusers
• Select diffusers for 6 to 8
NC points below room
target NC
• Long radius 90° flexes to
diffusers add 1 to 3 NC
points
• “Kinked” flexes add 7 to 9
NC points
• Balancing dampers
should be located three
equivalent duct diameters
away from diffusers and
fittings
• Open plenum return
grilles may require lined
elbow
89
 Best Practices
VAV Boxes
• Lined discharge 10’ to 15’
• First take-off minimum 3’ from discharge
• Single duct VAV 1500 – 1700 CFM
• Fan powered VAV 1100 – 1200 CFM
• External wraps for casing radiated noise

90
 Recommended VAV Detail

91
 Removable Wraps Reduce
Radiated Noise

92
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