Vibration damping for machines and equipment – reduces vibrations
Reduce structure-borne noise and vibrations from technical equipment in restaurant environments
In restaurant environments, machines and technical equipment are a common source of disruptive vibrations. Dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, ventilation equipment and kitchen appliances often operate continuously and can create vibrations that are transmitted through floors, walls and installations. These vibrations are not always felt where the machine is located, but spread as structure-borne noise to dining rooms, serving areas, or adjacent premises. Vibration damping of machines and equipment aims to reduce this mechanical transmission and create a more controlled and comfortable sound environment.
What does vibration damping of machines involve?
Vibration damping means limiting how mechanical movements are transmitted from a machine to the building's structure. Unlike sound insulation, which stops airborne sound between rooms, and sound absorption, which reduces echo and reverberation in the room, vibration damping focuses on reducing the vibrations in the structure itself. By reducing vibrations at the source, the risk of low-frequency noise and disturbing structure-borne noise is also reduced.
Common sources of vibration in restaurants
In restaurants, vibrations often come from dishwashers, ice machines, refrigerators and freezers, ventilation fans, pumps, and compressors. Even smaller equipment such as coffee machines, blenders, and food preparation equipment can cause continuous vibrations, especially when they are placed directly on the floor or permanently mounted to benches and walls.
Since many of these machines are used for long periods of the day—and sometimes even at night—the vibrations can affect both the guest experience and the working environment for staff if not managed correctly.
How do vibrations from machines spread?
When a machine vibrates, the movement is transferred to the surface it is standing on and then through the building's structure. Floors, walls, pipes, and ventilation ducts act as effective transmission paths. In restaurant premises with hard materials and continuous structures, the vibrations can therefore spread far from the machine itself and be perceived as humming or shaking in completely different parts of the premises.
Principles for effective vibration damping
Effective vibration damping is based on reducing direct contact between the machine and the building frame. By working with decoupling, elastic intermediate layers, and correct placement, the vibrations can be slowed down before they are transmitted further. The goal is to deal with the problem at the source, rather than trying to dampen the consequences afterwards.
Why choose vibration damping for machines in restaurant environments?
Vibration damping of machines contributes to a quieter dining room, a better working environment in the kitchen, and a reduced risk of disturbance to surrounding premises or residences. This measure is often crucial in restaurants where technical equipment is used intensively and where noise problems cannot be solved by sound absorption or sound insulation alone.
Well-thought-out advice for best results
For the best effect, each machine should be assessed based on its location, how often it is used, and how vibrations spread throughout the building. A common mistake is to focus on the room where the noise is heard, even though the cause is often mechanical transmission from kitchen equipment. By working systematically with vibration damping on the machines, a more stable and long-term comfortable restaurant environment is created.
Vibration damping of machines and equipment is therefore a key measure for reducing disturbing vibrations and structure-borne noise in restaurant environments.