Vibration damping of walls and ceilings in offices
Reduce structure-borne noise and vibrations transmitted through walls and ceilings in office environments
In office environments, vibrations from technical equipment, installations, and building systems can spread through walls and ceilings. When vibrations are transmitted through the building's structure, structure-borne noise, low-frequency humming, or recurring vibrations often occur, which have a negative impact on the working environment. These disturbances can be felt in several rooms at the same time and are often difficult to locate. Vibration damping of walls and ceilings aims to limit this transmission and reduce how vibrations spread in the office structure.
What does vibration damping of walls and ceilings involve?
Vibration damping of walls and ceilings involves reducing how mechanical movements are transmitted through the building's load-bearing elements. 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 themselves in the structure. The goal is to break the mechanical connection that causes movements to spread through studs, fastenings, and connected building components.
Common problems with vibrations through walls and ceilings
In offices, vibration problems often arise when technical equipment is mounted on walls or ceilings, such as ventilation units, fans, cooling systems, or piping. Vibrations from machines placed on the floor can also spread upward through walls and ceilings and be perceived as disturbing noise in workrooms, meeting rooms, or common areas. The problems often manifest as a dull humming, pulsating sound, or subtle shaking that affects concentration and work peace.
How do vibrations spread in wall and ceiling structures?
When vibrations are conducted into a wall or ceiling, the movement continues through studs, board material, fastenings, and connections to other building components. The structure can act as a conducting structure where the vibrations are spread further and sometimes amplified by resonance. This means that the disturbances are often experienced far from the actual source of the vibrations, which is common in larger office spaces with contiguous structures.
Vibrations via fastenings
Fixed installations can transfer mechanical movements directly to walls and ceilings.
Spread between building components
Walls and ceilings often act as links that transmit vibrations throughout the building.
Why choose vibration damping for walls and ceilings?
Vibration damping for walls and ceilings is often crucial when disturbances cannot be resolved by measures taken on the machine or floor alone. By reducing the spread of vibrations in these building components, both structure-borne noise and perceived shaking can be effectively reduced. This measure contributes to a calmer, more stable, and professional office environment where concentration and well-being are improved.
Well-considered advice for best results
For best results, it is important to identify how the vibrations enter the wall and ceiling structure. A common mistake is to focus solely on the sound that is heard, without taking into account the mechanical transmission in the building. By working with vibration damping where the movement is led into the structure, the disturbances can be reduced more effectively and in the long term.
Vibration damping of walls and ceilings is therefore an important measure for reducing disturbing vibrations and structure-borne noise in office environments.