Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ON
PUMPING SYSTEM NOISE CONTROL
December 2005
CONTENTS
Page No.
The inclusion of any information of any company or product or reference to 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 7
brand names of any particular product in this booklet does not in any way 2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE ........................................................... 8
imply recommendation or endorsement by the Government of Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (the Government). The inclusion or reference 3. PLANNING AGAINST NOISE PROBLEMS ................................... 9
is for demonstration purpose only and the non-inclusion of any product or 3.1 Positioning of Equipment ............................................................. 9
company herein shall not be construed as disapproval of the product or 3.2 Selection of Quiet Equipment .................................................... 10
company by the Government. The data regarding any product herein have 3.3 Scheduled Maintenance .............................................................. 10
been certified to be accurate by relevant manufacturers or their authorized
4. PROBLEMS AND PRACTICAL REMEDIES
agents or representatives. However, no warranty or guarantee whatsoever is
ON PUMPING SYSTEM NOISE .................................................... 11
or shall be construed as being given by the Government in respect of any
4.1 Air-borne Noise from Ringing Pipes ......................................... 11
product referred to herein. Readers are advised to seek independent experts
4.2 Structure-borne Noise from Pipes .............................................. 13
or technical advice regarding the operation, use, installation, maintenance or
4.3 Air-borne Noise from Pumpsets ................................................. 15
otherwise of any product referred to herein.
4.4 Structure-borne Noise from Pumpsets ....................................... 19
4.5 Important Note ........................................................................... 21
2 3
APPENDICES LIST OF FIGURES
Page No. Page No.
I. STATUTORY CONTROL OVER NOISE ..................................... 24 Figure 1 Inertia Block, Spring, Isolation Pad and Flexible Connector .... 9
Figure 2 Noise from Ringing Pipes ....................................................... 11
II. NOISE PREDICTION .................................................................... 25
Figure 3 Large Radius Bend and Pipe Lagging ..................................... 12
III. TYPICAL SOUND POWER LEVELS OF PUMPSETS ............. 29
Figure 4 Noise from Vibrating Pipes ..................................................... 13
IV. COMPLETE ENCLOSURES ......................................................... 30
Figure 5 Vibration Isolation of Pipes ..................................................... 14
V. PARTIAL ENCLOSURES .............................................................. 31 Figure 6 Air-borne Noise from Pumpsets ............................................. 15
VI. BARRIERS ...................................................................................... 32 Figure 7 Barrier for Pumpsets ............................................................... 16
VII. INERTIA BLOCKS ......................................................................... 33 Figure 8 Complete Enclosure for Pumpsets .......................................... 17
Figure 9 Plantroom for Pumpsets .......................................................... 18
VIII. VIBRATION ISOLATORS ............................................................. 34
Figure 10 Structure-borne Noise from Pumpsets .................................... 19
IX. SILENCERS .................................................................................... 37
Figure 11 Vibration Isolation of Pumpsets .............................................. 20
X. ACOUSTIC LOUVRES ................................................................. 38 Figure 12 Partial Enclosures .................................................................... 31
XI. SOUNDPROOF DOORS ............................................................... 39 Figure 13 Barriers .................................................................................... 32
XII. VIBRATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE ..................................... 40 Figure 14 Metal Springs .......................................................................... 36
4 5
LIST OF TABLES 1. INTRODUCTION
Page No.
Table 1 Quick Reference Guide ............................................................. 8 Under the Noise Control Ordinance, noise generated from industrial or
commercial activities should comply with the noise standards as stipulated in
Table 2 Recommended Practical Remedies ......................................... 22
the relevant Technical Memorandum. It is generally recognized that operation
Table 3 Acceptable Noise Level (dB(A)), at 1m from Facade............. 24 of pumping systems is one of these noisy activities. This booklet highlights
Table 4 Acceptable Noise Level (dB(A)), at an Internal Location ....... 24 the importance of planning against noise problems. It gives a brief description
of potential noise problems associated with pumping systems and provides
Table 5 Distance Attenuation at Given Distances ................................ 27 guidelines on practical noise control measures that are applicable for new
Table 6 Summation of Noise Levels .................................................... 27 designs and for retrofitting existing designs.
Table 7a Typical Sound Power Levels of Pumpsets at 3600 rpm .......... 29
The reader is reminded that compliance with the recommendations of this
Table 7b Typical Sound Power Levels of Pumpsets at 1800 rpm .......... 29 booklet does not necessarily mean compliance with the legislative requirements.
Table 8 Sound Insulation Materials for Enclosures .............................. 30 Besides, the recommendations made in this booklet are not exhaustive.
Alternative solutions to achieve the same results may exist. The reader is
Table 9 Guide for Inertia Block Selection ............................................ 33 therefore recommended to consult independent experts throughout the process
Table 10 Minimum Static Deflection for for ensuring the use of proper and cost effective noise control measures.
Various Speeds of Machines ................................................... 35
This booklet is designed mainly for reference by restaurant operators, building
Table 11 Sound Transmission Class of Doors ....................................... 39
operators and those pumping contractors who do not have sufficient noise
Table 12 Vibration Identification Guide ................................................ 40 control knowledge. Architects, building services engineers or other relevant
professional parties may also use it as a checklist to ensure that proper measures
will be taken to avoid noise problem in designing pumping systems and locating
pumping equipment. The main contents are written in plain language illustrated
by schematic diagrams for easy understanding by a layman. The focus is on
practicable measures. More technical information can be found in appendices.
The reader is also advised that there is another booklet "Good Practices on
Ventilation System Noise Control" available which describes ventilation system
noise problems and possible solutions.
6 7
2. QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE 3. PLANNING AGAINST NOISE PROBLEMS
The following quick reference guide allows the reader to go directly to the 3.1 Positioning of Equipment
relevant section or appendix concerning a particular problem.
The installation position of a pumpset is of critical importance in
determining the noise level at the affected noise sensitive receivers (e.g.
residential buildings or schools). Where practicable, the equipment should
be placed in a plant room with thick walls or at a much greater distance
Table 1 : Quick Reference Guide
from the receiver or behind some large enough obstruction (e.g. a building
Source of Noise Problem Remedies Relevant Relevant or a barrier) such that the line of sight between the receiver and the
Section Appendix
equipment is blocked. If noisy equipment has to be placed near a receiver
Pumpsets - Barrier 4.3 VI due to spatial or other constraints (e.g. the pumpset is located inside a
- Partial enclosure 4.3 V residential premises with noise sensitive receivers above or below),
- Complete enclosure 4.3 IV sufficient noise control measures should be considered. Figure 1 shows a
- Replacement of bearing 3.2 & 4.3 -- pumping system of a new development, which has been placed in a pump
- Inertia block 4.4 VII
room equipped with adequate noise control measures in the design stage
- Vibration isolator 4.4 VIII
to prevent noise problems.
- Flexible connector 4.4 --
Pipes - Large radius bend pipe 4.1 --
- Composite lagging 4.1 --
- Low water flow velocities 4.1 --
- Rigid mountings 4.1 --
around the bend
- Vibration isolator 4.2 VIII
- Compressible material 4.2 --
- Pressure reducing valve 4.2 --
8 9
3.2 Selection of Quiet Equipment 4. PROBLEMS AND PRACTICAL REMEDIES ON
On average, quieter equipment may generally be more expensive. PUMPING SYSTEM NOISE
However, it is almost always more economical in the long run to buy
quieter equipment than to reduce noise by modification after purchase
(e.g. silent type pumps). Most equipment has a range of readily available 4.1 Air-borne Noise from Ringing Pipes
noise control devices that are able to deal with the noise problems. It is
(A) Problems
advisable that noise levels specification is included when ordering new
equipment. This allows the equipment suppliers to select appropriate Water flows in a pipe causing vibration at the pipe wall and generating
equipment and optional noise control devices to suit the acoustic broadband noise which may cause noise disturbance to nearby residents
requirements. (see Fig. 2). When the water flow changes direction suddenly because of
obstacles in the pipe such as sharp bends or valves, a loud noise is generated
3.3 Scheduled Maintenance which becomes louder with increasing water flow rate and pipe size.
In order to prevent increasing noise produced by existing equipment, it is
necessary to put in place a regularly scheduled equipment maintenance
programme so that equipment is properly operated and serviced in order
to maintain controlled level of noise and vibration. Maintenance may
include lubricating moving parts, tightening loosen parts, replacing worn-
out components or inspecting equipment alignment, etc. Vibration
measurements at various frequencies may help to detect causes of excessive
vibration or noise of a machine. A guide to vibration identification is
given in Appendix XII.
10 11
(B) Practical Remedies 4.2 Structure-borne Noise from Pipes
Use pipes with larger radius bends (see Fig. 3) so as to minimize vibration (A) Problems
of pipe walls.
Vibration from the water flow in pipes may be transmitted from the pipe
Use rigid mountings around the bend with suitable vibration isolators
runs to the interior of the building through building structure where the
(see Fig. 3) to minimize pipe vibration.
pipes are mounted. It becomes more severe when the pipes are in direct
Apply pipe lagging to damp the pipe ringing noise (see Fig. 3). contact with large planes such as walls or slabs (see Fig. 4). The vibration
Use a larger pipe or adjust water flow velocities to below 2m/sec to transmitted may activate the building structure to generate noise which
minimize pipe vibration. causes noise disturbance to residents inside the building.
12 13
4.3 Air-borne Noise from Pumpsets
Use vibration isolators for attaching pipes to walls, ceilings or floors The major noise source of a pump is usually the bearing noise as a result
(see Fig. 5), thereby isolating them from the building structure. of bearing worn-out. However, the noise contributed by the pump itself
Isolate pipes where they penetrate the slabs and walls by compressible is small relative to that generated from its associated motor. The major
materials, such as rubber sleeve or glass fibre packing (see Fig. 5), noise source of a motor is usually the air movement induced by the cooling
thereby isolating them from the building structure. fan, which may cause noise disturbance to nearby residents (see Fig. 6).
Install pressure reducing valves to regulate water pressure and hence
the water flow, thereby reducing vibration of pipes.
14 15
(B) Practical Remedies (B) Practical Remedies (Contd)
Replace worn-out bearing so as to reduce the noise. Fabricate a complete enclosure with silencers at outlet and inlet of the
Erect a barrier between the pumpset and nearby residential buildings enclosure (see Fig. 8) so as to contain and absorb the noise energy
(see Fig. 7) so as to block the noise propagation path (see App. VI). radiated by the source (see App. IV).
Fabricate a partial enclosure to contain and absorb the noise energy
radiated by the source (see App. V).
16 17
4.4 Structure-borne Noise from Pumpsets
Locate the pumpset inside a plantroom (see Fig. 9) with silencers at air Vibration from an operating pumpset may be transmitted to the interior
inlet and outlet, and a soundproof door (see App. XI). of the building through building structure when the pumpset is directly
mounted on a supporting structure without proper isolation (see Fig. 10).
The vibration transmitted may activate the building structure to generate
noise which causes noise disturbance to residents inside the building.
18 19
4.5 Important Note
(B) Practical Remedies The above only suggests solutions for a particular noise problem. In real
life, the noise may be caused by more than one source. In those cases,
Provide an inertia block to support the pumpset (see Fig. 11) so as to several remedies may be required simultaneously to solve the problem.
add rigidity and stability to the pumping system, and provide vibration
isolators (see Fig.11) to support the inertia block, thereby isolating it
from the building structure (see App. VII and VIII).
Provide flexible connectors between the pump and associated pipework,
thereby preventing the vibration of the pumpset being transmitted to
the pipework (see Fig. 11).
20 21
5. RECOMMENDED PRACTICAL REMEDIES 6. GLOSSARY OF ACOUSTIC TERMINOLOGY
FOR DIFFERENT EXCEEDANCE LEVELS
A-Weighted Decibel (dB(A)) - The A-weighted decibel is a unit for
measuring noise taking into account the way
The following recommended practical remedies for different noise exceedance human ear responds to sound.
levels are for reference purpose only. No guarantee is given to the performance
of the application of the recommended remedies. The reader is advised to Air-borne Noise - Noise arrives at a point of interest by
seek professional advice from independent experts in case of doubts or propagation through air.
complicated problems.
Frequency - The number of repetitive variations of sound
pressure per unit of time which is usually stated
in Hertz (Hz).
Table 2 : Recommended Practical Remedies
Cause of Problem Noise Exceedance Recommended Noise - Noise is any sound which at the time of
Level (dB(A)) Practical Remedies
reception is unwanted or disturbing.
Bearing Noise < 15 - Bearing replacement
> 15 - Quieter pump or pump relocation Sound Power Level - A measure, in decibels, of the total acoustic
Whining Pump Noise < 10 - Barrier power radiated by a given sound source. It is
10 to 20 - Partial enclosure independent of any reference distance or other
> 20 - Complete enclosure and silencers extraneous factors.
Structure-borne - Inertia block and
noise from Pumps < 20 vibration isolators
Sound Pressure Level - A measure, in decibels, of the sound pressure
- Flexible connectors
at a particular point. It is dependent upon
> 20 - Pump relocation
Ringing pipe noise - No sharp bend
distance from the source and many other
- Pipe lagging
extraneous factors.
< 10 - Low water flow velocities
- Rigid mountings around the bend Structure-borne Noise - Noise arrives at a point of interest by
> 10 - Partial enclosure propagation through a solid structure.
Structure-borne - Isolation of pipes
noise from Pipes < 20 - Vibration isolators
- Pressure reducing valve
> 20 - Piping system relocation
22 23
Appendix I Appendix II
24 25
Appendix II (Contd) Appendix II (Contd)
28 29
Appendix IV Appendix V
When a noise reduction of 20dB(A) or more is required, it is generally necessary Partial enclosures are structures erected around a source of noise, but not
to use a complete enclosure if the noise problem is a result of air-borne noise fully enclosing the source and leaving space for natural ventilation, which
transmission. The enclosure should be internally lined with 50mm thick sound will be effective only when there is no line of sight between the noise source
absorbing material (e.g. fibre glass). A variety of materials can be utilized for and the receiver. The use of partial enclosures has advantages over complete
fabricating an enclosure. The sound transmission loss for enclosures using enclosures in terms of cost, accessibility, and ventilation, but design and
different materials are given in Table 8. Ventilation of enclosures should not construction should be done carefully. Ideally, a reduction of up to 20dB(A)
be overlooked as most equipment, such as motors, requires an adequate air can be achieved.
supply either to prevent overheating or to enable them to function efficiently.
A silenced ventilation system incorporating silencers at the air intakes and
discharge openings should be employed (see Figure 8).
30 31
Appendix VI Appendix VII
To be effective, an acoustic barrier needs to be placed as close as possible A heavy and rigid inertia block is often used as the base for equipment in
either to the noise source or the receiving position. There should be no gap or order to reduce motion, lower the centre of gravity, minimize the effect of
joint in the barrier through which noise will leak. The surface density of the unequal weight distribution of the support equipment, and stabilize the entire
barrier must be at least 10kg/m2. Ideally, the length of the barrier should be at vibration isolation system. Generally an inertia block should be at least 15cm
least 5 times its height. Line of sight between the source and the receiver must thick and very stiff and rigid to avoid significant flexure in any direction.
be cut off completely. Table 9 shows a recommended weight of inertia block for various rating of
pumpsets.
A reduction of noise level of between 5dB(A) to 10dB(A) can generally be
resulted. Noise reduction will be greater if the barrier is lined with sound However, when the mass of the supported equipment is enormous, there may
absorbing material at the surface of the barrier facing the noise source or is be no need for additional mass in the form of inertia blocks; a rigid frame to
extended as high as possible above the line of sight. support (e.g. Reinforced Concrete Beam) the entire assembly may be sufficient.
32 33
Appendix VIII Appendix VIII (Contd)
VIBRATION ISOLATORS Table 10 : Minimum Static Deflection for Various Speeds of Machines
Motordriven equipment vibrates during operation. The method of reducing Minimum Static Deflection at
vibration transmission to other sensitive areas is to separate the equipment Machine Speed Various Isolation Efficiency (mm)
from the supporting structure by vibration isolators. Generally, there are two (rpm) 1% 5% 10% 15%
types of vibration isolators, metal springs and isolation pads, that are widely 3600 14.0 1.5 1.0 0.5
used for vibration isolation. 2400 30.5 3.5 2.0 1.5
1800 56.0 6.0 3.0 2.0
i) Metal Springs 1600 71.5 7.5 4.0 3.0
Springs are particularly applicable where heavy equipment is to be isolated or 1400 91.5 10.0 5.5 4.0
where the required static deflections exceed 12.5mm. Static deflection of a 1200 124.5 13.5 7.0 5.0
spring is a value specified by the suppliers. Selection of appropriate springs is 1100 150.0 15.5 8.5 6.0
1000 180.5 19.0 10.0 7.0
important as this may result in poor isolation efficiency or even amplification
900 223.0 23.5 12.5 9.0
of vibration, especially in the case that the vibration frequency is extremely
800 282.0 30.5 15.5 11.0
low.
700 -- 38.5 20.5 14.0
600 -- 53.5 28.0 19.5
The most important feature of spring mounts is to provide good isolation due
550 -- 63.5 33.0 23.0
to its ability of withstanding relatively large static deflection. Metal springs
400 -- 117.0 61.0 43.5
however have the disadvantage that at very high frequencies vibration can
350 -- 155.0 81.5 56.0
travel along the spring into the adhered structure. This is normally overcome 300 -- 211.0 109.5 76.5
by incorporating a neoprene pad in the spring assembly so that there is no 250 -- -- 157.5 109.5
metal-to-metal contact. Most commercially available springs contain such a Note
pad as a standard feature. Figure 14 shows some common spring mountings. 1. The above static deflections are obtained by theoretical calculations, which are for reference
Table 10 provides the minimum static deflection required for achieving only. Commercial products with static deflections greater than about 100mm may not be
particular isolation efficiency at different equipment speeds. available in the market.
2. The reader is also recommended to consult independent experts for installation involving
vibration isolators with high static deflections.
34 35
Appendix VIII (Contd) Appendix IX
36 37
Appendix X Appendix XI
Hollow-core wood 7 20
Solid-core wood 17 26
Steel-faced door 16 26
Fiberglass-reinforced plastic door 12 24
38 39
Appendix XII Appendix XIII
40 41
Appendix XIV Appendix XV
11. Mark E. Schaffer (1991), A Practical Guide to Noise and Vibration Control
for HVAC Systems.
13. Sound Research Laboratories Ltd (1991), 3rd Edition, Noise Control in
Industry.
14. Trade and Technical Press Ltd (1983), 5th Edition, Handbook of Noise
and Vibration Control.
42 43
Appendix XVI
44