Measurements shows: Noise level drops

PohlCon had comparative noise and acceleration measurements carried out on structurally identical lifts with and without noise insulation.

According to the company, when using its own JAI lift insulation, a clear improvement was determined in qualitative noise level measurements.

"One day, people will have to fight noise as mercilessly as cholera and the plague. "Robert Koch was already aware of these problems 110 years ago. In a world where about 60 percent of the population live in cities, noise has become routine and also plays a role in lifts.

Consequently, noise protection is gaining in importance in new lift planning and the modernisation of lifts. Protecting users of a building with regard to noise pollution coming from the lift installed represents a technical challenge. The shaft structure selected and building materials used influence this. In a word, the task is to meet the requirements of the standards and regulations above all in neighbouring rooms that require protection.

Noise protection at sensitive points

If sufficiently great amplitudes of oscillations of a lift encounter the walls of a lift shaft, the wall itself also begins to oscillate. The interface between the guide rails and shaft structure here constitutes the neuralgic noise bridge. To prevent noise transmission at this point, damping elements exist that can be modified to the structure and mechanical peculiarities on site. P

articularly given the rising demands on structural noise protection, lift manufacturers, building planners and building physics specialists have started to focus on decoupling structure-borne noise transmission in design.

Pohlcon has developed a technical solution for structural oscillation separation with its JAI lift insulation. Consisting of various types, the system can be deployed both in new lifts as well as in existing installations. In addition, there are special insulation elements for backpack suspensions and car lifts.

Overview of results

PohlCon had noise and acceleration measurements carried out on two structurally identical lifts of the same age. One lift was left without noise insulation, the other was fitted with JAI elements in the area of the shaft head in the upper two attachment levels at five selected places to separate the noise bridge between the guide rails of the lift and shaft wall. JAI-A1J was used as a retrofitting version for attachment with dowels.

Despite the structurally unfavourable attachment of the elements due to the conditions given, a clear improvement in the qualitative noise level measurements was detectable. Quantitative measurements in the rooms of the adjoining flats documented a reduction in the airborne noise emissions experienced as irritating of up to 6°dB(A) at the peaks and of up to 3°dB(A) in the mean values. These values were confirmed across portions of the audible frequency range with octave band measurements.

Reduction in the noise level

At the same time, it must be borne in mind that this was a targeted retrofit and not a complete conversion. This prompts the conclusion that a complete conversion could have an even better result. Nevertheless, the result was clearly positive.

The JAI lift insulation from PohlCon reduces the oscillations between the guide rails of the lift and lift shaft and in this way reduces noise pollution in the neighbouring rooms. Consequently, it makes sense as an effective damping element between the guide rail and wall of the lift shaft.

The reduction in the noise level in the rooms requiring protection adjacent to the lift shaft was documented by noise measurements of the construction materials science research group of the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences. The comparative measurements were supported by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfram Vogel as independent expert from Vogel Gutachten.

More information: pohlcon.com