Vibration Isolation Fitness Clubs

This information has been prepared by Acoustic Dynamics Acoustical Consultancy Services. Acoustic Dynamics has become a leading acoustical consultancy, specialising in provision of advice for DA planning and application, gym fit out, and ongoing gym management and operation. Acoustic Dynamics is a reputable independent acoustical consultancy and they do not receive any inducements for recommending Regupol’s products. The past few years have seen:

• Significant increases in gym membership
• Significant changes in typical gym usage and activities undertaken
• Gyms now commonly occupy mixed occupancy buildings
• Authorities receive more noise and vibration complaints than ever before
• Land lords and building owners/managers seeking to evict gyms tenants
• More rigorous scrutiny of development applications (DAs) for gyms
• Significant increases in litigation between authorities and gym operators
• Significant increases in costs to gym operators arising from:
  • Additional planning and consultancy costs
  • Additional fit out costs
  • Litigation costs
  • Additional retrospective acoustic mitigation treatment costs

Acoustic Criteria

For each specific gym location, a detailed review of the relevant acoustic criteria is required. This includes a review of the following:

• State Government legislation (Acts and Regulations)
• State Government regulatory authority criteria, policies and guidelines (eg. Department of Planning, EPA, Harbour Foreshore Authority requirements including State Environmental Planning Policies etc)
• Local Council requirements (eg. LEP, DCP, Exempt & Complying DCP, Standard Conditions of Development Consent etc)
• Relevant ISO, other International and Australian Standards
• Strata By Laws and requirements
• Professional Association guidelines
• Rental lease requirements

Acoustic Disturbance From Gyms

Acoustic disturbances from gyms typically fall within the following categories:

1. Vibration Transmission - where vibration generated within the gym is transmitted throughout the building structure;
2. Regenerated Noise - where noise is produced within the adjacent areas of the building, resulting from the transmission of vibration throughout the building structure); and
3. Airborne Noise Transmission - where noise within the gym is transmitted through the floor/ceiling or wall partitions into the adjacent occupancies.
   
   

The dropping of free weights or other hard and/or heavy objects onto the floor are activities most likely to generate acoustic disturbance.

Pin and plate loaded equipment produces similar disturbances, of slightly lesser magnitude. Weight lifting platforms and associated dropping of loaded bars onto these platform, typically causes the highest level of acoustic disturbance from gyms.

Location Specific Critical Factors

The degree of acoustic disturbance may differ significantly from building to building, depending upon a number of variables. These variables include:

• The applicable legislation, criteria, standards and guidelines
• Receivers type (residential, commercial (office), retail, medical etc)
• Whether the gym is located on a slab at ground or a suspended slab
• Whether the receiver is located on a slab at ground or a suspended slab
• Whether the receiver is above or below the gym
• The column spacing within the building
• The thickness of the slab
• Whether the slab is pre or post-tensioned concrete
• Whether a suspended ceiling is within the gym or receiver occupancy
• The type of activities undertaken within the gym
• The hours that the gym operates and the activities undertaken

The above list is not exhaustive, it merely demonstrates the importance of investigating each gym on a case-by-case basis to ensure the most appropriate and feasible acoustic solution is achieved.

Contact Regupol Acoustic Team for acoustical performance values and further advice.