Prediction model for sound transmission from machinery in buildings: feasible approaches and problems to be solved

Prediction models for the airborne and impact sound transmission in buildings have recently been established (EN 12354- 1&2:1999). However, these models do not cover technical installations and machinery as a source of sound in buildings. Yet these can cause unacceptable sound levels and it is therefore desirable to have design tools available to predict sound levels caused by machinery in advance or to design measures to reduce the sound level in existing situations. Future parts of the EN 12354- series should treat that subject, but the best approach on an engineering level is not self-evident and there are still a lot of questions to be solved. That is especially so concerning structure-borne sound transmission, which is the focus point of this paper.