Reprinted Jerry G. Lilly, P.E.

from: Consulting Acoustical Engineer

Published by JGL Acoustics, Inc. • 5266 N.W. Village Park Dr. • Issaquah, WA 98027 • Tel:425-649-9344 • Email:jerrylilly@aol.com Volume 5

ROOFTOP UNITS No. 5

One of the most difficult problems which confronts HVAC mechanical The specific requirements for controlling air-borne noise from rooftop units
engineers is the problem of controlling noise and vibration from rooftop varies from project to project. Certain units are noisier than others, and
units. Rooftop units are usually prepackaged, self-contained, air conditioning selecting the quietest unit and locating it over non-critical space (i.e. a
or refrigeration units which are mounted on top of the roof (air conditioning storage room or restroom) is usually the most effective and least expensive
units are usually mounted on a factory built or site built curb). Rooftop units means of noise control. Prefabricated sound traps are sometimes required
are common in warehouse, low-rise office, and retail structures, but they can in the supply and return air ductwork, depending upon the duct layout and
also be found in hospitals, schools, and other commercial buildings. other details. The return air system is usually more critical than the supply
air system because it is often unducted and exposed directly to the ceiling
There are two acoustical problems which are commonly found with rooftop plenum of the occupied space.
units. One is noise radiated from the fans and compressors in the unit, and
the second is excessive vibration of the building. Both of these conditions Air-borne noise radiation through the roof can be a problem for lightweight
are affected by the roof structure, which in recent years has generally roofing systems such as metal deck with rigid insulation and built-up roofing.
trended toward lighter and more compliant systems to reduce costs. The Providing a concrete slab in the vicinity of the unit is usually required
following paragraphs provide general recommendations for solving these for larger air conditioning units. Radiated noise can also be reduced by
problems. Specific details (such as roof construction, isolator design and installing a sound barrier of gypsum board or steel between the roof deck
deflection, isolator placement, unit location, and duct configuration) must be and the unit. The following example provides specific details from a recently
individually generated for each project. completed project involving an existing rooftop refrigeration unit.
The first and most important step to controlling both noise and vibration is A large food distribution company in the Seattle area was expanding their
the installation of vibration isolators between the unit and the roof structure. offices inside a large warehouse, and they had already started construction
Deleting the vibration isolators will almost certainly cause excessive noise on their own corporate boardroom when they discovered that the noise from
in the occupied space below (even with a heavy concrete roof deck) due three rooftop chillers (located on the roof directly above the boardroom) was
to structure-borne sound transmission. For most systems some type of intolerable. Inspection of the units revealed no vibration isolators, and the
steel spring mount or spring isolation curb is adequate. Rubber mounts are roof system was simply plywood decking with built-up roofing.
usually inadequate. For very critical installations (such as above a hospital
operating room) high efficiency air springs may be required. In order to Rooftop Chiller Noise in Boardroom
make a proper isolator selection several factors must be known including
fan speed (rpm), unit weight at each support point, and the vertical and
horizontal stiffness of the supporting structure at the support points.
A properly selected and installed vibration isolation system will usually solve
the structure-borne sound and roof vibration problems, but it will have no
effect on the air-borne noise from the unit’s fans and compressors. Air-
borne noise generally follows three paths: 1) through the supply ductwork,
2) along the return air path, and 3) via direct radiation through the roof
and suspended ceiling. All three of these potential sound paths must be
checked in order to ensure a satisfactory installation.

The noise and vibration measurements indicated that the structure-borne

noise was about 15 dB greater than the air-borne noise, but both were
well above the desired NC-35 level. A detail illustrating the recommended
solution to the problem is shown at left. The rooftop units were remounted
on top of a spring isolation curb manufactured by Mason Industries
which was mounted directly to the existing roof deck. To control air-borne
compressor noise, a 2” thick acoustical panel (attached to the spring
isolation curb) was inserted under the compressors. A spring isolated
suspended acoustical ceiling backed with gypsum panels and batt insulation
completed the installation in the boardroom.
The measured results of this work are shown in the figure above. The
original noise level in the boardroom (without a suspended ceiling) was
NC-64 or 68 dBA. After completion of the specified work the noise level
was reduced to NC-36 or 42 dBA with all three compressors running.
Understandably, the owner is extremely pleased with the performance of
the system.

9/04 The above information has been reviewed and is believed to be accurate, however we assume no responsibility for errors or omissions.
Wu1006
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