Swimming Pool Soundproofing in a Residential Complex

The Challenge

“Planex Invest” Ltd. is an investment and consulting company specializing in the operation, management, and maintenance of urban, holiday, and commercial properties. This company contacted the team at Acoustic Forcerequesting that we carry out an investigation into a challenging and rather unusual complaint from one of their clients. The issue had arisen in the modern residential complex “Aquarelle” in Varna, which was designed and built by them. The complaint came from residents of an apartment located on the top floor of the building.

The residents complained of low-frequency noise coming from the swimming pool located on level minus two of the residential building.The task for our specialists was indeed intriguing and required a tailored approach, along with the development of a step-by-step plan to help reduce the unpleasant noises that were disturbing the residents’ peace.

Our Solution

Постъпилото задание към екипа на Acoustic Force беше необичайно, тъй като очакваното звуково ниво в плувения басейн не е с високи стойности, а отделно шумът трябва да преодолее шест етажа, т.е няма видими индикации за наличие на подобно оплакване.

Ето как подходихме: Свързахме се със своя клиент и поискахме цялата проектна документация, за да обследваме всички възможни пътища на този нетипичен звук, идващ от басейна. След като я получихме, направихме подробен анализ на всичко, описано в нея. Следващата стъпка беше да посетим мястото. Екипът на Acoustic Force извърши измерване на звуковите нива в реална обстановка. При измерването не отчетохме надвишаване на нормативните изисквания.

Беше отчетен обаче един субективен факт – наличие на звук, който е в обхвата на чуваемия спектър на хората. Всички данни, които събрахме, ни дадоха по-ясна представа как да подходим. Благодарение на направената обективна оценка на ситуацията, се заехме с изготвянето на проект за откриване и анализиране източника на звука, както и възможни пътища за намаляването му.

The Execution

After a thorough analysis and examination of all possible options, we concluded that there were two potential causes of the noise:

– The first was the transmission of sound through sewage and ventilation pipes running from the swimming pool up to the top residential floor.

– The second possible cause was the installed stretch ceiling, which acts as a resonant “amplifier” of low frequencies, creating the so-called “drum” effect.

Based on the probable causes, we proposed specific soundproofing measures for the swimming pool to reduce the levels of unwanted noise. Our recommendations included:

– A step-by-step elimination of the causes, aimed at preventing the transmission of sound waves to the residential floor.

– Constructing soundproof enclosures around the pipes.

– Removing the stretch ceiling above the swimming pool.

In this way, our team once again provided valuable advice and outlined a concrete soundproofing plan, the implementation of which will undoubtedly contribute to the comfort of the apartment’s occupants, whose peace was being disturbed by low-frequency noise from the swimming pool. As experts with proven experience in the field of soundproofing, our primary goal is to deliver clear and precise solutions to any noise-related problems.