Noise from gym in apartments above - measured levels from deadweight lifting

Abstract

Noise levels from deadweight lifting in gym to apartments in the floors above have been measured. In Norway the noise limit for the highest regular levels is LA,Fmax 27 dBA in apartments from gyms. The noise limit is sharpened with 5 dB to 22 dBA when the noise is impulsive. Measurements in Kristiansand where there was gym in 1st floor and apartments above showed LA,Fmax of 29-35 dBA in 2nd floor and 24-28 dBA in 4th floor from deadweight lifting when the weights were dropped from "low height". This kind of lifting is seen upon as representative and typical for most of the users. The basic construction between ground floor and 1st floor is with thick 300 mm concrete, 250 mm polystyrene and 90 mm concrete. Above that there is a good elastic floor with Sylomer rubber and wood/tiles plus a lifting platform. Even with such a good floor representative deadweight lifting is not able to fulfill the demands for noise in the norwegian regulations. The situation in Kristiansand made discussion about what is meant by "representative lifting", because the gym has posters with information about that weights have to be set quiet down on the floor when lifting.