What is Vibration Isolation? Why is Vibration Isolation Important?
Vibration Isolation involves minimizing the movement and noise caused by heavy mechanical equipment and its operations. By implementing effective isolation solutions, you ensure a quieter, more comfortable environment for building occupants, while protecting both the building structure and the equipment from premature depreciation.
What are seismic restraints?
Seismic restraint systems are designed to keep machinery and equipment secure during any seismic or extreme wind or weather events. By installing seismic restraint systems onto your MEP components, you comply with building codes while protecting your building’s integrity, occupants and the valuable machinery is relieved from potential damages.
How do I choose the right vibration isolation solution for my project?
Selecting the appropriate vibration isolation solution for your project requires evaluating factors such as the type of MEP equipment, its load, the operating conditions, the structure on which it stands, and the desired level of achieved vibration control. For tailored recommendations, send us an RFQ and our experts can take care of the rest, prioritizing your best solution!
What standards and regulations apply to vibration isolation and seismic restraints?
At ISOTECH Industries, we adhere to a comprehensive set of standards and regulations to ensure our products and designs meet the highest safety and performance criteria across North America. This includes following the National Building Code of Canada, California Building Code, Ontario Building Code, International Building Code, ASHRAE guidelines, CSA S832-06, ASCE 7, and FEMA recommendations. While these codes provide a solid foundation for our designs, our team of professional engineers are also licensed across all States and Provinces, allowing the ability to design each project to address the specific environmental conditions and seismic risks of its location.
What are the different types of vibration isolators available?
At ISOTECH Industries, we – ISOTECH Industries offers a wide range of vibration isolators designed for various applications. Our selection includes Spring Isolators and Mounts, Ceiling Isolation Hangers, Elastomeric Isolators, Air Spring Isolators, Pad Isolation, Double Deflection Rubber in Shear Isolation, and more. These isolators are ideal for industrial machinery, HVAC systems, and suspended piping equipment. Additionally, we provide Steel and Concrete Inertia Bases that improve rigidity and reduce vibration for both indoor and outdoor equipment, ensuring enhanced performance and reliability across a variety of settings.
Can Vibration Isolation Products also provide Seismic Restraint?
Some vibration isolators are designed with integral seismic restraint capabilities, while others require additional seismic bracing to fulfill the project’s seismic requirements. Products able to protect against both vertical and lateral forces can achieve both. Those that offer seismic capabilities typically include an isolated spring with rubber elements and housings that offer all-directional restraint. Examples of ISOTECH products that can perform this way include; ICSS, IBSS, Floating Riser Systems, etc. However, their effectiveness relies on proper selection, installation, and attachment to both the equipment and building structure, making them a comprehensive solution for equipment protection in seismically active areas.
Who Uses Vibration Isolation and Seismic Restraint Solutions?
These systems are commonly found in high-rise buildings, schools, government facilities, hospitals, data centers, offices, and any other locations vulnerable to damage from extreme weather, seismic events, or the operation of heavy machinery that generates noise and rapid movements. As a result, vibration isolation and seismic restraint systems are essential across a wide range of industries, including HVAC, construction, energy, manufacturing, transportation, and more.
Can vibration isolation be installed in retrofit applications?
Yes, vibration isolation can often be retrofitted to existing systems. Various solutions, such as vibration isolation mounts, flexible connections, and retrofit kits, can be added to equipment or structures that were not originally designed with isolation in mind. These modifications help reduce vibrations and protect sensitive components without requiring a full redesign, making it a feasible option for improving performance and safety in many systems.
How does thermal expansion affect vibration isolation systems?
Thermal expansion can significantly affect vibration isolation systems by altering the alignment, tension, and performance of the isolators. As temperatures fluctuate, materials expand and contract, which may lead to changes in the load distribution on isolators, potentially causing misalignment or increased stress on the system. This can reduce the effectiveness of the vibration isolation and, in extreme cases, lead to system failure. To mitigate this, Isotech Industries designs vibration isolation systems with materials and components that accommodate thermal expansion, ensuring that the isolators maintain optimal performance even under varying temperature conditions. We also offer custom engineering solutions to tailor systems to specific temperature ranges and operational requirements.
What are Floating Floors for Vibration Isolation?
Floating floors provide enhanced vibration isolation on entire floors by separating the floor from the structure, which reduces noise transmission and improves comfort. Floating Floors can be found in every-day locations such as Mechanical Rooms, Boiler Rooms, Symphony halls, Theaters, Recording studios, Libraries, Gymnasiums, on roofs between sensitive spaces and fly-by noise sources, etc. – essentially any application that requires sound transmission to be reduced. ISOTECH Industries designs and manufactures Floating Floors that come in different combinations of materials depending on the area it is installed in and the required Sound Transmission Class (STC) levels required.
How do flexible connections help in vibration isolation?
Flexible connections play a crucial role in vibration isolation by absorbing and dampening the vibrations transmitted through pipes, ducts, and mechanical systems. By using materials like rubber or braided metal, flexible connections allow for slight movements and shifts in the system, preventing the transfer of vibrations to surrounding structures or equipment. This helps reduce noise, protect sensitive components, and maintain the integrity of the system. At ISOTECH Industries, we design flexible connections tailored to specific applications, ensuring effective vibration isolation and improved system performance.
What are suspended ceiling isolation hangers and how do they work?
Suspended ceiling isolation hangers are systems designed to reduce the transmission of vibrations and noise from the building structure to the ceiling and its components. They typically consist of resilient materials such as rubber or spring-based isolators, which are attached to the ceiling grid. These hangers allow the ceiling to “float” independently from the building structure, absorbing vibration. You can look for suspended ceiling hangers in spaces such as offices, hospitals, data centres, high-rise buildings, and theaters.
What's the Difference Between Vibration Isolation and Seismic Restraint?
Vibration isolation and seismic restraint serve distinct but complementary roles in a comprehensive system. Vibration isolators are engineered to mitigate the transmission of vibrations from machinery or equipment, reducing their impact on the surrounding environment, and addressing concerns such as noise, operational vibrations, and acoustics. In contrast, seismic restraints are specifically designed to secure equipment during seismic events, such as earthquakes, preventing displacement and minimizing the risk of damage. While certain advanced vibration isolation systems may offer limited seismic protection, dedicated seismic restraint systems are essential for ensuring full compliance with building codes and maintaining robust safety standards. Integrating both solutions provides optimal performance in vibration control and seismic resilience.
How do I make sure my equipment has been isolated or restrained properly?
To ensure your equipment has been properly isolated or restrained, our engineers are available for site visits throughout the project timeline to address any questions regarding installation or maintenance. Additionally, all our products come with detailed installation instructions, both in print and online, so you can easily access guidance whenever needed. This support helps ensure the correct setup and ongoing effectiveness of your vibration isolation and seismic restraint systems.