ᐅ Noise level standard for ventilation system in the bathroom
Created on: 3 Nov 2020 11:08
M
ManuelRauberM
ManuelRauber3 Nov 2020 11:08Hello!
I have to admit this is not about construction itself, but rather about understanding/questioning an existing ventilation system. I hope someone can give me the right tips or keywords to find more information. The situation is as follows:
We moved in as tenants to a newly built multi-family house. Each apartment has its own separate Helios continuous ventilation system (I can find out more details if relevant for my request) in the bathroom for exhaust air to prevent mold. In my opinion, however, this system is quite loud/humming during normal operation. It is understandable that the system runs at full capacity (around 46 dB) during “high performance” mode (i.e., during/after showering) because the moisture needs to be removed.
In normal operation, the system has a noise level of about 41.6 dB, measured at a 2.2 m (7 ft) distance in a straight line inside the bathroom itself (see attachment). The technician, who came here after I raised this with the construction management, told me that according to the standard (which I unfortunately do not know and he couldn’t tell me either), measurements should be taken at 1.5 m (5 ft) distance, and in normal operation, the system should not exceed 37 dB. That would currently be the case.
Today, someone from Helios was in the building and said I should not measure inside the bathroom, but rather in the room where I subjectively find it too loud. So I measured in the bedroom opposite, with both bathroom and bedroom doors closed, and got a value of approximately 26 dB, which is of course within the standard. Still, in the evening you can hear the annoying low humming/buzzing of the system. According to the standard, this is acceptable, so apparently the developer has no obligation to take any action here. (We are not the only ones in the 12-unit building who have complained about the noise level of the system) Unfortunately, I am quite sensitive to sounds and have not been sleeping well since moving in a month ago because I constantly hear this humming.
In the attachment, I also included a log of the measurement data recorded over about 5 hours with nearly 100,000 data points. The outliers are due to entering and leaving the bathroom (once in the middle to check if everything was being recorded). The reference line is marked at 37 dB. However, these recordings were made inside the bathroom, not outside.
I hope, since I am an absolute layperson and only a tenant, not the developer, that someone can provide a few reliable data and statements on this topic. I have tried to find the relevant standard myself, but there are many, and I may just be missing the correct terms.
My questions are therefore:
a) Where exactly should I measure to get reliable results?
b) Which standards must be met here, and at what point must the developer take action?
c) If everything is correct, what options do I have to reduce the humming in the bedroom? (Materials for the door for better sound insulation?)
I would appreciate it if anyone has further information to share with me here.
If I can provide any additional information to help assess the situation better, please let me know.
Thank you!
I have to admit this is not about construction itself, but rather about understanding/questioning an existing ventilation system. I hope someone can give me the right tips or keywords to find more information. The situation is as follows:
We moved in as tenants to a newly built multi-family house. Each apartment has its own separate Helios continuous ventilation system (I can find out more details if relevant for my request) in the bathroom for exhaust air to prevent mold. In my opinion, however, this system is quite loud/humming during normal operation. It is understandable that the system runs at full capacity (around 46 dB) during “high performance” mode (i.e., during/after showering) because the moisture needs to be removed.
In normal operation, the system has a noise level of about 41.6 dB, measured at a 2.2 m (7 ft) distance in a straight line inside the bathroom itself (see attachment). The technician, who came here after I raised this with the construction management, told me that according to the standard (which I unfortunately do not know and he couldn’t tell me either), measurements should be taken at 1.5 m (5 ft) distance, and in normal operation, the system should not exceed 37 dB. That would currently be the case.
Today, someone from Helios was in the building and said I should not measure inside the bathroom, but rather in the room where I subjectively find it too loud. So I measured in the bedroom opposite, with both bathroom and bedroom doors closed, and got a value of approximately 26 dB, which is of course within the standard. Still, in the evening you can hear the annoying low humming/buzzing of the system. According to the standard, this is acceptable, so apparently the developer has no obligation to take any action here. (We are not the only ones in the 12-unit building who have complained about the noise level of the system) Unfortunately, I am quite sensitive to sounds and have not been sleeping well since moving in a month ago because I constantly hear this humming.
In the attachment, I also included a log of the measurement data recorded over about 5 hours with nearly 100,000 data points. The outliers are due to entering and leaving the bathroom (once in the middle to check if everything was being recorded). The reference line is marked at 37 dB. However, these recordings were made inside the bathroom, not outside.
I hope, since I am an absolute layperson and only a tenant, not the developer, that someone can provide a few reliable data and statements on this topic. I have tried to find the relevant standard myself, but there are many, and I may just be missing the correct terms.
My questions are therefore:
a) Where exactly should I measure to get reliable results?
b) Which standards must be met here, and at what point must the developer take action?
c) If everything is correct, what options do I have to reduce the humming in the bedroom? (Materials for the door for better sound insulation?)
I would appreciate it if anyone has further information to share with me here.
If I can provide any additional information to help assess the situation better, please let me know.
Thank you!
M
ManuelRauber3 Nov 2020 13:02Mycraft schrieb:
Have the system equipped with moisture sensors so that it only turns on when really necessary.It already has all that built in and switches to performance mode. Afterwards, it switches back down, but apparently, according to standards, it has to run 24/7 because this is required for this type of house.
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