The use of anti-vibration mounts, resilient pads, or inertia bases between the traction machine and the building structure to prevent transmission of vibration and airborne noise.
Full Definition
Elevator machine isolation encompasses all passive vibration-attenuation measures applied at the interface between the traction machine assembly and the supporting building structure. It addresses two transmission paths: (1) structure-borne vibration propagating through steel and concrete to inhabited spaces; (2) airborne noise radiated by the machine and transmitted through the shaft walls. Standard measures include: rubber-metal anti-vibration mounts (natural frequency 5–12 Hz) under the machine bedplate; resilient strips between machine beams and beam support corbels; acoustic enclosures around noisy components; flexible conduit connections to prevent rigid electrical conduit acting as vibration bridges. Design targets per EN 81-20 Annex J and ISO 10816-3: vibration velocity on the machine room floor ≤ 2.8 mm/s RMS; A-weighted sound pressure level in adjacent occupied rooms ≤ 35 dB(A) (residential). Isolation efficiency must be verified with vibration measurements during acceptance testing.
