At the prestigious Integra Tower on Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur, Level 8 office workers were experiencing an invisible disturbance. After long working hours, a steady-state, low-frequency rumble and tonal vibrations could be felt throughout the workspace.
Following a detailed investigation, the culprit was traced back to the mechanical plant room located directly below on Level 6. The powerful chiller units and fan systems were transmitting continuous vibrations through the building's structural framework.
Comprehensive noise measurements across Level 8 pinpointed the dominant noise and vibration issues to the 25 Hz and 160 Hz frequency bands. Specifically:
The 25 Hz tonal frequency was potent enough to excite lightweight drywall partitions and ceilings, generating perceptible structural vibrations.
To restore a serene, productive office environment, a substantial reduction of up to 16 dB (Z) was required at these low frequencies.
In acoustic engineering, noise is categorized as either airborne or structure-borne.
Airborne noise travels through the air directly from the source to the listener's ears.
Structure-Borne noise starts as physical vibrations from heavy mechanical equipment—like chillers or fans. These vibrations travel through rigid structural elements like concrete slabs, steel beams, and heavy pipes. As the vibration moves, it eventually excites the building's interior surfaces (such as walls and ceilings), causing them to act like giant speakers that radiate noise back into the air.
Mitigating structure-borne noise is far more complex than hanging acoustic panels. Low frequencies (like 25 Hz) carry large amounts of energy and long wavelengths, meaning they can travel long distances through concrete without dissipating.
To silence structure-borne noise, you cannot simply block it; you must mechanically isolate the vibrating systems from the building's skeleton. This requires highly specialized materials and precise engineering calculations to avoid the phenomenon of resonance, which can actually amplify the noise if not treated correctly.
To break the path of the vibrating energy, our team at ISTIQ Noise Control engineered and executed a comprehensive vibration isolation treatment plan. The goal was to mechanically detach the plant room's high-energy pipe systems from the concrete slab above.
Our targeted scope of work included:
Equipment Installed: 300 high-performance Spring Hanger Isolators.
Application: Rigidly suspended chiller piping was decoupled from the ceiling using these isolators.
Technical Specifications: * 7–9 Hz resonance frequency to effectively dampen the troublesome 25 Hz and 160 Hz plant vibrations.
10–15 mm static deflection under heavy load.
Corrosion and UV-resistant materials to ensure long-term durability.
Designed to prevent over-compression under peak operational stresses.
Equipment Installed: 100 additional Spring Hanger Isolators.
Application: Applied to the main overhead piping and ductwork systems of the fan room.
Technical Specifications: Identical performance and high-grade specifications as the chiller room isolation system to maintain acoustic harmony across the entire facility.
The project was officially completed on April 30, 2026, with visual inspections, functional tests, and final visual checks all passing with flying colors.
With the mechanical pipe systems successfully suspended by ISTIQ’s high-performance spring isolators, the transmission path of the chiller and fan vibrations was completely broken. The low-frequency rumble at Level 8 was eliminated, restoring peace and comfort to the workplace.
As part of our commitment to continuous quality management, we received exceptionally positive feedback from the building's management team. Harta Integra Berkat Sdn Bhd and the building manager expressed high satisfaction with our team's communication, speed, and product quality. At ISTIQ Noise Control, we take pride in delivering robust, high-performance acoustic treatments that stand the test of time.
We specialize in industrial noise control, oil & gas industry noise control, architectural acoustics, traffic noise control and audiometric test room.
Posted by ISTIQ Noise Control Sdn Bhd on 3 May 26
Malaysia
