No person shall cause annoyance-related vibration levels, as measured at the receiving land use type, above the limits shown in Table N-4.
Table N-4: Groundborne Vibration Criteria: Human Annoyance
Land Use Category
Maximum Vibration Level (VdB)
Description
Workshop
90
Distinctly felt vibration. Appropriate to workshops and non-sensitive areas
Office
84
Felt vibration. Appropriate to offices and non-sensitive areas.
Residential – Daytime
78
Barely felt vibration. Adequate for computer equipment.
Residential – Nighttime
72
Vibration not felt, but groundborne noise may be audible inside quiet rooms.
Source: FTA 2006.
Note: Maximum Vibration Level (in VdB) is the RMS velocity level in decibels, as measured in 1/3-octave bands of frequency over the frequency ranges of 8 to 80 Hz. RMS is the abbreviation for root-mean-square.
(Ord. 2169 § 7, 2019)
No person shall cause architectural damage-related vibration levels, as measured at the receiving land use type, above the limits shown in Table N-5. Note that the term 'architectural damage' is defined as minor surface cracks (in plaster, drywall, tile, or stucco) or the sticking of doors and windows. This is below the severity of 'structural damage' which entails the compromising of structural soundness or the threatening the basic integrity of the building shell.
Table N-5: Groundborne Vibration Criteria: Architectural Damage
Building Category
PPV
(in/sec)
VdB
I. Reinforced concrete, steel, or timber (no plaster)
0.5
102
II. Engineered concrete and masonry (no plaster)
0.3
98
III. Non-engineered timber and masonry buildings
0.2
94
IV. Buildings extremely susceptible to vibration damage
0.12
90
Source: FTA 2006.
Note: Lv (VdB): Lv is the velocity level in decibels, as measured in 1/3-octave bands of frequency over the frequency ranges of 8 to 80 Hz.
(Ord. 2169 § 7, 2019)