December 2023
When someone complains about noise, the problem is bad vibrations. These sounds or noises travel from their source and disturb building residents. Human activity, someone’s behaviour in the building, can include jumping, yelling and loud music. There can be a defect in the design, construction or installation of the building or its mechanical systems. There may be an external source outside the building such as construction.
Communities implement rules, policies, and spend on maintenance to minimize or eliminate these bad vibrations.
Individuals doing aerobics, exercising or dancing in their unit can cause vibrations that travel to neighbouring units. HVAC and plumbing systems, elevators, air conditioners and garbage chutes all cause vibrations that can travel throughout a building. Nearby highways or construction equipment cause vibrations that travel through the ground and can pass into nearby buildings.
Unit owners can and should take reasonable measures to deter sound from escaping their unit and disturbing others. This may include sound absorption materials in walls or floors, and restricting activities such as loud music, construction and renovations. Condominium corporation governing documents likely include provisions relating to vibration that exclude or restrict certain activities.
Condominium corporations should maintain their building infrastructure to eliminate or minimize vibrations from building systems.
