Impact Noise Reduction in Gyms with Different Rubber Flooring

Impact noise in free-weight areas is a major source of complaints in residential buildings, particularly when the gym is located above or below apartment units. The NBR 15575 standard establishes a maximum impact noise level of L'nT = 55 dB only for gyms situated above residential units, with no specific requirements for units located above or adjacent to these facilities. When complaints arise, installing a floating slab is often unfeasible due to excessive structural load. Therefore, lightweight and effective solutions are required, such as light floating screeds, rubber flooring, or a combination of both. Among these options, rubber flooring stands out for its easy installation and ability to reduce impact noise. This study presents impact noise attenuation tests on eight types of rubber gym flooring, comparing their effectiveness in reducing noise transmission.