BU364 Preventing noise in plumbing installations (1998)

The transport of fluids through a pipe system will always generate sound energy due to vibrations caused by the mechanical forces involved.

Noises generated by poorly designed pipework within a completed building structure are often very difficult to eliminate or reduce. Protection against noise generation should be a basic responsibility of both the designer and installer of the pipework.

This bulletin looks at the causes of noise in plumbing services for:

• high-pressure/high-velocity systems
• low-pressure systems
• outlets and fittings
• gravity discharge systems.

It also looks at options to minimise noise and nuisance from plumbing installations generally.