Vibration-isolated/Floor-mounted Attachment

Vibration isolation uses springs in many different shapes to isolate equipment vibrations from the building structure. Their shapes are open (see Figure 113), housed (see Figure 113), and restrained (see Figure 114).

NEVER USE HOUSED SPRINGS FOR SEISMIC RESTRAINT APPLICATIONS. Housed springs cannot resist uplift.

Snubbers (see Figure 115) are restraint devices to limit the movement of equipment that is isolated. Bumpers (see Figure 116) also limit the movement of equipment and are similar to snubbers.

NEVER USE SNUBBERS THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIED. Some snubbers only restrict movement in one direction.

NEVER USE OPEN SPRINGS WITHOUT SNUBBERS OR BUMPERS. Equipment mounted on open springs without snubbers or bumpers will fail.

Verify that the spring is properly aligned according to the manufacturer’s clearances. If the spring shaft rubs against the snubber element, a short-circuit may occur, causing noise problems.

Bases are steel structures made from angles, channels, or I-beams.

Bases are required for mounting isolated equipment. The equipment manufacturer or the isolator manufacturer may provide the bases.

The two ways of attaching vibration-isolated/floormounted equipment are on:

• Restrained springs.
• Open springs combined with snubbers.