Preparing a Pharmaceutical Research Campus for Construction Noise and Vibration Impact

In 2022, a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company embarked on a major expansion of its campus. The long-running project encompassed the construction of several new buildings and parking garages near existing laboratory buildings and animal holding facilities and included heavy excavation and rock blasting.

Mitigating the impact of construction-related vibration and noise on research activities housed in buildings near the construction was of utmost importance to the company. To establish acceptable vibration levels in these spaces, the company asked the project’s noise and vibration consultant to develop criteria identifying vibration levels that would be acceptable to laboratory end users in nearby research areas and animal holding facilities. The criteria also included a plan to continuously monitor noise and vibration in these spaces during construction, along with a robust communication plan among stakeholders to address noise and vibration exceedances as necessary.

This presentation will discuss highlights and lessons learned from the process of developing the required noise and vibration criteria and monitoring plan, which remains in place as construction continues through 2028, including the rock blasting phase.

Learning objectives:
1. Identify approaches for establishing noise and vibration thresholds that account for the needs of laboratory users, sensitive research activities, animal holding areas, and adjacent occupied spaces.
2. Explain how vibration generated by excavation and rock blasting can be transmitted through a laboratory campus and affect research activities, building occupants, equipment, and sensitive environments.
3. Evaluate current methods for continuously monitoring construction-related noise and vibration, including their capabilities, limitations, and use in identifying conditions that may require intervention to protect ongoing research and occupants.
4. Apply strategies for mitigating construction-related noise and vibration and communicating exceedances among project stakeholders to support safe, functional, and minimally disruptive laboratory environments.