Why Elevator Noise Is Increasing

출처 : 네이버 뉴스

 

if you live in an apartment,
you’ve probably heard sounds like:

“Whooo—”, “Thud—”, or “Rattle—”

These noises tend to feel even louder at night or early in the morning.

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“Is this elevator noise?”

Yes, it is.
Elevator noise is actually transmitted through the building structure.

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1. Why Elevator Noise Is Increasing

The reasons for the increase in elevator noise are clear:

Causes

• Increase in high-rise apartments
• Faster elevator speeds
• Expansion of integrated structural designs

In reality,
as elevator speed increases, vibration and noise grow exponentially.

In addition, this noise does not travel through the air.
Instead, it is transmitted through walls (concrete), known as structure-borne noise,
making it much harder to block.

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2. Main Causes of Elevator Noise

Elevator noise is not just a simple mechanical sound.
It results from a combination of structure, equipment, and construction factors.

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① Motor and Machine Room Vibration

• Occurs during the rotation of the hoisting machine (motor)
• More severe in older equipment
• Directly transmitted if vibration isolation is insufficient

 This is the cause of the low-frequency “whooo—” sound

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② Rail Friction and Vibration

• Occurs when the elevator moves along the rails
• Noise increases if installation precision is poor

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③ Transmission Through Walls (Most Critical)

• Elevator shaft is directly adjacent to living spaces
• Vibrations travel through concrete

 This is the main reason why the noise feels so intense

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⑤ Aging and Wear

• Component wear and tear
• Lack of maintenance

 Noise increases over time

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3. When It Is Likely Elevator Noise

If you notice the following, it is very likely elevator-related:

• Noise repeats at regular intervals
• Matches elevator operation timing
• Vibrations felt in walls or floors
• Sounds are louder at night

Especially,
if the timing exactly matches the elevator moving up and down,
it is almost certainly elevator noise.

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4. Why the Problem Is Getting Worse

The biggest issue right now is:

“There is no clear standard for elevator noise.”

As a result:

• Construction companies avoid responsibility
• Disputes among residents increase
• Cases escalate to lawsuits

To address this,
legal revisions are currently being discussed.