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Needham committee confronts heat-pump noise at Emery Grover; mitigation could cost about $150,000
Summary
The Permanent Public Building Committee heard that mechanical-room heat pumps at Emery Grover are producing sound levels above allowable limits, and initial mitigation work — primarily ductwork with custom attenuators — is estimated at about $118,000, leaving the project roughly $26,000 over budget before other work is priced.
The Permanent Public Building Committee on May 19 heard that heat-pump units serving the Emery Grover building are producing noise that exceeds the project’s allowable limits and that fixes already priced would push the project modestly over budget.
Ken, a staff member presenting the item, said tests show sound levels above the allowable threshold at the property line and in nearby locations. “The ductwork portion alone is 118,000,” Ken said, and when contingencies and additional modifications are included, “we now are $26,000 in the hole.”
Why it matters: Emery Grover abuts condominium properties; the committee said neighbors complained that the noise from the North Mechanical Room was intrusive at night. The project team has taken acoustic measurements and engaged the architect, an acoustical engineer and equipment manufacturer representatives to reconcile on-site readings with earlier noise modeling.
Committee discussion and next steps: The committee heard that readings taken near the units measured in the low- to mid-60-decibel range, and measurements at the nearest property line measured about 57 decibels. That contrasts with the project’s modeling, which the team said projected sound to be under 40 decibels outside the building. The committee was told the equipment cut sheets used in submittals showed about 64 decibels at the unit, while other “design info” cited in project documents referenced higher levels.
Ken said staff are arranging additional meetings with BHA (the architect), the acoustical engineer and the mechanical contractor to determine whether the discrepancy is a modeling issue, an error on submittal documentation, or another cause. He also said the team will test options such as adding attenuators and trying reduced fan speeds, although lower fan speed could reduce equipment performance.
On responsibility and cost recovery, the presenter said the town will pursue insurance or errors-and-omissions claims if warranted; staff also expect negotiations with the design and engineering consultants and possibly with the equipment manufacturer. No formal action was taken at the meeting; the committee asked staff to continue fact-finding and to report back after the technical meetings.
The committee also approved a separate invoice for furniture from Red Thread for $7,209.80 from the FF&E budget during the same agenda item.
Looking ahead: The presenter estimated that, if the remediation design is approved promptly and shop drawings and fabrication proceed, work could occur in early to mid fall. The committee left open the possibility of additional budget requests after the mock-ups and sprinkler relocations are priced.
