Isolating above-ground-floor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities: A case study

A successful MRI installation requires careful coordination of design and construction disciplines to produce a noise isolation result satisfying the medical staff and their need for low distraction in the work environment. One of Seattle’s largest medical centers recently constructed a new facility designed to meet stringent requirements for its second floor location, chiefly that sound levels during MRI operation were required to be less than 34 dBA at any adjacent staff area. With separate clinics on the floors above and below the MRI, sound isolation details at perimeter beams, area partitioning, and resilient fastening methods were all important to achieving the noise goal. Design details will be presented, along with measurements of MRI noise reduction spectra collected after completion of the project, and comparison will be made with predicted performance of the architectural assemblies. Vibration isolation was important to the MRI operation. Vibration measurements will also be presented and discussed relative to the MRI manufacturer’s design criteria.