ISO 2631-2:2003

Overview - ISO 2631-2:2003 (Vibration in buildings, 1 Hz–80 Hz)

ISO 2631-2:2003 is the International Standard for evaluating human exposure to whole‑body vibration in buildings with respect to occupant comfort and annoyance. It defines how to measure and evaluate structural vibration in the frequency range 1 Hz to 80 Hz, including a standardized frequency weighting (Wm) and guidance on measurement direction and location. The standard is intended for both in‑situ surveys and design‑stage predictions where access to a building may be limited.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Assessment of whole‑body vibration in buildings for comfort/annoyance; not intended for assessing structural damage or health/safety effects. Acceptable vibration magnitudes are not specified.
• Measurement directions: Simultaneous measurement in three orthogonal structure‑related axes (x, y, z) as defined in ISO 2631‑1.
• Measurement location: Measure at the place/room of expected occupancy or where the highest frequency‑weighted vibration occurs; multiple locations may be required to map local variation.
• Frequency weighting Wm: Defines the frequency weighting applicable 1 Hz–80 Hz (mathematically given in Annex A). Wm is recommended irrespective of measurement direction when occupant posture is not defined.
• Data capture: Recommended to record unweighted time histories across 1–80 Hz where practicable to support future analyses.
• Evaluation procedure: Identify the axis with the highest frequency‑weighted magnitude and use it for evaluation; apply categories of source (continuous/semi‑continuous, permanent intermittent, limited duration) to interpret results.
• Instrumentation requirements: Follow measurement instrumentation tolerances and performance per ISO 8041; octave/fractional‑octave filtering per IEC 61260.
• Complaints data: Annex B provides guidelines for collecting human response and complaint information (including reradiated noise and visual effects).

Practical applications and users

Who uses ISO 2631-2:

• Vibration and acoustics consultants performing building surveys
• Structural and civil engineers evaluating human comfort implications of nearby sources (traffic, industry, construction)
• Building designers and façade/MEP engineers predicting building response
• Facility and asset managers investigating occupant complaints
• Researchers collecting standardized exposure/response data

Common applications:

• Assessing indoor vibration from rail, road, industrial equipment, or construction
• Designing vibration mitigation (isolation, damping, layout changes)
• Standardizing complaint investigation and data collection for policy or planning

Related standards

• ISO 2631‑1: General requirements and weightings when occupant posture is defined
• ISO 8041: Measuring instrumentation for human response to vibration
• IEC 61260: Octave‑band and fractional‑octave‑band filters
• ISO 4866: Assessment of structural damage risk (not covered by ISO 2631‑2)

Keywords: ISO 2631‑2:2003, whole‑body vibration, building vibration, frequency weighting Wm, vibration measurement, occupant comfort, vibration evaluation.