hello,

Long story short - bought a new flat at top store residential building. Got a surprise - my kitchen wall is adjacent to MRL elevator engine, so when Schindler 3300 stops at any floor, i'm hearing some kind of clanking noize. Recently i've started to hear even the start of elevator. Can't explain that. The sound level of the breakes is about 35db (Max) which seems complies with my country hygiene norms. Elevator company checked the brakes - and said everything is working OK, the engine is connected using the rubber etc.
I managed to get some photos from the shaft. Attaching them here and adding floor scheme. My house administrator told me that there could be an option to add layer of isolation in the shaft itself to minimize the sound. Ofcourse i should pay for that. What do you think - would that be an option ? Is it even allowed to insulate the elevator shaft from the inside ? I would do that in my flat - but the problem is - that the wall is adjacent to Kitchen with all its infrastructure. Thanks for any input

The noise you are probably hearing is the lift of the brake when the unit starts, and the drop of the brake when it sets at the end of the run. You should have been advised of the noise before you bought the flat. You also may be hearing the controller and drive relays. Looking at the pics, the only isolation I see is on the machine. The control and the brakes are on steel. It looks like the hoistway was from an old elevator that was torn out and replaced with the MRL unit. Isolation should have been done when they modernized the elevator. As a post-script, that little bathroom fan would never fly in an elevator that was QEI Inspected.

Thanks, John !

Actually for me not an elevator person - it's hard to understand which of the things are brakes and which controller. Could you say which of the devices are the brakes ? Isn't they are in the maschine itself ? If they're on steel - isn't it's somehow of bad practice ? Maybe i've the right to ask for fixing the situation - by inserting gums everythere.

also building is not old - its built 2015s. Would be hard to believe, that the hoistway would be installed from an old elevator.

This is how it sounds in the kitchen - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FkpmAzsuots. This is the sound in the lobby - https://youtu.be/YdE26ju0lmc. Also there're other stairwells with the same elevators and other elevator brakes (even it's the same Elevator model) sounds very silent like that:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vm5ssAhvlyI?feature=share
But the answer from Schindler is that everything is ok.. Any idea- is it really everything's OK with the elevator if difference of sound between same elevator model is so big ?

Did we not cover this back in March?
Or are you looking for “new” information?

I think we fully covered it in March. Same thing

Hey,

First - i'm really grateful for all your insights and help in the March post. And also sorry if this seems like a double post.

Few weeks ago I got some photos from the elevator shaft, and i thought that maybe you could help me, by taking an eye on it. Also decided to consider the isolation options, and did some acoustic measurement at home. So trying to consider my option.

Could someone comment more in the elevator shaft photo? Maybe i can ask to fix concrete things if it really looks bad.

As far as the shaft goes, it might look sloppy, but it’s built to specifications. Noise is noise and attempting to mitigate it is an ambitious desire. I’m certain nothing will happen on the “shaft side” as far as soundproofing goes due to cost on your part.
Some might suggest after you exhaust all outside shaft options, would be to remove all the wallboard in your unit that abuts the shaft including attic open spaces and the spaces adjacent to lobby/stairwell area in your unit and add any soundproofing materials you desire or what might be recommended by a soundproofing specialist. And the seller never thought to disclose this nuisance noise. Hmmm.
Talk to the tenant just below you. Do they hear what you hear? Is the noise that annoying to them?
Remember, based on your earlier photos, the top floor is an echo chamber.

Thanks @elmannic. So do i understand correctly - that it's not worth to consider any 'shaft side' options because it would not help ?

I've talked to the seller, because he is my friend, lol. He said he felt no discomfort. Also - the previous owner didn't had any issues with not having any curtains and roller blinds on the windows (even in bedroom). I think the previous owners was just insensitive peoples. But, yes, i feel angry at them for not telling me.
My GF says that this sound doesn't bother her also - so i guess thats just me and my psyche:)

Not that it “couldn’t help”, but looking at it from a dollars and cents angle you’d be spending loads of YOU’RE money to resolve the issue, and it might not be practical at all. Shaft side isn’t just fastening sound board or carpet to the wall and away you go, it involves professional contractual advice, some sort of design and then application and that application to not interfere with shaftside equipment, AND meet fire codes. Not to mention anything inside the shaft requires a licensed elevator person be onsite to assist at every turn ($$$), and the lift is non operable as this type of work were to proceed. So you can see this is a big fat check to write to simply address your concerns.
Might be worth it to investigate a sound proofing professional to visit your property and see what he/she recommends understanding it’s not feasible to get inside the shaft. Determining “what” the noise is, “where” it’s migrating to and “how to deaden it” is their job.
I bet no one hears the noise like you do. By now your ears are set and tuned for it (snap…thunk…snap… thunk).

and thanks again, Elmcannic