At the company where I work, we have started collecting data on vibration levels of the Detroit Diesel Allison engines located on the marine launches. I would like to establish a program of predictive maintenance. In my department there is a lot of information on vibration analysis and limits as it relates to pumps, turbines etc. I am looking for information on the acceptable vibration limits, of equipment that are not securely fixed to a bedplate, for example motor vehicle or marine engines. Can you list some vibration limits in inches per minute (IPM or other values) for this type of installation. I know the vibration levels will be higher for this type of setup.

Neil Ng Fong
Engineering Assistant
Petrotrin
Trinidad & Tobago

Are they substantially different?

Vibration in ships:

http://www.navweaps.com/index_tech/tech-005.htm

B. Vibration Levels
Vibration levels shall not exceed 0.2 inches per second beyond any source property boundary or 30 yards from any moving source.

http://www.phila.gov/health/units/ams/noise.pdf#search=...%20motor%20vehicles'

Vibration sources:
http://www.fabreeka.com/tech/facility_planning.pdf

Maybe it's alrady addressed here:
http://www.asmeconferences.org/ICE03/ViewAcceptedAbstracts.cfm?TrackID=2