Sound Testing

Sound Insulation of floors and walls is used to establish a privacy standard in party walls, particularly flats, and for the avoidance of car noises to adjoining/integral garages or drive-thrus, etc. 

Sound Testing is required to comply with Building Regulations Document E 2003. (Pre-Completion Testing).  The Regulation sets out new acoustic performance requirements for residential dwellings, schools and also for “rooms for residential purposes”. These are rooms used as sleeping accommodation including rooms in hotels, hostels, halls of residence, and residential homes.  Hospitals or similar establishments are exempt.  One of the main aims of the new requirements is to try and improve performance and to remove a major source of ‘noise’ complaints.  This became mandatory for all converted dwellings built after 1st July 2003, and all new builds after July 2004.  The requirement has obvious financial implications for developments, and in real terms the test at an early stage is likely to be cheaper than subsequent remedial work.

Sound Testing is a skilled process using specialist equipment which must be maintained and calibrated on a regular basis. It should be carried out by an Accredited tester (preferably UKAS accreditation for field measurements).The test procedure is very rigorous to ensure accuracy and repeatability and must conform to International Standards ISO 140 (1996) Parts 4 & 7, and also ISO 717 (1998) Parts 1 & 2.  A copy of the results are submitted to the local authority not more than five days after the building work is complete.

The requirements apply to newly built dwellings, but the biggest impact in the industry will be on ‘material change of use’, ie converting an existing property into flats. All new dwellings with party walls built without using Robust Standard Details (see below) will also need to be tested.

AES Southern do not provide this service, but work closely with a long-term partner with the necessary expertise.

For sound testing, the following checklist applies:

• windows in, including glazing and trickle vents
• Windows closable
• Walls in a completed state i.e., plastered/drylined
• Skirting boards, sockets and light switches fitted
• Internal and external doors on
• No floor coverings on the separating floors
• Rooms to be tested are empty and tidy
• Dwellings have 240v 50Hz mains power
• No trades to be working in the dwellings or noisy activities outside during the tests
• Access will be required either side of the separating structure
• A completed floor/wall construction breakdown

Robust Details

Where the building has employed ROBUST DETAILS pre-completion sound testing is not required.

A Robust Detail, for Part E of Building Regulations, is a detailed separating wall or floor construction which has been assessed and approved by RDL (Robust Details Limited). In order to be approved, each Robust Detail must:

Be capable of consistently exceeding the performance standards given in Approved Document E to the Building Regulations for England and Wales

Be practical to construct on site

Be reasonably tolerant to workmanship.

 
To build or design to Robust Details, the wall and/or floor constructions would be chosen from the Robust Details Handbook, and built exactly according to the detail shown.  Indication of compliance prior to Build and proof of compliance subsequent to Build would probably be demanded by the Building inspector.  Lack of proof would be likely to result in the requirement of a Sound Test.