SOUND TESTING
FOR LONDON AND THE SOUTH EAST

Frequently Asked Questions

Site requirements for Part E compliant acoustic testing

  1. The integrity of the structure must be complete prior to the test. Please see “How can I improve acoustic performance?” below.

  2. For impact floor sound insulation tests, there should be no soft covering fitted to floors within the rooms that are to be tested (e.g. carpet, soft vinyl or ceramics). If carpets have been fitted, they must be rolled back for the duration of the test.

  3. Rooms to be tested must be unfurnished, empty and tidy.

  4. Trades will not have access to the dwellings during the tests.

  5. There should be no noisy operations or work carried out nearby the dwellings during testing (drilling, cutting & groundwork).

  6. 240v mains power must be available within the rooms to be tested.

  7. Access is required to the properties either side of a party wall/floor being tested.

 

Prior to attending site we shall require the following information

  1.     Floor plans and section drawings; and

  2.     Contact details for the site manager

 

What is an acoustic test?

The transmission of noise between dwellings can cause annoyance and stress, and can interfere with communication and sleep. An acoustic test for Building Regulations purposes is a test to measure resistance to the passage of sound through party walls and separating floors. The result of the sound test is expressed in dB, with minimum target values set within Approved Document E of the Building Regulations.

For an airborne sound insulation test a sound is emitted within a source room, and measured within an adjoining receiver room. The result is the difference in sound level recorded within these two rooms.

For an impact sound insulation test, sound is generated using a tapping machine in the source room above, and recorded within the receiver room below.

 

Do I need a sound test?

If you are creating a dwelling or a room for residential purposes (either newly constructed, or through material change of use) then Approved Document E states that, with the exception of developments that have followed certified Robust Details, you must perform an acoustic test. Testing is required to be carried out for party walls and separating floors between dwellings, but only where these separate one habitable space (e.g. bedroom and living room) from another.

For larger developments one set of acoustic tests is required for every ten dwellings. A set of acoustic tests encompasses two party wall airborne tests, two separating floor airborne tests and two separating floor impact tests.

 

What happens if the dwelling fails the acoustic test?

The majority of dwellings tested achieve a first time pass. However, should your dwelling not achieve a first time pass we shall advise you of all acoustic weak points identified during the test and appropriate remedial work. If it is possible for the remedial work to be carried out at once we shall allow a reasonable amount of time for the works to be complete and then re-test at no extra charge. If it is not practical to carry out the remedial work on that day we will arrange for one of our sound test engineers to attend site again on another day once the works are complete.

 

How can I improve acoustic performance?

  1.     The building must be ready to test:

    a.    All windows and doors must be installed, fitted with latches and draught strips, and closed.

    b.    All ventilation systems and trickle vents must be installed and closed.

    c.    Walls, floors and ceiling must be in a finished state, with no holes or gaps.

    d.    Skirting, sockets and light switches must be fitted.

  2.     Specify materials with good sound insulation properties.

  3.     Ensure sound insulation installed within cavities is continuous.

  4.     Beware of flanking. This is where sound travels around an insulated surface (for example bypassing a soundproofed floor by travelling through the adjoining wall structure).

  5.     Avoid high ratios of light fittings (particularly downlights) and sockets.

  6.     Seal any gaps where pipes and cables pass through walls and floors.

  7.    Seal any gaps around windows and doors.

Get in touch.

Sound testing for London and the South East please use one of the following methods to get in touch and speak directly with our experienced team.