Sound Testing Companies Help You Comply With Document E of The Building Regulations

It is mandatory for new buildings to comply with document E of The Building Regulations applicable to England and Wales. Document E relates to sound insulation checks for airborne transmission of sound waves and impact sound transmission. The transmission is tested according to defined parameters and such tests are usually in the domain of sound testing companies offering the sound insulating testing service.



Who must comply?
Approved Document E of the Building Regulation applies to builders who are building a block or block of flats, hotels, hostels or houses with multiple occupancy. It applies if you are converting a building and creating more dwellings within in the process or when you build terraced or semi-detached houses. In order to pass the test it is a good idea to engage expert sound testing companies to provide guidance starting at the design stage and going on throughout the implementation phases. The regulations stipulate that all elements such as walls and floors should be subjected to tests following approved test procedures.

The sound test procedure in brief
One set of sound testing must be carried out for every 10 dwellings. The test comprises of airborne test and transmission test.

  • Airborne testing: Elements such as walls, partitions and floors are subjected to airborne sound insulation test. The usual practice is to use a white noise generator with sound amplified to 100 dB in the source room. A microphone is placed in the target room and average sound pressure levels are measured at different points and distances.
  • Impact testing: The second test is impact testing, usually carried out with the help of a tapping machine that taps the floor in the source room using frequencies within 100 Hz to 3150Hz. Sound level is measured with the help of a microphone in the receiver room at various points and results averaged out to give the sound insulation rating. At least six measurements are required for the test.

For airborne testing the criterion is weighted standardised level difference between sound source room and receiver room. Higher figures indicate better insulation. 45 dB is the norm. Impact testing measures how much impact noise from the source room is heard in the receiver room with result measured in levels so higher levels indicate poor acoustic insulation properties. Figures must not exceed 64dB. The builder/owner must pay for the sound insulation testing cost which can be around £300. 

If the building does not pass the test then remedial action must be undertaken and the building tested again, both of which involve further costs. Builders or house owners would find it in their interest to Contact expert sound testing companies to offer them advice on choice of materials and processes to ensure compliance with approved document E of the Building Regulations and thus pass the test at the first attempt. 

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