Skip navigation.

Building Control ...

Resistance to sound

Introduction

Approved Document E incorporates the new acoustic performances for dwellings, flats, rooms used for residential purposes and schools. All with the aim of improving standards in relation to the effects of excessive noise and reducing unwanted noise transmission within buildings and in particular, to noise transmission within dwellings.

Also depending on the works being undertaken, Part E has established a need for Pre-Completion testing to enforce the standards that the document sets out.

Many of the construction techniques previously adopted for party walls and party floors i.e. floors and walls between dwellings and common areas have been revised, as the performance standards that have to be complied with have been raised.

All new dwellings and ‘Changes of Use to residential usage, schools and school alterations fall under the scope of these regulations. Residential ‘Changes of Use’ can comprise of: dwelling houses, flats, hotels, boarding houses, or rooms used for residential purposes e.g. student accommodation, bedsits.

Listed below are the performance standards to be met.

Regulation E1 - Protection against sound from other parts of the building and adjoining buildings

Dwellings, flats and rooms for residential use are to have reasonable resistance to sound from other parts of the same building and adjoining buildings.

 

It is important that you check with the appropriate manufacturer of the products you are intending to use, that these performances can be achieved – bearing in mind the importance of good quality workmanship to ensure at pre-completion test performances also achieves these performance standards.

Guidance on forms of construction and flanking construction is provided in Approved Document E – and reference should be made to this document for further information.

Any failure in achieving these standards will require the works to be corrected to achieve compliance with the Building Regulations.

What is pre- completion testing?

Part E puts the onus on the owner / builder to demonstrate the stated acoustic rating has been achieved. The requirement is that at least 10% of all new dwellings should be Pre-completion tested on-site. Testing applies to separating elements between dwellings only and not required between living spaces within dwellings, nor for corridors, stairwells or hallways. Testing needs to be carried out by a test body with an appropriate third party accreditation.

Building Control will specify the dwelling units and different forms of construction to be tested and it is important that you are involved at an early stage in discussions to ensure the test process is properly carried out.

Copy of the results in an approved format should be sent to the North Tyneside Building Control for approval before a completion certificate can be issued.

Any failure in achieving these standards will require remedial works to be carried out to achieve compliance with the Building Regulations. It will be necessary to re-test the works to check that the remedial works have been successful.

Regulation E2 - Protection against sound within dwelling house etc.

Dwellings, flats and rooms for residential use are required to be constructed so that internal walls between bedroom or rooms containing wc’s, and other rooms and internal floors, provide reasonable sound resistance.

This new requirement aims to cut down on internal generated noise transmission within the dwelling.

New build and pre-completion testing

House builders can avoid having to carryout pre-completion testing for new dwellings if they are registered with Robust Details Ltd.

AND

Before works commence they notify the North Tyneside Building Control.

This notification needs to include:

  • References of the design details to be followed.
  • The parts of the building to which these details are to be utilised.
  • The unique reference number issued by Robust Details for the project.

If this is not provided before the works start, pre-completion testing has to be carried out. Similarly if works on site do not strictly adhere to these details - pre-completion testing has to be carried out.

Testing bodies

Any testing body used for the pre-completion testing must have either:

UKAS accreditation or an European equivalent OR

Be a member of the Association of Noise Consultants registration scheme

FINALLY:

Remember detailing and workmanship is critical to achieve the above standards – pay great attention to the detail and workmanship to avoid problems.

Remember the works will be tested! If you fail a test you will be required to carry out remedial works and re-test to achieve compliance.

LABCBM TRADA Certification