Acoustic Requirements

Approved Document E 2003 (England and Wales)

Approved Document E of the Building Regulations aims to improve standards of sound insulation in buildings, between homes or rooms for residential purposes. The documents outline the methods of compliance and distinguishes between new build and material change of use projects, stating the different requirements for each.

Approved Document E must be adhered to when building houses, flats, schools and hostels. The document comprises four parts:

• Part E1 – Provides protection against sound from separating walls and floors between dwellings.
  
  
• Part E2 – Provides protection against sound internally within a dwelling.
  
  
• Part E3 – Provides protection against sound in the common internal parts of buildings containing flats or rooms for residential purposes.
  
  
• Part E4 – Provides protection against sound in schools.
  

Methods of Compliance

There are two methods of compliance to Approved Document E: Pre-Completion Testing and Robust Details.

Pre-Completion Testing

Pre-Completion Testing applies to rooms used for residential purposes, houses and flats formed by the conversion of other buildings and new build houses and flats.

The required insulation values are set out in the tables opposite and apply to rooms that are completed but not furnished or occupied and that separate spaces used for domestic purposes.

Testing to show compliance with the required values must be carried out by an accredited acoustician. A copy of the results must then be passed to an approved inspector.

Robust Details

Since 1st July 2004 Robust Details have been allowed as an acceptable alternative to Pre Completion Testing. Robust Details are high performance, separating wall and floor constructions that meet a specified standard, avoiding the need for Pre Completion Testing.
For more information visit www.robustdetails.com

Acoustic Requirements

Section 5 (Scotland)

Section 5 of the Scottish Technical Handbooks (formerly known as Part H) deals with the reduction of sound through separating building elements between domestic buildings.

Separating walls must meet the minimum values for weighted standardised difference on airborne sound. Separating floors must meet the weighted standardised difference for both airborne and impact sound.

Methods of Compliance

There are two methods of compliance to Section 5: The use of Guidance Constructions and Performance Testing. Section 5 will be updated in 2010, Karma Acoustic Solutions has systems in place to meet these regulations.

Guidance Constructions

Guidance Constructions are standard constructions that are listed in Section 5 of the Scottish Technical Handbooks. They have been issued by the Scottish Ministers for the purpose of providing practical guidance with respect to the requirements of the provisions of the Building Regulations. However these solutions are for guidance only, so building control managers may also request a Performance Test.

Performance Testing

Performance Testing is required when the construction has not been built to Guidance Constructions or if the building control manager has requested a Post Completion test.

Performance Testing is carried out following the build using UKAS approved testing equipment. If a building element fails then remedial action must be taken.